The Poor Doubting Christian Drawn to Christ: Wherein the main hinderances which keep men from coming to Christ are discovered; with special helps to recover God's favour. By Thomas Hooker, first minister of Hartford, Connecticut. With an abstract of the Author's Life. Also an Introduction, by Edward W. Hooker, D.D. Prof. Sacred Rhetoric in the Theological Institute of Connecticut, East Windsor

In the introduction, Edward Hooker notes that this book "is designed for 'mourners in Zion:' for those children of God whose 'souls are cast down and disquieted within them:' for those who 'walk softly before the Lord;' who live in conflict with sin in themselves; who have been wounded with 'the fiery darts of the wicked one;' and who would prize, inestimably, the peace and comfort to be obtained by going to Calvary, and in 'sitting at the feet of Jesus.'" (p. 6).

The author, Thomas Hooker, "was one of the most esteemed divines in England, Holland, and New-England, in his day; for great abilities, a piercing judgment, solid learning, extraordinary sanctity, deep acquaintance with the Scriptures and experimental divinity, and for awakening and successful preaching; and his name and writings were very dear to multitudes of the most serious Christians in those distant countries" (p. 9).

Hooker "helped found Hartford, Connecticut (1636)... He helped create Connecticut's 'Fundamental Orders' (1638) and was instrumental in forming the New England Confederation (1643)" (Encyclopedia of the Reformed Faith).

Notwithstanding these compliments, Samuel Rutherford corrected some of Hooker's errors in matters related to church government and worship in A Survey of the Survey of that Summe of Church-Discipline Penned by Mr. Richard Hooker, Late Pastor of the Church at Hartford upon Connecticut in New England.

Wherein The Way of the Churches in N. England is now re-examined; Arguments in favour thereof winnowed; The Principles of that Way discussed; and the Reasons of most seeming strength and nerves removed (1658) and in The Divine Right of Church Government and Excommunication: A Peaceable Dispute for the Perfection of the Holy Scripture in Point of Ceremonies and Church Government in which the Removal of the Service Book is Justified.

The Six Books of Erastus Against Excommunication are Examined; with a Vindication of the Eminent Divine Theodore Beza Against the Aspersions of Erastus, The Arguments of Mr. William Pryn, Richard Hooker, Dr. Morton... and the Doctors of Aberdeen; Touching Will-Worship, Ceremonies, Imagery, Idolatry, Things Indifferent, An Ambulatory Government; The Due and Just Power of the Magistrate in Matters of Religion, and the Arguments of Mr. Pryn, in so Far as they Side with Erastus, are Moderately Discussed.

This book deals with an individual's relationship with God. Those who have doubts about their salvation are encouraged to trust in Christ alone. No one is so great a sinner as to be beyond the reach of God's mercy. "For this is all the Lord requires of us, namely, to see our sins, to be weary of them, to be content that the Lord Jesus shall reveal unto us what is amiss, and seal a pardon for it, and take it away; and further give us his grace to take down the old building, and to set up a new one in us after his image." (p. 116).

Sections are included on assurance, obtaining an interest in God's promises, and living by faith.

This book is a practical help for those struggling Christians who need, once again, to be pointed to their Saviour as the only real answer to their spiritual problems.