10 Books that J C Ryle read and commended

1. John Foxe Acts and monuments 1554-1838

("a book which all churchmen in these days ought to study" Hugh Latimer, Bishop and martyr)

2. John Bunyan Pilgrims' Progress 1678

(“I do not doubt that the one volume of Pilgrim’s Progress, written by a man who knew hardly any book but his Bible, and was ignorant of Greek and Latin, will prove in the last day to have done more for the benefit of the world, than all the works of the schoolmen put together.” The fallibility of ministers)

3. Matthew Poole Annotations on the whole Bible 1685-1700

(Poole’s “Annotations” are sound, clear, and sensible; and, taking him for all in all, I place him at the head of English Commentators on the whole Bible." Expository thoughts on John's Gospel)

4. Matthew Henry Complete Commentary 1708-1710

("Matthew Henry is generally rich in pious thoughts and pleasing illustrations, and sometimes exhibits more learning and acquaintance with books, than he is commonly credited with." Expository thoughts on John's Gospel)

5. John Newton Cardiphonia 1781

6. William Wilberforce Practical View 1797

7. Thomas Scott Reply to Bishop Tomline 1811

8. Joseph Milner Church History 1812

9. Edward Bickersteth Christian Student 1829

10. John Angell James Christian Professor 1837

(The last six are mentioned by Iain Murray in his new biography of Ryle as those that helped Ryle most early on. The list is from the earlier Toon and Mout biography)