Flavel has 15 citations. Not too bad.

If you need any consolation, according to Ernest Bacon, Spurgeon was reading The Mystery of Providence Opened while he was a schoolboy.

Here’s what I know about Trapp, which is not much. He was a 1600s Anglican, but for whatever reason, he was not a “divine” present at the Westminster Assembly. (Note: several of Spurgeon’s favorites were Westminster Divines, e.g. Caryl.)

Trapp was later chided by George Whitefield for his views on righteousness and perfectionism. Whitefield claimed, “…if you have a mind to know what the devil has to say against us, read Dr. Trapp’s sermons.” Honestly, I don’t remember what side Whitefield or Trapp took. It is interesting, though, that Spurgeon admired both men deeply.

In Commenting and Commentaries, Spurgeon mentions that Trapp was a pastor, head of a school, and witty. I think therein lies Spurgeon’s affinity with Trapp: Spurgeon also was a pastor, principal (Spurgeon’s College), and frequently used wit to impact his audience.

Somewhere down the road I think that a book of short biographical sketches organized around TToD sources would be a great resource. There are lots of unfamiliar names I ran across in TToD.

And Adam, your first post better be an outstanding one, since we’ve been waiting on it for several weeks now. We also hope that you can contribute some day.

This is such a great site! Maybe one day I’ll be able to contribute as well!