The Puritans: Physicians of the Soul — J. Stephen Yuille

Dr. J. Stephen Yuille joins Will Spencer for a conversation on one of the most misunderstood traditions in Christian history: the Puritans.

Often caricatured as cold moralists, the Puritans were in fact pastors of the heart — “physicians of the soul” who endured suffering, cultivated the affections, and pursued holiness with seriousness that still challenges believers today.

In this episode we explore Puritan spirituality, the role of suffering in spiritual formation, mentorship across generations, and the importance of devotional reading from past centuries. We also discuss why many modern Christians instinctively sense something missing in contemporary faith and how the Puritan tradition offers a deeper inheritance.

If you are seeking a faith that is thoughtful, lived, and capable of bearing the weight of suffering, this conversation offers a rich introduction to Puritan theology and spirituality.

Mentorship and clarity for men: https://willspencer.co/mentorship

Topics Discussed

1. The Puritans and the life of the affections
2. Pastors as “physicians of the soul”
3. Suffering and spiritual formation
4. Mentorship across generations
5. Devotional reading and learning from “dead men”

GUEST LINKS

Reformation Heritage Books — https://www.rhb.org

The Heart Taken Up - BUY HERE

Holy Meditation by Thomas Manton - BUY HERE

RESOURCES MENTIONED

George Swinnock — The Blessed and Boundless God

Puritan Treasures for Today Bundle

🌟 The Will Spencer Podcast was formerly known as "The Renaissance of Men."

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Biblical Mentorship for Men

If you’re a man who knows something needs to change — not because life is “too hard,” but because you’ve been drifting, avoiding responsibility, or lacking direction — Will Spencer’s Biblical Mentorship for Men is a disciplined, Scripture-based process focused on clarity, responsibility, and spiritual depth. This is not therapy. It’s not self-help. And it’s not about numbing pain. It’s about learning how to suffer well, lead yourself, and live faithfully. You can book a free Clarity Call to...