author
Samuel Ward
1577–1640
A vivid Puritan preacher from Ipswich, he wrote with energy, wit, and a strong sense of practical faith. His best-known books blend moral seriousness with a sharp, memorable style that still feels lively centuries later.
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About the author
Born in Suffolk in 1577, he was the son of the minister John Ward and later became an English Puritan minister in Ipswich. He studied at St John's College, Cambridge, and built a reputation as a powerful preacher and devotional writer.
His writing is remembered for being direct, vivid, and engaging rather than dry or abstract. Works such as The Life of Faith and Balme from Gilead show his focus on practical religion, while Woe to Drunkards reflects his gift for forceful moral appeal.
He died in 1640, but his books continued to circulate among readers interested in Puritan spirituality. For modern readers, he stands out as a writer who joined earnest religious conviction with an unusually lively voice.