I reviewed my notes on The Art of Prophesying by William Perkins the other day and realized I had forgotten about his section on ‘commonplace books.’ It is fairly amazing how much easier this practice is for us than it was for someone in Perkins’ generation (1558-1602). We can use computer programs and blogs to do most of the heavy lifting these days. As a matter of fact, that’s why my blog exists in the first place.
…Anything you come across in your studies that is important and worth noting should be recorded in tables or commonplace books, so that you have both old and new material at hand (pp. 24-25).
In connection with composing commonplace books, here is some practical advice:
1. Make a list of the most common headings of every point of doctrine.
2. Divide the right-hand pages of your book into columns, or equal sections lengthwise. Head each of these pages with a major topic, leaving the next page blank, so that extra space may be available.
3. Do not attempt to record everything you read in a book, but only things which are memorable or unusual. Do not write out quotes, but only the principal points with appropriate references. Make a note in the book itself too, so that you will be able to find the place referred to in your commonplace book.
4. Some things may be more difficult than others to catalogue accurately. You should therefore add an alphabetical table to help you relocate them easily.
5. Do not rely too much on your book. There is no point in writing things down unless they are carefully hidden in your memory too (p. 25).
