This work contains Scougal’s revered and classic work The Life of God in the Soul of Man, which originally was a letter to a friend explaining the Christian religion and offering spiritual counsel. This book also contains Nine Discourses on Important Subjects and concludes with personal reflections and essays recorded by Scougal while a student at King’s College.

Author  Henry Scougal was born in June 1650, the second son of Patrick Scougal and Margaret Wemys. His father was Bishop of Aberdeen for more than twenty years. From his infancy, his father devoted Henry to the service of God in the sanctuary, and diligently trained him in the right path. From his youth, Scougal spent his free hours in reading, meditation, and prayer. He especially enjoyed studying the historical passages of the Old Testament. In 1665 at the age of 19, Scougal entered King's COllege, Aberdeen, and after graduation was promoted to the office of Professor of Philosophy. Four years later (1672), Scougal was ordained and appointed minister of a church twenty miles from Aberdeen, where he served for one year before returning to take the office of Professor of Divinity at King's College. He taught there for five years before dying of tuberculosis on June 13, 1678, at the age of 28.