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REFORMATION BOOKSHELF CD (Volume Twenty-three ) Reformation Church Government (1/2) Distinction Between the True and False Church, the Dangers of Prelacy, Popery and Independency, Church and State, the Call to the Ministry, Headship of Christ Over His Church, the True Nature of Revival, Visibility of the True Church, Characteristics of the Witnessing Church, A Vindication of the Dissenters, the Divine Right of Church Government, Thornwell Refutes Hodge, The Apostolic Church, Which Is It?, and much more! The Westminster Assembly, John Calvin, George Gillespie, Alexander Henderson, Robert Baillie, David Steele, the Reformed Presbytery (RPNA), the Covenanted Church of Scotland (General Assembly), William Cunningham, Matthew Henry, Samuel Miller, William Henderson, R.L. Dabney, English Parliament (with advice from the Westminster Assembly), James Fisher, Alexander M'Leod, Various Protesting Covenanters (Samuel Rutherford, William and James Guthrie, Robert Traill, James Nisbett, et al.), Sundry Ministers of London, J.H. Thornwell, the famous Synod of Dort (1618-1619), Thomas Manton, C.H. Spurgeon,Jonathan Edwards, John Owen,John Brown (of Wamphray),John Brown (of Haddington),Francis Turretin,James Durham, John Howie, William Hetherington, Samuel Miller, John Girardeau, Edward Fisher, Robert Shaw, A.W. Pink, Loraine Boettner, Augustus Toplady, Andrew Symington, Patrick Fairbairn, William Roberts, Richard Baxter, John Anderson,Andrew Clarkson, David Scott, John Cunningham, George Smeaton, Larry Birger, Francis Rouse, Dr. F. Nigel Lee, Bill Mencarow, J.A. Wylie, James Douglas, Michael Wagner, the Puritan Reformed Church of Edmonton (Session), Greg Price, Lyndon Dohms (on PRCE session), Greg Barrow, Reg Barrow, et al. This CD contains: CALVIN, JOHN Comparison Between the False Church and the True BAILLIE, ROBERT An Historical Vindication of the Government of the Church of Scotland (1646) BAILLIE, ROBERT Satan the Leader in chief to all who resist the Reparation of Sion (1643) BAILLIE, ROBERT The Unlawfulness and Danger of Limited Prelacy, or Perpetual Presidency in the Church, Briefly Discovered (1641) BARROW, REG Publisher's Preface to The Covenanted Reformation Defended Against Contemporary Schismatics (1998). In the free books file included on this CD. CUNNINGHAM, WILLIAM Church and State: The Biblical View A compilation of articles from some of the best Christian minds in history, including Cunningham, Smeaton, M'Crie, Symington, Gillespie, the Westminster Divines, Bannerman, Owen and Shaw.This book shows that, generally speaking, the leaders of the Reformed faith have all come to substantial agreement regarding what the Scriptures teach about Christ's Kingship over the nations and the Church. Establishmentarianism is clearly seen to be the historically Reformed consensus, and this has a huge impact on the way one views both the Church and the state, in relation to Scripture. CUNNINGHAM, WILLIAM Discussions on Church Principles: Popish, Erastian and Presbyterian (1863) This was originally volume four in Cunningham's Works, which also includedHistorical Theology (2 volumes on CD 30 in this set) and The Reformers and the Theology of the Reformation(both available at http://www.swrb.com/catalog/c.htm ).Iain Murray writes that "in the days of Cunningham and Bannerman, New College, Edinburgh, rose to be the finest theological college in Europe." This book is a good example why. It exposes Romanism, which Cunningham called "the masterpiece of Satan," spiritual tyranny, false views of the church's place and power, innovative worship (contrary to the regulative principle of worship -- Rome's specialty!), and much more!Indexed, 589 pages. DABNEY, ROBERT L. Broad Churchism DABNEY, ROBERT L. What Is A Call To The Ministry ENGLISH PARLIAMENT Ordinance for Settling Presbyterial Government in the Church of England (1646) The full, original title reads: "An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament For the Present Settling (without further delay) of the Presbyterial Government in the Church of England." ENGLISH PARLIAMENT (with advice from the WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY) The Ordination of Ministers (1644) The full, original title reads: "An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament After Advice had with the (Westminster--RB) Assembly of Divines, for the Ordination of Ministers pro Tempore, according to the Directory for Ordination, and Rules for Examination, therein expressed." Because many congregations were "destitute of able and faithful ministers" this ordinance was implemented "until a Government of the Church be formed up to the full power and work of it, and the whole course of ordination of ministers in an ordinary way be set up and settled for all the three Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland" (p.3). Interestingly, among the prerequisites to ordination we find that each candidate was to "bring with him a testimonial of his taking of the Covenant of the three Kingdoms (i.e. the Solemn League and Covenant--RB)." Clearly then, no one could be a lawfully ordained minister in any of these three national Presbyterian Churches without swearing the Solemn League and Covenant -- and this being in accord with Scripture, this prerequisite remains binding upon the moral person of the church. This book lists other qualifications for ministers (prior to examination), along with the rules used during examination -- and includes many other useful points of order (1 Cor. 14:40). 15 pages. FERGUSON, JAMES The Headship of Christ Over His Church and Her Independent Jurisdiction (1841) FISHER, JAMES Edwards, Whitefield, the True Nature of Revival and the "Old Time" Charismatics (1742) Originally titled "A Review of the Preface to a Narrative of the Extraordinary Work at Kilsyth...," this book exposes the deficiencies of shallow revivalism and warns against what today would be called charismatic excesses. It contrasts these weaknesses with the true nature and fruit of salvation (from a Reformed perspective), and specifically deals with some of the less than Scriptural antics of George Whitefield ("a Priest of the Church of England, who refuses to be reformed," Fisher notes) and those Presbyterians that would hear him (occasional hearing). Some of Jonathan Edwards' revival methods also warrant rebuke in this piece. At one point Fisher writes that Edwards' defense of these works uses "exactly the language of Quakers, a branch of that hellish scheme, calculated for enervating and overthrowing the divine authority of the Word, as it is the only foundation of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ" (p. 19). He also notes "that Edwards wants to set aside the Word, as the only rule, at least, in judging and trying this work" (i.e. the "revivals" at Kilsyth and Cambuslang). The work also exposes the defective nature of "revivals" that deal with only personal reformation, leaving off any thought of (or actively burying) the more public concerns that have been prominent in past reformations. GILLESPIE, GEORGE An Assertion of the Government of the Church of Scotland in the Points of Ruling Elders, and of the Authority of Presbyteries and Synods (1846, reprinted from the 1641 edition) Also found in volume one of the Presbyterian's Armoury this work is not included in Gillespie's Works. The first part deals with Ruling Elders and the second is written "Concerning the Assemblies of the Church of Scotland, and Authority Thereof." A postscript is appended in answer to a treatise, written in Gillespie's day, against Presbyterial government. "Incomparably the best account of the constitution of our national Church which has ever appeared," noted Principal Lee (cited in theTreasury of the Scottish Covenant, p. 302). GIRARDEAU, JOHN Discretionary Power of the Church (1875) This book is available on all the Reformation Bookshelf CDs in the "Free Books" file. HALL, ARCHIBALD An Humble Attempt to Exhibit a Scriptural View of the Constitution, Order, Discipline, and Fellowship of the Gospel-Church (1785) HENDERSON, ALEXANDER Reformation of Church Government in Scotland, Cleared from Some Mistakes and Prejudices (1644) Henderson was the statesman and an acknowledged leader among the Scottish Presbyterians at the Westminster Assembly. This work was written on behalf of the Scottish commissioners attending the Assembly, while they were in London in 1644. HENRY, MATTHEW Work and Success of the Ministry HETHERINGTON, WILLIAM H. The Independent Controversy, the Westminster Assembly and Cromwell More in formation exposing Oliver Cromwell at the "Judas of the Covenant"– and the hindrances to real Reformation caused by the Independents at the time of the Westminster Assembly. LEE, SAMUEL The Visibility of the True Church (1675, reprinted 1845) LEIGHTON, DR. ALEXANDER Sion's Plea Against the Prelacie, An Appeal To the Parliament Tried in his absence by the Star-chamber court, Leighton, a Scots divine, was sentenced to pay 10,000 pounds, to be degraded from holy orders, to have his ears cut off, his nose slit, to be branded on the cheek with S.S. (sower of sedition), to be whipped, and to stand in that condition in the pillory and endure what amounted to perpetual imprisonment: all this for daring to write this book against Laud's popish ceremonies and against prelatic Church government. He calls prelacy "antichristian" and declaims vehemently against the canons and ceremonies, adding that "the church has her laws from Scripture, and that no king may make laws for the house of God." LUSK, ROBERT Characteristics of the Witnessing Church (c. 1840) The witnessing Church, engaged in battle during the 1260 years of apostasy, fights with the devil and his angels. She is the true Reformation church; she is the "women in the wilderness". But "Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?" (Song 6:10). What are the marks of this host? How will she be known? What is distinctive about her as opposed to the whore of Babylon and her harlot daughters? These questions and many more, probing the nature of the true church (in contrast to the false church), are answered in this fascinating and edifying article.Robert Lusk was a founding member of the Reformed Presbytery, who, "together with David Steele erected the Reformed Presbytery upon true covenanting principles when the RP Synod made it clear that they would not be reclaimed,"writes Dodson. For an interesting account of this story see the SWRB publication,A Short Vindication of Our Covenanted Reformation, by the Reformed Presbytery, which is in the free books file (A7) on all theReformation Bookshelf CDs. They don't write them like this anymore (at least not very often)! M'LEOD, ALEXANDER The Ecclesiastical Catechism, Being A Series of Questions Relative to the Christian Church Stated and Answered with the Scripture Proofs (1831) " The contents of this small but valuable work, are -- Questions relative to the Christian church -- Church fellowship -- Church government -- Church officers -- Church courts -- Religious worship -- and Church discipline" (Thompson, 1821). This copy was made from Samuel Miller's personal copy and bears his signature. 144 pages. MILLER, SAMUEL The Ruling Elder: An Essay on the Warrant, Nature, and Duties of the Office (1832) This book is in the "free books" file in all of the Reformation Bookshelf CDs. PIERCE, JAMES A Vindication of the Dissenters: In Answer to Dr. William Nichols's Defence of the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England (1718, second edition, corrected) RUTHERFORD, SAMUEL A Peaceable and Temperate Plea for Paul's Presbytery in Scotland (1642) RUTHERFORD, SAMUEL, JAMES GUTHRIE, WILLIAM GUTHRIE, ROBERT TRAILL, JAMES NISBET, & NUMEROUS OTHER PROTESTERS A Protest Against the Unlawful, Unfree and Unjust Assembly of the Resolutioners (1652)Hewison writes of this paper, "(t)he Protesters compeared (at the pretended assembly of the Resolutioners--RB) to lodge a protestation subscribed by 63 ministers and 80 laymen, who declared the Assembly to be 'unlawful, unfrie, and unjust.' The Assembly threatened them with discipline" (The Covenanters, vol. 2, p. 43). Rutherford and the other Protesters held their ground and refused to have ecclesiastical fellowship with the backsliding, covenant-breaking Resolutioners -- a lesson on faithful biblical separation that has long since been forgotten. This work gives us a little slice of the Protesters views during this most important period of controversy in the Church of Scotland: for as Anderson notes, "(f)uture events showed the impolicy of these Resolutions. The men who were admitted by them into places of power and trust in the army and state, became, as the Protesters always predicted, the persecutors of the Church. Had the counsels of the Protesters prevailed, the twenty-eight years' persecution might not have existed" (cited in Treasury of the Scottish Covenant, p. 120). Dodds adds this testimony, "Last fatal sign that the ancient spirit and the freedom of Scotland were about to disappear under a total eclipse, the Kirk hitherto impregnable, unyielding Kirk, stooped down from her old height and emitted Resolutions in favour of those proceedings of the royalists.Against these Resolutions, a large, bold, fierce minority headed by James Guthrie of Stirling protested that the principles of the Covenant should be maintained" (Ibid.). Finally, Johnston writes, "Durham's last treatise had reference to the 'scandalous divisions' thus created, and what is particularly noticeable is the circumstance that David Dickson's last hours were embittered by the recollection of his short-sightedness in adopting these Resolutions.To a lady who visited him on his death-bed he said, 'Madam, I must confess, the Protesters have been truer prophets than we were'" (Ibid.) 20 pages. RUTHERFORD, SAMUEL A Survey of the Survey of that Summe of Church-Discipline Penned by Mr. Richard Hooker, Late Pastor of the Church at Hartford upon Connecticut in New England. Wherein The Way of the Churches in N. England is now re-examined; Arguments in favour thereof winnowed; The Principles of that Way discussed; and the Reasons of most seeming strength and nerves removed (1658) SCOTTISH COMMISSIONERS The Charge of the Scottish Commissioners Against Canterburie and the Lieutenant of Ireland (1641) Rebukes the Prelates for their Popish innovations in doctrine, worship and government. 53 pages. SESSION-BOOK OF THE PARISH OF PENNINGHAME Accounts of Suffering for Christ and His Covenanted Reformation -- Under Erastian Prelacy in Scotland -- Especially From 1679 to 1689 (1826) Contains numerous accounts of suffering and martyrdom brought about by the Prelates and Royalists: who conspired together to destroy the people of God who refused to conform to Prelacy, adopt false worship or abjure the covenants. SPROULL, THOMAS The Duty of Social Covenanting Illustrated and Enforced (1841) A sermon based on, "they -- first gave their own selves to the Lord" (2 Cor. 8:5).Contains an appendix on how only agreement to truth will bring about visible unity in the church. 32 pages. STEELE, DAVID Apostasy in the RPCNA: David Steele Debates James M. Willson STEELE, DAVID A Concise History of the Reformed Presbyterian Church from the Middle of the Sixteenth Century and of the Reformed Presbytery from 1840 Till the Present Time STEELE, DAVID Reminiscences: Historical and Biographical of a Ministry in the Reformed Presbyterian Church, During 53 Years (1883)Since Steele forms a continuing theological link with the faithful General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland (1638-1649), this book is of great importance.Steele held to the attainments of the second (or covenanted) Reformation which gave us the Solemn League and Covenant and the Westminster Standards -- and other Covenanters who follow in this train (along with the British Covenanters, like Rutherford and Gillespie) are sometimes derisively branded as "Steelites" or "Cameronians." SUNDRY MINISTERS OF LONDON The Divine Right of Church Government (Jus Divinum Regiminis Ecclesiastici), Wherein it is Proved that the Presbyterian Government, By Preaching and Ruling Elders, in Sessional, Presbyterial, and Synodical Assemblies, May Lay the Only Lawful Claim to a Divine Right, According to the Holy Scriptures, c. 1646, 1844 ed. This is one of the all time classic defenses of the divine right of Presbyterianism. It also gives us a clear picture of the original intent of the English Presbyterians working at the Westminster Assembly (and is therefore very useful in determining the original intent of the Westminster Confession itself).It can be seen here that it was the strong conviction of the majority of English divines at Westminster that Presbyterianism is the only form of church government that is instituted by God in His Word.David Hall, (the editor of the Naphtali Press edition), states, the book "was not written as a polemical tract, as if to prop up some moribund tradition; rather it is an exemplar of gentle and reasoned discourse." Published anonymously, during the sitting of the Westminster Assembly, because of the Erastian leaning Parliament's "gag rule," this work is considered by some as "an even truer record of the Westminster divines' views of government than the final (politically suppressed) standards" (Coldwell, Naphtali Press edition). Moreover, Hall goes so far as to state that "perhaps no single work is as illuminating for original intent [of the Westminster Standards] as this rare work printed contemporaneously with the meeting of the Assembly;" and that "acquaintance with the political and ecclesiastical events of the time narrows down the possible authorship of this (book -- RB) to either (the) Westminster divines themselves, or sympathizers of the Westminster Assembly of divines (p. xvi). This edition also includes a preface, "The Editor to the Reader," written by the Cameronian "T.H" (Thomas Henderson) -- an Irish Reformed Presbyterian who was also the author to the forward of James Douglas'Strictures on Occasional Hearing. Henderson recommends this volume as "one of the best defences of presbytery which he has ever seen." SUNDRY MINISTERS OF LONDON The Divine Right of the Gospel Ministry (Jus Divinum Ministerii Evangelici) 1654 This is an English Presbyterian classic written by some of the men who attended the Westminster Assembly. It is a companion volume to their earlierDivine Right of Church Governmentand should be studied in conjunction with this unsurpassed work. SUNDRY MINISTERS OF LONDON A Vindication of the Presbyterial Government and Ministry (1650, London edition)This was the second of three major works published by these famous London divines-- the title page noting that this book was "Published By the Ministers and Elders met together in a Provincial Assembly, Novemb. 2d, 1649." The first of their works wasThe Divine Right of Church Government (Jus Divinum Regiminis Ecclesiastici), Wherein it is Proved that the Presbyterian Government, By Preaching and Ruling Elders, in Sessional, Presbyterial, and Synodical Assemblies, May Lay the Only Lawful Claim to a Divine Right, According to the Holy Scriptures(c. 1646, 1844 ed., above) the third beingThe Divine Right of the Gospel Ministry (Jus Divinum Ministerii Evangelici)(1654, above). Great insights into the thinking of theEnglish Covenanters (some who served at the Westminster Assembly) are to be had here. THORNWELL, JAMES HENLY Thornwell Refutes Charles Hodge's Church Polity and Views on Worship UNKNOWN A Letter from a Parochial Bishop to a Prelatical Gentleman in Scotland, Concerning Church Government (1714) Gives "a Historical Account of the ancient Government of the Church, and Alterations made therein since the Apostles Times, with the Rise and Growth of Prelacy," "An Account of the Worship of the Ancient Church, and the Rise of Liturgies," "An Account of the Cyprianick Presbyters," with "The Institution of ruling Elders proven from Scripture and Antiquity," and much more related to the worship and government of the church. 151 pages. WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY Propositions Concerning Church Government and Ordination of Ministers (1647) WITHEROW, THOMAS The Apostolic Church, Which Is It? Shows, based on six Scriptural and Apostolic principles, which system of governing the church [Independent, Prelatical, or Presbyterian] is pleasing to God. WOOD, JAMES A Little Stone Pretended to be out of the Mountain (1654) WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY The Reasons Presented by the Dissenting Brethren Against Certain Propositions Concerning Presbyterial Government. And the Proofs of them Voted by the Assembly of Divines, sitting by authority of Parliament, at Westminster. Together With the Answer of the Assembly of Divines to those Reasons of Dissent (1648)It is interesting to note, as Hetherington points out in his History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines (p. 220), that, "(i)n their answer, the Assembly Divines seem almost to have been ashamed to analyze and expose the weak sophistry of the Dissenting Brethren's argument... but by availing themselves of the concessions made by the Independents in the course of their own illustrations, they completely overthrow the whole Congregational theory." One of the most important works in this field of study. Also freeon this CD are the following audio (MP3) tracks: Reformed Presbytery - An Explanation and Defence of the Terms of Communion, Adopted by the Community of Dissenters, etc. (1/2)Reformed Presbytery - An Explanation and Defence of the Terms of Communion, Adopted by the Community of Dissenters, etc. (2/2)Reformed Presbytery - Act, Declaration, And Testimony, For The Whole Of The Covenanted Reformation, As Attained To, And Established In, Britain and Ireland; Particularly Betwixt The Years 1638 and 1649, Inclusive. As, Also, Against All The Steps Of Defection From Said Reformation, Whether In Former Or Later Times, Since The Overthrow Of That Glorious Work, Down To This Present Day, 1876 (1/4)(Upholds the original work of the Westminster Assembly and testifies to the abiding worth and truth formulated in the Westminster family of documents. Upholds and defends the crown rights of King Jesus in church and state, denouncing those who would remove the crown from Christ’s head by denying His right to rule (by His law) in both the civil and ecclesiastical spheres. Testifies to the received doctrine, government, worship, and discipline of the Church of Scotland in her purest (reforming) periods. Applies God’s Word to the Church’s corporate attainments.It is not likely that you will find a more consistent working out of the principles of Calvinism anywhere.Deals with the most important matters relating to the individual, the family, the church and the state. Sets forth a faithful historical testimony of God’s dealings with men during some of the most important days of church history. A basic text that should be mastered by all Christians.)Reformed Presbytery - Act, Declaration, And Testimony, For The Whole Of The Covenanted Reformation (2/4)Reformed Presbytery - Act, Declaration, And Testimony, For The Whole Of The Covenanted Reformation (3/4)Reformed Presbytery - Act, Declaration, And Testimony, For The Whole Of The Covenanted Reformation (4/4)Greg Barrow - DEBATE on the Meaning of the Church in Reformation Thought(Chapter two in from the bookThe Covenanted Reformation Defended).Greg Barrow - DEBATE: How the Solemn League & Covenant Binds the USA, Canada, Australia, etc., Today (1/3)(Chapter three in from the bookThe Covenanted Reformation Defended).Greg Barrow - DEBATE: How the Solemn League & Covenant Binds the USA, Canada, Australia, etc., Today (2/3)(Chapter three in from the bookThe Covenanted Reformation Defended).Greg Barrow - DEBATE: How the Solemn League & Covenant Binds the USA, Canada, Australia, etc., Today (3/3)(Chapter three in from the bookThe Covenanted Reformation Defended).John Howie - Biographia Scoticana: or, A Brief Historical Account of the Lives, Characters, and Memorable Transactions of the Most Eminent Scots Worthies (16/21) (Second edition, corrected and enlarged, 1781)(Contains the life of James Renwick, Alexander Moncrief,et al.)
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BIBLES & BOOKS
