Reformation CD#25 - Reformation Civil Government
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REFORMATION BOOKSHELF CD(Volume Twenty-five)

Though the author is unknown, this work has been thought by some to have been written by George Gillespie. It is a fine introduction to second Reformation thought on civil government.

Barrow demonstrates how social covenanting and close communion were practiced by Calvin in Geneva. He shows that Calvin, in his desire to upholdsola Scripturaand promote further Reformation, saw the faithful implementation of these two ordinances as the means ordained of God to extend, protect, and consolidate the work of the Holy Spirit -- in the individual, civil, and (especially) the ecclesiastical battle against the man of sin in his day. This book is available in the "Free Books" file in every Reformation Bookshelf CD.

Many consider Knox one of the greatest Reformers ever and God used him to win the nation of Scotland to Christ.Knox laid the foundations for the Covenanters that followed, and they in turn gave us the clearest foretaste of the millennium glory to come in the magnificent Solemn League and Covenant. Speaking of these Reformation attainments McFeeters notes,

This book deals with some of Knox's most controversial political writings. Numerous resources, recently published, dealing with civil disobedience and opposition to tyranny are also listed.

The first appendix in this book contains Barrow's letter to Christian Renewalexpressing his strong disagreement with an unfavorable and inaccurate review of Michael Wagner'sPresbyterian Political Manifesto.In it he shows how the Reformers and their confessions of faith supported the civil establishment of the one true Christian religion, while at the same time publicly excluding Papist's, pagans and other heretics from places of civil rule (in countries blessed with the light of the gospel).

The second appendix contains a series of letters dedicated to proving why Barrow calls Cromwell the "Judas of the Covenant."It exposes Cromwell's reckless abandon in violating his sacred vows to the Lord in the Solemn League and Covenant, while also showing why Cromwell's wicked, antichristian views concerning toleration and so-called "liberty of conscience" led people away from Scriptural standards and helped open the floodgates to modern atheistic pluralism.In short, Cromwell was the prototype of our contemporary pragmatic politician, adept at equivocation and setting his own glory and government above all other concerns, including the glory and government of God.In this vein Barrow contends thatCromwell, unaffectionately dubbed the "late usurper" by the covenanted Presbyterians of the mid seventeenth-century,was used of the devil to accomplish things in the civil and ecclesiastical realm that he (i.e. Satan) could never have accomplished with the more obviously antichristian religions of that day (which were not pluralistic theologically, such Romanism, Episcopalianism, etc.). For Cromwell laid his axe of ungodly toleration and pretended liberty of conscience to the root of the tree of covenanted Reformation in a much more subtle manner than the previous "midwives to antichrist," and thus his sectarianism better served the devious designs of the devil during those days.This section also exposes Cromwell as a Erastian tyrant, a liar, and a dictator, who (with the help of his sectarian army) executed the covenanted Presbyterian minister Christopher Love (Cromwell's soldiers even threatened to shoot Thomas Manton for preaching at Love's funeral), sent many other Presbyterian ministers to jail (including Thomas Watson), disbanded the Scottish general assembly (at gunpoint), and eventually began negotiations with Papists (with the intent of granting them a measure of "liberty" to more freely practice their superstitions and soul murder).This is not the view of Cromwell that you will hear from modern historians and theologians who have abandoned the context of covenanted Reformation (how could it be?), for as Rushdoony has correctly pointed out, "Men cannot give a meaning to history that they themselves lack, nor can they honor a past which indicts them for their present failures" (A Biblical Philosophy of History, p. 135).

Pointed but irenic, Barrow decisively refutes the view of Doug Wilson (cf. "Cyberporn: A Case Study" [Credenda/Agenda, vol. 7, no. 5, p. 11]), many modern Theonomists and the civil libertarians, that the production and distribution of pornography is not a crime (and thus not subject to negative penal sanctions by the civil magistrate). This is appendix "B" excerpted fromSaul in the Cave of Adullam: A Testimony Against the Fashionable Sub-Calvinism of Doug Wilson (Editor ofCredenda/AgendaMagazine; and, For Classical Protestantism and the Attainments of the Second Reformation .

For Latin readers. Appeared in 1554 as a defense of Calvin's willingness, based on biblical law, to execute seditious heretics like Servetus (for Calvin saw this as the civil magistrate's God-given duty). In this work,Whether the Civil Magistrate Ought to Punish Heretics, "Beza argued... [m]agistrates in Christian states are representatives of God and are bound by the Word of God in spiritual matters" (cited in Greaves,Theology and Revolution in the Scottish Reformation [Christian University Press, 1980, p. 153]).

Contains "Historical Notices of the Life and Writings of Clarkson" by Gertrude Clarkson along with Clarkson's "Treatises on the Church Polity of the Primitive Times." This treatise includes the following articles: "No Evidence for Diocesan Churches;" "Diocesan Churches Not Yet Discovered;" "Primitive Episcopacy Stated and Cleared from the Holy Scriptures and Ancient Records;" and "A Discourse Concerning Liturgies." Other works in this volume include"A Discourse of the Saving Grace of God" and the following miscellaneous sermons: "A Funeral Sermon for Dr. John Owen;" What Must Christians Do That the Influence of Ordinances May Abide Upon Them?;" and "The Doctrine of Justification is Dangerously Corrupted in the Roman Church." Indexed, 500 pages.

The title continues: "Wherein the gross falsehoods, calumnies, and imposed sense, palmed by Mr. John Goodlet, upon the Testimony emitted by the Reformed Presbytery, are exposed and confuted; and said Testimony vindicated. As also, the seceding scheme of political principles more fully detected;-- and discovered to be inconsistent with the law of nature, light of divine revelation, and covenanted testimony of the Church of Scotland."

One of our most rare and valuable resources. A masterpiece! Wholesome Severity waswritten during the sitting of the Westminster Assembly and demonstrates why Gillespie is considered one of the most influential Divines of the seventeenth century. Here we have the question stated (regarding liberty of conscience),the middle (or biblical) way between Popish tyranny and Schismatizing liberty approved, and also confirmed from Scripture, with the testimonies of Divines, yea of whole churches added to vindicate Christ's kingship (over the idolatry of the rule of an ill-informed, sinful conscience sitting in judgement upon the truth of the Word of God).The chief arguments of exception used inRoger Williams' The Bloudy Tenet, The Compassionate Samaritane, M.S. to A.S. etc.are examined herein. Gillespie also deals with many of the thorny questions related tothe abiding validity of the Old Testament judicial laws. This is classic Scottish (covenanted) Presbyterianism at its best, a work that can be read over and over with increasing profit! This exceedingly rare essay isnotfound in Gillespie'sWorks or The Presbyterian Armoury.

HEWISON, JAMES KING

Smellie, in his preface to Men of the Covenant, calls this set a "great treatise on the Covenanters -- a treatise which covers the entire field and seems to leave no word unsaid." Hewison states that he desired to produce "[a]n absolutely impartial account of the Covenanters." He also notes that "certain definite conclusions regarding the Covenanters, as a rigid sect in the Christian Church, and as a restless, rebellious political party in the 16th and 17th centuries, have been arrived at by many students; and, as a general rule,a far from favourable estimate of these brave and defensible patriots has been based upon generalizations which will not bear investigation."Moreover, he recognizes the Covenanters for who they were: "one of the most extraordinary orders of devotees which the civilized world ever saw."The work is enhanced by photographic reproductions of portraits, pictures, and Covenants. Considered by some as the definitive work on the Covenanters (over 1100 pages). If you are going to study church history after the Apostles, no other group or time period offers as much edifying material. This set is sure to put a fiery zeal in the soul of all those who love the Lord Jesus Christ.

This book, which fits the subject of this CD, is on the first CD in this set (in volume four of Knox'sWorks) — along with various others writings by John Knox which deal with the Reformation view of civil government.

The title continues: "Since the Reformation of Religion, to the present time for information, and advertisement to our Brethren in the Kirk of England, By an hearty Well-wisher to both Kingdoms." Works like this prepared the ground for the union of Scotland and England (with God) in the Solemn League and Covenant. 20 pages.

This is one of Owen's sermons preached before the Parliament of his day. A Parliament, which in 1649 devoted every Friday "to the purpose of consulting in regard to the spread and maintenance of religion." Owen here makes national and personal application of the blessings and curses concerning their situation of being in covenant with God.

The title continues: "Animadversions on the Rev. Mr. Fletcher's Defence of His Scripture-Loyalist. Some general principles stated, and shortly illustrated. The state of the question, between Seceders and Dissenters, on the head of magistracy, ascertained, from their respective writings. The argument divested of such things, as are, evidently, foreign to the subject. Dissenting-principles shown to be consistent with the safety and happiness of human society. And the Bible found to be the standard of our conduct, in every station of life, whether civil, or religious."152 pages.

Upholds the original work of the Westminster Assembly and testifies to the abiding worth and truth formulated in the Westminster family of documents.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. 217 pages.

Until the church comes to terms with what is written in this book it will remain weak and divided. Covenant breakers will not prosper, as this rare item demonstrates from both Scripture and history.The power packed ordinance of covenanting (exemplified in the National and Solemn League and Covenant in particular), was foundational to the second Reformation and the work of the Westminster Assembly.By the National Covenant our fathers laid Popery prostrate. By the Solemn League and Covenant they were successful in resisting prelatic encroachments and civil tyranny. By it they were enabled to achieve the Second Reformation... They were setting up landmarks by which the location and limits of the city of God will be known at the dawn of the millennial day... How can they be said to go forth by the footsteps of the flock, who have declined from the attainments, renounced the covenants and contradicted the testimony of the cloud of witnesses.... All the schisms (separations) that disfigure the body mystical of Christ... are the legitimate consequences of the abandonment of reformation attainments, the violation of covenant engagements. This title is found in all of the free books files on all the Reformation Bookshelf CDs.

Also includes George Buchanan's De Jure Regni apud Scotos(in English).

Smeaton notes, "I have often said that in the Scottish theory we have the ultimate truth on the whole subject of the relations between Church and State, the result of the prayerful investigations and earnest contendings of some of the clearest minds and loftiest characters that adorned the Christian Church during the last three centuries." This is one of the best short treatments of this subject to be found anywhere. It provides key definitions and should help to clear up many misunderstandings, from both the antiestablishmentarians and those Anglican and Continental theories of "State Churches" which have falsely saddled this liberating and God-honoring truth with odiousness to some.

Defends the classic Reformed position in regard to the civil magistrate. Examples of subjects dealt with include: a "vindication of the distinction between preceptive and providential Magistrates;" "that Christ, Luke 20:25; did not recognize the power of Caesar as Lawful;" "the Scripture qualifications of Magistrates;" "that the Covenanters, in the persecuting period, considered it as their duty to have rejected the King's authority, when he overturned the work of God;" etc. In short, this book is a vindication and defence of the principles and testimony of the Reformed Presbytery on the head of the civil magistrate -- in opposition to the errors of the Secession Church (which errors are held today by a good number of professing Protestants). 229 pages.

The strong old views of the second Reformation. Explains the origin of both church and state while delineating the character of the relationship between these two institutions.

Contains interesting observations on the corporate identity of civil bodies (moral person), the place of the intellectual class (responsibility) and how the fear of characterizing events in terms of right and wrong (testimony) creates a moral vacuum which opens the door to tyranny. The idolatrous, humanistic notions of the Nazi's are also shown to be compatible with Heidegger's philosophy (and his actions).

Demonstrates how a lack of cultural and ethical uniformity inevitably leads to division. Looks at the Quebec situation, the Aboriginal political culture and the Reform party. The intolerance of the "tolerationists" -- that is, their intolerance of fundamentalist groups (other than themselves) -- is also touched on.

This resource is contained in the free books file on all the Reformation Bookshelf CDs.

This resource is contained in the free books file on all the Reformation Bookshelf CDs.

This is a fine piece of exegetical work, well nigh irrefutable, arguing that God has given clear revelation regarding the lawfulness and unlawfulness of any given civil magistrate.

The Sabbath: A Discourse on the Duty of Civil Government in Relation to the Sanctification of the Lord's Day (1829)

Also freeon this CD are the following audio (MP3) tracks: