Reformation CD#26 - Reformation Civil Government 2
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REFORMATION BOOKSHELF CD(Volume Twenty-six)

Rushdoony states that John Adams said that this was "one of the most influential books in America on the eve of the Revolution." Others have also noted the great influence this book had on the thinking of the founding fathers of the United States.A Defense of Libertyalso influenced Rutherford'sLex Rexand is an important Calvinistic defense of the legality of biblically based revolution. It deals with civil resistance, God's law and more! This is the 1689 translation (180 pages). See William Symington'sMessiah the Prince(on this CD) for an excellent companion volume to this work.

This book deals with the death of James Sharp. He was a Resolutioner (i.e. backslidden Covenanter) turned persecuting Prelate, who after becoming Archbishop of St. Andrews began a relentless persecution of his former colleagues. He helped to revive the notorious Court of High Commission in 1664, with himself as president. This court persecuted nonconformist protestants, over religious issues, and was especially fond of doing the Royalist beast's bidding in regards to Presbyterian ministers (who dissented from both the civil and ecclesiastical Episcopalian establishment). This court had absolute power and could and did hand out death sentences (adapted from theDictionary of Scottish Church History, p. 768). "This article refers to the killing of Arch-bishop James Sharpe, in 1779, by a handful of Covenanters who providentially crossed paths with the bloody bishop -- the architect of the slaughter of thousands of innocents. In the words of a contemporary, Alexander Shields, 'Upon the 3d of May, 1679, several worthy gentlemen, with some other men of courage and zeal for the cause of God and the good of the country, executed righteous judgement upon him in Magus Moor near St Andrews'" (Editor's note in theOriginal Covenanter and Contending Witnessmagazine, vol. 2, #16, August 5, 1994). For a more detailed defense of the Protestant doctrine expounded in this short introductory book, see Shields' massive tome,A Hind Let Loose($39.99); specifically part 3, head 6: "The Suffering of Some, upon the Account of Extraordinary executing of Judgement upon Notorious Incendiaries, and Murdering Public Enemies by Private Persons in the Circumstances Wherein they were Stated Vindicated."

Shows the Scriptural basis of the position of political dissent. Provides an example by defending Covenanter dissent and separation from the constitution and government of the United States (while also demonstrating the Biblical grounds for such a position).

Facsimile of 1558 edition. Very rare. One of the dozen most important political writings appearing in English in the latter half of the sixteenth century. In that day, a proclamation of Philip and Mary had decreed the death of a rebel for anyone found in possession of the book.

Renwick was "the last, and in various respects the most illustrious of the Scottish martyrs of the 17th century. Hated and persecuted in his own day, by the men in authority in Church and State -- caluminated and reproached by ministers and others, who professed evangelical sentiments and affected piety -- and his principles generally misrepresented and condemned even to our own day, -- yet there is abundant evidence to show that the Master whom he faithfully served, and for whose cause he willingly surrendered his life, singularly owned and honored him."

Formerly titled "A Faithful Admonition to the Professors of God's Truth in England," this letter is said to be "undoubtedly the most important" of Knox's writings (up to that time) by W. Stanford Reid in Trumpeter of God (p. 114). Furthermore Reid notes that Knox's, "[v]iews on the magistrate expressed in the 'Faithful Admonition,' were to have an important influence upon much of his future conduct, and upon the development of the Reformation in both England and Scotland."

Mason states that this Appeal "is the most important... of Knox's political writings," (in the Introduction to his compilation of Knox's political writings titledOn Rebellion).

Ponet wrote that the state's purpose was to maintain justice, and the magistrates were also subject to God's law. Remembered as an early example of Protestant resistance theory, Ponet discussed 'Whether it is lawful to depose an evil governor, and kill a tyrant?'" (Savior or Servant?, 1996, pp. 224n). 92 pages.

This rare Covenanter classic, concerning Calvinistic political philosophy and tactics of civil resistance, is comparable to Samuel Rutherford’sLex, Rex; in fact it could rightly be referred to as "Lex Rex volume two." It is solidly in the line of John Knox’s teachings on civil disobedienceand addresses numerous topics that are relevant to today’s Christian. "In A Hind Let Loose, Shields justified the Camerionian resistance to royal absolutism and the divine right of kings. He argued that government is divinely ordained, but the people are entitled to bring a king to judgement for wrongdoing. Parliament is commissioned by the people to oversee the nation’s affairs, but the compact between the people and their rulers does not entail a forfeiture of the people’s power to depose tyrants and confer authority on someone else. Government is by consent, and must justify itself to the consciences of the people. God has given men the right of self defence, and this extends to a a right not only passively to resist, but also to kill relentless persecutors" writes Isbell (in theDictionary of Scottish Church History and Theology, p. 773). Controversial chapter titles include: "Concerning Owning of Tyrants Authority;" "Defensive Arms Vindicated;" "Of Extraordinary Execution of Judgement by Private Men;" and "Refusing to Pay Wicked Taxation Vindicated."This book sets forth the Crown rights of King Jesus, against all usurpers in both church and state, giving a history of some of faithful sufferings endured by the elect, in maintaining this truth. It bears testimony against "the popish, prelatical and malignant enemies" of Christ and proclaims the only true basis of liberty for mankind. "The matter is argued with a vast abundance of Biblical illustration, and with much reference to Reformation and Puritan divines.It should be consulted, if practicable, by all who wish fully to understand the inner spirit of the Covenanting Movement," writes Purves inFair Sunshine (p. 202). Isbell interestingly notes that Shields was once "amanuensis to the English Puritan John Owen."Over 750 pages.

The subtitle reads: "Wherein the Act of Defence and Vindication, which was interprised Anno 1666 is particularly justified: The lawfulnesse of private Persons defending their Lives, Libertyes and Religion, against manifest Oppression, Tyranny and violence, exerced (exercised--RB) by Magistrates Supream and Inferior contrare to Solemn Vows, Covenants, Promises, Declarations, Professions, Subscriptions, and Solemne Engadgments, is demonstrated by many Arguments. Being a full Reply to the first part of the Survey of Naphtaly, etc." This is Stewart's defence ofNaphtaliagainst the attack of Andrew Honeyman who became Bishop of Orkney in 1664. 508 pages.

The title continues: "And more particularly, of that toleration granted by the legislature in the revocation of the penal statutes against Papists in England and Ireland. Addresses to all professors of the Protestant Reformed religion."

Written against "the Belgick Arminians, Socinians, and other Authors contending for lawlesse liberty, or licentious Tolerations of Sects and Heresies," Rutherford explains the undiluted Biblical solution to moral relativism, especially as it is expressed in ecclesiastical and civil pluralism!(Corporate pluralism being a violation of the first commandment and an affront to the holy God of Scripture). He also deals with conscience, toleration, penology (punishment), and the judicial laws, as related to both the civil and ecclesiastical realms.

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