The Preface to the Reader.
James Dodson
1687-Alexander Shields.-Shields explains both the title and the intent of this book in its historical setting and its relation to earlier works of similar import.
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AN Historical Representation OF THE TESTIMONIES OF THE Church of Scotland, With the true state of the same in all the Periods thereof. WITH A Vindication of the present Testimony.
James Dodson
1687-Alexander Shields.-An explanation of the scope and purpose of this book as the production of those committed to the witnessing church.
Read MorePERIOD. I. - Comprehending the Testimony of the Culdees.
James Dodson
1687-Alexander Shields.-This covers the earliest period of Scottish history including its first encounters with the Christian religion and its special place in the history of the Gentile churches.
Read MorePERIOD. II. - Comprehending the Testimony of the same Culdees with that of the Lollards.
James Dodson
1687-Alexander Shields.-A survey of earlier Scottish history showing that the Scots have always been disposed to religious and civil liberty in contrast to Romanism.
Read MorePERIOD. III. - Containing the Testimony of the Reformation from Popery.
James Dodson
1687-Alexander Shields.-This portion contains the contendings of the church against popery and in favor of true religion and liberty.
Read MorePERIOD. IV. - Containing the Testimony of the first Contenders against Prelacy and Supremacy, from the year 1570. to 1638.
James Dodson
1687-Alexander Shields.-An historical survey showing the struggle of the Church of Scotland on behalf of the kingly prerogatives of Christ prior to the second reformation (1570-1638).
Read MorePERIOD. V. - Containing the Testimony for the last Reformation from Prelacy, in all its steps, from the year 1638, to 1660.
James Dodson
1687-Alexander Shields.-In this section, Shields surveys the period of the second reformation and its various attainments demonstrating the purity and fidelity of this period (1638-1660).
Read MorePERIOD. VI. - Containing the Testimony through the continued Tract of the present Deformation from the year 1660. to this day.
James Dodson
1687-Alexander Shields.-A history of the testimony bearing of the Covenanters during the period of the Restoration (1660-1687), including the "Killing Times."
Read MorePART II.-CONTAINING A BRIEF ACCOUNT Of the Persecution of the last Period, And of the great Sufferings whereby all the Parts of its Testimony were sealed.
James Dodson
1687-Alexander Shields.-An overview of the causes of the sufferings of the Covenanters during the period after the restoration, commonly called the "Killing Times."
Read MorePART III.-THE PRESENT TESTIMONY Stated and Vindicated in its Principal Heads.
James Dodson
1687-Alexander Shields.-An introduction to the several chapters defending the points of the present testimony maintained by the Covenanters during the killing times.
Read MoreThat necessary consequences from the written word of God, do sufficiently and strongly prove the consequent or conclusion,
James Dodson
1649-George Gillespie.-An excellent presentation of the need for using good and necessary consequences for both doctrinal and praictcal matters.
Read MoreThat there was among the Jews a jurisdiction and government Ecclesiastical, distinct from the civil.
James Dodson
1649-George Gillespie.-This essay demonstrates that there was a distinction between civil and ecclesiastical government amongst the Jews.
Read MoreOf the use of a Table in the Lord’s Supper. And of the communicants their coming to, and receiving at the Table.
James Dodson
1649-George Gillespie.-In this essay, Gillespie explains and defends the use of a table in the celebration of the Lord's supper. This is an authoritative exposition of this subject.
Read MoreThat the primitive Apostolical pattern holdeth forth unto us for our imitation, a Presbytery, i.e., an Assembly of Elders, having power of Ordination, with laying on of hands.
James Dodson
1649-George Gillespie.-An essay defending the practice of Presbyterians ordaining through the laying on of the hands of multiple presbyters.
Read MoreWhat is Meant in Scripture by the Word Heresies, and How We are to Understand that there Must be Heresies, for Making Manifest the Godly Party, or those that are Approved, 1 Cor. 11.19.
James Dodson
1649-George Gillespie.-An essay explaining what constitutes heresy and why heresies are useful to the church together with why they should be resisted by the orthodox.
Read MoreOf New Lights, and How to Keep Off from Splitting Either Upon the Charybdis of Pertinacy and Tenaciousness, or Upon the Scylla of Levity, Wavering, and Scepticism.
James Dodson
1649-George Gillespie.-An essay warning men to keep to a confessional moderation and avoid claims to "new light" which often breed errors and heresies. This is a welcome antidote to those who claim that every change represents the church reforming.
Read MoreOf Stability and Firmness in the Truth.
James Dodson
1649-George Gillespie.-An essay arguing for the desirability of achieving both a certain and stable grasp of the true religion.
Read MoreWhether a Sound Heart and an Unsound Head can Consist Together? and Vice Verse; or, Whether Truth and Holiness be not Inseparable Companions?
James Dodson
1649-George Gillespie.-An essay which examines the claims that it is possible to be godly without being orthodox.
Read MoreWhether Conscionable Christians, and Such as Love the Power and Practice of Piety, can, Without Defiling their Conscience,
James Dodson
1649-George Gillespie.-An essay which condemns the claims of the sectarians to a greater piety than the orthodox.
Read MoreThe Second Book of Discipline.
James Dodson
1578-The National Church of Scotland.-In this Second Book of Policy, the government of the church is a settled state is set forth with its duties and obligations as a national establishment of religion.
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