The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:
the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever:
the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. (Psalm 19:7-9)

The Bible is the statute-book of God's Kingdom, wherein is comprised the whole body of the heavenly law, the perfect rules of a holy life, and the sure promises of a glorious one. -- Ezekiel Hopkins

The Scripture is the library of the Holy Ghost; it is a pandect of divine knowledge, an exact model and platform of religion. The Scripture contains in it the credenda, `the things which we are to believe,' and the agenda, `the things which we are to practice.' -- Thomas Watson

Contents

THE HOLY SPIRIT
Fruit of the Holy Spirit
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Revival
ANGELS
THE BELIEVER'S POSITION IN CHRIST and SONSHIP
THE PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS
THE REGULATIVE PRINCIPLE OF WORSHIP
The Psalms in Worship
Family Worship
The Lord's Supper, Communion and Close Communion
Baptism
Music in the Worship of God
Praise
Bible Reading and Devotional Guides
Prayer
Jesus on Prayer
Intercessory Prayer
Evangelistic Praying
Prayer Groups
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Small Groups
House Churches
Small Group Evangelism
The Church and Small Groups
Small Groups as Healing Agents
Small Group Resources
Small Group Leadership Helps
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
THEOLOGY
Calvinism
Predestination (Election)
Dispensationalism
Chapter 1 (part 2) Related WebLinks)

Contents: Chapter 1, "The Foundation of Biblical Counsel," (parts 1 and 2), interactive
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr1cha.html#index1

Combined Interactive Contents for The Web Edition of Biblical Counsel: Resources for Renewal
http://www.lettermen2.com/combtoc.html

Chapter 1 (part 2)
The Foundation of Biblical Counsel

THE HOLY SPIRIT

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God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. -- Jesus Christ (John 4:24)

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. -- Jesus Christ (John 6:63)

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. -- Jesus Christ (John 14:16,17)

But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. -- Jesus Christ (John 14:26,27)

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me. -- Jesus Christ (John 15:26)

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Of sin, because they believe not on me;
Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. -- Jesus Christ (John 16:7-11)

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. -- Jesus Christ (John 16:13)

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Of sin, because they believe not on me;
Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you.
All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you. -- Jesus Christ (John 16:8-15)

Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. -- Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:7,8)

See the Theological Notes, "The Holy Spirit," at John 14:26, page 1693, in The Reformation Study Bible

We must now see in what way we become possessed of the blessings which God has bestowed on his only-begotten Son, not for private use, but to enrich the poor and needy. And the first thing to be attended to is, that so long as we are without Christ and separated from him, nothing which he suffered and did for the salvation of the human race is of the least benefit to us. To communicate to us the blessings which he received from the Father, he must become ours and dwell in us. Accordingly, he is called our Head, and the first-born among many brethren, while, on the other hand, we are said to be engrafted into him and clothed with him, all which he possesses being, as I have said, nothing to us until we become one with him. And although it is true that we obtain this by faith, yet since we see that all do not indiscriminately embrace the offer of Christ which is made by the gospel, the very nature of the case teaches us to ascend higher, and inquire into the secret efficacy of the Spirit, to which it is owing that we enjoy Christ and all his blessings. . . . . Christ came by water and blood, as the Spirit testifies concerning him, that we might not lose the benefits of the salvation which he has purchased. For as there are said to be three witnesses in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Spirit, so there are also three on the earth, namely, water, blood, and Spirit. It is not without cause that the testimony of the Spirit is twice mentioned, a testimony which is engraven on our hearts by way of seal, and thus seals the cleansing and sacrifice of Christ. For which reason, also, Peter says, that believers are "elect" "through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ," (1 Peter 1:2.) By these words he reminds us, that if the shedding of his sacred blood is not to be in vain, our souls must be washed in it by the secret cleansing of the Holy Spirit. For which reason, also, Paul, speaking of cleansing and purification, says, "but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God," (1 Corinthians 6:11.) The whole comes to this that the Holy Spirit is the bond by which Christ effectually binds us to himself. -- John Calvin, Institutes of the Christians Religion, Book III, Chapter 1, Sec. 1.

"The Spirit," says our Lord, "Shall convince the world of sin, that they believe not in me," -- i.e., `He will convince men that they are sinners -- especially that they are sinners in not believing in me.' The doctrine and the law of Christ cannot be received, except by those who are persuaded that they are sinners -- guilty and depraved creatures -- exposed to God's righteous displeasure -- unfit for God's holy fellowship. The Gospel is throughout a restorative economy, and, therefore, can be understood, valued, accepted, only by those who are aware that the lost condition, for which such an economy is required and intended, is theirs. It is because men are, to so limited an extent, convinced of sin, of what sin in -- how heinous in its nature, how fearful in its consequences, -- and that they are sinners, that Christianity cannot obtain even a fair hearing. Convince a man that he is a sinner, and then, and not till then, will he have much curiosity to listen to what is said about a Saviour -- much disposition to inquire into the truth of what is said about him -- to ponder at once the meaning and the evidence of the testimony.
This is the radical part of the Spirit's convincing process; but he not only convinces of sin generally, but he convinces of sin in not believing in Christ. He fixes the mind so on the meaning and evidence of the truth respecting Christ, as to produce faith; and, in producing it, to lodge in the mind the conviction that, in not believing that truth, from the moment it was presented to it, there was sin, great sin; not mere intellectual mistake, but sin -- deep, aggravated sin -- the greatest sin man is capable of committing, -- indeed, a sin which, if persisted in, must end in hopeless perdition. . . . -- John Brown (of Edinburgh, 1784-1858), Discourses and Sayings of Our Lord Jesus Christ, III:415, 416

Christ's bodily presence is taken from the earth; he promised instead of it (which was but in one place at once,) to send his Spirit, which is to the soul more than the sun's light to the eye, and can shine in all the world at once. This is his agent on earth, by whom (in teachers and learners) he carrieth on his saving work. This is his advocate, who pleadeth his cause effectually against unbelief, and fleshly lusts, and worldly wisdom. This is the "well of living water, springing up in us to everlasting life;" the name, the mark of God on souls; the divine regenerator, the author of God's holy image; and the divine nature, even divine life, and light, and love; the conqueror of the world and flesh, the strengthener of the weak, the confirmer of the wavering, the comforter of the sad, and the pledge, earnest, and first-fruits of everlasting life. O therefore pray earnestly for the Spirit of grace, and carefully obey him, and joyfully praise God, in the sense of his holy encouragement and help! -- Richard Baxter

*Buchanan, James, The Office and Work of the Holy Spirit (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1843). 10450
"Worthy of the best traditions of our Puritan fathers." -- B.B. Warfield

*Hugh, Martin, The Abiding Presence [60248]

*Kuyper, Abraham, The Work of the Holy Spirit (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.). 10451
"One of the most important and comprehensive contributions to the study of this great theme." -- William J. Grier. A Christian classic.

*Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn, Growing in the Spirit [31561]

*Owen, John, The Holy Spirit (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust), ISBN-10: 0851511252 ISBN-13: 978-0851511252, and The Holy Spirit (Puritan Paperback Series. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust). A Christian classic.
"Contains: Work of the Holy Spirit, His name, personality, operations, effects, work in regeneration, in the Old Testament, work on the mind, in sanctification, mortification of sin, and more."
John Newton calls Owen's discourse on the Holy Spirit. "An epitome, if not the masterpiece of his writings."
"Goodwin (THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR SALVATION) and Owen were both excellent expositors. Goodwin interpreted by the insight of a renewed heart, Owen by the patient and prayerful study of words and phrases. . . . These two books complement one another. Together they form a definitive answer to virtually every book concerning the Holy Spirit which has appeared since these two were written in the 17th century . . ." -- Jay P. Green, Sr. Both are Christian classics.

*Pink, Arthur W., The Holy Spirit (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House). 10453
"There is a general omission in the saints of God, in their not giving the Holy Spirit that glory that is due to His Person and for His great work of salvation in us, insomuch that we have in our hearts almost forgotten this third Person." -- Thomas Goodwin

*Sibbes, Richard, 1577-1635, Goodwin, Thomas, 1600-1680, Nye, Philip, 1596?-1672, and Marshall, William, fl. 1617-1650, A fountain sealed: or, The duty of the sealed to the Spirit, and the worke of the Spirit in sealing. Wherein many things are handled about the Holy Spirit, and grieving of it: as also of assurance and sealing what it is, the priviledges and degrees of it, with the signes to discerne, and meanes to preserve it. Being the substance of divers sermons preached at Grayes Inne. By that reverend divine, Richard Sibbes, D.D. and sometimes preacher to that honourable society, 1637, EEBO.

*Smeaton, George, The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust). 10466
"Smeaton covers: The doctrine of the Trinity, personality and procession of the Holy Spirit, work of the Spirit in the anointing of Christ, inspiration and revelation, the regenerating work of the Spirit, the Spirit of holiness, and an important 125-page historical survey of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit." -- GCB

*Thomas, William Henry Griffith, The Holy Spirit (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1986, 1913). 10454
"While not accorded a place alongside John Owen's magisterial discussion of pneumatology, this work is nonetheless of inestimable value and far superior to other works of more recent vintage. It is also devout, inspiring, and practical. It contains messages delivered at Princeton Theological Seminary, 1913." -- Cyril J. Barber

*Winslow, Octavius, The Work of the Holy Spirit (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust). 10455
"A well-reasoned Biblically-oriented study. Clear and detailed, this book first done in 1840, covers the subject well. This book comes from a day when men spent more time studying the Bible and less time with their own novel ideas." -- GCB

Banner of Truth, Holy Spirit Package, 4 volumes (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust). 10457
"This package includes four excellent works on the Holy Spirit of God: DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT by Smeaton, GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT by Vaughan, OFFICE AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT by Buchanan, and WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT by Goodwin." -- GCB

*Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn, Life in the Spirit: Ephesians 5:18-6:9 [30787]

Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn, Joy Unspeakable: Power and Renewal in the Holy Spirit [31577]

Mills, Watson E., The Holy Spirit: A Bibliography (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers). 10460A
"It collects an amazing assortment of books, journal articles, dissertations, articles in Festschriften, and collections of essays on the Holy Spirit--all arranged alphabetically with subject and Scripture indexes too." -- CBD

Nederhood, Joel, The Holy Triangle (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1952). 10462

Packer, J.I., Keep in Step With the Spirit [31670]

Packer, J.I., The Holy Spirit in Evangelical Life [30350]

Packer, J.I., The Holy Spirit in Evangelical Revival [30350A]

Palmer, Edwin, Person and Ministry of the Holy Spirit (Michigan City, IN: Sound Word Associates, 1991). 10464
An audio cassette. Contains material useful in counseling.

Ram, Bernard L., The Witness of the Spirit: An Essay on the Contemporary Relevance of the Internal Witness of the Holy Spirit (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1960). 10465

*Rutherford, Samuel, Trial and Triumph of Faith (Stirling, VA [Grace Abounding Ministries (GAM) Publications (formerly, Reiner Publications, Swengel, PA), Post Office Box 25, Sterling, 20167]: GAM Publications), EEBO. [31239]
Rutherford, Samuel. The trial and triumph of faith: or, an exposition of the history of Christ's dispossessing of the daughter of the woman of Canaan, delivered in sermons; ... By Samuel Rutherfurd, ... Glasgow, 1743. (ECCO) Gale Document Number CW3321220333

Well, David F., God the Evangelist: How the Holy Spirit Works to Bring Men and Women to Faith (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.). 10468
"This book grew out of the Consultation on the Work of the Holy Spirit and Evangelization that took place in Norway in 1985. This study places the preaching and believing of the Gospel in the wider context of the Holy Spirit's work in creation, history, and the church." -- GCB

See also: Fruit of the holy spirit, Gifts of the holy spirit, Holy Spirit and counseling, Words of christ appearing in biblical counsel: resources for renewal, Spiritual discernment, Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership
TETB (Thompson Exhaustive Topical Bible), The Holy Spirit . . .

Related WebLinks

The Commandments of Jesus, J.S. McConnell (1925)
http://www.wowzone.com/commandm.htm

Appendix A: Words of Christ Appearing in Biblical Counsel: Resources for Renewal
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappa.html.html

Justifying Faith
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr1cha.html#justfaith

Fruit of the Holy Spirit

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Gifts of the Holy Spirit

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Revival

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Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. (All goes well when sin is pardoned. This is the one fatal hindrance to prosperity; and, this removed, all is well.)
Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.
(When God turns to us in love, it is high time that we turned to him in faith and repentance; and, indeed, we very soon do so. Love is the great converting force: when the love of Jesus turns us, we are turned indeed.)
Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.
I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
(This is our privilege to see fulfilled in the atonement of the Lord Jesus, by which our captivity is turned, and peace is made between God and our souls.)
Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
(Earth looks up in sincerity, and heaven looks down in mercy.)
Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.
(Re-established in their land, which was made fruitful once again, they desired to obey the Lord in all things and to follow closelyh the path of obedience.) -- Spurgeon's Devotional Bible, Psalm 85

We can imagine the restored exiles at this time singing -- Psalm 126
When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
(It seemed too good to be true, they could not realise that so good a thing had befallen them)
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
(What others declared concerning them was true, and they boldly avowed it; they did not bury the Lord's mercies in forgetfulness, or cast doubts upon them by mock modesty. We too often say "We hope and we trust," when we ought rather to say, "The Lord hath done great things for us.")
Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south.
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. -- Spurgeon's Devotional Bible, Psalms 126

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth. Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion. The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. (Isaiah 52:7-8,10)

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. -- Jesus Christ (John 14:6)

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. -- Jesus Christ (John 17:21-23)

Family reformation is the easiest and the most likely way to a common reformation; at least to send many souls to heaven and train up multitudes for God, if it reach not to national reformation. -- Richard Baxter

Again later, in the middle of the 19th century "a small student prayer fellowship at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia set in motion forces that eventuated in the Second Great Awakening of the 19th century; the `haystack prayer meeting' in Williamstown, Massachusetts, in 1806 spawned the modern missionary movement; times of heart-searching and confession among groups in Wales, Korea, and Africa ushered in great revivals at the beginning of this century; and perhaps the greatest spiritual movement of our generation is occurring in the house churches of China. Though the details vary in each situation, at the heart is the principle of small groups of disciples united in Christ." -- Robert E. Coleman

Revival breaks out when individuals in the church repent. We can change our own lives and start personal revival by repentance and weeping for our sin.

*Crawford, Dan R. (compiler), Single Adults: Resource and Recipients for Revival (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1985). 10477
Includes bibliography.

*Dallimore, Arnold, George Whitefield: The Life and Times of the Great Evangelist of the 18th Century Revival [90064]

Edwards, Jonathan. The distinguishing marks of a work of the spirit of God, applied to that uncommon operation that has lately appeared on the minds of many of the people in New-England: ... By Jonathan Edwards, ... With a preface by the Rev. Mr. Cooper of Boston, and letters from the Rev. Dr. Colman, ... [London], 1742. (ECCO) Gale Document Number CW3318289952

Edwards, Jonathan. A faithful narrative of the surprising work of God in the conversion of many hundred souls in Northampton, and the neighbouring towns and villages of the county of Hampshire, in the province of the Massachusetts-Bay in New-England. In a letter to the Reverend Dr. Benjamin Colman, of Boston. Written by the Revd Mr. Edwards, Minister of Northampton, Nov. 6. 1736. Published with a large preface by the Rev. Dr. Watts and Dr. Guyse of London: to which a shorter is added by some of the reverend ministers of Boston. Together with an attestation from some of the reverend ministers of Hampshire. The third edition Boston: N.E., 1738. (ECCO) Gale Document Number CW3322665560

*Edwards, Brian H., Revival: A People Saturated With God (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed-Evangelical Press). 10478
"This is an interesting book, in that it sets forth the necessary ingredients for true revival. It has illustrated each section with reports from eye-witnesses of revivals that swept through this place, or that place, around the world. And it includes the days of king Hezekiah as an example of revival in the Bible. . . ." -- Jay P. Green, Sr.

Edwards, Jonathan. Some thoughts concerning the present revival of religion in New-England, and the way in which it ought to be acknowledged and promoted; ... By Jonathan Edwards, ... [Edinburgh], 1743. (ECCO) Gale Document Number

Fisher, James, Edwards, Whitefield, the True Nature of Revival and the 'Old Time' Charismatics (1742), (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"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 the 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 reformation. Fisher writes, 'But can any of the promoters of this work allege for themselves, that they are making the least essay towards public Reformation, as it has been owned and professed in these lands? Nay, as shall afterwards be made appear, they are doing what they can to obliterate the memory of Scotland's covenanted Reformation, and to raze all concern there . . . out of the minds of the people' (p. 26). In short, the defective nature of these past 'revivals,' are shown to 'overthrow the very foundation of faith, and all practical godliness and to establish mere enthusiasm and strong delusion, in the room of true religion, revealed and required in the Word.' This work is also useful in evaluating the 'laughing revival' (or 'Toronto blessing') of our day. 68 pages." -- SWRB

*Hanko, Herman, "Ought the Church too Pray for Revival?" Trinity Review, May/June 1991 (Unicoi, TN: The Trinity Foundation). 10073

*Hodgkin, Henry T., Lay Religion (The Swarthmore Press, 1919). 10482
"Every great religious awakening has been a revolt against authority." -- Henry T. Hodgkin

*Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn, Revival [31563]

*Murray, Iain H., The Puritan Hope (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust).
The Puritan Hope, Iain Murray
http://www.revival-library.org/catalogues/puritan/murrayi-puritanhope/contents.htm

*Murray, Iain H., Revival and Revivalism: The Making and Marring of American Evangelicalism 1750-1858 (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust).
The author's conclusion: not since the 1700's when we began to structure and plan evangelistic revivals has there been a true revival in America -- we have only had revivalism.

*Watson, Thomas, The Doctrine of Repentance (Puritan Paperback Series. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust) A Christian classic.
"Knowing what repentance is, and actually repenting are essentials to true Christianity. Jesus Christ himself said that if we do not repent, we will perish! It is vital, therefore, to read and study what Scripture has to say about this theme.
"Few better guides have existed in this or any other language. . . . He was a master of both Scripture and the human heart, and wrote with a simplicity and directness that keeps his work fresh and powerful for the twentieth century." -- Publisher's Annotation
The Doctrine of Repentance, excerpts
Online etext.
http://www.fivesolas.com/watson/drepenti.htm

*Whitefield, George, Select Sermons of George Whitefield (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1985). 10484
"This book contains a biographical essay of Whitefield's life by J.C. Ryle, a summary of his doctrine by R. Elliot, and six of Whitefield's significant sermons." -- GCB
"Of few men can it be said that their preaching was `apostolic' in character, but it certainly can be said of Whitefield." -- D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
Sermons of the Reverend George Whitefield
http://www.ccel.org/whitefield/sermons/sermons.html
The George Whitefield Homepage
http://members.aol.com/BaxterInstitute2/Whitefield.html

Bauer, Jerald C. (editor), Religion and the American Revolution [31122]

Bennet, R., Howell Harris and the Dawn of Revival (Bridgen, England: Evangelical Press of Wales). 10485

Bonar, Andrew, Andrew Bonar: Diary and Life [100001A]

Burns, William, et al., The Revival of Religion (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust). 10487
"Includes contributions by W. Burns, J. Bonar, R.S. Candish, A.M. Stuart, and P. Fairbairn all dealing with the subject of revival. Covers such areas as the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit, the sovereignty of God, the Word of God, prayer, the godly life, mode of conducting a revival, hindrances to revival, and more." -- GCB

Burns, William C., Revival Sermons (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust). 10488
"Burns (1815-1868), a preacher in Scotland, preached some great sermons on revival." -- GCB

Crumb, Lawrence N., The Oxford Movement and Its Leaders: A Bibliography of Secondary and Lesser Primary Sources (ATLA Bibliography Series. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, Incorporated, 1988). 10494

Davis, C., Church History (part 3): Awakening and Revivalism [30162]

Davis, C., Church History (part 4): Awakening and Revivalism; Modern Church [30163]

Davis, C., Chruch History (part 4): Awakening and Revivalism (cont.); Modern Church [30163A]

Essig, J., The Great Awakening: Reaction and Renewal [30175]

Evans, Eifion, The Welsh Revival of 1904 (London, England: Evangelical Press, 1969). 10497A
Foreword by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Includes bibliographical references and index.

Fish, Henry C., Handbook of Revival (Harrisonburg, VA [Sprinkle Publications, P.O. Box 1094, Harrisonburg, 22803]: Sprinkle Publications).
Contains nineteen chapters discussing every important aspect of the subject of revival. "First published in 1874, the author furnishes, both for inspiration and guidance, such facts, examples, arguments, directions, and suggestions dealing with the whole matter of revivals, as might lead to their greater appreciation and promotion." -- GCB

Fisher, James, Edwards, Whitefield, the True Nature of Revival and the 'Old Time' Charismatics (1742), (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"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 the 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 reformation. Fisher writes, 'But can any of the promoters of this work allege for themselves, that they are making the least essay towards public Reformation, as it has been owned and professed in these lands? Nay, as shall afterwards be made appear, they are doing what they can to obliterate the memory of Scotland's covenanted Reformation, and to raze all concern there . . . out of the minds of the people' (p. 26). In short, the defective nature of these past 'revivals,' are shown to 'overthrow the very foundation of faith, and all practical godliness and to establish mere enthusiasm and strong delusion, in the room of true religion, revealed and required in the Word.' This work is also useful in evaluating the 'laughing revival' (or 'Toronto blessing') of our day. 68 pages." -- SWRB

Gillies, John, Historical Collections of Accounts of Revivals (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust). 10500
"Gillies was the friend and biographer of George Whitefield. Gilles believed very strongly in the value of bringing the history of revivals together into one volume. Gillies himself lived 1712-1796. This edition of his famous work was done by Horatius Bonar in 1845." -- Publisher's Annotation

Graham, Billy, The Challenge: Sermons From Madison Square Garden (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1969). 10501
Evangelistic sermons.

Kinlaw, Dennis, "A Revival Account: Asbury--1970" (Wilmore, KY: Asbury College). 10511
"This 40-minute, eye-witness account by Dr. Dennis Kinlaw who was serving as president of Asbury College during a visitation in 1970, is helping multitudes of Christians understand the true nature of spiritual awakening and revival." A video cassette.

Lynse, Elana, Flames of Revival: Igniting the Hearts of a Nation Through Prayer (Wheaton, IL: Good News Publishers [Crossway Books], c1989). 10515
Includes bibliographical references.

Matthews, David, I Saw the Welsh Revival (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1951). 10518

Packer, J.I., God in Our Midst: Seeking and Receiving Ongoing Revival [31665]

Packer, J.I., The Holy Spirit in Evangelical Life [30350]

Packer, J.I., The Holy Spirit in Evangelical Revival [30350A]

Phillips, Thomas, The Welsh Revival: Its Origin and Development (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust). 10526
"This rare book, published in 1860 as the first comprehensive account of the 1859 revival in Wales, holds a primary place in the authentic records of periods of remarkable spiritual recovery and growth. Phillips was an eye witness of much that he records. He also gives the testimony of others." -- GCB

Porter, E., Letters on Revival 10527
"If revival should come to your church would you know what to do? This 336-page paperback features 174 pages by Dr. Porter (19th century) and additional materials by Lloyd-Jones, Hulse, Hallesby, Gerberding, Martin Moore, J.I. Packer, H. Bonar, Tarr, Graham, Ironside, Cuyler, as well as K.R. Linde. Here is a treasure of material on revival that will help to prepare you for God's work in the hearts of his people." -- GCB

Prime, Samuel, I., The Power of Prayer: The New York Revival of 1858 (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1859). 10528
"First done in 1859, this book demonstrates that things are never beyond prayer and the work of God in revival." -- CBD

Rauschenbusch, Walter, Prayers of the Social Awakening [10778]

Ravenhill, Leonard, Revival Praying (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 1962). 10529
"A challenge to all who are deeply concerned about a full-scale spiritual awakening in America."

Scharpff, Paulus, History of Evangelism: Three Hundred Years of Evangelism in Germany, Great Britain and the United States of America (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1966). 10532

Smith, Timothy Lawrence, Revivalism and Social Reform: American Protestantism on the Eve of the Civil War (Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1980). 10533
Originally published in 1957 by Abingdon Press, New York, under the title: REVIVALISM AND SOCIAL REFORM IN MID-NINETEENTH-CENTURY AMERICA. Includes bibliography and index.

Smith, Wilbur M., The Glorious Revival Under King Hezekiah (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1937). 10534

Spurgeon, C.H., Only a Prayer Meeting [31753]

*Swindoll, Charles, The Grace Awakening (Thomas Nelson, November 21, 2006).
"This is a book about the wonderful fact that Christianity faithfully lived will bring blessedness to our earthly existence, if we ignore the unholy `grace-killers' among us. Jesus said, `If therefore the Son shall make your free, you shall be free indeed. . . .' " -- Publisher's Annotation
"More and more Christians are realizing that the man-made restrictions and legalistic regulations under which they have been living have not come from the God of grace, but have been enforced by people who do not want others to be free. . . . Scarcely a day passes when I am not reminded of the need for a book emphasizing the full extent of grace, giving people permission to be free, absolutely free in Christ. Why? Because so few are!" -- Charles Swindoll
The author believes this is the most important book that he has written. The message of Christian freedom is as repressed as the Gospel itself. This book will bless the hearts of the many who have never read a presentation of the message of our freedom in Christ and its wonderful practical implications for the individual, the church, and the nation. A study guide by the same name is available. "The God of the universe has given us an amazing, revolutionary gift of grace and freedom. This freedom and grace set us apart from every other 'religion' on the face of the earth.
"In this best-selling classic, Charles Swindoll urges you not to miss living a grace-filled life. Freedom and joy -- not lists and demands and duties -- await all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. -- Publisher's Annotation

Thornbury, J.F., God Sent Revival: Asahel Nettleton (Philadelphia, PA: The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1988). 10536

Tracy, Joseph, Great Awakening: A History of the Revival of Religion in the Time of Edwards and Whitefield, new edition (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, June 1989, 1976).
"This volume remains second to none in its definitive treatment of the 'Revival of Religion in New England in 1740', one of the most important and remarkable eras in the history of the Christian church in modern times." -- Publisher's Annotation
"The most comprehensive account of the major 18th century revival." -- Roberts
"The author follows his theme from the local revivals of the 1730s to the floodtide of 1740-1742. The material is broad-based and includes numerous quotes from the time period." -- GCB
"I have read a number of works on revivals and this revival in particular. This is the one book on the subject that I have gone back to time and again. It is scholarly, thorough, and devotionally helpful. As I read of the changes in the lives in the villagers of New England I became more and more impressed with how true revivals are such awesome and precious things.
"This book is very helpful for our day as well. In describing the excesses of this revival (especially those that had to do with Davenport) and in the detailed accounts of unwanted side-phenomena, we see sad similarities to what has been experienced in some of our churches today. This book shows what a true revival looks like." -- Reader's Comment

Weakley, Clare G., Jr. (compiler and editor), The Nature of Revival: John Wesley, Charles Wesley and George Whitefield, abridged (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1987). 10538
"Discusses the human messengers, the divine enabling, the kind of opposition one might expect, and the message preached in the revivals of the Wesley and Whitefield. Insightful." -- Cyril J. Barber
Edited selections from the private journals of John and Charles Wesley and George Whitefield.

Whitefield, George, George Whitefield's Letters: Seventeen Thirty-Four to Seventeen Forty-Two (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1976). 10539A

Whitefield, George, George Whitefield's Letters: A Facsimile of Whitefield's Works, Volume 1, 1771 With Supplements [31255]

*Whitefield, George, and John Wesley, Whitefield and Wesley on the New Birth (Grand Rapids, MI: F. Asbury Press, 1986). 10023
Timothy L. Smith, editor. Includes bibliography and index.

Wood, Arthur Skevington, The Inextinguishable Blaze; Spiritual Renewal and Advance in the Eighteenth Century (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1960). 10540

See also: Corporate Faithfulness and Sanctification, Chapter 9, The Web Edition of Biblical Counsel: Resources for Renewal, The Covenanted Reformation of Scotland Short Title Listing, Apologetics, Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, Book length presentations of the free offer of Gospel message of salvation and the life to come, Christian history, Evangelism, Evangelistic praying, Follow-up, Gospel message of salvation, Other works on the gospel, Prayer, Sharing christ with your children

Related WebLinks

#01: The Biblical Basis for Revival in the Church
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, History of Revivalism, 65 min.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1217037126

#02: Evangelism in the Early Church #1
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, History of Revivalism, 58 min.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1217037244

#03: Evangelism in the Early Church #2
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, History of Revivalism, 74 min.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1217037348

#04: Evangelism in the Early Church #3
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, History of Revivalism, 48 min.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1217037438

#05: Evangelism in the Early Church #4
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1217037520

#06: Evangelism in the Early Church #5
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, History of Revivalism, 50 min.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1217037153

#07: Evangelism in the First Four Centuries
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, History of Revivalism, 86 min.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1217037169

#08: Impact of the Ancient Church on the World and the World on the Church
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, History of Revivalism, 48 min.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1217037177

#09: Summary of Evangelism in the Church from AD 500 to AD 1500 #1
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, History of Revivalism, 63 min.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12170371946

#10: Summary of Evangelism in the Church from AD 500 to AD 1500 #2
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, History of Revivalism, 49 min
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12170372131.

#11: The Greatest Revival: The Reformation
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, History of Revivalism, 69 min.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12170372251

#12: Revivalism in the New World
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, History of Revivalism, 48 min.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12170372351

Colonial Presbyterianism and the Great Awakening
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, 49 min.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1216037179

#13: Revivalism in the New World: Edwards and Whitefield
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, History of Revivalism, 45 min.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12160372911

#14: Revivalism in the New World: Moving West
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, History of Revivalism, 51 min.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12160373036

"The Mediator -- Judge and Saviour"
A sermon by C.H. Spurgeon delivered on Lord's-day morning, May 30, 1880, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, Sermon no. 1540.
Spurgeon carefully analyses Peter's sermon at Pentecost that brought about the visitation of the Holy Spirit.
http://www.spurgeongems.org/vols25-27/chs1540.pdf

ANGELS

---

We have now reached that wonderful part of Holy Scripture which is found in the epistle to the Hebrews. Fully to understand it we ought to study closely the Book of Leviticus. Diamonds only will cut diamonds; the Word of God is its own expositor; the New Testament is the key of the old.
The epistle opens with the declaration that whatsoever was communicated by the prophets was spoken by God. He spoke whatsoever was uttered by his prophets. The Scriptures are very jealous on this subject; how different from the language of many who seem desirous to exclude God from being the author of his own word!
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Ours is the clearest of all revelations. In Jesus we see far more of God than in all the teachings of the prophets.)
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; The priest stood while he performed service, and only sat down when his work was done. Jesus enthroned in glory enjoys the honours of his finished work.)
Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? But he does say this to Christ in the second Psalm.) And again, (speaking to Solomon as the type of Christ in the Second Book of Samuel vii. 14), I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
And again, (in the ninety-seventh Psalm), when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. (Or "worship him all ye gods," Jesus is by nature infinitely superior to the noblest created beings, for he is essentially God, and to be worshipped as Lord of all.)
And of the angels (in Psalm civ. 4) he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But unto the Son he saith, (Psalm xlv. 6,7), Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. (Angels are servants and not kings, they fly upon the divine errands like flames of fire, but they do not sway a sceptre, neither have they a throne existing for ever and ever. Jesus is the anointed king, and though we share in the anointing yet is he far above us. Christ is infinitely greater than Christians. We are right glad to have it so.)
And (again we read in Psalm cii. 25-27), Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. (Since the Messiah is thus described as immutable and eternal he must be divine, and to deny the Godhead of the Saviour is a deadly error. Dr. Owen most comfortingly remarks: -- "Whatever our changes may be, inward or outward, yet Christ changing not, our eternal condition is secured, and relief provided against all present troubles and miseries. The immutability and eternity of Christ are the spring of our consolation and security in every condition. Such is the frailty of the nature of man, and such the perishing condition of all created things, that none can ever obtain the least stable consolation but what aris eth from an interest in the omnipotency, sovereignty, and eternity of Jesus Christ.")
But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
(They are servants of God and our willing guardians; but they are not to be worshipped. Jesus is Lord of all, and we are bound to adore him, and him only.) (Hebrews 1:1-14) -- Spurgeon's Devotional Bible

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2)

See the Theological Notes, "Angels," at Zechariah 1:9, page 1467, in The Reformation Study Bible

"By entertaining of strange persons, men sometimes entertain angels unawares: but by entertaining of strange doctrines, many have entertained devils unaware." -- John Flavel

When your thoughts of heaven are staggering or strange, and when you are tempted to doubt whether indeed there is such a life of glory for the saints, it may be a great help to your faith, to think of the world of angels that already do possess it. That there are such excellent and happy inhabitants of the superior orbs, besides what Scripture saith, even reason will strongly persuade any rational man: 1. When we consider that sea, and land, and air, and all places of this lower, baser part of the world, are replenished with inhabitants suitable to their natures; and therefore that the incomparably more great and excellent orbs and regions should all be uninhabited, is irrational to imagine. 2. And as we see the rational creatures are made to govern the brutes in this inferior world, so reason telleth us it is improbable that the higher reason of the inhabitants of the higher regions should have no hand in the government of man. And yet God hath further condescended to satisfy us herein, by some unquestionable apparitions of good angels, and many ore of evil spirits, which puts the matter past all doubt, that there are inhabitants of the unseen world. And When we know that such there are, it maketh it the more easy to us to believe that such we may be, either numbered with the happy or unhappy spirits, considering the affinity which there is between the nature of our souls and them: to conquer senseless Sadducism is a good step to the conquest of irreligiousness; he that is well persuaded that there are angels and spirits, is much better prepared than a Sadducee to believe the immortality of the soul. -- Richard Baxter

Make use of the remembrance of the glorious angels, to acquaint you with the dignity of human nature, and the special dignity of the servants of God, and so to raise up your hearts in thankfulness to your Creator and Redeemer who hath thus advanced you. 1. What a dignity is it that these holy angels should be all ministering spirits sent for our good! that they should love us, and concern themselves so much for us, as to rejoice in heaven at our conversion! "Lord, what is man that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that thou visitest him? For thou has made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour," Psal. viii. 4,5. 2. But yet it is a higher declaration of our dignity, that we should in heaven be equal with them, and so be numbered into their society, and join with them everlastingly in the praise of our Creator. 3. And it is yet a greater honour to us, that our natures are assumed into union of person with the Son of God, and so advanced above the angels. "For he took not on him the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham:" nor hath he put the world to come in subjection to the angels, Heb. ii. 5,16. This is the Lord's doing and it is wondrous in our eyes. -- Richard Baxter

Borland, James A., Christ in the Old Testament [10336]

THE BELIEVER'S POSITION IN CHRIST and SONSHIP

---

*Baxter, Richard, The Saints' Everlasting Rest [30936, 30941, 31126]
The Saints' Everlasting Rest, Richard Baxter, edited by Benjamin Fawcett
http://www.ccel.org/b/baxter/everlasting_rest/saints_rest.html

*Bonar, Horatius, God's Way of Holiness [60228]
God's Way of Holiness, by Horatius Bonar
http://www.pionet.net/~cultrsch/bgwhtoc.htm

*Calvin, John, Sermons on Ephesians (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust), EEBO. A Christian classic.
"The sermons are priceless." -- C.H. Spurgeon
"These also were translated by A. Golding, one who shared completely the spirit and fervor of John Calvin. He loses noting in the translation. These have been very rare, selling for as high as $500.00 when found. You will revel in the closeness they will bring to you as you contemplate Jesus Christ, the One who has made you alive, and has set you in the heavenlies with Him." -- Jay P. Green, Sr.

*Douty, Norman F., Union With Christ [10255]

*Gill, John, The Doctrine of God's Everlasting Love to His Elect and Their Eternal Union With Christ [20060]

*Marshall, Walter, 1628-1680, The Gospel-Mystery of Sanctification, 8 volumes (London, England: Oliphants Press, 1956, 1692) and (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, Inc.,) 1999).
The Reformation Heritage Books edition is a reprint of the 1954 edition set by Oliphants and includes an introduction by Joel R. Beeke. Also includes the author's famous sermon on "The Doctrine of Justification Opened and Applied."
Also available from Trinity Book Service and . [10363]
"Here you will read the most closely reasoned defense of scriptural sanctification to be found anywhere. . . . Fourteen directions are given to the reader, all perfected with the aim of explaining to sincere souls what sanctification is, what it is not, and how to attain a holy walk before God. . . ." -- Jay P. Green, Sr.
The Secret of Sanctification: Union With Christ: Walter Marshall's Gospel Mystery of Sanctification, Joel R. Beeke
http://www.heritagebooks.org/browse.asp?searchMode=author&searchString=marshall&x=20&y=8
The Gospel-Mystery of Sanctification, Walter Marshall
http://www.lettermen2.com/gmswm.html

*Miller, C. John "Jack," and Rose Marie Miller, Sonship Course: World Harvest Mission Leadership Training Program, Nurture Training for Ministry, Equipping Others for Ministry (Jenkintown, PA [World Harvest, Box 2175, Jenkintown 19046]: World Harvest, 1988). 10548
This course was developed to prepare World Harvest missionaries to work in the field. The course includes small group participation and Biblical counseling.
"The first half of the Sonship track focuses on the doctrines of Justification, Sanctification, and Adoption. The last half lays the foundation for love. We look at how the Gospel affects the way we look at ourselves. Our goal was that increasingly your self-image should be rooted in God's view of you clothed in the perfect righteousness of Christ . . . What we aim at here is to encourage the trainee to learn from Christ how to build a holy life, a life of love to your neighbor. This is done self-consciously relying always on his or her free justification by faith. Sanctification by faith issues from knowing always that my standing as a son is assured by justification by Christ alone through faith alone. Thus the heart of our counseling on character development centers in affirmation of Christ's work for us, and Christ's work in us through the Spirit. But within that framework we attempt seriously to involve each trainee in ongoing repentance, putting off old habits and sins and putting on Christ-like love and faith. . . . Much focus is laid on teamwork. . . . The skill of evangelism . . . is the believer's primary emphasis in the course of training because the staff believes that evangelism is necessary for a healthy Christian life . . . Evangelism rightly understood affects both the faith and the Christian life of the one who shares Christ's message." -- C. John Miller and Rose Marie Miller
World Harvest Mission
http://www.whm.org/home.htm

*Stewart, James S., A Man in Christ: The Vital Elements in St. Paul's Religion [10260]

Bobick, Michael W., From Slavery to Sonship: A Biblical Psychology for Pastoral Counseling (Scarsdale, NY: The Author, c1984). 10551
Distributed by Westminster Theological Seminary Discount Book Service. Includes bibliography.

Brown, Stephen W., Heirs With the Prince (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, c1985). 10553
Includes bibliographical references.

*Calvin, John, Sermons on Ephesians (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust), EEBO. A Christian classic.
"The sermons are priceless." -- C.H. Spurgeon
"These also were translated by A. Golding, one who shared completely the spirit and fervor of John Calvin. He loses noting in the translation. These have been very rare, selling for as high as $500.00 when found. You will revel in the closeness they will bring to you as you contemplate Jesus Christ, the One who has made you alive, and has set you in the heavenlies with Him." -- Jay P. Green, Sr.

Christenson, Larry, The Renewed Mind (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany Fellowship, 1974). 10554
Emphasizes Sonship. Excellent book.

Girardeu, John L., Discussions of Theological Questions (Harrisonburg, VA [Sprinkle Publications, P.O. Box 1094, Harrisonburg, 22803]: Sprinkle Publications).
"The discussion on the subject of adoption is alone well worth the price of this book." -- Lloyd T. Sprinkle

King, Guy Hope, Crossing the Border: An Expositional Study of Colossians (London, England: Marshall, Morgan, and Scott, 1957). 10559
"A lucid study that emphasizes the spiritual truths of a believer's position in Christ and show how the reality of this truth affects everyday living." -- Cyril J. Barber

*Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn, Exposition of Ephesians (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House). 30780
Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn, Christian Soldier (Ephesians 6:10-20), volume 1 [30781]
Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn, Christian Unity (Ephesians 4:1-6), volume 2 [30782]
Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn, Christian Warfare (Ephesians 6:10-13), volume 3 [30783]
Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn, Darkness and Light (Ephesians 4:17-5:17), volume 4 [30784]
Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn, God's Ultimate Purpose (Ephesians 1), volume 5 [30785]
Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn, God's Way of Reconciliation (Ephesians 2), volume 6 [30786]
Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn, Life in the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-6:9), volume 7 [30787]
Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn, The Unsearchable Riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:1-20), volume 8 [30788]

Mawhinney, A., Doctrine of the Holy Spirit: Adoption [30279]

Miller, Rose Marie, Romans (Jenkintown, PA: [World Harvest, Box 2175, Jenkintown 19046] World Harvest, 1985). 10561
Excellent study of Romans based on Ray Stedman's study of Romans. Ties in beautifully with the Sonship Course by C. John Miller and Rosemarie Miller.

Murray, John, External Sonship: The Covenant of Grace (Philadelphia, PA: The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1987). 10564

Needham, David C., Birthright: Christian Do You Know Who You Are? (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers).
"One of the finest books on the subject. Discover from the Bible who you are, and what your destiny is. This book could change your entire outlook on life." -- GCB

*Owen, John, Holy Spirit Gifts and Power [31040]

Packer, J.I., Be Filled With the Spirit: We Are Alive (Ephesians 5:18) [30323]

Packer, J.I., God Has Blessed Us: We Are Rich (Ephesians 1:3-2:10) [30343]

Packer, J.I., In Christ Jesus: We Are Loved (Ephesians 2:11-3:21) [30344]

Packer, J.I., Questions and Answers by Dr. Packer on Ephesians Lectures [30349]

See also: Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, Sexual relationship

Related WebLinks

THE PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS

---

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. (1 Peter 2:9)

"Beloved fellow-Christians, God needs, greatly needs, priests who can draw near to Him, who live in His presence, and by their intercession draw down the blessings of His grace on others. And the world needs, greatly needs, priests who will bear the burden of the perishing ones, and intercede on their behalf. . . . Let nothing keep you back from giving yourselves to be wholly and only priests--nothing else, nothing less than the priests of the Most High God. . . . This is the true blessedness of conformity to the image of God's Son." -- Andrew Murray

Martin Luther's doctrine of the The Priesthood of all Believers lead to the doctrine of the equality of all men. This is the basis of the declaration that "all men are created equal" and the belief that men are capable of self-government under God. Teaching the doctrine of the Priesthood of All Believers was part of Martin Luther's Reformation.

"We the Citizens of Mecklenburg County do hereby desolve the political bands which have connected us to the Mother Country & hereby absolve ourselves from all allegiance to the British crown & abjure all political connection, contract or association with that nation who have wantonly trampled on our rights & liberties & inhumanely shed the innocent blood of American patriots at Lexington.
"We do hereby declare ourselves a free and independent people - are & of right ought to be a sovereign & self-governing association, under the controul of no power other than that of our God & the general government of the congress, to the maintainence of which independence civil & religious we solemnly pledge to each other our mutual cooperation, our lives, our fortunes & our most sacred honor." -- The Mecklenburg Declaration

The roots of liberty and limited government are in the Protestant Reformation. We believe the key to the maintenance of liberty and limited government are to be found in the Scottish covenanting struggle.

An ignorant laity will always be the bane of a church. -- J.C. Ryle "The Fallibility of Ministers" in Warning to the Churches, pp. 93-121.

*Bucy, Ralph D. (editor), The New Laity Between the Church and The World [90192]

*Calvin, John, Sermons on Ephesians (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust), EEBO. A Christian classic.
"The sermons are priceless." -- C.H. Spurgeon
"These also were translated by A. Golding, one who shared completely the spirit and fervor of John Calvin. He loses noting in the translation. These have been very rare, selling for as high as $500.00 when found. You will revel in the closeness they will bring to you as you contemplate Jesus Christ, the One who has made you alive, and has set you in the heavenlies with Him." -- Jay P. Green, Sr.

*Eastwood, Charles Cyril, The Royal Priesthood of the Faithful: An Investigation of the Doctrine From Biblical Times to the Reformation (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1963). 10577
Other editions exist. Includes bibliography.

*Grubb, Norman F., Rees Howell: Intercessor [10801]

*Hodgkin, Henry T., Lay Religion [10482]

*Kraemer, H., Theology of the Laity (Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press, 1958). 10578
"A very significant, seminal study on the true meaning of laity."

*Marney, Carlyle, Priests to Each Other (Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 1974). 10579
"Marney explores the need for a new reformation within the 20th century church." Includes bibliographical references.

*Marshall, Walter, 1628-1680, The Gospel-Mystery of Sanctification (London, England: Oliphants Press, 1956, 1692) and (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, Inc.,) 1999).
The Reformation Heritage Books edition is a reprint of the 1954 edition set by Oliphants and includes an introduction by Joel R. Beeke. Also includes the author's famous sermon on "The Doctrine of Justification Opened and Applied."
Also available from Trinity Book Service and . [10363]
"Here you will read the most closely reasoned defense of scriptural sanctification to be found anywhere. . . . Fourteen directions are given to the reader, all perfected with the aim of explaining to sincere souls what sanctification is, what it is not, and how to attain a holy walk before God. . . ." -- Jay P. Green, Sr.
The Secret of Sanctification: Union With Christ: Walter Marshall's Gospel Mystery of Sanctification, Joel R. Beeke
http://www.heritagebooks.org/browse.asp?searchMode=author&searchString=marshall&x=20&y=8
The Gospel-Mystery of Sanctification, Walter Marshall
http://www.lettermen2.com/gmswm.html

*Richards, Lawrence O., and Gib Martin, The Theology of Personal Ministry (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981). 10581
"In keeping with the title, the first part of this book develops a theological foundation for personal ministry. From this premise the authors expound the practical implications of the fact that the head of the church has called each believer to a personal ministry. All things considered, this is an excellent work." -- Cyril J. Barber

*Robinson, William, Completing the Reformation: The Doctrine of the Priesthood of All Believers (Lexington, KY: College of the Bible, 1955). 10582
"The fundamental idea of the Reformation promised to inaugurate a radical change in the whole conception and place of the laity." -- William Robinson

*Stevens, R. Paul, Liberating the Laity: Equipping All the Saints for Ministry (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1985). 10584
"Seeks to abolish the distinction between clergy and laity and to elevate believers to their true dignity as ministers of Christ. Stevens is not an anticleric. His iconoclasm is of a different order; and his goal is the mobilization of the people of God to do the work he desires. . . ." -- Cyril J. Barber

*Torrance, Thomas F., Royal Priesthood (Edinburg, Scotland: Oliver and Boyd, 1963). 10585
"Universal priesthood of believers . . . one of the precious but insufficiently developed legacies of the Reformation. . . . The Church does not primarily exist on behalf of itself, but on behalf of the world . . . this elemental truth is absent in the Church . . . Laity is the dispersion of the Church." -- T.F. Torrance

*Wallace, Ronald, Calvin's Doctrine of the Christian Life (Tyler, TX: Geneva Divinity School Press, c1982). 10586
"This renowned student of Calvin's theology says that the great Reformer did not hold that the doctrine of the priesthood of believers was an individualistic idea apart from the Church. Also sets forth Calvin's views on prayer, ethics, and other Christian disciplines. Always the idea of assurance, achievement, and hope was present because of our union with Christ." -- GCB

*Williams, W.S., The Glorious Ministry of the Laity in the Early Days of the Christian Church (Chatham, England: Parrett and Neves, 1936). 10587

*Bainton, Roland H., Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther. A Christian classic.
"Available for the first time in trade paperback, this authoritative biography of the great religious leader was hailed by Time magazine as "the most readable Luther biography in English." This edition showcases the intricate woodcuts and engravings that enhance the text and give the flavor of the era in which Martin Luther lived. More than 100 woodcuts and engravings." -- Ingram
A scholarly presentation of Luther's part in the Protestant Reformation which changed the course of Western civilization. Highly recommended, especially for those seeking a deeper understanding of the theology of the Reformation. A scholarly work in which the Gospel is articulately presented. The story of Luther's conversion is, of course, presented in detail. Numerous editions of this book are available. Includes extensive bibliography.
Martin Luther
http://www.covenanter.org/Luther/martinluther.htm

*Bainton, Roland H., Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther. A Christian classic.

Bobick, Michael W., From Slavery to Sonship: A Biblical Psychology for Pastoral Counseling [10551]

Elliott, John Hall, The Elect and the Holy: An Exegetical Examination of I Peter 2:4-10 (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1966). 10588
Includes bibliography.

Hertz, Karl H., Everyman a Priest (Philadelphia, PA: Muhlenberg Press, c1960). 10590

Hobbs, Herschel H., You Are Chosen: The Priesthood of All Believers (San Francisco, CA: Harper and Row, 1990). 10591

Howington, Nolan P., A Royal Priesthood (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, c1986). 10592
Includes bibliography.

Ketcherside, W. Carl, The Royal Priesthood: A Plea for the Restoration of the Priesthood of All Believers in the Church of God (St. Louis, MO: Mission Messenger, 1956). 10593

*Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn, Exposition of Ephesians [30780]
Christian Soldier (Ephesians 6:10-20), volume 1 [30781]
Christian Unity (Ephesians 4:1-6), volume 2 [30782]
Christian Warfare (Ephesians 6:10-13), volume 3 [30783]
Darkness and Light (Ephesians 4:17-5:17), volume 4 [30784]
God's Ultimate Purpose (Ephesians 1), volume 5 [30785]
God's Way of Reconciliation (Ephesians 2), volume 6 [30786]
Life in the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-6:9), volume 7 [30787]
The Unsearchable Riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:1-20), volume 8 [30788]

*Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn, God's Way of Reconciliation [30786]

*Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn, The Unsearchable Riches of Christ [30788]

Manson, Thomas Walter, Ministry and Priesthood: Christ's and Ours (Richmond, VA: John Knox Press). 10596
Includes bibliography.

Ogden, Greg, The New Reformation: Returning the Ministry to the People of God (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, c1990). 10598
"Ministry is to be by the people and for the people, and this book explains why it is needed and how it can be done." -- Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Shurden, Walter B., The Doctrine of the Priesthood of Believers (Nashville, TN: Convention Press, c1987). 10600
Includes bibliographical references.

Stevens, R. Paul, The Equipper's Guide to Every-Member Ministry: Eight Ways Ordinary People Can Do the Work of the Church [70416]

See also: Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, Sexual relationship

Related WebLinks

THE REGULATIVE PRINCIPLE OF WORSHIP

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*ALEXANDER, JAMES W., Family Worship: A Biblical Duty, 1847. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #22, ISBN: 0921148143 9780921148142. Alternate title: Thoughts on Family Worship (Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 1990, 1847). ISBN: 1573580813 9781573580816
First printed in 1847 by the Presbyterian Board of Education.
"No minister in our church was a more accomplished scholar. The pulpit was his appropriate sphere." -- Charles Hodge
"It would be almost impossible to overemphasis the importance of daily family worship. It is a blessed privilege for those who have known it as children and/or adults. It is foundational to any lasting revival or reformation. It is a duty commanded by God in Scripture, and to neglect it is, without a doubt, sinful. The Westminster Divines made it clear, in their amazing Directory for Family Worship, that obstinacy in the sin of neglecting family worship should lead where there are faithful elders to the head of the offending house being `suspended and debarred from the Lord's supper.' This book gives the nature, warrant, and history of family worship in easy to read large print." -- SWRB
"The author's goal is `extending the domestic worship of God's people and especially in arousing the children of the covenant to honor the God of their fathers.' To fulfill this purpose, Alexander traces family worship from Eden on through the Old and New Testaments and church history. The universal voice of the Church, in its best periods, has been in favor of family worship. . . .' He demonstrates that family worship is a means of intellectual improvement: `True piety improves the understanding. . . .' " -- Robert H. Duvall

*Alexander, James W., Family Worship: Its Influence Over All of Life. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #22, ISBN: 0921148143 9780921148142.
"Some have postulated that the Reformation would have fizzled out in no time had it not been for the faithful men who led their families in daily worship. Nothing is more calculated to enhanced and abet all other spiritual duties than daily family worship. It will curtail divorce and domestic violence, both of which were unheard of among the Puritans because of their love for the use of the means of grace within this setting, and help lead many individuals and ultimately nations to Christ. This book covers the influence of family worship on the individual piety of parents and children. It shows it to be a means of intellectual improvement and a bond of domestic harmony and love. Men, if you really want to change the world, start with your own immediate sphere of influence and responsibility. Preparing your own heart before the Lord and instituting daily family worship will do more good than most can imagine! This is your commanded duty." -- SWRB

AMES, WILLIAM, A Fresh Suit Against Human Ceremonies in God's Worship, 1633. Found in THE WORKS OF THE REVEREND AND FAITFUL MINSTER OF CHRIST, WILLIAM AMES. Available on Puritan Bookshelf CD #9 and Reformation Bookshelf CD #19. Also available on The Amazing Christian Library, DVD Five, CD #25.
"A rare facsimile from this Calvinist divine who was one of the most acute controversialists of his age. This highly influential Puritan theologian was assistant to the president of the Synod of Dort and Professor of Divinity at Franecker. He died in 1633. In this massive work, Ames aims at vindicating the Lord's sovereign Kingship in matters of worship. The summary and general thrust of the detailed and precise argumentation found in this book is beautifully encapsulated by the words inscribed on its title page, `I hate vayn inventions: but thy law doe I love'. (Ps. 119:113)" -- SWRB

Barrow, Reg, and Doug Wilson, Saul in the Cave of Adullam: A Testimony Against the Fashionable Sub-Calvinism of Doug Wilson (editor of Credenda/Agenda Magazine); and for Classical Protestantism and the Attainments of the Second Reformation (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"Demonstrates in an email debate (of 170, 8.5 inch by 11 inch, pages) between Doug Wilson (editor of Credenda/Agenda magazine) and Reg Barrow (president of Still Waters Revival Books) how violations of the regulative principle of worship (i.e. the Second Commandment) are grounds for excommunication. Also gives specific examples of how modern "Reformed" Christians (e.g. John Frame) and denominations are in violation of the Second Commandment and are tolerating false and idolatrous worship. Contains many quotations from major Reformation works and confessions in defense of the regulative principle of worship representing the classical Protestant position on worship.
Saul in the Cave of Adullam, Reg Barrow and Douglas Wilson
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/Saul.htm

Barrow, Reg, Reformation Worship and Separation from Idolatry (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 1997).
"In two parts: 1. 'The Regulative Principle of Worship in History' and 2. 'Psalm Singing in Scripture and History.' Part one explains, defends and chronicles the Reformation use of the regulative principle as the basis of all faithful public worship. Part two defends exclusive Psalmody, demonstrating that this position is nothing less than our Reformation heritage, based on the second commandment. It argues, on the foundation of a biblically close communion, that Christians should separate themselves ecclesiastically from those who do not practice exclusive Psalmody. Hard teaching, but faithful to Scriptures and the original intent of the Westminster Standards." -- SWRB
The Regulative Principle of Worship in History, by Reg Barrow (refutes Arminianism in worship)
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/CRTPWors.htm

Begg, James, Anarchy in Worship or Recent Innovation Contrasted with the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church and the Vows of Her Office-Bearers (1875), (Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
The principles upheld in this book are extremely important today, for as the title page notes 'When nations are to perish in their sins, 'Tis in the Church the leprosy begins.' Begg lays his foundations in the second commandment and deals with all man-made innovations in the worship of God. The four types of innovators exposed are especially interesting, being: 1.) the presumptuous and blasphemous innovator; 2.) the popularity-hunting innovator; 3.) the politic and scheming innovator; 4.) the asthetic innovator. Women preachers, drama, dance and numerous other modern inventions in public worship would all be rejected outright if these Biblical principles were faithfully followed. Herein we also see why those holding to the Scriptural law of worship and the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) must reject musical instruments in public worship as just another Popish and Judaizing innovation -- a resurrecting of the abrogated ceremonial law -- and thus a denial of the finished work of Christ. The discussion of vows taken by office holders to the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646), as they relate to worship, is also extremely important and should be read not only by all elders who have bound themselves to uphold the WCF [1646], but also by all Christians who love the truth and want to maintain the church in purity." -- SWRB

Bogue, Carl, Does the Regulative Principle Matter to the PCA? (Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).

*Burroughs, Jeremiah, Gospel Worship: The Right Manner of Sanctifying the Name of God in (1) Hearing the Word; (2) Prayer; and (3) Receiving the Lord's Supper (Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications). 10603
"How we need to heed this call to return to reverence in our worship! This book could change your attitudes toward God's worship forever!" -- GCB

*Bushell, Michael, The Songs of Zion: A Contemporary Case for Exclusive Psalmody (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"Contains one of the best explanations of the Scriptural law of worship (also known as the regulative principle of worship) in print today. For this and a number of other reasons this is one of the most significant books published this century concerning worship! Furthermore, it demonstrates and defends (from Scripture, history and the creeds) the Reformation practice of exclusive Psalmody. It dovetails splendidly with Eire's (a Roman Catholic author) celebrated WAR AGAINST THE IDOLS, setting forth foundational principles that lay at the very heart of Reformation thought, theology and practice. For as Bushell points out, `Purity of worship and uniformity of worship go hand in hand because they are both founded upon the assumption that the Scriptures contain clear, sufficient and authoritative directions as to the proper way of worshiping God. The diversity of worship practice that we see in our churches arises ultimately from a denial of this assumption, and it constitutes, therefore, a denial of a central aspect of the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture. There is much more at stake, then, in this whole discussion than the mere observance or non-observance of a few external rites' (2nd edition, 1993, p. 3). If you are a Calvinist and have not read this book, you are missing a real treat!" -- SWRB

*Calvin, John, Calvin's Selected Works, 7 Volumes (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 1998, 1672). A Christian classic.
"These remarkable volumes contain Calvin's tracts and letters. They clearly exhibit why Calvin was one of the great saints (who defended the regulative principle of worship) and why his work was singularly blessed of God. Understanding these works will shed much light on our current situation; for many in the professed Christian community live in as great (or greater) darkness today than those who were contemporaries of Calvin. This set contains such classics as `The Necessity of Reforming the Church,' `The Catechism of the Church of Geneva,' `An Antidote Against Trent,' `The Sinfulness of Outward Conformity to Romish Rites' and much more. Calvin's only letter to Luther, his letters to Knox, Bullinger, Beza and a host of other Reformers, along with Beza's 100 page Life of Calvin are also all included. Indexed, 3507 pages." -- SWRB
The Necessity of Reforming the Church (1543), by John Calvin
This is an online document.
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/NRC_ch00.htm

*Charnock, Stephen, The Existence and Attributes of God (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1797). A Christian classic.
"When the essence and attributes of God are called into question, to whom else can we better go than to Stephen Charnock? . . . the study of God's attributes is not dry-as-dust theology, but is practical; that is, it leads to righteousness." -- Gordon H. Clark

*Church of Scotland, General Assembly, The Scottish Prose Psalter Being The Authorized Version of the Psalms with Selected Passages of Scripture, and Ancient Hymns, Pointed for Chanting, With Accompanying Chants. For Use in Churches, by Authority of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, 2nd edition (London: T. Nelson and Sons, Paternoster Row, Edinburgh and New York, 1906).
"Since Christ is the Second Person of the Trinity, the hymns and laments of the psalms are directed to Him as to the Father and the Spirit. Jesus is both a singer of the psalms (Heb. 2:12 [Psalm 22:22]) and the focus of their interest. We can sing to Him our praise, tell Him our complaints and petitions, and thank Him for His goodness. We extol Him as our King, rest our confidence in Him, and look to Him as the embodiment of God's wisdom." -- "The Book of Psalms," The Reformation Study Bible, pp. 754, 755
Have you ever planned to sing through The Book of Psalms with your spouse or with your family? Here is your psalter: The Scottish Prose Psalter.
The writer knows of no psalter truer to the literal translation of the Word of God, short of pointing The Book of Psalms from Young's Literal Translation of the Holy Bible, which preserves the Hebrew and Greek grammatical structure, or short of taking 15 years out of one's life to learn the original Hebrew and Greek, which, of course, is not necessary.
This is a split-page psalter. The top set of pages are the music, the bottom set of pages are the psalms. This format allows the worshiper to match any melody with any particular psalm.
The preface contains instruction on how to chant. Select chants are recommended for each psalm.
"Chanting is the singing of a prose text to a simple, repeated melody. Good chanting is essentially good reading aloud; it uses the rhythms and stresses of natural speech.
"The ancient Hebrews never used metrical `tunes' in the modern sense. In the synagogue, the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings (including the Psalms), were read in a sing-song recitation which was half speech, half song. Originally chanting involved only a single line (that is, no part-singing), and only two or three pitches. The early Christian church retained this practice, adapting it to the recitation of the Psalms in Latin translation. Our present system of chanting in four parts is called Anglican Chant, and dates from sixteenth-century England.
"Chanting has several advantages over metrical Psalmody, stemming from the fact that in chanting, the music completely serves the text. The music is not difficult or interesting in itself, but has character and meaning only in conjunction with words. The meaning of the text is thus more immediate, and the parallel structure of the Hebrew poetry is more apparent. The difficulties of translating ancient non-metrical poems into sensible English rhyme are rendered unnecessary. Chanting encourages the use of entire Psalms rather than selections." -- "An Introduction to Chanting," The Book of Psalms for Singing, Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, 1995, p. 440
A prose psalter was nothing new for The Church of Scotland. They published The Psalms of David in prose and metre: with the whole forme of Discipline, and prayers, according to the Church of Scotland; the Psalms in prose being of the last translation; translated by the speciall commandment of King James the sixt, 1610 (Aberdene: Printed by Edward Raban for David Melvill, 1633).
The Bible Psalter (London: J. Nisbet, 1880), 142 pp., Presbyterian Church of England, "the music arranged and partly composed by Sir Herbert S. Oakeley" (1830-1903) and The Psalter (T. Nelson and Sons, 1888), 303 pp., by Authority of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, "pointed for chanting, and with chants adapted thereto or specially composed for this work by Sir Herbert Stanley Oakeley" preceded this work.
"The Musical portion of this work is identical with that in "The Psalter, and Selected Passages of Scripture," etc., published in 1888; but advantage has been taken of a new issue to revise and improve the pointing of the words. To mark the Revised Edition the title of the work has been changed to THE SCOTTISH PROSE PSALTER, etc.. . . ." -- Note to Preface, May, 1897.
Publication of The Psalter, under the new title, The Scottish Prose Psalter, could have been a consequence of the awakening of 1905, "part of a worldwide movement and apparently especially inspired by British revivals. . ."
Any concordance to the Authorized King James Version and any index to the Psalms of David (AKJV) may be used with this Psalter.
Psalms are an essential part of personal devotions. There is a sincerity and beautiful simplicity about The Scottish Prose Psalter. Everyone should own a copy, especially fathers who lead family worship.

Derham, A. Morgan (editor), Time for the Family, 2 volumes (Wayne, PA [Scripture Union, 150 Strafford Avenue, Wayne 19087]: Scripture Union). 10612
"Each volume provides six full months of Bible readings, prayers, and activity material in a lively and readable form. Designed to take just ten minutes a day."

Flavel, John, A Warning Against Backsliding, False Worship and False Teachers (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"Exposes the subtlety of false worship and false teachers and counsels all Christians to remove themselves from under ministries that practice such things. Promotes family religion and house gatherings in times of great declension and apostasy (such as ours)." -- SWRB

*Gillespie, George, A Dispute Against the English Popish Ceremonies Obtruded upon the Church of Scotland (1637, reprinted from the 1660 edition), (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books), EEBO.
"George Gillespie was one of the Scottish commissioners to the Westminster Assembly, the youngest member there, and undoubtedly one of the most influential. William Hetherington observes `The effect produced by this singularly able work may be conjectured from the fact that within a few months of its publication, a proclamation was issued by the Privy Council, at the instigation of the Bishops, commanding that all copies of the book that could be found be called in and burned by the hangman. Such was the only answer that all the learned Scottish Prelates could give to a treatise written by a youth who was only in his twenty-fifth year when it appeared' (`Memoir,' from the Works of George Gillespie, p. xviii.). James Bannerman notes, `This was Gillespie's first work, and it may be truly said to have settled the controversy which called it forth, so far as argument was concerned. No answer to it was ever attempted by the Prelatic party; and no answer was possible. It displays singular acuteness, learning, and force of reasoning; and the thoroughness of the discussion is as remarkable as the power with which it is conducted' (The Church of Christ, vol. 2., p. 435). Possibly the best uninspired book ever written on biblical worship, an extensive and thorough masterpiece that leaves no stone unturned. For advanced study." -- SWRB. A Christian classic.

*Knox, John, First and Second Books of Discipline
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/BOD_ch00.htm

*KNOX, JOHN, The Works of John Knox, 6 volumes, David Laing (editor), (New York, NY: AMS Press Incorporated). Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #1, ISBN: 0921148674 9780921148678. Also available in the (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books). Available on The Amazing Christian Library, DVD One, CD #6. See annotation for all six volumes at. A Christian classic.
"Here is a chance to touch the flame that ignited whole nations for covenanted Reformation. John Knox is considered by many to have been the most biblically consistent and thoroughgoing of all the great Reformers of the sixteenth century. `John Knox was in fact the embodiment of the Scottish Reformation as its preacher, theologian, liturgist, historian, and catalyst for reform.' (Hall and Hall, editor, Paradigms in Polity: Classic Readings in Reformed and Presbyterian Church Government [Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1994], p. 219).`With this concern for purity of worship,' notes Kevin Reed regarding Knox, `it is no wonder that the Scottish Reformation was the most thorough among any of the Protestant nations.' (From the introduction to John Knox, True and False Worship: A Vindication of the Doctrine that the Sacrifice of the Mass is Idolatry [Dallas, TX: Presbyterian Heritage Publications, 1550 reprinted 1994], p.14.). `I know not,' states George Smeaton, `if ever so much piety and genius were lodged in such a frail and weak body. Certain I am, that it will be difficult to find one in whom the gifts of the Holy Spirit shone so bright to the comfort of the church.' (Cited in Thomas M'Crie, The Life of John Knox [1831], p. 272.) The Works of John Knox listed here is the complete six volume set collected by David Laing, 1895. Concerning this 6 volume collection, Kyle, in The Mind of John Knox (p. 14) notes, `The only real basis for a study of Knox's thought must be the writings of the reformer himself. From 1846 to 1864, David Laing collected and edited nearly all of Knox's extant writings. This remarkable collection, which scholars regard highly, is indispensable for any serious study of John Knox.' " -- SWRB

Murray, John and William Young, The Forgotten Minority: The Minority Report on Song in the Public Worship of God (reprinted 1997), (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"This report, defending exclusive Psalmody (on the basis of the classic understanding of the regulative principle of worship), was submitted to the fourteenth General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) in 1947. It was subsequently buried, ignored and has, as many had hoped, become long forgotten -- until now! It exposes how the OPC flies in the face of the original Westminster Standards, the worship heritage of Presbyterianism and most importantly Scripture." -- SWRB

Owen, John. An answer unto two questions: by the late judicious John Owen, D.D. With twelve arguments against conformity to worship, not of divine institution. London, 1720. (ECCO) Gale Document Number CW3319817419

Owen, John, A Discourse Concerning Liturgies and Their Imposition, first published anonymously in 1662, this edition is from the mid 19th-century printing (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books), EEBO.
"This discourse by John Owen contains the judgment of our author in regard to measures which gave rise to the most important events in the ecclesiastical history of England. Owen argues against the liturgy, the imposition of which caused (to the astonishment of the Prelatical hierarchy) nearly two thousand Puritan ministers of the Church of England to resign from their pulpits rather than sacrifice a clear conscience concerning the commanded worship of God. These men sacrificed their livelihood, families, and even their own lives rather than offend God by propagating false worship. In conjunction with this, Girardeau, in his Instrumental Music in the Public Worship of the Church (pp. 24-25) notes, 'The words of the great theologian, John Owen--and the British Isles have produced no greater--are solemn and deserve to be seriously pondered: 'The principle that the church hath power to institute any thing or ceremony belonging to the worship of God, either as to matter or manner, beyond the observance of such circumstances as necessarily attend such ordinances as Christ Himself hath instituted, lies at the bottom of all the horrible superstition and idolatry, of all the confusion, blood, persecution, and wars, that have for so long a season spread themselves over the face of the Christian world.' Worship is a life and death matter--eternal life and eternal death--and the regulative principle is ultimately at the heart of any biblically faithful discussion of these questions. Bannerman, in his Church of Christ, summarizes this book as 'giving the Scriptural argument against the imposition of liturgies as well as of other humanely devised elements in Divine worship, with great clearness and force'(p.435)." -- SWRB

Prime, Derek, Created to Praise (Pasadena, TX: Pilgrim Publications). 10616
"A comprehensive book giving us the Bible's picture of Christian happiness in praising God in prayer, song, trials, difficulties, and for eternity." -- GCB

Reed, Kevin, Biblical Worship
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/BibW_ch0.htm

*Rogers, Judy, Judy Rogers Tapes (Jackson, MS [Judy Rogers Tapes, 5125 Robinson Road, Jackson 39204]: Judy Rogers Tapes). 10617
"Judy Rogers' tapes are one of a kind. Biblically concerned parents should obtain them at all costs!" -- Jay E. Adams
Rogers, Judy, "Pilgrim's Praise: Series of Worship and Praise Based on Pilgrim's Progress" 10618
"A masterful series of worship and praise songs, and songs from PILGRIM'S PROGRESS by John Bunyan . . . full of sheer encouragement for Christians."
Rogers, Judy, "Why Can't I See God? And Other Questions Children Ask About God" 10619
Twenty songs for children covering the great themes of the Bible. "Judy Rogers has done the impossible . . . and it is good!" -- Mary Pride
Rogers, Judy, "Go to the Ant: Songs Taken From Proverbs for Children" 10620
"Our whole family enjoys it! Your music is filled with wonderful Biblical truths for everyone."
Rogers, Judy, "Walkin' Wise" 10621
Songs based on Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes for teens. "A powerful message for teens."
Rogers, Judy, "Stand Up" 10622
"Songs dealing with `Teen' issues challenging Christian young people to deeper commitment. Songs such as `Glorify Him' (1 Corinthians 10:31); `That's Not Love' (1 Corinthians 13)." 10623
Rogers, Judy, "Arise! Shine! New Recording!" 10624
Heart and soul inspiring Scripture songs and hymns of praise and worship! Songs such as "Arise! Shine!" (Isaiah 60, 2 Chronicles 7:14); "Clap Your Hands" (Psalms 47).

Rouse, Francis, the Westminster Divines, and the Scottish General Assembly (from 1646-1650) THE PSALMS OF DAVID IN METRE (i.e. the Scottish Metrical Psalter of 1650): Allowed By the Authority of the Kirk of Scotland, and of Several Branches of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. With Notes, Exhibiting the Connection, Explaining the Sense, and for Directing and Animating the Devotion (1844 edition published by Robert Carter [New York]) John Brown of Haddington (annotations) (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"This is the Psalter (less Brown's notes, which were added later) mandated, approved and used (for public and private worship) by the Westminster Assembly and all those who covenanted to uphold the Biblical Reformation that these Divines proclaimed. The text of the Scottish Metrical Psalms was authorized by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1650. The notes added by Brown are suitable for explaining the Psalm before singing and are a great aid to understanding and worship (whether public, family or private). Every song leader (especially fathers for family worship) should have a copy of this edition of the Scottish Psalter with Brown's notes. If money is a factor, the smaller, inexpensive hardcover, containing just the Psalms (see below) should suffice for other members of the family, or the father (or other song leaders) can simply line out the Psalms (as Moses, David, the Apostles, etc. did). All the Psalms, excepting one, are rendered into common metre (with some alternate versions added) and thus can be sung by even those with almost no knowledge of music. For example, the tune to `Amazing Grace' is one of the many tunes that fits with all common metre renderings. And even Psalm 136, the one Psalm not in common metre, can be sung to any common metre tune, as it adds only one extra syllable to the end of every second line. Maybe not the delight of the accomplished musician, but certainly calculated to make the Psalms easily accessible to young and old alike (an attainment surely pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ) as this Psalter was purposely produced to foster international (and covenanted) Reformation. The Scottish Metrical Psalter is a faithful translation and without a doubt remains the best Psalter in existence today. We have added (at no extra cost to our customers) a copy of the Westminster Shorter Catechism to this printing. This has been done to assist parents in catechizing their children during family worship. Also included in this edition (from the original publisher) is `A Table of the Psalms Classed Under Several Subject Heads' and an `Alphabetical Index of the First Line of Each Stanza.' These sections comprise 48 pages of small print alone, while the complete book (not including the Shorter Catechism we've added) is made up of 424 pages. This is a primary source document of Reformation; not to be missed by those serious about the Reformed faith, and worshipping God in spirit and in truth. There are few things in life as pleasing and enjoyable as communing with Christ through the singing of His Psalms!" -- SWRB The Psalms of David in Metre http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/Psalter0.htm
The Psalms of David in Metre According to the Version Approved by The Church of Scotland The Scottish Metrical Psalter includes audio accompanyment
http://www.cgmusic.com/workshop/smp_frame.htm

Smith, Frank J., and David C. Lachman, Worship in the Presence of God: A Collection of Essays on the Nature, Elements, and Historic Views and Practice of Worship (Greenville, SC: Greenville Seminary Press, 1992). 10626
"Editors Lachman and Smith have included essays by James Bordwine, E. Clark Copeland, Louis DeBoer, Herman Hanko, Douglas Kelly, Henry Krabbendam, John Murray, Thomas Reid, C. Gregg Singer, William Young, and others. Really covers the territory. Great place to start if you are studying the subject of worship. Lots of concepts and ideas to bounce off of." -- GCB

Thompson, Bard, A Bibliography of Christian Worship (ATLA Bibliographic Series, No. 25. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, Incorporated, 1989). 10629

*Westminster Assembly (1643-1652), The Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) (Glasgow, Scotland [Free Presbyterian Publications, 133 Woodlands Road, Glasgow G3 6LE]: Free Presbyterian Publication, 1994). ISBN 0902506080 (casebound) and ISBN 0902506358 (paperback), Still Waters Revival Books, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Also available from Crown and Covenant Publications:
http://www.crownandcovenant.com/product_p/ds115.htm
" 'The product of Puritan conflict,' stated Shedd, reaching 'a perfection of statement never elsewhere achieved.' All that learning the most profound and extensive, intellect the most acute and searching, and piety the most sincere and earnest, could accomplish, was thus concentrated in the Westminster Assembly's Confession of Faith, which may be safely termed the most perfect statement of Systematic Theology ever framed by the Christian Church,' writes Hetherington (The History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines), p. 345. Concerning the Shorter Catechism, which is one of the items also included in this book, Mitchell notes: 'it is a thoroughly Calvinistic and Puritan catechism, the ripest fruit of the Assembly's thought and experience, maturing and finally fixing the definitions of theological terms to which Puritanism for half a century had been leading up and gradually coming closer and closer to in its legion of catechisms' (Westminster Assembly: Its History and Standards, p. 431). The Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) is the greatest of all the creeds of the Christian church. The church of Christ cannot be creedless and live. Especially in an age of doubt and confusion, it is her duty to define and proclaim the one true faith. Nowhere has the Reformed church done this so effectively as in the Westminster Confession (1646) and family of documents. This book represents Reformed thinking at its purest and best. It was intended, as part of the Covenanted Reformation taking place during its compilation, to be adopted as the binding confessional standard for every individual, family, court, church, and legislature in the British Isles." -- SWRB
This is considered to be the definitive publication of the Westminster family of documents. It includes the following:

1. To the Christian Reader, Especially Heads of Families, Mr. Thomas Manton's Epistle to the Reader,
2. The Confession of Faith (1646), the full and original edition with Scripture proofs written out,
3. The Larger Catechism with Scripture proofs written out,
4. The Shorter Catechism with Scripture proofs written out,
5. The Sum of Saving Knowledge,
6. The National Covenant,
7. The Solemn League and Covenant,
8. A Solemn Acknowledgement of Publick Sins and Breaches of the Covenant; and a Solemn Engagement to all the Duties Contained Therein
   CD #1, Reformation Bookshelf 30 CD Set
   http://www.swrb.com/Puritan/reformation-bookshelf-CDs.htm
9. The Directory for the Public Worship of God,
10. The Form of Presbyterial Church Government, and
11. The Directory for Family Worship.

Williamson, G.I., Instrumental Music in the Worship of God: Commanded or not Commanded? (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"There is no doubt that this is the best short written treatment of this subject. Great principles are involved here, including the standard of sola Scriptura and protecting the work of Christ. Many of the Reformers recognized the introduction of musical instruments, the organ in particular, as the badge of Popery. There are abundant Biblical reasons for this and it certainly was not just some knee-jerk reaction to Romanism, as Williamson carefully demonstrates. In fact, the historic practice and testimony of the church is fascinating, as Girardeau in his classic, Instrumental Music in the Public Worship of God, notes, 'Let us pause a moment to notice the fact, supported by a mass of incontrovertible evidence, that the Christian church did not employ instrumental music in its public worship for 1200 years after Christ. . . . It deserves serious consideration, moreover, that notwithstanding the ever-accelerated drift towards corruption in worship as well as in doctrine and government, the Roman Catholic Church did not adopt this corrupt practice until about the middle of the thirteenth century. . . . When the organ was introduced into its worship it encountered strong opposition, and made its way but slowly to general acceptance. These assuredly are facts that should profoundly impress Protestant churches. How can they adopt a practice which the Roman Church, in the year 1200, had not admitted. . . . Then came the Reformation; and the question arises, How did the Reformers deal with instrumental music in the church?. . . . Zwingle has already been quoted to show instrumental music was one of the shadows of the old law which has been realized in the gospel. He pronounces its employment in the present dispensation 'wicked pervicacity.' There is no doubt in regard to his views on the subject, which were adopted by the Swiss Reformed churches. . . . Calvin is very express in his condemnation of instrumental music in connection with the public worship of the Christian church. . . . In his homily on 1 Sam. xviii. 1-9, he delivers himself emphatically and solemnly upon the subject: 'In Popery there was a ridiculous and unsuitable imitation [of the Jews]. While they adorned their temples, and valued themselves as having made the worship of God more splendid and inviting, they employed organs, and many other such ludicrous things, by which the Word and worship of God are exceedingly profaned, the people being much more attached to those rites than to the understanding of the divine Word . . .' Whatever may be the practice in recent times of the churches of Holland, the Synods of the Reformed Dutch Church, soon after the Reformation, pronounced very decidedly against the use of instrumental music in public worship. The National Synod at Middleburg, in 1581, declared against it, and the Synod of Holland and Zealand, in 1594, adopted this strong resolution; 'That they would endeavor to obtain of the magistrate the laying aside of organs, and the singing with them in the churches . . .' The Provincial Synod of Dort also inveighed severely against their use. . . . The Rev. Charles H. Spurgeon . . . upholds an apostolic simplicity of worship. The great congregation which is blessed with the privilege of listening to his instructions has no organ 'to assist' them in singing. . . . The non-prelatic churches, Independent and Presbyterian, began their development on the American continent without instrumental music. They followed the English Puritans and the Scottish Church, which had adopted the principles of the Calvinistic Reformed Church . . . It has thus been proved by an appeal to historical facts, that the church, although lapsing more and more into defection from the truth and into a corruption of apostolic practice, had no instrumental music for twelve hundred years; and that the Calvinistic Reformed Church ejected it from its services as a element of Popery, even the Church of England having come very nigh to its extrusion from her worship. The historical argument, therefore, combines with the scriptural and the confessional to raise a solemn and powerful protest against its employment by the Presbyterian Church. IT IS HERESY IN THE SPHERE OF WORSHIP!' If you are still unconvinced of the importance of this subject, give this short booklet (16 pages) a quick look--you may be surprised at what you find. Related item: Greg Price's two sermons on this topic Instrumental Music in the OT and NT (on one video or on two audio cassettes) present these arguments in a more detailed fashion. One of these sermons ran directly into a communion service without missing a beat--being applied directly to the Lord's supper, assurance of salvation and justification by faith alone. That should give you an indication of some of the important implications found here." -- SWRB

Williamson, G.I., Scriptural Regulative Principle of Worship (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"Another 'mini-classic' from Williamson. If you are unfamiliar with the regulative principle of worship, or, if you would like an inexpensive booklet to pass on to friends, this is a highly recommended item!" -- SWRB

Young, William, The Puritan Principle of Worship (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"Must reading on the regulative principle of worship. 'The biblical regulative principle is formulated in the Reformed confessions in opposition to the Lutheran and Anglican rule that anything may be introduced into God's worship which the scriptures do not expressly reject,' noted Sherman Isbell (Presbyterian Reformed magazine, 1993--write for a free sample copy at 2408 Holt St., Vienna, VA, 22180 USA). Dr. Young writes, 'Calvin formulated this regulative principle with clarity and applied it with great consistency, in the Reformation at Geneva. It is implicit in his celebrated definition of pure and genuine religion as 'confidence in God coupled with serious fear--fear which both includes in it willing reverence, and brings along with it such legitimate worship as is prescribed by the law.' Dr. Young is a brilliant scholar, in the Puritan tradition, and this book shows why." -- SWRB

See also: Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, Reform of the Church

Related WebLinks

Foundation for Reformation: The Regulative Principle of Worship, Greg Price
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualNLs/reformation-rpw-gp.htm

"The Regulative Principle of Worship in the Old Testament," Greg Price (Puritan Worship Series) (Leviticus 10:1-2).
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonid=380103046

Regulative Principle of Worship in the New Testament," Greg Price (Puritan Worship Series) (Matthew 15:9)
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonid=380119184

"Introductory Essay to John Knox's True and False Worship," Kevin Reed
"The Protestant Reformation was a conflict over many critical issues. Of all the issues contested between Romanists and Reformers, no issue was more crucial than the question of true worship. John Knox displayed a preeminent concern for worship. Throughout his ministry, the Reformer proclaimed the scriptural law of worship: all forms of worship [and all religious ceremonies] must possess clear scriptural warrant, if they are to be admitted as valid means of worship. This concept has subsequently been called the regulative principle of worship, because it regulates our approach to God in worship." This introductory essay shows how "the example of Knox stands as a sharp rebuke to Christians in the present day. It illustrates the need to think about our worship." -- Kevin Reed
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/TFWIntro.htm

"Of Uniformity In Religion, Worship of God, and Church Government," George Gillespie
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/Uniformity.htm

Exclusive Psalmody (Exclusive Psalmody and the Regulative Principle 4/7)
"For Calvin and Knox 'this meant that at a stroke the Reformed Church cut itself loose from the entire mass of Latin hymns and from the use of hymnody in general, and adopted the Psalms of the Old Testament as the sole medium of Church praise.' Hence forth to be a Calvinist was to be a Psalm-singer. For some 2.5 centuries the Reformed churches as a rule sang nothing but the Psalms in worship (http://www.swrb.com /newslett/actualnls/C RTPsSing.htm). FREEBIES: http://www.swrb.com/ newslett/FREEBOOK/Ref Worsh.htm."
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonsspeaker&sermonID=52501212814

Worship Regulated by the Word of God
http://www.covenanter.org/Worship/worship.htm

Proper Worship of a Sovereign God
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, 33 min.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12160372722

Pastoral Admonitions and Warnings of the Reformed Presbyterian Church [together with some profitable ones from other Reformed churches.]
http://www.covenanter.org/Pastoral/pastoraladmonitions.htm

"Believer's Inventory," [A Discourse Delivered on the Morning of Annual Thanksgiving, November 27th, 1884, in the City of Philadelphia.] by David Steele.
http://www.covenanter.org/Steele/believersinventory.htm

A Brief Critique of Steven M. Schlissel's Articles Against the Regulative Principle of Worship by Brian M. Schwertley
http://www.iserv.net/~graceopc/pub/schwertley/schlissel.html

An irenic letter written to a PCA elder, regarding Steve Schlissel's recent attacks on historic Reformed (biblical) worship
http://www.cashflows.org/rpw.htm

The Regulative Principle of Worship in History, by Reg Barrow (refutes Arminianism in worship)
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/CRTPWors.htm

The Psalms in Worship

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50 Suggested Tunes For Use With the Scottish Metrical Psalter of 1650 by the Dohms Family (1998) (Audio Cassette Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books). The text for THE SCOTTISH METRICAL PSALTER OF 1650 may be found on Reformation Bookself CD #7
This tape was produced by Elder Lyndon Dohms and his family to help those using or making the transition to the Psalter of the Covenanted Reformation (i.e. the Scottish Metrical Psalter of 1650). This Psalter passed through the intense scrutiny of -- and was authorized for public use by -- both the Westminster Assembly and the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland (at the height of her purity) in the mid seventeenth century. Concerning the care and preparation that went into this unsurpassed Metrical Psalter, the January 15 (1993) issue of The Original Covenanter and Contending Witness magazine cites an earlier article which notes, Rouse bestowed upon it his greatest pains. This was not enough. For six Years it endured the scrutiny of, and was revised by, two of the most learned Assemblies that ever sat in the British Isles; at a time, too, when these men were zealous for truth and suspicious of error. Every word was weighed, and every expression made exact, before admitted into any statement of Biblical truth. They wrote not so that they might be understood, but so that they could not be misunderstood. This exactness and conscientiousness they carried with them in their translation of the Psalms. In versifying them, they labored not to clothe the mind of the Spirit in poetic finery, but to cause the muse to bow to the exact expression of the Holy Ghost.... For more than two centuries (almost three and a half centuries now -- RB) they have stood the test, and every attempt to render them more elegant has resulted in a departure from the exact expression of the Spirit (as in the case of the present RPCNA Psalter, The Book of PSalms for Singing -- RB). Let us hold fast to this good old version until another proves itself worthy of its place.
Moreover, this Psalter was produced to further national and international covenanted Reformation -- and to fulfill the intent of the Solemn League and Covenant for biblically regulated worship and biblical uniformity. It was crafted with faithfulness to the Word of God utmost in the mind of its translators and fashioned in the manner most fitting for ease of use among the general population -- making it a most conducive engine for discipling the nations. To accomplish this last goal the Scottish Metrical Psalter provides a version of every Psalm in common metre (except Psalm 136 -- and even this Psalm, with a little ingenuity, can be made to fit the various common metre tunes). With all this in mind it is easy to recognize how (and why) this `tune tape' has been created to help the contemporary Covenanter and Psalm singer make good use of this godly and judicious offering -- a landmark Psalter -- which we have received from the hands of our faithful forefathers.
On this cassette the Dohms provide us with fifty separate tunes (sung acappella), most of which are common metre -- but samples of other tunes used in this Psalter also appear (and are noted by name on the tape before each tune is sung). All the common metre tunes can be interchanged and used with all of the Psalms in the Scottish Metrical Psalter of 1650 (sometimes listed as The Psalms of David in Metre in this catalogue). However, because this cassette is primarily intended to familiarize the listener with a diverse selection of tunes, only Psalms one and 23 are sung in their entirety. The remaining 48 Psalms (Psalms 2-22 and 24-50) make use of two to four verses from each Psalm. This allows the listener to sample a wider range of tunes on one cassette -- and keeps the price of this tape down (as one is not forced to buy numerous tapes to cover the fifty tunes offered here). This is also very useful when it is remembered, as noted above, that all the common metre tunes can be interchanged throughout this Psalter, as all the Psalms (excepting 136) in the Scottish Metrical Psalter are provided in a common metre version. For those who are interested, Psalms 6, 25, 45, 50, 67, 70, 100, 102, 124, 136, 143, 145, 148 are also translated for use with an alternate tune in the Scottish Metrical Psalter (and at least one tune for each of these alternate versions is provided on this tape).
As an added bonus, at the end of this tape, Psalm one is also 'lined out' (as mandated in the Westminster Assembly's Directory for Public Worship), with a short explanation provided by elder Dohms for the use of this ancient practice. The `lining out' is included to assist those seeking to utilize the venerable practice of the church as it was upheld during Old Testament times, the days of Christ and the Apostles, and during both Reformations.
In short, this cassette is provided as a valuable tool for those who love to sing God's holy Word, as a useful aid for song leaders (and singers) in preparing for public, family and secret worship, and for the listening pleasure and edification of all those who love to hide God's Word in their heart!" -- SWRB
50 Suggested Tunes For Use With the Scottish Metrical Psalter of 1650 by the Dohms Family (1998)
http://sphynx.idontknow.com/swrb/50tunes.ram

The Bay Psalm Book: A Facsimile Reprint of the First Edition of 1640 (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 1956).

The Book of Psalms for Singing: Tune Library (Pittsburgh, PA: Crown & Covenant Publications).

Ackroyd, Peter R., C.F. Evans, The Cambridge History of the Bible, Volume 1: From the Beginnings to Jerome, complete in 3 volumes (London, England: Cambridge University Press, 1970).

ANDERSON, JOHN, Vindiciae Cantus Dominici: Or, A Vindication of the Doctrine Taught in a Discourse on the Divine Ordinance of Singing Psalms (1793) (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"Because the author contends that `the welfare of the church and her members is deeply concerned in the preservation of the purity of God's worship,' he here defends the old paths of Protestant worship in opposition to the will-worship of Popery, Socinianism and Arminianism. Herein he shows how the singing of songs other than the Psalms (in public worship) violates the second commandment, dishonors God and brings His wrath upon individuals, churches and nations. Anderson also answers a number of objections against exclusive Psalmody which are still common today; for example the objection, `with respect to the nature of singing, as if there were no difference between it and prayer, except in the manner of performance.' This is a valuable contribution to the defense of exclusive Psalmody. 184 pages." -- SWRB

ASSOCIATE PRESBYTERIAN MAGAZINE, The Ancient and Modern Mode of Singing the Psalms (Sept, 1863) (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books), Reformation Bookself CD #18, and Reformation Bookself CD #19
"Historically demonstrates how the Old Testament saints, the early New Testament Christians and almost all Presbyterians (after adopting the Westminster Standards) sang the Psalms by `lining them out' (e.g. see the Westminster Directory for Public Worship). Musical instruments, a Papal innovation, were also unheard of among faithful Reformers and `denominated the ensigns of Baal.' Basically a blast against `all the refined idolatries of the churches' of the author's time. It also lays out the numerous advantages of lining out the Psalms and shows how `things in themselves indifferent, or even commendable, become unlawful when they have been made instruments of dishonour to God or peculiar temptations to men." -- SWRB

Bourgeault, Cynthia, Chanting the Psalms: A Practical Guide With Instructional CD (Boston, MA: New Seeds, 2006).

Bourgeault, Cynthia, Singing the Psalms (Boulder, CO: Sounds True, 1997).

Brink, Emily Ruth, Bertus Frederick Polman, Psalter Hymnal Handbook (Grand Rapids, MI: CRC Publications, 1998).

Bushell, Michael, The Songs of Zion: A Contemporary Case for Exclusive Psalmody (Pittsburgh, PA: Crown and Covenant Publications, 1993, 1977) and (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books)..
"Contains one of the best explanations of the Scriptural law of worship (also known as the regulative principle of worship) in print today. For this and a number of other reasons this is one of the most significant books published this century concerning worship! Furthermore, it demonstrates and defends (from Scripture, history and the creeds) the Reformation practice of exclusive Psalmody. It dovetails splendidly with Eire's (a Roman Catholic author) celebrated WAR AGAINST THE IDOLS, setting forth foundational principles that lay at the very heart of Reformation thought, theology and practice. For as Bushell points out, `Purity of worship and uniformity of worship go hand in hand because they are both founded upon the assumption that the Scriptures contain clear, sufficient and authoritative directions as to the proper way of worshiping God. The diversity of worship practice that we see in our churches arises ultimately from a denial of this assumption, and it constitutes, therefore, a denial of a central aspect of the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture. There is much more at stake, then, in this whole discussion than the mere observance or non-observance of a few external rites' (2nd edition, 1993, p. 3). If you are a Calvinist and have not read this book, you are missing a real treat!" -- SWRB

Carter, Bill, and the Jazz in Worship Task Force, Swing a New Song to the Lord: Resources for Jazz Worship (Clarks Summit, PA: Presbybop Music, 2004).

Church of Scotland. General Assembly (author/compiler), The Psalter [microform]: being the Authorized version of the Psalms together with selected passages of Scripture, and ancient hymns, pointed for chanting, with accompanying chants, for use in churches / by authority of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland (London and New York: T. Nelson and Sons, 1888).
Note: Psalms and tunes each on half-pages. Microfilm: Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, M2115 .H9 REEL 225.

Church of Scotland, General Assembly, The Scottish Prose Psalter Being The Authorized Version of the Psalms with Selected Passages of Scripture, and Ancient Hymns, Pointed for Chanting, With Accompanying Chants. For Use in Churches, by Authority of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, 2nd edition (London: T. Nelson and Sons, Paternoster Row, Edinburgh and New York, 1906).
"Since Christ is the Second Person of the Trinity, the hymns and laments of the psalms are directed to Him as to the Father and the Spirit. Jesus is both a singer of the psalms (Heb. 2:12 [Psalm 22:22]) and the focus of their interest. We can sing to Him our praise, tell Him our complaints and petitions, and thank Him for His goodness. We extol Him as our King, rest our confidence in Him, and look to Him as the embodiment of God's wisdom." -- "The Book of Psalms," The Reformation Study Bible, pp. 754, 755
Have you ever planned to sing through The Book of Psalms with your spouse or with your family? Here is your psalter: The Scottish Prose Psalter.
The writer knows of no psalter truer to the literal translation of the Word of God, short of pointing The Book of Psalms from Young's Literal Translation of the Holy Bible, which preserves the Hebrew and Greek grammatical structure, or short of taking 15 years out of one's life to learn the original Hebrew and Greek, which, of course, is not necessary.
This is a split-page psalter. The top set of pages are the music, the bottom set of pages are the psalms. This format allows the worshiper to match any melody with any particular psalm.
The preface contains instruction on how to chant. Select chants are recommended for each psalm.
"Chanting is the singing of a prose text to a simple, repeated melody. Good chanting is essentially good reading aloud; it uses the rhythms and stresses of natural speech.
"The ancient Hebrews never used metrical `tunes' in the modern sense. In the synagogue, the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings (including the Psalms), were read in a sing-song recitation which was half speech, half song. Originally chanting involved only a single line (that is, no part-singing), and only two or three pitches. The early Christian church retained this practice, adapting it to the recitation of the Psalms in Latin translation. Our present system of chanting in four parts is called Anglican Chant, and dates from sixteenth-century England.
"Chanting has several advantages over metrical Psalmody, stemming from the fact that in chanting, the music completely serves the text. The music is not difficult or interesting in itself, but has character and meaning only in conjunction with words. The meaning of the text is thus more immediate, and the parallel structure of the Hebrew poetry is more apparent. The difficulties of translating ancient non-metrical poems into sensible English rhyme are rendered unnecessary. Chanting encourages the use of entire Psalms rather than selections." -- "An Introduction to Chanting," The Book of Psalms for Singing, Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, 1995, p. 440
A prose psalter was nothing new for The Church of Scotland. They published The Psalms of David in prose and metre: with the whole forme of Discipline, and prayers, according to the Church of Scotland; the Psalms in prose being of the last translation; translated by the speciall commandment of King James the sixt, 1610 (Aberdene: Printed by Edward Raban for David Melvill, 1633).
The Bible Psalter (London: J. Nisbet, 1880), 142 pp., Presbyterian Church of England, "the music arranged and partly composed by Sir Herbert S. Oakeley" (1830-1903) and The Psalter (T. Nelson and Sons, 1888), 303 pp., by Authority of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, "pointed for chanting, and with chants adapted thereto or specially composed for this work by Sir Herbert Stanley Oakeley" preceded this work.
"The Musical portion of this work is identical with that in "The Psalter, and Selected Passages of Scripture," etc., published in 1888; but advantage has been taken of a new issue to revise and improve the pointing of the words. To mark the Revised Edition the title of the work has been changed to THE SCOTTISH PROSE PSALTER, etc.. . . ." -- Note to Preface, May, 1897.
Publication of The Psalter, under the new title, The Scottish Prose Psalter, could have been a consequence of the awakening of 1905, "part of a worldwide movement and apparently especially inspired by British revivals. . ."
Any concordance to the Authorized King James Version and any index to the Psalms of David (AKJV) may be used with this Psalter.
Psalms are an essential part of personal devotions. There is a sincerity and beautiful simplicity about The Scottish Prose Psalter. Everyone should own a copy, especially fathers who lead family worship.

Cotton, John, and Greg Fox, John Cotton on Psalmody and the Sabbath (Edinburgh, IN: Puritan Reprints, 2006).

COTTON, JOHN, Singing of Psalms a Gospel ordinance, Additional Title: Singing of Psalmes a Gospel-ordinance. Or, a treatise, wherein are handled these foure particulars, EEBO.

Dakers, Lionel, the Royal School of Church Music (London, England), The RSCM Chant Book (Croyden, England: Royal School of Church Music, 1978?).

Davies, Horton, The Worship of the American Puritans, 1629-1730 (Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria, 1999).

Davies, Horton, The Worship of the English Puritans (Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 1997).

Inserra, Lorraine, H. Wiley Hitchcock, The Music of Henry Ainsworth's Psalter (Amsterdam, 1612) (Brooklyn, NY: Institute for Studies in American Music, Department of Music, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, 1981).

Kidd, Reggie M., With one Voice: Discovering Christ's Song in our Worship (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2005).

*McNaugher, John (editor), The Psalms in Worship: A Series of Convention Papers Bearing Upon the Place of the Psalms in the Worship of the Church (Pittsburgh, PA: The United Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1907) and (Edmonton, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"Consists of 54 pages, thoroughly indexed, presented in 1905 promoting the claims of the Psalms in worship. Dr. David Freeman said that this work is the most comprehensive treatment of the subject to be found anywhere. Limited edition." -- GCB

Moore, T.M., The Psalms for Prayer (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2002).

Murray, John, and William Young, The Forgotten Minority: The Minority Report on Song in the Public Worship of God (reprinted 1997), (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"This report, defending exclusive Psalmody (on the basis of the classic understanding of the regulative principle of worship), was submitted to the fourteenth General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) in 1947. It was subsequently buried, ignored and has, as many had hoped, become long forgotten -- until now! It exposes how the OPC flies in the face of the original Westminster Standards, the worship heritage of Presbyterianism and most importantly Scripture." -- SWRB

Oakeley, Herbert S. (Herbert Stanley), Sir (1830-1903), The Bible Psalter: Being the Authorised Version of the Psalms, Pointed for Chanting, and With Chants Adapted Thereto, or Specially Composed for This Work (Format: Music London: Jas. Nisbet & Co., 18--?).

Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Trinity Hymnal (Philadelphia, PA: Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 1961).

Patrick, Millar, Bruce Rogers, Pforzheimer Bruce Rogers Collection (Library of Congress), Four Centuries of Scottish Psalmody (London and New York: Oxford University Press, 1949).

Patterson, Ward, Under His Wings: Psalms 1-50 (Denver, CO: Accent Books, 1986).

Patterson, Ward, Out of His Heart: Psalms 51-100 (Denver, CO: Accent Books, 1987).

Patterson, Ward, Into His Love: Psalms 101-150 (Denver, CO: Accent Books, 1988).

Plantinga, Cornelius, Sue A. Rozeboom, Discerning the Spirits: A Guide to Thinking About Christian Worship Today (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2003).

St. Paul's Cathedral Choir's (London, England), 12 CD series, "Psalms From St. Paul's" from Hyperion

Scott, John, Andrew Lucas, and the St. Paul's Cathedral (London, England) Choir, Psalms From St Paul's, Volume 1: Psalms 1-17 (London, England: Hyperion, 1994).

Scott, John, Andrew Lucas, and the St. Paul's Cathedral (London, England) Choir, Psalms From St Paul's, Volume 1 (London, England: Hyperion, 1994).

Scott, John, Andrew Lucas, and the St. Paul's Cathedral (London, England) Choir, Church of England, Psalms From St. Paul's, Volume 2: Psalms 18-29. (London, England: Hyperion, 1994).

Scott, John, Andrew Lucas, and the St. Paul's Cathedral (London, England) Choir, Psalms From St. Paul's, Volume 3: Psalms 30 to 40 (London, England: Hyperion, 1995).

Scott, John, Andrew Lucas, St. Paul's Cathedral (London, England) Choir, Psalms From St. Paul's, Volume 4: Psalms 41 to 55 (London, England: Hyperion, 1996).

Lucas, Andrew, John Scott, and the St. Paul's Cathedral (London, England) Choir, Psalms From St. Paul's, Volume 5: Psalms 56 to 68 (London, England: Hyperion, 1996).

Scott, John, Andrew Lucas, and the St. Paul's Cathedral (London, England) Choir, Psalms From St. Paul's, Volume 6: Psalms 69 to 78 (London, England: Hyperion, 1997).

Scott, John, Andrew Lucas, and the St. Paul's Cathedral (London, England) Choir, Psalms From St. Paul's, Volume 7: Psalms 79 to 92 (London, England: Hyperion, 1997).

Scott, John, Andrew Lucas, Huw Tregelles Williams, Sir G.A. Macfarren, Richard Clark, Richard Woodward, William Crotch, Alan Gray, Sir John Stainer, John Randall, Edgar Frederick Day, Thomas Attwood, Sir Sydney H. Nicholson, Peter Andrew Tranchell, Sydney Bevan, Sir Walter Parratt, and the St. Paul's Cathedral (London, England) Choir, Psalms From St. Paul's, Volume 8: Psalms 93 to 104 (London, England: Hyperion, 1998).

Scott, John, Huw Tregelles Williams, C. Hylton Stewart, Sir Edward C. Bairstow, Peter Hurford, Sir Robert Prescott Stewart, James Turle, Richard Woodward, William Jacobs, William Stanley Vann, Sir Fredrick Arthur Gore Ousley, Henry G. Ley, St. Paul's Cathedral (London, England) Choir, Psalms From St. Paul's, Volume 9: Psalms 105 to 113 (London, England: Hyperion, 1999).

Willcocks, David, Gerald H. Knight, John Robinson, Christopher Dearnley, Alan Gray, Samuel Wesley, C. Hylton Stewart, Sir Walford Davies, George C. Martin, C. Charlton Palmer, George M. Garrett, Charles Harford Lloyd, Sir John Goss, Thomas Attwood Walmisley, Charles Macpherson, Sir John Leman Rodgers, J.H. Maunder, Edwin Edwards, Donald Wyndham Cremer Mossman, James Turle, George J. Elvey, and the St. Paul's Cathedral (London, England) Choir, Psalms From St. Paul's, Volume 10: Psalms 114 to 118 and 120 to 135 (London, England: Hyperion, 2000).

Scott, John, Huw Tregelles Williams, and the St. Paul's Cathedral (London, England) Choir, Psalms From St. Paul's, Volume 11, Psalms 119 and 136 to 138 (London, England: Hyperion, 2000).

St. Paul's Cathedral (London, England) Choir, Psalms from St. Paul's, Volume 12: Psalms 139 to 150, Alternative Settings of Psalm 122 and 150, and Easter Anthem (London, England: Hyperion, 2000).

King's College, "The Psalms of David" 3 CD series

Willcocks, David, and the King's College (University of Cambridge) Choir, The Psalms of David, Volume 1 (Hayes Middlesex, England: EMI, 1989?). Volume 1 of a 3 volume series by the King's College Choir.

Willcocks, David, and the King's College (University of Cambridge) Choir, The Psalms of David, Volume 2 (Hayes, Middlesex, England: EMI, 1989).

Ledger, Philip, and the King's College (University of Cambridge) Choir, The Psalms of David, Volume 3 (Hayes, Middlesex, England: EMI, 1976).

"The Psalms of David" 10 CD series by Priority Records

Hereford Cathedral Choir, The Psalms of David: Hear my Prayer, O Lord (Tring, Herts., England: Priory Records, 1990).
This may be volume 1 of the 10 volume set by Priory Records.

Davison, Donald Davison, W.H. Grindle, and the Priory Singers, Beside the Waters of Comfort: The Glorious Psalms of David (Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England: Priory Records, 2003).
We are unable, at this time, to find a CD that can positively be identified as Volume 1 in the 10 CD series "The Psalms of David" by Priority Records. The series is Gregorian cants.

Boyce, W., L. Flintoft, F.W. Wadely, D.A. Cooper, J. Randall, H. Howells, H. Monk, W.H. Havergal, W. Beale, J. Turle, H. Stonex, H. Smart, T. Turle, T.T. Noble, J. Stainer, M. Camidge, S. Wesley, C.V. Stanford, H.G. Ley, P. Whitlock, C.H. Lloyd, The Psalms of David, Volume 2 (Aylesbury, England: Priory Records, 1990).

Shaw, Ian, James Lancelot, and the Durham Cathedral Choir, The Psalms of David, Volume 3: The Earth Is the Lord's (Wingrave, England: Priory Records, 1998).

Rees-Williams, Jonathan, with Mark Shepherd, organist, Lichfield Cathedral Choir, The Psalms of David, Volume 4: In Jewry Is God Known (Aylesbury, England: Priory Records, 1991).

Sanders, John, Mark Lee, and the Gloucester Cathedral Choir, The Psalms of David, Volume 5: Praise the Lord ye Servants (Aylesbury, England: Priory Records, 1991).

Millington, Andrew, with Geoffrey Morgan, organist, Guildford Cathedral (Guildford, England) Choir, The Psalms of David, Volume 6: The Lord Is my Light and my Salvation (Aylesbury, England: Priory Records, 1992).

Nicholas, Michael, with Neil Taylor, organist, Norwich Cathedral, Choir, The Psalms of David, Volume 7: Let God Arise (Aylesbury, England: Priory Records, 1992).

Trepte, Paul, with David Price, organist, Ely Cathedral Choir, The Psalms of David, Volume 8: Praise the Lord O my Soul (Aylesbury, England: Priory Records, 1993).

Sayer, Roger, Barry Ferguson, Rochester Cathedral (Rochester, Kent, England) Choir, The Psalms of David, Volume 9: Hear my Voice O God (Aylesbury, England: Priory Records, 1993).

Moore, Philip, John Scott Whiteley, and the York Minster Choir, The Psalms of David, Volume 10: Be Thou my Judge, O Lord (Aylesbury, England: Priory Records, 1994).

Peterson, Eugene H., Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer (San Francisco, CA: Harper & Row, 1989).

*Psalter Task Force; Presbyterian Church (USA), Cumberland Presbyterian Church, The Psalter: Psalms and Canticles for Singing (Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1993).

Reardon, Patrick Henry, Christ in the Psalms (Ben Lomond, CA: Conciliar Press, 2000).

Richardson, Daniel, Angel Napieralski, Ron Rienstra, Jazz Psalms: Music From Jazz Vespers at Calvin College (Grand Rapids, MI: Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, 2004).

Rouse, Francis, the Westminster Divines, and the Scottish General Assembly (from 1646-1650) THE PSALMS OF DAVID IN METRE (i.e. the Scottish Metrical Psalter of 1650): Allowed By the Authority of the Kirk of Scotland, and of Several Branches of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. With Notes, Exhibiting the Connection, Explaining the Sense, and for Directing and Animating the Devotion (1844 edition published by Robert Carter [New York]) John Brown of Haddington (annotations) (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books). The text for THE SCOTTISH METRICAL PSALTER OF 1650 may be found on Reformation Bookself CD #7
"This is the Psalter (less Brown's notes, which were added later) mandated, approved and used (for public and private worship) by the Westminster Assembly and all those who covenanted to uphold the Biblical Reformation that these Divines proclaimed. The text of the Scottish Metrical Psalms was authorized by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1650. The notes added by Brown are suitable for explaining the Psalm before singing and are a great aid to understanding and worship (whether public, family or private). Every song leader (especially fathers for family worship) should have a copy of this edition of the Scottish Psalter with Brown's notes. If money is a factor, the smaller, inexpensive hardcover, containing just the Psalms (see below) should suffice for other members of the family, or the father (or other song leaders) can simply line out the Psalms (as Moses, David, the Apostles, etc. did). All the Psalms, excepting one, are rendered into common metre (with some alternate versions added) and thus can be sung by even those with almost no knowledge of music. For example, the tune to `Amazing Grace' is one of the many tunes that fits with all common metre renderings. And even Psalm 136, the one Psalm not in common metre, can be sung to any common metre tune, as it adds only one extra syllable to the end of every second line. Maybe not the delight of the accomplished musician, but certainly calculated to make the Psalms easily accessible to young and old alike (an attainment surely pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ) as this Psalter was purposely produced to foster international (and covenanted) Reformation. The Scottish Metrical Psalter is a faithful translation and without a doubt remains the best Psalter in existence today. We have added (at no extra cost to our customers) a copy of the Westminster Shorter Catechism to this printing. This has been done to assist parents in catechizing their children during family worship. Also included in this edition (from the original publisher) is `A Table of the Psalms Classed Under Several Subject Heads' and an `Alphabetical Index of the First Line of Each Stanza.' These sections comprise 48 pages of small print alone, while the complete book (not including the Shorter Catechism we've added) is made up of 424 pages. This is a primary source document of Reformation; not to be missed by those serious about the Reformed faith, and worshipping God in spirit and in truth. There are few things in life as pleasing and enjoyable as communing with Christ through the singing of His Psalms!" -- SWRB The Psalms of David in Metre http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/Psalter0.htm
The Psalms of David in Metre According to the Version Approved by The Church of Scotland The Scottish Metrical Psalter includes audio accompanyment
http://www.cgmusic.com/workshop/smp_frame.htm

Routley, Erik, Music Leadership in the Church: A Conversation Chiefly With my American Friends (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1967).

Royal School of Church Music (London, England), The RSCM Chant Book (Croydon, England: Royal School of Church Music, 1981).

Seerveld, Calvin, Voicing God's Psalms (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2005).

Seerveld, Calvin, Voicing God's Psalms (audio CD)

*Spurgeon, C.H., The Treasury of David, 3 volumes (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers).
"The most important and practical work of the ages on the Psalter." -- Dr. Philip Schaff
"Spurgeon's own exposition appears under each verse; after that you'll find `explanatory notes and quaint sayings' (illuminating quotes from Spurgeon's contemporaries as well as from the great Puritan expositors of the 17th and 18th centuries). Each Psalm closes with a short section of `Hints to Preachers'." -- CBD
Recommended for daily devotions.
The Treasury of David
http://www.spurgeon.org/treasury/treasury.htm

Stapert, Calvin, My Only Comfort: Death, Deliverance, and Discipleship in the Music of Bach (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B. Eerdmans, 2000).

Stewart, Bruce Cameron, Psalm Singing Revisited: The Case for Exclusive Psalmody (Pittsburgh, PA: Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, Board of Education and Publication, 197-?).

Tournay, Raymond Jacques, Seeing and Hearing God With the Psalms: The Prophetic Liturgy of the Second Temple in Jerusalem (Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1991).

Van Dyk, Leanne, A More Profound Alleluia: Worship and Theology in Harmony (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2005).

Van Dyk, Leanne, A More Profound Alleluia: Worship and Theology in Harmony (visual material, 2004).

Vischer, Lukas, Christian Worship in Reformed Churches Past and Present (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B. Eerdmans, 2003).

*Williamson, G.I., The Singing of Psalms in the Worship of God (Belfast, Northern Ireland: Reformed Presbyterian Church of Northern Ireland, Committee on Witness Bearing and National Righteousness, 1972?).

Wilson, Ruth Mack, Anglican Chant and Chanting in England, Scotland, and America, 1660 to 1820 (Oxford: Clarendon Press and New York: Oxford University Press, 1996).

*Witvliet, John D., The Biblical Psalms in Christian Worship: A Brief Introduction and Guide to Resources (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Liturgical Studies. Wm.B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, January 15, 2007), 169 pages.
"The biblical Psalms are, without doubt, a valuable source for Christian worship, but the vast text can prove daunting without direction. John D. Witvliet offers a solution with this brief but comprehensive survey of key theological themes, practical guidelines, and published resources related to the use of the Psalms.
"Arranged in symphonic form with a 'prelude' and 'interludes,' THE BIBLICAL PSALMS IN CHRISTIAN WORSHIP opens with a foundation of words about the Psalms from our wise church fathers, followed by a broad meditation on the basics of worship. Witvliet follows with an extensive tutorial on choosing a Psalm, engaging a congregation, deciding whether to speak or sing the text, and many other practical solutions for integrating Psalms into congregational worship for any generation.
"By including both classroom exercises and a brief musical Psalm sampler as helpful appendices, Witvliet provides all the resources necessary to spark a renewed engagement with the Psalms in community and public worship. This will be an important text for pastors and worship leaders desiring to lead their congregations to renewal." -- Publisher's Annotation
Well documented. Extensive bibliography, both chapter bibliography and general bibliography.
Available in Google Books, limited preview.
http://books.google.com/books?id=s7cyEGLwHicC&dq=biblical+Psalms+in+Christian+worship&source=gbs_summary_s&hl=en

Wyton, Alec, The Episcopal Church, The Anglican Chant Psalter (New York, NY: The Church Hymnal Corporation, 1987).

Wyton, Alec, The Anglican Chant Psalter (New York, NY: Church Hymnal Corp., 1987).

Related WebLinks

Exclusive Psalmody (Exclusive Psalmody and the Regulative Principle 4/7)
"For Calvin and Knox 'this meant that at a stroke the Reformed Church cut itself loose from the entire mass of Latin hymns and from the use of hymnody in general, and adopted the Psalms of the Old Testament as the sole medium of Church praise.' Hence forth to be a Calvinist was to be a Psalm-singer. For some 2.5 centuries the Reformed churches as a rule sang nothing but the Psalms in worship (http://www.swrb.com /newslett/actualnls/C RTPsSing.htm). FREEBIES: http://www.swrb.com/ newslett/FREEBOOK/Ref Worsh.htm."
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonsspeaker&sermonID=52501212814

Psalms of David in Metre
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/Psalter0.htm

50 Suggested Tunes For Use With the Scottish Metrical Psalter of 1650 by the Dohms Family (1998)
http://sphynx.idontknow.com/swrb/50tunes.ram

The Psalms of David in Metre According to the Version Approved by The Church of Scotland The Scottish Metrical Psalter includes audio accompanyment
http://www.cgmusic.com/workshop/smp_frame.htm

The Psalms of Holy Scripture, the Only Songs of Zion, an Appeal to the Churches in Behalf of This Ordinance of God, Donald C. McLaren
http://www.covenanter.org/Worship/psalmsofholyscripture.htm

Master Psalm Tune List: Sing through the Psalms in a Year 2000
http://www.fpcr.org/sing.htm

Exclusive Psalmody Homepage
http://www.covenanter.org/Worship/Psalmody/psalmody.htm

The Psalms Place (text and midis)
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pond/9117/

Tunes from The Scottish Psalter and the Psalter Hymnal (Midi files)
http://members.aol.com/Tco1813/psalter/

The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts
After the Bible and the Catechism, this was the third most commonly used book in colonial New England.
http://www.ccel.org/w/watts/psalmshymns/TOC.htm

Translations of the Psalter
http://members.aol.com/Puritanone/needps.html

Anti-Instrumental Music in the Worship of God Homepage
http://www.covenanter.org/Worship/instruments/instrumentalmusic.htm

Family Worship

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The Lord's Supper, Communion and Close Communion

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The term sectarian, the favorite watch-word of this author, tends to divert the attention from the matter in dispute. The question is, whether a church's refusing to have sacramental communion with such as openly avow their opposition to one or more articles of her scriptural profession has such effects as are now mentioned? Does this refusal break up the unity of the church at large? By no means. The truths of God's word constitute the bond of unity in the catholic church; so far as they are publicly professed and preserved in the doctrine, worship, and government of the several particular churches. Hence it is evident, that what breaks up the peace of the catholic church, is not the faithfulness of particular churches in refusing, but their laxness in granting sacramental communion to the avowed opposers of undoubted truths of God's word, as exhibited in the public profession of any of the churches, every instance of this laxness tending to weaken the bond of their union. Does refusing sacramental communion with the avowed opposers of the truths of God, publicly professed by a particular church, chill the warmth of love to the catholic church? surely no: for it is manifestly the interest of the catholic church that every particular church should hold these truths in her public profession, and not tolerate opposition to them in her communion. Hence it must give sincere pleasure to a lover of the catholic church to see a particular church uniformly faithful in refusing church communion to open opposers of any one of the truths of God contained in her public profession... Does the faithfulness of a particular church, in refusing to have sacramental communion with the open opposers of any article of her scriptural profession, hinder her from using any means appointed in the word of God for promoting his spiritual kingdom? This is so far from being the case, that this refusal is supposed and implied in the use of several proper means for that end; such as, a church's contending for the whole truth exhibited in her public profession; the judicial assertion of the truths of God's word, and the judicial condemnation of the contrary errors; committing the word to faithful men, who will teach others the whole truth and nothing but the truth, according to the public profession or testimony of the church, in due subordination to the holy scriptures; recognising the solemn engagements, which the church has come under to preserve whatever measure of reformation has been attained. These means, which are certainly appointed in the word of God, cannot be sincerely used by any particular church, unless she be careful, that such as are avowed and obstinate opposers of any article of her scriptural profession, may not be received into, or continued in her communion. Whilst these means, of our Lord's appointment, are willfully neglected, we have little ground to expect the Divine blessing on such other means as men may pretend, to use for the advancement of his spiritual kingdom (pp. 92-93, emphases added). "To see how closely this mirrors Calvin's teaching, see pages 126 to 135 in The Necessity of Reforming the Church (Presbyterian Heritage Publications' edition).
"To see how closely this mirrors Calvin's teaching, see pages 126 to 135 in The Necessity of Reforming the Church (Presbyterian Heritage Publications' edition).
"Anderson also does an excellent job concerning: Calvin's plan for promoting a union among the churches (p. 151ff.); the place of confessions and confessional subscription (pp. 85, 179); covenanting (pp. 358-384); separation (pp. 92, 132); worship (pp. 10-13, 87, 107, 142, 155, 161-164, 456ff., etc.); the marks of the church (p. 132ff.); uniformity (pp. 7, 103, 168, 205); the Westminster Assembly (p. 169ff); the Dutch views (p. 158f.); distinctions between essentials and non-essentials (p. 168); the so-called "glorious revolution" of 1688 (p. 263); the French Reformed churches (p. 156); the covenanted Reformation (p. 253); discipline (p. 103); attainments (pp. 11, 93, 137, 162ff., 206, etc.); the government of the church (p. 123); the so-called "Apostle's creed" (pp. 100-104); the Belgic Confession (pp. 135-138); councils in the ancient church (p. 104); the Donatists (p. 112); the forsaking of sin, false doctrine, and false teachers (pp. 92, 132); occasional hearing (p. 83); Owen against open communion (p. 207); sectarianism (p. 92); and much, much more.
"On the topic of church and sacramental communion you are unlikely to find many other books with as much solid information. Recommended for advanced study. Indexed, 518 pages." -- SWRB
The Necessity of Reforming the Church (1543), by John Calvin
This is an online document.
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/NRC_ch00.htm

Boston, Thomas. The nature of church communion illustrated: or, the unity of the body of Christ, and the duty the members owe to one another opened. Being the substance of several sermons on 1 Cor. x. 17. Glasgow, 1798. (ECCO) Gale Document Number CW3323532966

*Brown, John (of Edinburgh, 1784-1858), Discourses suited to the administration of the Lord's Supper (Edinburgh, W. Oliphant, 1853).

Calvin, John, The Necessity of Reforming the Church (1543)
This is an online document.
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/NRC_ch00.htm

Calvin, John, A Short Treatise on The Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ
http://www.truecovenanter.com/calvin/calvin_treatise_the_supper_of_our_lord.html

Durham, James, The Unsearchable Riches of Christ and of Grace and Glory in and Through Him; Diligently Searched Into, Clearly Unfolded, and Comfortably Holden Forth, in Fourteen Rich Gospel Sermons Preached on Several Texts, at Communions in Glasgow, (1685, 1764 edition), (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books). A Christian classic.
"These communion sermons cover topics such as: the great danger of unworthy communing; the great sin of not discerning the Lord's body; gospel preparations are the strongest invitations; after God speaks peace, turn not again to folly; right covenanting with God, a business of the greatest concern; heart-melting is a good frame for covenanting with God; we should stir up ourselves to covenant with God; believers' sweetest communion is with Christ in heaven; etc. The tenor of this book could be summed up in this statement excerpted from the Epistle Dedicatory and Prefatory, 'Beware of all sinful dalliances with idols, whereby the soul is estranged from communion with God; for there is no agreement betwixt the temple of God and idols, from love to fellowship with him, and from zeal to his glory, bid them all, with indignation, be gone, saying to them, What have we any more to do with idols? and as to a menstruous cloth, Get you hence' (bold emphasis added. pp. xi-xii). Durham was a well-known Presbyterian Covenanter (who openly sided with the Protesters as he neared his death) -- and Covenanter communion sermons often produced some of the richest gospel fare one is likely to encounter. Taste of this fine feast and you will see for yourself what we mean." -- SWRB

McKnight, W.J., In Defense of Close Communion by McKnight (Audio Cassette Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"This is one of the best short, easy-to-understand defences of close communion available. Much practical application is added to this doctrine, as Mcknight defends the old Reformed way. This item is read (by Ruling Elder Lyndon Dohms) from Mcknight's book Concerning Close Communion (available from SWRB as a 'rare bound photocopy'.)" -- SWRB
In Defense of Close Communion by W.J. McKnight
http://sphynx.idontknow.com/swrb/defenseofclosecommunion.ram

McKnight, W.J., Covenanting, Communion and Confessions: With a Short Summary of the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"A strong little book that should be considered by all those seeking the purity and peace of the church. Holds to the strict old covenanted Presbyterian position. Justifies the maintaining of the separate existence of a denomination that will faithfully testify against sin, and the excluding from the Lord's table those that do not so testify. Gives numerous examples of backsliding in regard to specific truths of Scripture. Proclaims that `the Word of God teaches unequivocally that the Commandments are equally binding.' This includes the first commandment as it relates to Christ's Kingship over the nations (and dissent from immoral civil governments which will not recognize and obey Christ as King and law giver); and the second commandment concerning purity of worship (as against `all devising, counselling, using, and any wise approving, any religious worship not instituted by God Himself,' such as the use of songs other than the Psalms and the Popish use of musical instruments in public worship). Maintains that violation of these commandments are grounds for barring a person from the Lord's table. Shows how close communion is nothing more than the old Presbyterian view, in keeping with the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) and John Calvin when he stated `We are only contending about the true and lawful constitution of the church, required in the communion not only of the sacraments (which are the signs of profession) but also especially of doctrine' (John Calvin, Institutes 2.12). Also includes an excellent discussion of essentials and non-essentials, as they relate to the Lord's supper and salvation. The best short book on the Lord's supper that we have seen. Written by an RPCNA minister in large easy-to-read type." -- SWRB

Owen, John. Of communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, (each person distinctly) in love, grace, and consolation: or, the saints fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, unfolded. By John Owen, D.D. Glasgow, 1792. (ECCO) Gale Document Number CW3320938336

*Owen, John, Sermons to the Church (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust), ISBN: 9780851510651 0851510655. A Christian classic.
"Contains 83 sermons: Fourteen which resolve practical cases of conscience, twentyfive intended as preparations to the Lord's Table, and others of various Gospel subjects."

Owen, John. A view of the nature, order, & communion of the churches of Christ, as exhibited in the New Testament: extracted from Dr. John Owen's treatise on evangelical churches. With an appendix on scripture presbytery. Edinburgh, 1797. (ECCO) Gale Document Number CW420863300

Price, Greg Terms of Communion: The Westminster Standards (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books). Five audio cassettes.
"Explains and defends the second term of communion, which is 'That the whole doctrine of the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646), and the Catechisms, Larger and Shorter, are agreeable unto, and founded upon the Scriptures.' Price not only explains why we need creeds and confession (answering the question: Isn't the Scripture sufficient?), but he shows how everyone has a creed and how such statements of faith are actually inescapable -- for as soon as one says what he believes the Bible means, he has (by definition) put forth his creed ('credo' in Latin means 'to believe'). There is no neutrality! He also gives a summary of the Westminster Standards and the history of this august assembly, demonstrating why these standards are agreeable to the word of God. After showing how faithful creeds and confessions (i.e. human testimony) have brought untold blessings to the church he gives a history of the Westminster Assembly (setting the context for the study of the Standards themselves). The doctrines contained in the confessional standards are then summarized. Price also exposes and rebukes much false teaching and false practice (contrary to the standards) using the specific names associated with each heresy refuted. The following doctrines are covered: sola Scripture (refuting popery, neo-orthodoxy, liberalism and the charismatics), the doctrine of God (refuting Unitarianism, Oneness theology [Modalism, Sabellianism], and tritheism), God's decrees and predestination (refuting Arminianism, fatalism [Islam]), creation (refuting Evolutionism, Pantheism and New Age and Eastern mysticism), the covenant of works, Providence (against 'luck' and 'accidents'), the fall of man (refuting Arminianism and Pelagianism), the covenant of grace (refuting dispensationalism), Christ our mediator (refuting Arianism [JW's], Apollinarianism, Nestorianism, Eutychianism [which led to the transubstantiation and consubstantiation heresies], the free offer of the gospel, effectual calling (contra Arminianism), justification by faith alone through Christ alone (contra Rome and the Arminians), sanctification and good works (condemning antinomianism and legalism), assurance of faith, perseverance of the saints, the law of God, Christian liberty (against pretended liberty of conscience and the imposition of legalistic standards outside of the law of God), worship (against the anti-regulativists and promoters of will-worship), the regulative principle (condemning Arminianism in worship), the Sabbath (taking the high Scottish view), lawful oaths and vows (condemning covenant breaking [churches and nations included], perjury, etc.), the civil magistrate (against pluralism, false toleration, Erastianism, and for biblical establishments), marriage, the church (contra popery, prelacy and independency [all of which are forms of sectarianism]), and the resurrection and general judgement." -- SWRB

Reformed Presbytery, An Explanation and Defence of the Terms of Communion, Adopted by the Community of Dissenters, etc. (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"Defends the inescapable necessity of creeds and confessions, while promoting a fully creedal church membership. Shows how the law of God obliges all Christians 'to think the same things, and to speak the same things; holding fast the form of sound words, and keeping the ordinances as they have been delivered to us' (Col. 3:13). After laying some basic groundwork, this book proceeds to defend the six points of the 'Terms of Ministerial and Christian Communion Agreed Upon by the Reformed Presbytery.' These six points are the most conservative and comprehensive short statements of consistent Presbyterianism you will likely ever see. Besides the obvious acknowledgement of the alone infallible Scriptures, the Westminster Standards, and the divine right of Presbyterianism, these points also maintain the perpetual obligation of our Covenants, National and Solemn League, the Renovation of these covenants at Auchensaugh in 1712, and the Judicial Act, Declaration and Testimony emitted by the Reformed Presbytery. In short, this book sets forth adherence to the whole of the covenanted reformation, in both church and state, as it has been attained by our covenanting forefathers." -- SWRB

Shields, Alexander. Church-communion enquired into: or a treatise against separation from this national Church of Scotland. ... Which was left in manuscripts by ... Alexander Shields, ... [Edinburgh?], 1706. (ECCO) Gale Document Number CW3320069692

Vines, Richard, 1600?-1656, A treatise of the right institution, administration, and receiving of the sacrament of the Lords-Supper delivered in XX sermons at St. Laurence-Jury, London / by Richard Vines, 1657, EEBO.

See also: The Scottish Reformation, Covenant Theology and Covenanting, Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, Separation

Related WebLinks

"What Are Terms of Communion? (1/2)" Greg Price
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonid=780119920

"What is Close Communion? (1/2)" Greg Price
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonid=42101152912

Westminster Shorter Catechism With Proof Texts
http://www.reformed.org/documents/WSC_frames.html

Westminster Larger Catechism With Proof Texts
http://www.reformed.org/documents/wlc_w_proofs/WLC_frames.html

Ecclesiastical Terms of Communion
http://www.covenanter.org/Communion/termsofcommunionhome.htm

The Reformed Faith and the Lord's Supper Homepage
http://www.covenanter.org/LordsSupper/lordssupper.htm


Close Communion and The Lord's Supper
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/FREEBOOK/closecom.htm


Calvin, Covenanting and Close Communion
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/CalvinCC.htm

Baptism

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Related WebLinks

Music in the Worship of God

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*Church of Scotland, General Assembly, The Scottish Prose Psalter Being The Authorized Version of the Psalms with Selected Passages of Scripture, and Ancient Hymns, Pointed for Chanting, With Accompanying Chants. For Use in Churches, by Authority of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, 2nd edition (London: T. Nelson and Sons, Paternoster Row, Edinburgh and New York, 1906).
"Since Christ is the Second Person of the Trinity, the hymns and laments of the psalms are directed to Him as to the Father and the Spirit. Jesus is both a singer of the psalms (Heb. 2:12 [Psalm 22:22]) and the focus of their interest. We can sing to Him our praise, tell Him our complaints and petitions, and thank Him for His goodness. We extol Him as our King, rest our confidence in Him, and look to Him as the embodiment of God's wisdom." -- "The Book of Psalms," The Reformation Study Bible, pp. 754, 755
Have you ever planned to sing through The Book of Psalms with your spouse or with your family? Here is your psalter: The Scottish Prose Psalter.
The writer knows of no psalter truer to the literal translation of the Word of God, short of pointing The Book of Psalms from Young's Literal Translation of the Holy Bible, which preserves the Hebrew and Greek grammatical structure, or short of taking 15 years out of one's life to learn the original Hebrew and Greek, which, of course, is not necessary.
This is a split-page psalter. The top set of pages are the music, the bottom set of pages are the psalms. This format allows the worshiper to match any melody with any particular psalm.
The preface contains instruction on how to chant. Select chants are recommended for each psalm.
"Chanting is the singing of a prose text to a simple, repeated melody. Good chanting is essentially good reading aloud; it uses the rhythms and stresses of natural speech.
"The ancient Hebrews never used metrical `tunes' in the modern sense. In the synagogue, the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings (including the Psalms), were read in a sing-song recitation which was half speech, half song. Originally chanting involved only a single line (that is, no part-singing), and only two or three pitches. The early Christian church retained this practice, adapting it to the recitation of the Psalms in Latin translation. Our present system of chanting in four parts is called Anglican Chant, and dates from sixteenth-century England.
"Chanting has several advantages over metrical Psalmody, stemming from the fact that in chanting, the music completely serves the text. The music is not difficult or interesting in itself, but has character and meaning only in conjunction with words. The meaning of the text is thus more immediate, and the parallel structure of the Hebrew poetry is more apparent. The difficulties of translating ancient non-metrical poems into sensible English rhyme are rendered unnecessary. Chanting encourages the use of entire Psalms rather than selections." -- "An Introduction to Chanting," The Book of Psalms for Singing, Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, 1995, p. 440
A prose psalter was nothing new for The Church of Scotland. They published The Psalms of David in prose and metre: with the whole forme of Discipline, and prayers, according to the Church of Scotland; the Psalms in prose being of the last translation; translated by the speciall commandment of King James the sixt, 1610 (Aberdene: Printed by Edward Raban for David Melvill, 1633).
The Bible Psalter (London: J. Nisbet, 1880), 142 pp., Presbyterian Church of England, "the music arranged and partly composed by Sir Herbert S. Oakeley" (1830-1903) and The Psalter (T. Nelson and Sons, 1888), 303 pp., by Authority of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, "pointed for chanting, and with chants adapted thereto or specially composed for this work by Sir Herbert Stanley Oakeley" preceded this work.
"The Musical portion of this work is identical with that in "The Psalter, and Selected Passages of Scripture," etc., published in 1888; but advantage has been taken of a new issue to revise and improve the pointing of the words. To mark the Revised Edition the title of the work has been changed to THE SCOTTISH PROSE PSALTER, etc.. . . ." -- Note to Preface, May, 1897.
Publication of The Psalter, under the new title, The Scottish Prose Psalter, could have been a consequence of the awakening of 1905, "part of a worldwide movement and apparently especially inspired by British revivals. . ."
Any concordance to the Authorized King James Version and any index to the Psalms of David (AKJV) may be used with this Psalter.
Psalms are an essential part of personal devotions. There is a sincerity and beautiful simplicity about The Scottish Prose Psalter. Everyone should own a copy, especially fathers who lead family worship.

*Handel, George Frederick, "The Messiah" (various artists and recordings). 10632A
This musical composition has probably inspired more individuals to faith in Christ than any other piece of music. The complete oratorio is performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, conducted by John Alldis. Another critically acclaimed performance is that of the Choir of Christ's Church Cathedral, Oxford, England, accompanied by the Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood conducting.
Also recommended is the 2 CD set, Handel - "Messiah" with Erickson, McNair, Hodgson, Humphrey, Stilwell, The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Robert Shaw conducting
Highlights from Handel's "Messiah"
http://www.rsglh.org/Messiah.Highlights.rm
Handel's Messiah Text
http://www.npr.org/programs/specials/holiday2002/shawmessiah-text.html
Messiah (Complete Traditional), London Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra, John Alldis conducting
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000062T9E/qid=1040845852/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/103-0225174-5677440
Handel - "Messiah" with Nelson, Kirkby, Watkinson, P. Elliott, D. Thomas, Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood conducting
"This is the Messiah that started it all--the first period instrument performance recorded with a choir of men and boys. It introduced music lovers the world over to Christopher Hogwood, Emma Kirkby, and a whole host of performers who have since become ubiquitous as the "English Early Music Mafia," appearing as they do under zillions of different ensemble names on a variety of labels. Hogwood's performance still holds its own, however, as one of the finest and freshest available. A first-rate effort." --David Hurwitz
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000004CXU/qid=1040846214/sr=1-11/ref=sr_1_11/103-0225174-5677440?v=glance&s=classical
Handel - "Messiah" with Erickson, McNair, Hodgson, Humphrey, Stilwell, The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with Atlanta Symphony and Chamber Chorus, Robert Shaw conducting
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000003CT7/qid=1040838855/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/103-0225174-5677440
Handel - "Messiah" with E. Farrell, Lipton, Cunningham, Warfield, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy conducting, with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000024OE/qid=1040845852/sr=1-10/ref=sr_1_10/103-0225174-5677440?v=glance&s=classical

Bailey, Albert E., The Gospel in Hymns (New York, NY: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1950). 10634
"A comprehensive study of 313 hymns and their composers." -- Cyril J. Barber

Edgar, William, Taking Note of Music (London, England: SPCK, 1986). 10636
The author is Associate Professor of Apologetics at Westminster Theological Seminary.

Froehlich, Mary Ann, Music Education in the Christian Home (Brentwood, TN: Wolgemuth and Hyatt Publishers). 10637
" `Music is a wonderful gift from God and an appreciation for music should have its roots in the home, but knowing where and how to begin, and what to include can often make the task less than appealing,' says the author. Helps parents to understand the importance and role of music in worship, gives an overview of music history, tells how to encourage your child musically, and discusses the role of church and school." -- GCB

*Masters, Peter, Worship in the Melting Pot (Wakeman Trust, July 2, 2002).
"New trends in worship have shaken traditional concepts and attitudes, giving rise to much heart-searching and a flurry of books. Is it all just a matter of generation and taste? Are the traditions of today only the innovations of yesterday?
"This lively and clearly reasoned book focuses on four crucial principles of worship laid down by Christ and strongly re-affirmed at the Reformation. These central pillars are rapidly passing out of sight today, yet it is surely by these that all new ideas should be assessed.
"Here also is a fascinating view of how they worshipped in Bible times, including the Old Testament rules for the use of instruments, and New Testament light on all the elements of worship normative for today.
"WORSHIP IN THE MELTING POT has instantly become core reading among British evanglical pastors and lay people. Searching and challenging; dealing with principles not personalities.
"Dr Peter Masters has been Minister of the world-famous Metropolitan Tabernacle (Spurgeon's) in central London since 1970. He edits the international magazine 'Sword & Trowel' (started by Spurgeon in 1865) and directs the studies of aspiring pastors in the Tabernacle's adjunct seminary." -- Publisher's Annotation

Owen, James, 1654-1706, Church-pageantry display'd, or, Organ-worship, arraign'd and condemn'd, as inconsistent with the revelation and worship of the Gospel, the sentiments of the ancient fathers, the Church of England, and several eminent divines, both Protestants and Papists. By Eugenius Junior - in answer to a letter about organs, 1700, EEBO.

Schaeffer, Edith, Forever Music (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1986). 10647
A beautiful and unique tribute to music that stands apart by itself. It seems significant both to musicians and to those who count music appreciation as an important part of their lives.

Smith, Jane S., and Betty Carlson, The Gift of Music: Great Composers and Their Influence, revised edition (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1987). 10648
"The purpose of this book is to encourage listening to the finest music with understanding and pleasure, and to stretch one's ear and imagination. It sets forth the lives of about three dozen of the greatest composers, many of whom enriched the Christian church with artistic compositions." -- GCB. Includes bibliography and index.

Williamson, G.I., Instrumental Music in the Worship of God: Commanded or not Commanded? (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"There is no doubt that this is the best short written treatment of this subject. Great principles are involved here, including the standard of sola Scriptura and protecting the work of Christ. Many of the Reformers recognized the introduction of musical instruments, the organ in particular, as the badge of Popery. There are abundant Biblical reasons for this and it certainly was not just some knee-jerk reaction to Romanism, as Williamson carefully demonstrates. In fact, the historic practice and testimony of the church is fascinating, as Girardeau in his classic, Instrumental Music in the Public Worship of God, notes, 'Let us pause a moment to notice the fact, supported by a mass of incontrovertible evidence, that the Christian church did not employ instrumental music in its public worship for 1200 years after Christ. . . . It deserves serious consideration, moreover, that notwithstanding the ever-accelerated drift towards corruption in worship as well as in doctrine and government, the Roman Catholic Church did not adopt this corrupt practice until about the middle of the thirteenth century. . . . When the organ was introduced into its worship it encountered strong opposition, and made its way but slowly to general acceptance. These assuredly are facts that should profoundly impress Protestant churches. How can they adopt a practice which the Roman Church, in the year 1200, had not admitted. . . . Then came the Reformation; and the question arises, How did the Reformers deal with instrumental music in the church?. . . . Zwingle has already been quoted to show instrumental music was one of the shadows of the old law which has been realized in the gospel. He pronounces its employment in the present dispensation 'wicked pervicacity.' There is no doubt in regard to his views on the subject, which were adopted by the Swiss Reformed churches. . . . Calvin is very express in his condemnation of instrumental music in connection with the public worship of the Christian church. . . . In his homily on 1 Sam. xviii. 1-9, he delivers himself emphatically and solemnly upon the subject: 'In Popery there was a ridiculous and unsuitable imitation [of the Jews]. While they adorned their temples, and valued themselves as having made the worship of God more splendid and inviting, they employed organs, and many other such ludicrous things, by which the Word and worship of God are exceedingly profaned, the people being much more attached to those rites than to the understanding of the divine Word . . .' Whatever may be the practice in recent times of the churches of Holland, the Synods of the Reformed Dutch Church, soon after the Reformation, pronounced very decidedly against the use of instrumental music in public worship. The National Synod at Middleburg, in 1581, declared against it, and the Synod of Holland and Zealand, in 1594, adopted this strong resolution; 'That they would endeavor to obtain of the magistrate the laying aside of organs, and the singing with them in the churches . . .' The Provincial Synod of Dort also inveighed severely against their use. . . . The Rev. Charles H. Spurgeon . . . upholds an apostolic simplicity of worship. The great congregation which is blessed with the privilege of listening to his instructions has no organ 'to assist' them in singing. . . . The non-prelatic churches, Independent and Presbyterian, began their development on the American continent without instrumental music. They followed the English Puritans and the Scottish Church, which had adopted the principles of the Calvinistic Reformed Church . . . It has thus been proved by an appeal to historical facts, that the church, although lapsing more and more into defection from the truth and into a corruption of apostolic practice, had no instrumental music for twelve hundred years; and that the Calvinistic Reformed Church ejected it from its services as a element of Popery, even the Church of England having come very nigh to its extrusion from her worship. The historical argument, therefore, combines with the scriptural and the confessional to raise a solemn and powerful protest against its employment by the Presbyterian Church. IT IS HERESY IN THE SPHERE OF WORSHIP!' If you are still unconvinced of the importance of this subject, give this short booklet (16 pages) a quick look--you may be surprised at what you find. Related item: Greg Price's two sermons on this topic Instrumental Music in the OT and NT (on one video or on two audio cassettes) present these arguments in a more detailed fashion. One of these sermons ran directly into a communion service without missing a beat--being applied directly to the Lord's supper, assurance of salvation and justification by faith alone. That should give you an indication of some of the important implications found here." -- SWRB

See also: Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, The psalms in worship

Related WebLinks

Psalms of David in Metre
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/Psalter0.htm

The Psalms of David in Metre According to the Version Approved by The Church of Scotland The Scottish Metrical Psalter includes audio accompanyment
http://www.cgmusic.com/workshop/smp_frame.htm

Anti-Instrumental Music in the Worship of God Homepage
http://www.covenanter.org/Worship/instruments/instrumentalmusic.htm


Online Hymnal
http://www.sermonaudio.com/hymnlist.asp

The Cyber Hymnal
Here is musical accompaniment from your computer for personal or family devotions in the home. Tunes may be identified here that can be used with THE SCOTTISH METRIC PSALTER.
"This site has over 4,800 Christian hymns and Gospel songs from many denominations. You'll find lyrics, scores, MIDI files, pictures, history, and more. To use the site effectively, you'll need speakers, a sound card, and a browser that supports JavaScript and XHTML, and can play MIDI files.
"This worship and teaching resource is provided as a public service."
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/

WAFG 90.3 FM
http://www.wafg.com/wafg.ram

The Mountain Retreat's Christian Midi Music Page
http://members.aol.com/twarren10/midi.html

Praise

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But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. (Psalm 22:3)

Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein. (Psalm 69:34)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. (Psalms 111:10)

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalms 118:24)

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20,21)

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jude 24,25)

Praising God is one of the highest and purest acts of religion. In prayer we act like men; in praise we act like angels. -- Thomas Watson

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name."
"God's eye is chiefly on the soul. Bring a hundred dishes to the table; He will carve of none but this. This is the savory meat He loves. He who is best desires to be served with the best. When we give God the soul in a duty, then we give Him the flower and the cream; by a holy chemistry we distill our spirits for Him. A soul inflamed in service is the cup of `spiced wine of the juice of the pomegranate' (Song of Solomon 8:2), which the spouse makes Christ to drink of." -- Thomas Manton
"There is nothing that more exalts the glory of Divine grace and of redeeming love toward a soul than the consideration of God's holiness. For if your Maker were not 'of purer eyes than man is,' yea, if His hatred to sin, and love to righteousness, were not greater than that of the noblest angel, His pardoning of sin, and patience toward transgressors, would not be such a wonderful condescension. But is His name infinitely holy so that 'the heavens are not clean in His sight?' Is the smallest iniquity the abhorrence of His soul, and what He hates with a perfect hatred? Surely, then, His grace and love must be incomparably greater than our thoughts." -- William Dunlop
"The well is seldom so full that water will at first pumping flow forth. Neither is the heart commonly so spiritual, after our best care in our worldly converse (much less when we somewhat overdo therein) as to pour itself into God's bosom freely, without something to raise and elevate it. Yea, often, the springs of grace lie so low that pumping will not fetch the heart up to a praying frame, but arguments must be poured into the soul before the affections rise. For this reason we find holy men using soliloquies and discourses with their hearts to bring them into a gracious temper, suitable for communion with God in ordinances. It seems by these verses that David either found or feared his heart would not be in so good a frame as he desired. So he redoubles his charge: he found his heart somewhat drowsy, which made him arouse himself in this way." -- William Gurnall (The above three comments on Psalm 103:1 are from Devotional Classics of C. H. Spurgeon, p. 353

Bailey, Albert, The Gospel in Hymns (New York, NY: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1978, 1950). 10652

Clowney, E., Worthy Is the Lamb! [30145]

Daily Praise From the Bible (Greensburg, PA: Barbour Company). 10656

Heardy, Daniel W., and David F. Ford, Praising and Knowing God (Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press, c1985). 10660
Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Kendrick, Graham, Learning to Worship as a Way of Life (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 1985). 10664

Kendrick, Graham, Public Praise (Altamonte Srings, FL: Strang Communications Company, 1992). 10665

Lochman, Jan Milic, The Theology of Praise (Atlanta, GA: John Knox Press, 1982). 10666

McBurney, Charles, Improving Our Praise (Pittsburgh, PA: Crown & Covenant Publications). 10668
A video seminar with Charles McBurney, VHS.

Murphy, Elspeth Campbell, God, You Fill Us Up With Joy: Psalm 100 for Children (Elgin, IL: Chariot Books, c1987). 10669
Illustrated by Jane E. Nelson.

Powell, Paul W., A Faith That Sings: Discovering Heavenly Living on Earth From the Psalms (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1970). 10673

Prime, Derek, Created to Praise [10616]

Protheroe, Rowland E., The Psalms in Human Life (New York, NY: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1963). 10674
Includes bibliography and index. A Christian classic.

Westermann, Claus, Praise and Lament in the Psalms (Atlanta, GA: John Knox Press, c1981). 10683
Translated by Keith R. Crim and Richard N. Soulen. Includes bibliography and index.

See also: Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, The Psalms in Worship, Music

Related WebLinks

A Catechism on Praise by Rev. Alexander Blaikie
http://www.covenanter.org/Worship/Catechism/catechismofpraise.htm

Christ Altogether Lovely, by John Flavel
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/ipb-e/epl-10/web/flavel-christ-lovely.html

The Psalms Place (text and midis)
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pond/9117/

The Mountain Retreat's Christian Midi Music Page
http://members.aol.com/twarren10/midi.html

Select Hymns of Horatius Bonar (1808-1889)
http://www.markers.com/ink/hbhymns.htm

WAFG, Coral Ridge Ministries
http://www.wafg.com/wafg.ram

AllWorship.com
Contemporary praise and worship music, commercial free, live streaming, at WallWorship.com.
http://www.allworship.com

Christian Music Websites
"The Christian Music Websites directory covers sites that offer praise and worship music (contemporary, traditional, country, kids, etc.) for Christians in download, pod cast, CD, DVD or streaming formats. For other Christian and ministry resources, visit our Christian Resources Directory."
http://www.web-church.com/directory/resources/christian_music_websites.html

Longwood Gardens
http://www.longwoodgardens.org

Bible Reading and Devotional Guides

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This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalms 118:24)

The third perspective is that "the Bible can only be correctly interpreted by people who have years of intense training in theology." This argument, which goes back to the Protestant Reformation of several hundred years ago, was rejected by 76% of adults [19% agreed]. The segments most likely to agree with this idea were African-Americans and Hispanics (24% of each group) and Catholics (22%). Even among those segments, however, less than one-quarter believes that accurate comprehension of the Bible is beyond the capacity of the average person. -- George Barna in Americans Draw Theological Beliefs From Diverse Points of View, October 8, 2002, http://www.barna.org/cgi-bin/PagePressRelease.asp?PressReleaseID=122&Reference=A

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)

"God is able to interpret His own Word unto thee. Indeed none can enter into the knowledge thereof but he must be beholden unto His Spirit to unlock the door. . . ." -- William Gurnall

"I still say that 100 pages of the great Christian classics will serve better to firm up our thinking and acting than 1000 of these books being written today for that avowed purpose." -- Jay P. Green, Sr.

"Latest is not greatest and newest is not truest."

*Bennett, Arthur (editor), The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions [30942]

*Bernard of Clairvaux, The Love of God and Spiritual Friendship (Portland, OR: Multnomah Press, 1983). 10685
Abridged and edited by J.M. Houston. "Houston provides his readers with a careful introduction to the times of Bernard and his importance in the history of the Christian church. He then furnishes a carefully edited version of this greatest devotional treatise on the love of God . . ." -- Cyril J. Barber

On Loving God by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
http://www.ccel.org/bernard/loving_God/loving_God.html

*Bonar, Andrew, Heavenly Springs (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust). 10686
"This is a collection of Bonar's writing by his daughter, Marjory Bonar, together with extracts from his personal diary. The arrangement is in the form of meditations for each Sunday of the year . . ." -- Jay P. Green, Sr.

*Westminster Assembly (1643-1652), The Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) (Glasgow, Scotland [Free Presbyterian Publications, 133 Woodlands Road, Glasgow G3 6LE]: Free Presbyterian Publication, 1994). ISBN 0902506080 (casebound) and ISBN 0902506358 (paperback), Still Waters Revival Books, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Also available from Crown and Covenant Publications:
http://www.crownandcovenant.com/product_p/ds115.htm
" 'The product of Puritan conflict,' stated Shedd, reaching 'a perfection of statement never elsewhere achieved.' All that learning the most profound and extensive, intellect the most acute and searching, and piety the most sincere and earnest, could accomplish, was thus concentrated in the Westminster Assembly's Confession of Faith, which may be safely termed the most perfect statement of Systematic Theology ever framed by the Christian Church,' writes Hetherington (The History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines), p. 345. Concerning the Shorter Catechism, which is one of the items also included in this book, Mitchell notes: 'it is a thoroughly Calvinistic and Puritan catechism, the ripest fruit of the Assembly's thought and experience, maturing and finally fixing the definitions of theological terms to which Puritanism for half a century had been leading up and gradually coming closer and closer to in its legion of catechisms' (Westminster Assembly: Its History and Standards, p. 431). The Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) is the greatest of all the creeds of the Christian church. The church of Christ cannot be creedless and live. Especially in an age of doubt and confusion, it is her duty to define and proclaim the one true faith. Nowhere has the Reformed church done this so effectively as in the Westminster Confession (1646) and family of documents. This book represents Reformed thinking at its purest and best. It was intended, as part of the Covenanted Reformation taking place during its compilation, to be adopted as the binding confessional standard for every individual, family, court, church, and legislature in the British Isles." -- SWRB
This is considered to be the definitive publication of the Westminster family of documents. It includes the following:

1. To the Christian Reader, Especially Heads of Families, Mr. Thomas Manton's Epistle to the Reader,
2. The Confession of Faith (1646), the full and original edition with Scripture proofs written out,
3. The Larger Catechism with Scripture proofs written out,
4. The Shorter Catechism with Scripture proofs written out,
5. The Sum of Saving Knowledge,
6. The National Covenant,
7. The Solemn League and Covenant,
8. A Solemn Acknowledgement of Publick Sins and Breaches of the Covenant; and a Solemn Engagement to all the Duties Contained Therein
   CD #1, Reformation Bookshelf 30 CD Set
   http://www.swrb.com/Puritan/reformation-bookshelf-CDs.htm
9. The Directory for the Public Worship of God,
10. The Form of Presbyterial Church Government, and
11. The Directory for Family Worship.

*Burroughs, Jeremiah, Gospel Fear (Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications). 10687
"In these sermons on Isaiah 66:2 Burroughs addresses the importance of having a reverence for God's Word." -- GCB

*Carmichael, Amy, If (Fort Washington, PA: Christian Literature Crusade, 1966). 10688

*Cowman, Mrs. Charles E., Streams in the Desert (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House). 10690
Said to be one of the most beautiful devotions ever written.

*Gibbs, Alfred P., The Marvelous City of Mansoul (St. Louis, MO: Faithful Words Publishing Co., 1949). 10691
"A devotion study of Bunyan's HOLY WAR." -- Cyril J. Barber

*Havergal, Frances, Kept for the Master's Use [40001]

*Havergal, Frances, Opened Treasures [40002]

*Hodgkin, A.M., Christ in All the Scriptures [10305]

*Kempis, Thomas a' (Thomas, a' Kempis. c. 1380-1471), The imitation of Christ, an electronic publication of the November 5, 1940 edition of The Bruce Publishing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library), Translated by: Aloysius Croft, and Harold Bolton. ISBN: 0585035636 9780585035635. A Christian classic.
"For five hundred years, this gentle book, filled with the spirit of the love of God, has brought understanding and comfort to millions of readers in over fifty languages, and provided them with a source of heart-felt personal prayer. These meditations on the life and teachings of Jesus, written in times even more troubled and dangerous than our own, have become second only to the Bible as a guide and inspiration." -- ccel
"The primary Protestant complaints about the book are with regard to what they might call medieval superstitions: the merit of good works and transubstantiation (IV:2 - i.e., volume IV, chapter 2), purgatory (IV:9), and the honoring of saints (I:13, II:9, III:6, III:59)." -- Wikipedia
http://www.worldcat.org/wcpa/oclc/56340258?page=frame&url=%3D%3FUTF-8%3FB%3FaHR0cDovL3d3dy5jY2VsLm9yZy9jY2VsL2tlbXBpcy9pbWl0YXRpb24uaHRtbA%3D%3D%3F%3D&title=&linktype=digitalObject&detail=

*Knox, David B., Not by Bread Alone (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth). 10692
"The theme of this book is the absolute necessity of the Word of God to maintain spiritual health, happiness, and balance. To demonstrate this Knox shows that the Scriptures have words of guidance for us in such diverse matters of the present as money, abortion, punishment, race, women's liberation, sex, censorship, homosexuality, and much more.
`As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.' (Proverbs 23:7) From this text Knox shows us that there is a continuous battle for the mind between the absolutes of the Bible, and the lack of standards of public opinion. The bent of depraved human society is ever downward. The only cure for this is knowledge of the Bible, and God's providential care that such knowledge is effective in salting down the nation, the province, or the community where it is upheld." -- Jay P. Green, Sr.

*Rutherford, Samuel, Letters of Samuel Rutherford (Puritan Paperback Series. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust). 10694
With a biographical introduction by Andrew Bonar. "These letters will ever be precious to all who are sensible of their own, and the church's decay and corruptions." -- Andrew Bonar
"Like a strong winged eagle he soars into the highest heaven and with unblenched eye he looks into the mystery of love divine. . . . When we are dead and gone let the world know that Spurgeon held RUTHERFORD'S LETTERS to be the nearest thing to inspiration which can be found in all the writings of mere men." -- C.H. Spurgeon
"Hold off the Bible, such a book the world never saw." -- Richard Baxter. A Christian classic.
Letters of Samuel Rutherford
http://www.puritansermons.com/toc.htm#RUTH

Scripture Union, various authors, "Encounters With God" (mature Christians, includes Small Group devotions), "Discovery" (new Christians), "AM/PM" (teenagers, 15 and up), "One to One" (ages 11-14) and "Quest" (ages 7-10) (Wayne, PA [Scripture Union, 150 Strafford Avenue, Wayne 19087]: Scripture Union). 10723
Excellent, daily, in-depth Bible reading guides for every age in the family. Ask for a sample issue.
"Even if your kids have never read `the world's best-seller' before, AM/PM will help them start learning what it means to live for Jesus." -- Scripture Union
"Quest" guides may be used for Quest Clubs, weekly Bible studies for kids.
Scripture Union, USA
http://www.scriptureunion.org

Sibbes, Richard. Divine meditations and holy contemplations. By that Reverend divine R. Sibbes, ... A new edition, again revised, … London, 1775. (ECCO) Gale Document Number CW3318599140

*Spurgeon, C.H., Faith's Checkbook (Chicago, IL: Moody Press). 31728
"A promise from God may very instructively be compared to a check payable to order. It is given to the believer with the view of bestowing upon him some good thing. It is not meant that he should read it over comfortably and then have done with it. No, he is to treat the promises as a reality, as a man treats a check. He is to take the promise and endorse it with his own name by personally receiving it as true." -- C.H. Spurgeon
"In the Preface of his devotional volume containing 365 brief, experimental comments on the promises which Spurgeon has chosen, the renowned preacher tells us that so many of these promises are true because the were fulfilled in his own experience during a time of `wading in the surf of controversy,' and also when `sharp bodily pain succeeded mental depression, accompanied both by bereavement, and affliction in the person of one dear as life. Never were the promises of Jehovah so precious to me as at this hour.' Thus it was to help other sufferers that Spurgeon prepared this comforting book."
Faith's Checkbook, A Daily Devotional by C. H. Spurgeon
http://bible.christiansunite.com/faitharchive.shtmly

*Spurgeon, C.H., Morning and Evening (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers). 10695
"For over a century, MORNING AND EVENING has been the classic daily devotional for thousands of Christians. Now it's available in an appealing contemporary format with a modern typeface! Each day's devotions--a morning and an evening selection for every day of the year--are complete on a two-page spread. Spurgeon's inspiring meditations are drawn on portions of Scripture from every book of the Bible, and a concise index of texts lets you find what he had to say on nearly any Biblical topic . . ." -- CBD
Spurgeon is considered by many to have been the greatest English preacher. A Christian classic.
Morning and Evening by C.H. Spurgeon
http://www.ccel.org/spurgeon/morn_eve/morn_eve.html

*Spurgeon, C.H. (1834-1892), Spurgeon's Devotional Bible (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1975, 1974, 1964) and Spurgeon's Devotional Bible: Selected Passages From the Word of God With Running Comments (paperback), (Evangelical Press, February 1996). Other title: The Interpreter: Spurgeon's morning and evening devotions from the Bible.
"For anyone who wants to restore daily devotions on an individual or family basis, SPURGEON'S DEVOTIONAL BIBLE is the perfect answer. One can read through this book in a year when morning and evening devotions are maintained. . . .
"The gist of the entire Bible is found between the covers of this book. . . . some verses [and chapters] were omitted in whole or in part, but they are always summarized in such a way that the narrative or teaching remains clear. The emphasis is always on Scripture . . ." -- Publisher's Annotation
This is the C.H. Spurgeon who wrote, among other things:

• The Treasury of David, "the most important and practical work of the ages on the Psalter." -- Dr. Philip Schaff
• A Treasury of Spurgeon on the Life and Work of Our Lord, 6 volumes, and
• Faith's Checkbook, A Daily Devotional by C.H. Spurgeon commenting on the promises of Scripture.

*Spurgeon, C.H., R.M. M'Cheyne, H. Bonar, and Matthew Henry, Devotional Classics Package, 5 volumes (Pasadena, TX: Pilgrim Publications). 10696
"Here is an inexpensive way to introduce a friend to some popular Puritan paperbacks. The five titles included are AROUND THE WICKET GATE by Spurgeon, THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA by R.M. M'Cheyne, FOLLOW THE LAMB by H. Bonar, FAITH: WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT LEADS TO by Spurgeon, and THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN by Matthew Henry. Great for churches to give to new members. You, too, will grow in your Christian life with these!" -- GCB. A Christian classic.
Follow the Lamb, by Horatius Bonar
http://www.pionet.net/~cultrsch/bfl.htm

*Spurgeon, C.H. (1834-1892), Spurgeon's Devotional Bible (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1975, 1974, 1964) and Spurgeon's Devotional Bible: Selected Passages From the Word of God With Running Comments (paperback), (Evangelical Press, February 1996). Other title: The Interpreter: Spurgeon's morning and evening devotions from the Bible.
"For anyone who wants to restore daily devotions on an individual or family basis, SPURGEON'S DEVOTIONAL BIBLE is the perfect answer. One can read through this book in a year when morning and evening devotions are maintained. . . .
"The gist of the entire Bible is found between the covers of this book. . . . some verses [and chapters] were omitted in whole or in part, but they are always summarized in such a way that the narrative or teaching remains clear. The emphasis is always on Scripture . . ." -- Publisher's Annotation
This is the C.H. Spurgeon who wrote, among other things:

• The Treasury of David, "the most important and practical work of the ages on the Psalter." -- Dr. Philip Schaff
• A Treasury of Spurgeon on the Life and Work of Our Lord, 6 volumes, and
• Faith's Checkbook, A Daily Devotional by C.H. Spurgeon commenting on the promises of Scripture.

Adams, James E., War Psalms [30093]

Adams, Jay E., What to Do on Thursday [30104]

Baker, Richard, Meditations and Disquisitions Upon the First Psalm, the Penitential Psalms, and Seven Consolatory Psalms (Harrisonburg, VA [Sprinkle Publications, P.O. Box 1094, Harrisonburg, 22803]: Sprinkle Publications).
"This great Puritan work appearing in 1639-1640 is a newer edition printed by Mrs. Spurgeon in 1882 and given as a conference gift." -- Lloyd T. Sprinkle

Baxter, Richard, Devotions and Prayers (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1964). 10698

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Living in Christ (Minneapolis, MN: World Wide Publications). 10699
A special study guide to the Gospel of John for new believers who want to know more about the Christian life and how to walk daily with Christ.

Carmichael, Amy, Toward Jerusalem [40003]

Clowney, E., Call on Me [30142]

Derham, A. Morgan (editor), Time for the Family, 2 volumes (Wayne, PA [Scripture Union, 150 Strafford Avenue, Wayne 19087]: Scripture Union). 10702
"Each volume provides six full months of Bible readings, prayers and activity material in a lively and readable form. Designed to take just ten minutes a day."

Ellis, Charles, and Norma Ellis, Heirs Together of Life: Daily Bible Readings for Husbands and Wives (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust). 10703
"Short discussions on almost 200 passages from the Bible, Genesis through Revelation in sequence. Each selection is related to marriage and the home. Designed as a devotional to be used by husband and wife together." -- GCB

Graham, Billy, To God Be the Glory (New York, NY: Walker and Company, 1985). 10704
Contributions by Corrie Ten Boom.

Hall, Bishop Joseph, The Art of Meditation (Jenkintown, PA: Sovereign Grace Publishers). 10706
A Christian classic.

Mack, Wayne, How to Read the Bible (Nutley, NJ: The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1977). 10713

McQuilkin, Robertson, Understanding and Applying the Bible [20560]

Packer, J.I., Beyond the Battle for the Bible (Wheaton, IL: Good News Publishers [Crossway Books]). 10714
"Issues the call to reaffirm the power of God's Word and not get lost in endless debates over authority. How? By recovering an authentic approach to interpretation and Biblical study. Packer lays the foundation for us to implement this reaffirmation." -- GCB

Packer, J.I., Meeting God [31672]

Rice, Helen Steiner, Someone Cares [40005]

*Spurgeon, C.H., Day-by-Day: A Sourcebook of Daily Meditations From the Prince of Preachers [31748]

*Spurgeon, C.H., Faith's Checkbook (Chicago, IL: Moody Press). 31728
"A promise from God may very instructively be compared to a check payable to order. It is given to the believer with the view of bestowing upon him some good thing. It is not meant that he should read it over comfortably and then have done with it. No, he is to treat the promises as a reality, as a man treats a check. He is to take the promise and endorse it with his own name by personally receiving it as true." -- C.H. Spurgeon
"In the Preface of his devotional volume containing 365 brief, experimental comments on the promises which Spurgeon has chosen, the renowned preacher tells us that so many of these promises are true because the were fulfilled in his own experience during a time of `wading in the surf of controversy,' and also when `sharp bodily pain succeeded mental depression, accompanied both by bereavement, and affliction in the person of one dear as life. Never were the promises of Jehovah so precious to me as at this hour.' Thus it was to help other sufferers that Spurgeon prepared this comforting book."
Faith's Checkbook, A Daily Devotional by C. H. Spurgeon
http://bible.christiansunite.com/faitharchive.shtmly

Spurgeon, C.H., Till He Comes [31759]
TILL HE COME: Communion Meditations and Addresses, by C.H. Spurgeon
http://www.ccel.org/spurgeon/till_he_come/title.html

Stone, Nathan, Names of God in the Old Testament (Chicago, IL: Moody Press). 10725

Thomas, I.D.E., A Puritan Golden Treasury (also published under the title THE GOLDEN TREASURY OF PURITAN QUOTATIONS) (Puritan Paperback Series. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust). [31249]

Williamson, Gerald Irvin, The Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) for Study Classes (Philadelphia, PA: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing, Co., c1964). 10729

Related WebLinks

Books Considered To Be Among the Ten Greatest in the English Language
http://www.lettermen2.com/tengreat.html

Prayer

---

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. -- Jesus Christ (John 16:24)

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. -- Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:4)

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15,16)

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. -- Jesus Christ (Matthew 18:19, 20)

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. -- Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:41)

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. -- Jesus Christ (Mark 11:25, 26)

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. -- Jesus Christ (John 14:13)

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. -- Jesus Christ (John 15:7)

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give [it] you.
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. -- Jesus Christ (John 16:22, 24)

I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. -- Jesus Christ (John 17:9)

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. -- Jesus Christ (John 17:21-23)

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you. (1 Samuel 12:23a)

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16, 17,18)

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends. (Job 42:10a)

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6,7)

Still further, the believer will have need to overcome the enemy in the heavenly places in reference to access to God. It may happen that when we are most intent upon communing with God, the adversary hinders us. Our heart and our flesh cry out for God, the living God; but from one cause or another we are unable to draw nigh unto the throne. The heart is heavy, sin is rampant, care is harassing, and Satanic insinuation is busy. You seem shut out from God, and the enemy triumphs over you. You feel very near the world, very near the flesh, and very near the devil: but you mourn your miserable distance from God. You are like a child who cannot reach his father's door because a black dog barks at him from the door. What is the way of access? If the foul fiend will not move out of the way, can we force our passage? By what weapon can we drive away the adversary so as to come to God? Is it not written that we are made nigh by the blood? Is there not a new and living way consecrated for us? Have we not boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus? We are sure of God's love when we see that Christ died for us; we are sure of God's favour when we see how that atonement has removed our transgressions far from us. We perceive our liberty to come to the Father, and therefore we each one say-
"I will approach thee-I will force
My way through obstacles to thee;
To thee for strength will have recourse,
To thee for consolation flee!"
Pleading the propitiation made by the blood of the Lamb, we dare draw nigh to God. Behold, the evil spirit makes way before us. The sacred name of Jesus is one before which he flees. This will drive away his blasphemous suggestions and foul insinuations better than anything that you can invent. The dog of hell knows the dread name which makes him lie down: we must confront him with the authority, and specially with the atonement of the Lamb of God. He will rage and rave all the more if we send Moses to him; for he derives his power from our breaches of the law, and we cannot silence him unless we bring to him the great Lord who has kept the law, and made it honourable. -- C.H. Spurgeon in a sermon, The Blood of the Lamb, the Conquering Weapon

See the Theological Notes, "Prayer," at Luke 11:2, page 1626, in The Reformation Study Bible

In all times of danger from men our wisest course is to fly to the Lord our helper. He has ways and means for delivering us which we know not of. He can either turn our enemies into friends, or else so check all their efforts that they shall do us no real injury. Blessed are those men whose trust in the Lord never wavers. -- C.H. Spurgeon, commenting on Psalm 124 and Genesus 31:36-44 in Spurgeon's Devotional Bible, p. 45

"By fasting, the body learns to obey the soul; by praying, the soul learns to command the body." -- William Secker

"Pray often; for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan." -- John Bunyan

Baxter, Richard. Converse with God in solitude: or, the Christian improving the insufficiency and uncertainty of human friendship for conversing with God in secret. Written by ... Richard Baxter. Abridged by Benjamin Fawcett. Salop, 1761. (ECCO) Gale Document Number CW3321402813

*Bennett, Arthur (editor), The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions (Edinburgh, Scotland: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1975). 10731
"Contains a wealth of insight into the practical application of Puritan theology to the Christian life. Challenging." -- Cyril J. Barber

Boston, Thomas. A memorial concerning personal and family-fasting and humiliation, presented to saints and sinners: ... By ... Thomas Boston ... Edinburgh, 1734. (ECCO) Gale Document Number CW3318035883

*Bounds, Edward M., Power Through Prayer; Purpose in Prayer [10752, 10754]
Power Through Prayer by E.M. Bounds
http://www.ccel.org/bounds/power/power.html

*Bounds, E.M., Purpose in Prayer. A Christian classic.
"Praying with purpose means making definite, direct requests of God, taking it for granted that the requests are heard and will be answered. Bounds explains the attitude, characteristics, and hindrances behind such prayer." --Ingram

Brown, John. A pious and elaborate treatise concerning prayer; and the answer of prayer. Written by ... John Brown, ... Glasgow, 1745. (ECCO) Gale Document Number CW3322274024

*Brown, John (of Edinburgh, 1784-1858) Discourses and Sayings of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 3 volumes (London, England: Banner of Truth Trust, 1990, 1967, 1852). A Christian classic.
"Spurgeon says of this great commentary: `Of the noblest order of exposition. Procure it.' Elsewhere in COMMENTING AND COMMENTARIES, he wrote, `Dr. Brown's work must be placed among the first of the first-class. He is a great expositor.' Again, `Brown is a modern Puritan. All his expositions are of the utmost value.'
"These volumes cover much of the Gospel of John, plus many portions of the other three Gospels. In them he reveals his encyclopedic mind, and a profound regard for the Bible and the very Word of God. In addition, it is seen why it was said that he had the best clerical library in the whole nation of Scotland.
"There is little doubt in the mind of this reviewer that any reader of these volumes will become possessor of myriads of new insights into the Scriptures, and what they reveal of our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. It is indispensable to the student of the Gospels." -- Jay P. Green, Sr.
"Based upon the revised and enlarged edition of 1852. Rich in thought. Pastors will appreciate the writer's application of spiritual truths to the needs of men and women." -- Cyril J. Barber.
Recommended for daily devotions, as are all the books in the listing of "Books Considered To Be Among the Ten Greatest in the English Language."
Also available in Google Books, full view, Discourses and Sayings of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Illustrated in a Series of Expositions. ... by John Brown, published 1856 [Complete in 2 volumes. New York: Robert Carter and Brothers] original from the University of Michigan, digitized Feb. 17, 2006.
http://books.google.com/books?id=SZl9u8v0Yi8C&dq=Discourses+and+Sayings+of+Our+Lord+Jesus+Christ&ie=ISO-8859-1&source=gbs_summary_s&cad=0
This University of Michigan digitized edition, that appears in Google Books, is available in paper from two publishers: (Scholarly Publishing Office, University of Michigan Library, November 30, 2006 [Gardners Books, 2006]), 652 pages.
"This volume is produced from digital images created through the University of Michigan University Library's preservation reformatting program." -- Publisher's Annotation
And (Hard Press, November 26, 2007), 652 pages.

*Bunyan, John, Prayer (Puritan Paperback Series. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust).
"First published in 1965 by Banner of Truth, this work is once again available. It combines two of Bunyan's writings on prayer, PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT and THE THRONE OF GRACE. These brief expositions provide a classic study of prayer." -- GCB. A Christian classic.

*Bunyan, John, The Desire of the Righteous Granted (Sterling, VA: GAM Publications, 1974). A Christian classic.
"This 75-page treatise is based on Proverbs 10:24." -- GCB

Gee, Edward (1613-1660), A treatise of prayer: and of divine providence as relating to it. With an application of the general doctrine thereof unto the present time, and state of things in the land, so far as prayer is concerned in them. Written for the instruction, admonition, and comfort of those that give themselves unto prayer, and stand in need of it in the said respects. By Edvvard Gee, minister of the gospel at Eccleston in Lancashire (London: printed by J.M. for Luke Fawn, and are to be sold at his shop at the sign of the Parrot in Pauls Church-yard, 1653), EEBO.

*Goodwin, Thomas, The Return of Prayers (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1979). 10734
A Christian classic.

*Gurnall, William, The Christian in Complete Armor: A Treatise of the Saint's War Against the Devil, complete and unabridged (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1979), EEBO; Translations: Welsh, OCLC 28128434.
"Peerless and priceless; every line full of wisdom." -- C.H. Spurgeon
"If I might read only one book beside the Bible, I would choose The Christian in Complete Armour." -- John Newton
"A beautiful feature in Gurnall's book is its richness in pithy, pointed, and epigrammatical sayings. You will often find in a line and a half some great truth, put so concisely, and yet so fully, that you really marvel how so much thought could be got into so few words.
"Solid scriptural theology, like that contained in these pages, should be valued and studied in the church. Books in which Scripture is reverently regarded as the only rule of faith and practice -- books in which Christ and the Holy Ghost have their rightful office -- books in which justification, and sanctification, and regeneration, and faith, and grace, and holiness are clearly, distinctly, and accurately delineated and exhibited -- these are the only books which do real good. Few things need reviving more than a taste for such books as these among readers." -- J.C. Ryle
Also praised by John Flavel and Richard Baxter.
Said to be among the 10 greatest Christian books ever written.
The Christian In Complete Armour, William Gurnall
http://www.ccel.org/g/gurnall/armour/home.htm

*Henry, Matthew, The Secret of Communion With God (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications). 10736
A Christian classic.

Hooker, Thomas, 1586-1647, A comment upon Christ's last prayer in the seventeenth of John wherein is opened the union beleevers have with God and Christ, and the glorious priviledges thereof ... / by that faithful and known servant of Christ, Mr. Thomas Hooker ... ; printed from the authors own papers written with his own hand, and attested to be such in an epistle by Thomas Goodwin and Philip Nye, 1656, EEBO.

*Manton, Thomas, 1620-1677, A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer by ... Thomas Manton, 1684, EEBO.
Notes: Contains engraved portrait frontispiece.

*Perkins, William, 1558-1602, An exposition of the Lords prayer, in the way of catechising seruing for ignorant people. By W. Perkins, 1592, EEBO.

*Preston, John, 1587-1628, The saints daily exercise. A treatise, vnfolding the whole dutie of prayer. Delivered in five sermons, upon I Thes. 5. 17. By the late faithfull and worthy minister of Iesus Christ, Iohn Preston, D. in Divinity, chaplaine in ordinary to his Majestie, master of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolns Inne, 1631, EEBO.

*Pink, Arthur W., Gleanings From Paul: Studies in the Prayers of the Apostle (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1967). 10738
"Concentrates on the prayers and notes of praise of the Apostle Paul. Expounds the Scripture so as to give a better understanding of Paul himself." -- Cyril J. Barber

*Pink, Arthur W., A Guide to Fervent Prayer (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House). 10739
Edited by Donald R. White. "Pink expounds on the apostolic prayers as found in the New Testament. Book was originally published under the title EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER." -- GCB

*Protheroe, R.E., The Psalms in Human Life [20420]

*Rainford, Marcus, Our Lord's Prayer for His Own (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications). [10319]
"Griffith Thomas describes this book as `the greatest classic ever written on Christ's high priestly prayer.' We believe it is the best one in print, since Thomas Manton's excellent book on John 17, and also John Brown's are out of print at this time. . . ." -- Jay P. Green, Sr.

Rutherford, Samuel. The power and prevalency of faith and prayer evidenced, in a practical discourse upon Matth. 9.27,31. By Mr. Samuel Rutherford, ... [Edinburgh?], 1713. (ECCO) Gale Document Number CW3320960127

Spurgeon, C.H., The Treasury of David, 3 volumes (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers).
"The most important and practical work of the ages on the Psalter." -- Dr. Philip Schaff
"Spurgeon's own exposition appears under each verse; after that you'll find `explanatory notes and quaint sayings' (illuminating quotes from Spurgeon's contemporaries as well as from the great Puritan expositors of the 17th and 18th centuries). Each Psalm closes with a short section of `Hints to Preachers'." -- CBD
Recommended for daily devotions.
The Treasury of David
http://www.spurgeon.org/treasury/treasury.htm

*Thomas, William H.G. (W.H. Griffith Thomas), Grace and Power (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1984).
"This is one of the great books of Christendom. It deals concisely with the problems Christians face in every age: how to make time for prayer, why we often hinder our spiritual growth, the manner in which we may develop our inner resources so as to be able to meet the contingencies of life, and the means God has provided for the development of the spiritual life. . . ." -- Cyril J. Barber. A Christian classic.

*Watson, Thomas, The Lord's Prayer (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1960, 1890), EEBO. 10742
"A full and powerful Puritan exposition of the Lord's Prayer. So excellent that it may be without equal." -- GCB
"A part of the writer's famous BODY OF DIVINITY. An excellent exposition combining sound doctrine with practical application." -- Cyril J. Barber. A Christian classic.

*Wenhe, Mary, How to Pray for Healing (Reston, VA: Thoburn Press). 10743

Adams, James E., War Psalms [30093]

Baxter, Richard. Converse with God in solitude: or, the Christian improving the insufficiency and uncertainty of human friendship for conversing with God in secret. Written by ... Richard Baxter. Abridged by Benjamin Fawcett. Salop, 1761. (ECCO) Gale Document Number CW3321402813

Binnie, William, The Imprecations: God's Forgotten Prayers of Power (Edmonton, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 1992). 10747
"This booklet addresses one of the most misunderstood and maligned aspects of God's Word, the prayers and passages cursing his enemies. Binnie notes that the imprecations `are a wholesome antidote to the religious sentimentality of our time, which shuts its eye to the truth that God's wrath against impenitent despisers of his grace is at once necessary and salutary.' Both Old Testament and New Testament references." -- GCB

Bounds, E.M., Bible Men of Prayer (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1964) 10747A

Bounds, E.M., Series on Prayer, 8 volumes (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House). 10748
Bounds, E.M., Essentials of Prayer 10749
Bounds, E.M., Necessity of Prayer 10750
Necessity of Prayer by E.M. Bounds
http://www.ccel.org/bounds/necessity/necessity.html

Bounds, E.M., Possibilities of Prayer 10751
Possibilities of Prayer by E.M. Bounds
http://www.ccel.org/b/bounds/possibilities/possibilities.html

Bounds, E.M., The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House). 10757
"Eight classics in one volume using modern language." -- GCB

Bounds, E.M., Power Through Prayer 10752
Bounds, E.M., Prayer and Praying Men 10753
Bounds, E.M., Purpose of Prayer 10754
Bounds, E.M., Reality of Prayer 10755
Bounds, E.M., Weapon of Prayer 10756

Christenson, Evelyn, What Happens When We Pray for Our Families [40007]

Donne, John, On Prayer, Repentance and the Mercy of God: A Lenten Sermon (Ann Arbor, MI: Books on Demand). 10759
May be found in the works of John Donne [50040]. A Christian classic.

Edwards, Jonathan, A humble attempt to promote the agreement and union of god's people throughout the world in extraordinary prayer for a revival of religion and the advancement of god's kingdom on earth, according to scriptural promises and prophecies of the last time, by Jonathan Edwards
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/ipb-e/epl-10/web/edwards-humble-attempt.html

Ellul, Jacques, Prayer and Modern Man (San Francisco, CA: Harper and Row, 1973). 10760

Fisher, Fred L., Prayer in the New Testament (Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press, 1964). 10761

Henry, Matthew, A Method for Prayer With Scripture Expressions and Directions for Daily Communion With God (Greenville, SC: Attic Press, 1988). 10763
"This is a reprint of two of Henry's works. In the first he deals with the different aspects of prayer (adoration, confession, petition and requests, thanksgiving for mercy, intercession) and has a brief exposition of the Lord's Prayer. The second is comprised of three expositions on how to start, spend, and end the day with God." -- GCB

Henry, Matthew, The Secret of Communion With God [10736]

Jenkins, David L., Great Prayers of the Bible: A Guide for Individual or Group Study (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1990). 10767

Leuenberger, Samuel, Archbishop Cranmer's Immortal Bequest: The Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England: An Evangelistic Liturgy (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1990). 10768
Foreword by J.I. Packer.

Lockyer, Herbert, All the Prayers of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1959). 10769

Mack, Wayne, How to Pray Effectively (Nutley, NJ: The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1977). 10771

Miller, C. John, Isaiah and a Theology of Prayer [30300]

Miller, C. John, Isaiah and a Theology of Prayer [30300]

Miller, Samuel, Thoughts on Public Prayer (Harrisonburg, VA [Sprinkle Publications, P.O. Box 1094, Harrisonburg, 22803]: Sprinkle Publications).
"Excellent book which covers the whole subject rather well. A Presbyterian minister and Princeton professor of 150 years ago sheds light on the needs of our day concerning prayers and public prayer in particular." -- GCB

Neal, John W., The Prayer for Help: A Biblical Theological Critique and Reconstruction of the Healing Memories Methodology (Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Theological Seminary, D.Min. thesis, 1986). 10774
Includes bibliography.

*Owen, John, The Work of the Holy Spirit in Prayer, as a Comforter and as the Author of Spiritual Gifts [31231]

Palmer, Samuel. A collection of family-prayers from the devotional writings of Baxter, ... and others. With various occasional forms. By Samuel Palmer. London, 1783. (ECCO) Gale Document Number CW3318915409

Rauschenbusch, Walter, Prayers of the Social Awakening (Pasadena, TX: Pilgrim Publications). 10778

Schaeffer, Edith, The Life of Prayer (Wheaton, IL: Good News Publishers [Crossway Books], 1992). 10780
"Here is a distillation of Mrs. Schaeffer's lifelong experience as a prayer warrior. Filled with examples from her own life and the lives of hundreds of friends throughout the world, this heartwarming book brings the reader face to face with the life-changing power of prayer. She speaks on such difficult subjects as: Why pray if God is sovereign? and What is the relationship between prayer and suffering?" -- GCB

*Scudder, Henry, d. 1659? and Sibbes, Richard, 1577-1635, A key of heaven the Lords Prayer opened, and so applied, that a Christian may learne how to pray, and to procure all things which may make for the glorie of God, and the good of himselfe, and of his neighbour: containing likewise such doctrines of faith and godlines, as may be very usefull to all that desire to live godly in Christ Iesus, 1633, EEBO.

*Spurgeon, C.H., Effective Prayer [31750]

*Spurgeon, C.H., Twelve Sermons on Prayer [31760]

Stark, Jeff, Prayer and Anxiety (parts 1-4); Q&A [30413]

Traill, Robert, 1642-1716, The throne of grace discoursed of from Heb. IV, 16 / by Robert Trail ..., 1696, EEBO.

Waltke, Bruce, The Book of Psalms [30616]

Wooden, Keith, Teaching Children to Pray (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House). 10785
"Here is a book for all parents. Children don't just know how to pray, you have to show them. This book is a good place to start." -- GCB

See also: Jesus on prayer, Bible promises, Intercessory prayer, Ready reference: immediate counsel on many subjects, Evangelistic praying, Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, Family worship, The larger catechism, The shorter catechism, Words of Christ appearing in the web edition of biblical counsel: resources for renewal

Related WebLinks

The Commandments of Jesus, J.S. McConnell (1925)
http://www.wowzone.com/commandm.htm

Nave's Topical Bible: Christ, Prayers of
http://bible.crosswalk.com/Concordances/NavesTopicalBible/ntb.cgi?number=T2807


Nave's Topical Bible -- Prayer
http://bible.crosswalk.com/Concordances/NavesTopicalBible/ntb.cgi?number=T3962

Of Prayer, John Calvin
http://www.ccel.org/calvin/prayer/prayer.html

Jesus on Prayer

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*Brown, John, (of Edinburgh, 1784-1858) Exposition of Our Lord's Intercessory Prayer (Limited Classic Reprint Library. Minneapolis, MN: Klock and Klock Christian Publishers, 1979). A Christian classic.
"The concluding prayer of our Lord's in the garden here receives sensitive treatment. Brown was a pastor as well as an exegete. His handling of the text is excellent. His exposition serves as a model. . . ." -- Cyril J. Barber
Includes an Appendix 1, "Connection Between the Visible Union of Christians, and the Conversion of the World," by Hugh Heugh, D.D.
Nave's Topical Bible: Christ, Prayers of
http://bible.crosswalk.com/Concordances/NavesTopicalBible/ntb.cgi?number=T2807

*Bunyan, John, Intercession of Christ (Sterling, VA: GAM Publications). 10797

*Rainsford, Marcus, Our Lord Prays for His Own: Thoughts on John 17 (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1985). 10794
"Griffith Thomas describes this book as `the greatest classic ever written on Christ's high priestly prayer.' We believe it is the best one in print, since Thomas Manton's excellent book on John 17, and also John Brown's are out of print at this time. . . ." -- Jay P. Green, Sr.

Ridgeley, Thomas, Commentary on the Larger Catechism (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"Originally entitled: A Body of Divinity: Wherein the Doctrines of the Christian Religion are Explained and Defended. Being the Substance of Several Lectures on the Assembly's Larger Catechism, we have re-titled it to better reflect its contents for contemporary readers. Consisting of over 1300 pages, this massive and extensive two-volume commentary on the Westminster Larger Catechism is unrivaled in scope or extensiveness. Ridgeley himself notes, in 'The Author's Preface' (p. ix), 'The work is large, but the vast variety of subjects will render it more tolerable. . . . especially since it is rather designed to be read in families than committed to memory . . .' The editor of this edition, John Wilson, pronounces Ridgeley's work as 'the best book of its class,' stating, 'no book in the English language, or, so far as I know, in any other, will serve so efficiently the purposes of a daily companion to a reflecting Christian in his inquiries into Divine truth, or a guide to a candidate for the Christian ministry in introducing him to his theological studies (p. xi). 'In 1731 appeared the first edition of Mr. Ridgeley's great work -- that in connection with which chiefly his name lives in history, and whose influence, as an instrument of good, will probably render him celebrated and useful for generations to come . . .(p. xxii).' Moreover he continues, 'a taste, however, for the racy and substantial theological writings of the days of Britain's moral giants has of late revived; and it will scarcely fail to adopt, as one of the richest dishes of its multifarious banquet for the intellect and the soul, Dr. Ridgeley's Body of Divinity (p. xxi).' Additionally, Wilson concludes his 'Life of the Author' with these words, 'His method of reasoning he has adapted to the capacities of those who are unacquainted with the abstruse terms made use of by metaphysicians and schoolmen, and when introduced into subjects of theology, have a tendency rather to perplex than to improve the mind. His scheme of divinity is evidently Calvinistic; but; then, he has explained his subjects with so much moderation and latitude, as to obviate many of the objections raised against the system of doctrines that passes under that name. Upon the whole, it is probable that the English language does not furnish a work of this nature that, for perspicuity of language, extent of research, accuracy of judgment, and judicious description of the numerous subjects that fall under examination, any way equals this work of Dr. Ridgeley . . . he was accounted one of the most considerable divines of his age' (emphasis added, p. xxiii)." -- SWRB
Westminster Larger Catechism With Proof Texts
http://www.reformed.org/documents/wlc_w_proofs/WLC_frames.html

*Saphir, Adolph, Our Lord's Pattern for Prayer (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1984). 10795
"An outstanding work that is worthy of repeated consultation. Scholarly, devotional, a must for every believer. Recommended." -- Cyril J. Barber

Thornton, James G., The Praying Christ: A Study of Jesus Doctrine and Practice of Prayer (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1959). [20408]
Includes bibliography.
Nave's Topical Bible: Christ, Prayers of
http://bible.crosswalk.com/Concordances/NavesTopicalBible/ntb.cgi?number=T2807

Watson, Thomas, The Lord's Prayer (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1960, 1890), EEBO.
"Watson's three works on the Westminster Shorter Catechism is concluded by his exposition of the Lord's Prayer. In this book he analyses in detail the Preface to the prayer and the six petitions which make it up. His treatment of the second petition (`thy Kingdom come') is exceptionally full and illuminating, This book affords instruction and practical help to praying Christians." -- SWRB
"A full and powerful Puritan exposition of the Lord's Prayer. So excellent that it may be without equal." -- GCB
"A part of the writer's famous BODY OF DIVINITY. An excellent exposition combining sound doctrine with practical application." -- Cyril J. Barber.
The Lord's Prayer, Thomas Watson
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/ipb-e/epl-watson-lprayer.html

See also: Words of Christ appearing in The Web Edition of Biblical Counsel: Resources for Renewal, The shorter catechism, Prayer, Intercessory prayer, Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership

Related WebLinks

The Commandments of Jesus, J.S. McConnell (1925)
http://www.wowzone.com/commandm.htm

Nave's Topical Bible: Christ, Prayers of
http://bible.crosswalk.com/Concordances/NavesTopicalBible/ntb.cgi?number=T2807

Intercessory Prayer

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*Brown, John, (of Edinburgh, 1784-1858) Exposition of Our Lord's Intercessory Prayer (Limited Classic Reprint Library. Minneapolis, MN: Klock and Klock Christian Publishers, 1979). A Christian classic.
"The concluding prayer of our Lord's in the garden here receives sensitive treatment. Brown was a pastor as well as an exegete. His handling of the text is excellent. His exposition serves as a model. . . ." -- Cyril J. Barber
Includes an Appendix 1, "Connection Between the Visible Union of Christians, and the Conversion of the World," by Hugh Heugh, D.D.
Nave's Topical Bible: Christ, Prayers of
http://bible.crosswalk.com/Concordances/NavesTopicalBible/ntb.cgi?number=T2807

Preston, John, The Golden Sceptre (Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 1990).
"This book is comprised of six sermons on 2 Chronicles 7:14: `If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land,' just one verse that succinctly gives the Biblical solution to terrorism. Sermons are on Affliction, Humiliation, Seeking god's face, Turning from evil, Forgiveness to those who forsake sin, and Sin as the cause of all calamities."
Preston was a preacher in the early Puritan period.
See also: The Biblical Solution to Terrorism

*Rainsford, Marcus, Our Lord Prays for His Own: Thoughts on John 17 [10319]

Wiles, Gordon P., Paul's Intercessory Prayers: The Significance of the Intercessory Prayer Passages in the Letters of St. Paul (Cambridge, England: University Press, 1974). 10807B

Related WebLinks

The Interceding Christ
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:23-27, 26 min.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12170372952

Evangelistic Praying

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Edwards, Jonathan. An humble attempt to promote explicit agreement and visible union of God's people in extraordinary prayer for the revival of religion and the advancement of Christ's Kingdom on earth, pursuant to Scripture-promises and prophecies concerning the last time. By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Minister of the Gospel at Northampton. With a preface by several ministers. Boston, New-England, 1747 [i.e., 1748]. (ECCO) Gale Document Number CW3317636824

Miller, C. John, Prayer and Evangelism [30305]

Packer, J.I., God in Our Midst: Seeking and Receiving Ongoing Revival [31665]

Ravenhill, Leonard, Revival Praying [10529]

Related WebLinks

The Treasury of David, Psalm 90, C.H. Spurgeon
"The 90th Psalm might be cited as perhaps the most sublime of human compositions -- the deepest in feeling -- the loftiest in theologic conception -- the most magnificent in its imagery." -- Isaac Taylor
"Verse 17. And establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. Let what we do be done in truth, and last when we are in the grave; may the work of the present generation minister permanently to the building tip of the nation. Good men are anxious not to work in vain. They know that without the Lord they can do nothing, and therefore they cry to him for help in the work, for acceptance of their efforts, and for the establishment of their designs. The church as a whole earnestly desires that the hand of the Lord may so work with the hand of his people, that a substantial, yea, an eternal edifice to the praise and glory of God may be the result. We come and go, but the Lord's work abides. We are content to die so long as Jesus lives and his kingdom grows. Since the Lord abides for ever the same, we trust our work in his hands, and feel that since it is far more his work than ours he will secure it immortality. When we have withered like grass our holy service, like gold, silver, and precious stones, will survive the fire." -- C.H. Spurgeon
http://www.spurgeon.org/treasury/ps090.htm

Prayer Groups

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CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

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Small Groups

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Bruce, Michael. The duty of Christians to live together in religious-communion, recommended. In a sermon preached at Belfast, January 5th. 1724-5 before the sub-synod. ... By Michael Bruce. Belfast, 1725. (ECCO) Gale Document Number CW3318842509

Bubna, Donald L., and Sarah Ricketts, Building People Through a Caring, Sharing Fellowship (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1988). 10816
"The book reflects efforts both successful and not so successful in developing koinonia groups. Friendship evangelism is explored, as well as stories based on experiences in several churches."

Clowney, Edmund P., Living in Christ's Church [70487]

Clowney, Edmund P., Living in Christ's Church (Leader's Guide) [70488]

Conley, Thomas H., Pastoral Care for Personal Growth [70405]

*Johnson, David, and Jeff VanVonderen, The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse: Recognizing and Escaping Spiritual Manipulation and False Spiritual Authority Within the Church (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, October 1, 2005).
"Manipulation, shaming, `using' other people -- that's in the church, too. Spiritual abuse happens when authority figures use spiritual means to gratify their desires for importance, power, or intimacy. Because abusers use spiritual-sounding language, their followers are trapped in legalism, guilt performance, and begrudging service. Johnson and VanVonderen explain how to identify spiritual abuse, break the cycle of abusive spiritual dynamics, and encourage both abusers and victims to repent and recover." -- CBD
"In a breakthrough book first published in 1991, the authors address the dynamics in churches that can ensnare people in legalism, guilt, and begrudging service, keeping them from the grace and joy of God's kingdom. Written for both those who feel abused and those who may be causing it, THE SUBTLE POWER OF SPIRITUAL ABUSE shows how people get hooked into abusive systems, the impact of controlling leadership on a congregation, and how the abused believer can find rest and recovery.
"David Johnson has been the senior pastor at Church of the Open Door in Maple Grove, Minnesota, since 1980. During this time, the church has grown from a congregation of 160 to 3,000 people. A much sought-after speaker, he is a graduate of Bethel College and received his theological training at Bethel Seminary and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. His "Growing in Grace" radio broadcast is syndicated internationally. David and his family live in Minnesota.
"Jeff VanVonderen is an internationally known speaker on addictions and church and family wellness. He has worked as a counselor in both residential and outpatient treatment settings, as well as in the religious community, taught at the college level, and is the author of several books. He makes his home in California." -- Publisher's Annotation
"The difference between churches that use manipulation and those that practice grace is like night and day. . . .
"Van Vonderen and Johnson warn people who read the book not to use what they have learned as a weapon, but to take action only in the proper spirit. Of course, any time someone takes action in a church, real problems will become visible. My question in every case is: are those problems caused by those speaking out, or have they been there all along and are only now being exposed. . . ?
"It is fair, it is doctrinally solid, and it gives effective counsel. There is something beneficial for everyone. . . leader, wounded Christian, or loved ones of people in either group." -- Reader's Comment

Kasemann, Ernst, "Ministers and Community in the New Testament," in his ESSAYS ON NEW TESTAMENT THEMES (London, England: SCM Press and Naperville, CA: Allenson, 1964). 10820

Kraemer, H., Theology of the Laity [10578]

Maillefer, M., Small Groups: How to Use Them in a Big Way (Michigan City, IN: Sound Word Associates, 1991). 10821
Audio cassette TT108.

Mains, David, and Steve Bell, Two Are Better Than One: A Guide to Prayer Partnerships That Work [10791]

Olson, Richard P., and Carole Della Pia-Terry, Ministry With Remarried Persons [70586]

Pryor, John W., John: Evangelist of the Covenant People: A Narrative and Themes of the Fourth Gospel [10372]

Trotter, D., Bearing One Another's Burdens (Galatians 6:1-10) (Michigan City, IN: Sound Word Associates, 1991). [30438]
Audio cassette BL04.

Wells, William W., Welcome to the Family: An Introduction to Evangelical Christianity [20175]

See also: Prayer, Prayer Groups, Jesus on Prayer, Intercessory Prayer, Evangelistic Praying, Christian Fellowship, Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, Sexual relationship, Small Groups, House Churches, Small Group Evangelism, Small Groups as Healing Agents, Small Group Resources, Small Group Leadership Helps

Related WebLinks

House Churches

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Banks, Robert J. and Julia Banks, The Church Comes Home (Hendrickson Publishers, January 1, 1998).
"In our modern dislocated society many are searching for a church experience that offers true Christian sharing, nurturing, and discipleship, in addition to teaching and worship. For many such people the answer is found in the home church: a small, committed group of often diverse people who meet together in homes to pray, eat, sing, study, and share their lives.
"THE CHURCH COMES HOME is a handbook for those interested in home churches. It is both visionary and practical. It describes how home churches can be formed, how they should grow, and how networks of home churches can develop. It examines issues-for example, how to make decisions; how to determine doctrine; how to include children, singles, elders; and how to reach out to the community at large-and offers practical suggestions for their resolution.
"Robert Banks is Professor of the Ministry of the Laity and Chair of the Ministry Division at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California.
"Julia Banks and her husband Robert have been involved with home churches for over twenty-five years. Together they have led seminars and assissted congregations in developing this style of gather in many parts of the world. Julia coordingateds the community house in which she and Rob live with a group of students. She is also active as a church planter and in building networks among house churches." -- Publisher's Annotation

Banks, Robert, Going to Church in the First Century (Seedsowers, May 1990).
"Bankes does his research. He is not merely writing what he thinks the Church looked like in the first century but he dives into Church History itself to show you historically what it looked like. The book takes 1 Corithians 14:26 and applies it to the house churches listed in the New Testament. In the end, Banks does a wonderful job of showing the reader how radically different our church "services" are today compared to the first century. Banks then tells us how to apply the apostolic traditions (1 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6) to our current churches whether traditional or house churches." -- Reader Comment

*Banks, Robert J., Paul's Idea of Community: The Early House Churches in Their Cultural Setting, revised edition (Hendrickson Publishers, November 1, 1994).
"Robert Bank's widely read PAUL'S IDEA OF COMMUNITY: THE EARLY HOUSE CHURCHES IN THEIR CULTURAL SETTING is once again available to laypeole, pastors and scholars alike. In this extensively revised edition Banks has rewritten chapters for clarity, taken into account recent scholarship on Paul's writings, updated and expanded the bibliography, and added an index. This new edition retains, however, all the freshness and vitality of the original.
"The book draws fully upon the wealth of recent scholarly analysis of the New Testament churches, but in such a skilled way that the picture is not buried in learning, but brought to life for present-day readers. . . . People will be startled to find how much of modern church life has departed form the New Testament spirit. And yet the modern communities still possess in the New Testament, as illuminated through a book like this, the sources from which church life can be reawakened to the community consequences of accepting the Pauline gospel." -- Edwin A. Judge, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
"It is good news that Robert Banks's Paul's Idea of Community is once more available, now in a thoroughly revised, expanded edition. Convinced that Paul's distinctive contribution to Christianity is his idea of community, Banks demonstrates how this notion informs Paul's instruction to his churches. . . . [I]t is striking how naturally discussions of such topics as Paul's teaching on freedom and on eschatology fall within the purview of this stimulating book." -- Abraham J. Malherbe, Yale University
"Robert Banks is Professor of the Ministry of the Laity and Chair of the Ministry Division at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California." -- Publisher's Annotation

Decker, Frank Harmanest, Truths That Save: Church House Texts and Talks (Boston, MA, Chicago, IL: The Pilgrim Press c1917).

Kreider, Larry, and Floyd McClung, Starting a House Church (Regal Books, April 5, 2007).
"As someone who has studied and written on house churches throughout history, I was pleased and intrigued to see this book on actually starting a house church today. And it's a great book! It gives an overview of the different forms of church today, of which house church is one. It also provides a good biblical basis for what is a growing phenomenon around the world. Although it does give very practical help in how actually to start or lead a house church, the book, however, does not major on structure but emphasizes that it is all about the heart and spirit of the church - that is a place to provide spiritual community and family so that Christians can grow in their walk with God. The book, furthermore, gives some helpful tips on mistakes which can be avoided. It provides vision, biblical backing and practical help - a very good combination and a worthwhile read indeed!" -- Reader Comment

Simson, Wolfgang, Houses that Change the World (Paternoster Publishing, March 6, 2001).
"Millions of Christians around the world are becoming aware of an imminent reformation of global proportions within the Church. God is changing this revered institution and is making a new collective awareness of an age-old revelation, a corporate spiritual echo that reflects God's desire for the Church.
"In this book, Wolfgang Simson brings to light what God is saying to Christians everywhere. Researched across the globe, he presents the case for the reformation of the Church's existence. In a world where the Church is being ignored, it is time to bring the Church to the people, and not the people to the Church. Whether it is what we know as 'Church' from the last five years or last five hundred year, no one has truly been able to break free from the structures of the past. Many may see this book as radical, many may see it as a reforming of old ideals, but all who read it will be challenged in their Churching and have their priorities refocused in a life-changing way."
"Wolfgang Simson works as a strategy consultant, researcher and journalist within the DAWN International Network. After working as a social worker and taxi driver in Stuttgart, Germany, he studied theology and missions in Switzerland, Belgium and the USA, and travelled extensively to research growing churches and church-planting movements. He is a board member of both the British and German Church Growth Associations and editor of the DAWN Fridayfax. He is of Hungarian, German and Jewish descent, and has an Indian wife, Mercy. They have three sons and have recently moved from Madras, South India, to live in Germany." -- Publisher's Annotation
The author repeatedly states, "I'm not here to provide a model for the house church. That's not the point of this book. I simply want to present the theology and value of the house church as a model for true community." -- Reader Comment

See also: Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, Sexual relationship

Related WebLinks

Mount Olive Tape Library of Reformed Theology
http://www.mountolivelibrary.org/

SermonAudio iPhone and iPod Touch Edition

1. Summary of features include:
2. Browse, search, and stream AUDIO sermons
3. Browse, search, and stream VIDEO sermons
4. Browse, search, and read PDF transcripts
5. Bookmark your favorite churches and sermons
6. Browse through the daily featured sermon
7. Browse through all newest sermon additions
8. Browse churches by name, location, denomination
9. Use our Local Church Finder to find a good church
10. Browse or search by the speaker name
11. Browse through our recommended staff picks
12. Browse through member-recommended sermon picks
13. Browse the top-downloaded MP3 sermons
14. By category: Audio Books, Weddings, Funerals
15. Browse sermons by foreign language
16. Online Hymnal -- browse or search for a hymn
17. Read Spurgeon's MORNING AND EVENING devotional

Terrorism, The Criminal Mind, Neo-Darwinism, Environmentalism, Marxism, Stalin, Hitler, God's Law, etc. (Creation/Evolution?)
An address by Dr. A.E. Wilder-Smith on Matthew 15:15-20; Proverbs 4:23
"Dr. A.E. Wilder-Smith was one of few scientists in the world to have three earned doctorates. . . . "A devout born-again Christian, a devoted husband and father of 5 children, a young-earth creationist, and a highly qualified organic chemist, he authored over 70 scientific publications and more than 30 books, some published in 17 languages. Many of today's leading creationists consider him a major influence in their own intellectual development, and call him a pioneer in anti-evolution arguments. See http://wildersmith.org/testimonials.htm for testimonies about Wilder-Smith by Duane Gish and other scientists and intellectuals."
He talks at length here about the Yochelson/Samenow 14 year study of the criminally insane [annotated elsewhere] at St. Elizabeths Hospital near Washington, DC.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=94071422010

Sermonaudio.com
http://www.sermonaudio.com/

Nave's Topical Bible: Christ, Prayers of
http://bible.crosswalk.com/Concordances/NavesTopicalBible/ntb.cgi?number=T2807

The Small Group Network
http://smallgroups.com/

Small Group Evangelism

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1. The Doctrine of Revelation
2. The Doctrine of Justification
3. The Theology of N.T. Wright
4. The Theology of Richard Gaffin and Norman Shepherd
5. The Auburn Avenue Theology

The Necessity of Reforming the Church (1543), by John Calvin
This is an online document.
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/NRC_ch00.htm

The Evangelical Reformed Presbyterian Church
The Evangelical Reformed Presbyterian Church is "a new association of congregations that stand unequivocally for justification by faith alone."
"The ERPC is spearheaded by former members of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church who believe that the testimony of that denomination has been compromised for the past 30 years by its toleration of the teaching of two different gospels, the Biblical Gospel of justification by faith alone, and the false gospel of justification by faith and works/faithfulness/obedience. [See Paul M. Elliott' book, CHRISTIANITY AND NEO-LIBERALISM]
"If you or your congregation are looking for an association that unambiguously proclaims the doctrines of salvation by belief alone, grace alone, and Christ alone, please visit their website." -- John Robbins
"The Doctrinal Standards of the Evangelical Reformed Presbyterian Church, consisting of the American version of the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) . . . adopted by the first American Presbyterian Assembly of 1789, including their proof texts." -- "Doctrinal Distinctives" at the ERPC website, http://www.erpchurch.org/news/pres_release_051705.html
Unfortunately these revisions removed Christian Magistracy from the Confession (WCF 1649), essentially emasculated Christianity, and set aside Christ's Crown and Covenant. Conveniently this removed churchmen and laymen from the battlefront of standing for Christ's Crown and Covenant.
The Evangelical Reformed Presbyterian Church (ERPC)
http://www.erpchurch.org/news/pres_release_051705.html
See "A Theological Interpretation of American History" http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9chc.html#stiahis

The Trinity Foundation Church Registry and Clearinghouse
"By publishing this church registry we hope to offer some modest help to both individual Christians looking for an acceptable place to worship, and to congregations seeking Christians for mutual edification and to evangelize their communities. We do not guarantee that everyone will be satisfied with every church in this Registry; the user is always under the obligation to compare what is taught by these churches with Scripture." http://www.trinityfoundation.org/churchregmain.php

Nave's Topical Bible: Christ, Prayers of
http://bible.crosswalk.com/Concordances/NavesTopicalBible/ntb.cgi?number=T2807

The Small Group Network
http://smallgroups.com/

The Church and Small Groups

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Small Groups as Healing Agents

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*Tada, Joni Eareckson, Friendship Unlimited: How You Can Help A Disabled Friend (Wheaton, IL: Harold Shaw Publishers).
"Joni gives positive guidance on building deeper, more understanding relationships with the disabled people we come in contact with each day. This important book contains sections on what to say, when to offer help, how to deal with the common fears and reservations in relationship, and how to be an encouraging friend." -- GCB

See also: Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, Christian fellowship, Covenant theology and covenanting, Corporate faithfulness, Prayer, House churches, Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, Corporate faithfulness, The teachings of Christ

Related WebLinks

Joni and Friends
http://www.joniandfriends.org

Small Group Resources

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Miller, C. John "Jack," and Rose Marie Miller, Sonship Course: World Harvest Mission Leadership Training Program, Nurture Training for Ministry, Equipping Others for Ministry [10548]
World Harvest Mission
http://www.whm.org/home.htm

Scripture Union, various authors, "Encounters With God" (mature Christians, includes Small Group devotions), "Discovery" (new Christians), "AM/PM" (teenagers, 15 and up), "One to One" (ages 11-14) and "Quest" (ages 7-10) (Wayne, PA [Scripture Union, 150 Strafford Avenue, Wayne 19087]: Scripture Union). 10723
Excellent, daily, in-depth Bible reading guides for every age in the family. Ask for a sample issue.
"Even if your kids have never read `the world's best-seller' before, AM/PM will help them start learning what it means to live for Jesus." -- Scripture Union
"Quest" guides may be used for Quest Clubs, weekly Bible studies for kids.
Scripture Union, USA
http://www.scriptureunion.org

Related WebLinks

Nave's Topical Bible: Christ, Prayers of
http://bible.crosswalk.com/Concordances/NavesTopicalBible/ntb.cgi?number=T2807

Westminster Shorter Catechism With Proof Texts
http://www.reformed.org/documents/WSC_frames.html

Small Group Leadership Helps

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SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY

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*BAXTER, RICHARD, A Christian Directory: Baxter's Practical Works, Vol. 1. Full title: A Christian Directory: or A Sum of Practical Theology, and Cases of Conscience. Directing Christians How to Use Their Knowledge and Faith; How to Improve all Helps and Means, and to Perform all Duties; How to Overcome Temptations, and to Escape or Mortify Every Sin. In Four Parts.
I. Christian Ethics (or Private Duties)
II. Christian Economics (or Family Duties)
III. Christian Ecclesiastics (or Church Duties)
IV. Christian Politics (or Duties to Our Rulers and Neighbours) (Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 1997, 1990, 1838, 1707, 1678, 1673). Foreword by J.I. Packer (Soli Deo Gloria edition only). The Soli Deo Gloria publication is a facsimile reprint of the 19th century reprint by George Virtue, London. The original 1673 edition and the 1678 edition, both printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons. Bibliographic and scriptural footnotes. A Christian classic.
"The complete practical works of Richard Baxter are in print in four volumes entitled BAXTER'S PRACTICAL WORKS. This volume (about 1 1/4 million words, 1028 pages) is volume one of the set. The editor's preface (1707), p. xiii, stated that the works of Richard Baxter are 'perhaps the best body of practical divinity that is extent in our own or any other tongue.' Richard Baxter lived from 1615-1691. The DIRECTORY was completed in 1665. Its scope was intended to cover all of practical theology, a summa of casuistry . . ." -- Don Kistler
"Baxter's series, which grew in range and scope as it proceeded . . . is a peak point in Puritan devotional writing, and remains a precious resource for all, in this or any age, who want to know what is involved in Biblical godliness. . . . A CHRISTIAN DIRECTORY may justly be described as a landmark. It is the fullest, most thorough, and in this writer's judgment, most profound treatment of Christian spirituality and standards that has ever been attempted by an English-speaking Evangelical author. The fact that it embraces both spirituality and standards (the principles of communion with God plus the specifics of obedience to God) merits approving comment in itself; nowadays spirituality and ethics have become two distinct disciplines in the schools, and books written on either say virtually nothing about the other . . ." -- J.I. Packer
Timothy Keller calls it the greatest manual on Biblical counseling ever produced.
"There are many Puritan classics on this subject. Thomas Brooks' PRECIOUS REMEDIES FOR SATAN'S DEVICES, Thomas Goodwin's A CHILD OF LIGHT WALKING IN DARKNESS, William Bridge's A LIFTING UP FOR THE DOWNCAST, and many other similar works give evidence that the Puritans were. . . . masters at applying Biblical answers and principles to problems that can only be solved by spiritual means. No Puritan work, however, has ever approached the popularity, the scope, or the depth of Baxter's classic treatise. With the widespread interest in counseling in today's church, this reprint of Baxter's work should be a welcome addition to every pastor's library, or to anyone else who wishes to give solid Biblical answers to man's questions." -- Don Kistler
"We have long waited for a purely Biblical treatment of the spiritual ills and cures of men which is untainted by the views of psychology. Since Baxter lived about 200 years before psychology arrived, his deep work is completely void of its encroachment -- thankfully!" -- John MacArthur
"The kings men sought to arrest Richard Baxter, but he traveled ceaselessly from place to place, writing his sermons and his books even on horseback (he had an inkwell in his saddle) and preached over a wide area." -- Brian H. Edwards
"Baxter was a wonder of his age. His writings total 72 large volumes, much of it written on horseback as he traveled in his widespread preaching efforts. He seldom, if ever, edited anything he wrote. Knowing this any reader will be amazed at how well he communicated his deep love for his Savior. For 26 years he was public enemy No. 1 to the king, yet he lived to see the flight of the king in 1688." -- Jay P. Green, Sr.
POOR MAN'S FAMILY BOOK (1674) and THE CATECHIZING OF FAMILIES (1683), found elsewhere in BAXTER'S PRACTICAL WORKS, are less detailed works. They are more suitable for family instruction than are the detailed presentation in A CHRISTIAN DIRECTORY.
" Ptacek in Family Worship (p. 51-52), supplies the following information in regard to Baxter and this book. He notes that after the Episcopalians ejected numerous `nonconformists,' in what is know as the `great ejection,' in 1662, `Baxter pastored from house to house, visiting families of his parish in their homes. These visits contributed to Baxter's A CHRISTIAN DIRECTORY, a large and still very relevant manual of pastoral care.' Focusing on just one area of great importance, Ptacek demonstrates how this book's relevance is not limited by time or culture, though sometimes the use of specific words are. `Published in 1673, but written 1664-65, a large book-length part of Baxter's CHRISTIAN DIRECTORY is devoted to the family. It is entitled `Christian Economics' based on the archaic usage of the word, which reflects the proper sense of the Greek root oikonomos as the manager of a household, in the Christian case, the spiritual leader of the family. The family head is essential to Baxter's view of family worship and instruction. Baxter asserts that it is God's will that this instruction be carried out by the rulers of the families.' For a male head of the household to fail to do so, or to have another instruct in the family, is contrary to his position of authority.' This is the kind of book that can be passed on from generation to generation and still find much use in the service of the kingdom of God. . . . "Though relatively weak on corporate sanctification, corporate faithfulness and some important areas of doctrine (such as justification), Baxter's work on subjects related to personal piety can be of good practical use to the Christian -- if one is careful to separate out his aberrant doctrinal views and any practical errors they may lead to." -- SWRB
This work is available in many editions, and in many formats.
Reformation Heritage Books has new copies of the Soli Deo Gloria edition as of March 2008, even though it is generally thought to be out of print. They acquired Soli Deo Gloria from Ligonier Ministries in late 2007. They may be the publisher who will eventually reprints the title.
http://www.heritagebooks.org/
The reprint by George Virtue is included on Reformation Bookshelf CD #21, ISBN: 0921148992 9780921148999.
The reprint by George Virtue is available as a Cerlox bound photocopy from Still Waters Revival Books, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
The reprint by George Virtue is available online and may be downloaded in PDF format at Christian Classics Ethereal Library.
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/baxter/practical.toc.html
The reprint by George Virtue is included in THE AMAZING CHRISTIAN LIBRARY, DVD Four, CD #21
http://www.AmazingLibrary.com
The reprint by George Virtue appears in full preview in Google Books but may not be downloaded. About five other editions from libraries are available in Google Books, and may be downloaded (August 2008).
Notice that the etext in Google Books has the advantage of being searchable. Searching an image-based PDF file is not possible, unless the user owns software such as Abode Acrobat Pro or Kirtas BookScan Editor. They both have an OCR (optical character recognition) feature that will search an image-based PDFs (bit-map scans). Searches appear to be perfect in this work, although one must know Baxter's vocabulary. Text can be cut and paste from image-based PDF format to OCR (character) format. This particular Google Books scan can not be cut and pasted or downloaded.
http://books.google.com/books?id=cyQFBOUHkaoC&dq=A+Christian+Directory+inpublisher:lettermen+inpublisher:associates&lr=&as_brr=0&ie=ISO-8859-1
One of the older, multi-volume editions of THE WORKS OF RICHARD BAXTER is available at Monergism.com in the "Puritan Library," "Richard Baxter." A CHRISTIAN DIRECTORY, volume 23. It can be downloaded.
http://www.puritanlibrary.com/
Another older edition is available on microfilm (Ann Arbor, MI: University Microfilms, 1970), 1 microfilm reel, 35 mm (Early English books, 1641-1700; 343:11).
The following three excerpts are included as bonus free books on Reformation Bookshelf CD #28, ISBN: 0921148267 9780921148265.
1. "The Duties of Parents for Their Children" from Baxter's Practical Works, Vol. 1, A Christian Directory, on Christian Economics, Chap. X., pp. 449-454.
2. "The Special Duties of Children Towards Their Parents" from Baxter's Practical Works, Vol. 1, A Christian Directory, on Christian Economics, Chap. XI., pp. 454-457.
3. "The Special Duties of Children and Youth Towards God" from Baxter's Practical Works, Vol. 1, A Christian Directory, on Christian Economics, Chap. XII., pp. 457-458).
The Richard Baxter Page
http://members.aol.com/augusteen/Baxter.html

*Baxter, Richard, The Reformed Pastor: Baxter's Practical Works, Vol. 4 (Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 2000, 1992). 30937
"This is the fourth and final volume in this great set. Includes, [`Compassionate Counsel to all Young Men,'] `The Reformed Pastor' `Poor Man's Family Book,' `The Catechizing of Families,' and `The Mother's Catechism,' in all 25 sermons, treatises, and catechisms. Dr. J.I. Packer says, `For me, the great joy of this year is that it see the completion of Soli Deo Gloria's reprint of Baxter's incomparable PRACTICAL WORKS'." -- GCB
The Reformed Pastor, Richard Baxter
http://www.e4.net
The Richard Baxter Page
http://members.aol.com/augusteen/Baxter.html
Compassionate Counsel to all Young Men (1681), by Richard Baxter
http://www.lettermen2.com/ccaym.html

*Dabney, Robert L., Systematic Theology (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1985).
"Regarded as the finest theologian of his day. . . . Dabney possessed the ability to integrate the teaching of the Bible on theology with his Reformed beliefs, a clear application of truth to civil government, plus a clarion call for Christian involvement in all walks of life." -- Cyril J. Barber
Systematic Theology, Robert L. Dabney
http://www.e4.net
An R.L. Dabney Anthology
http://www.gty.org/~phil/dabney.htm

*Gill, John, Complete Body of Doctrinal and Practical Divinity: A System of Evangelical Truths Deducted From the Sacred Scriptures, 2 volumes (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1978, 1839). 20425
"Reproduced from the 1839 edition, this beautifully bound set makes available Gill's vast learning, deep piety, and perceptive application of the Old Testament to theology. Verbose, but what Gill has to say makes rewarding reading." -- Cyril J. Barber. A Christian classic.

*Hodge, Charles, Systematic Theology, 3 volumes (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House). 10890
Charles Hodge and his son A.A. Hodge are considered to be two of the finest theologians produced by America. "This work considers every area of theology, including 205 pages on the Ten Commandments." The major sections are: Introduction, Theology, Anthropology, Soteriology, and Eschatology.

Murray, John, Collected Writings, 4 volumes (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust). 30922
"Reformed thinking at its best. Murray was a pastor, preacher, teacher, and writer. This book covers a wide range of subjects . . . short chapters, and profound statements in easy language." -- GCB. The volumes are also available individually.
Volume 2: Select Lectures in Systematic Theology (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust). 30924

*Perkins, William, William Perkins, 1558-1602, English Puritanist; His Pioneer Works on Casuistry: "A Discourse of Conscience" and "The Whole Treatise of Cases of Conscience" (Nieuwkoop, B. De Graaf, 1966). [31233]
Edited with an introduction by Thomas F. Merrill. Includes bibliography.

Rushdoony, Rousas J., Institutes of Biblical Law, 3 volumes (Vallecito, CA: Ross House Books)
Volume 1, INSTITUTES OF BIBLICAL LAW
"A monumental volume . . . Deeply explores the meaning and application of the Ten Commandments for today in civil government, social ethics, and personal conduct." -- GCB
"Many consider this to be the author's most important work. With indices. -- Publisher's Annotation
Volume 2, LAW AND SOCIETY
"The relationship of Biblical Law to communion and community, the sociology of the Sabbath, the family and inheritance, and much more are covered in the second volume. Contains an appendix by Herbert Titus. With indices." -- Publisher's Annotation
Volume 3, THE INTENT OF THE LAW
" 'God's law is much more than a legal code; it is a covenantal law. It establishes a personal relationship between God and man.' The first section summarizes the case laws. The author tenderly illustrates how the law is for our good, and makes clear the difference between the sacrificial laws and those that apply today. The second section vividly shows the practical implications of the law. The examples catch the reader's attention; the author clearly has had much experience discussing God's law. The third section shows that would-be challengers to God's law produce only poison and death. Only God's law can claim to express God's 'covenant grace in helping us'. With indices." -- Publisher's Annotation
Theft: Commentary and Cases of Conscience. A Listing Excerpted From THE INSTITUTES OF BIBLICAL LAW by Rousas John Rushdoony, 1973 edition
http://www.lettermen2.com/theft.html

Rushdoony, Rousas John, Systematic Theology, 2 volumes (Vallecito, CA: Ross House Books)
"Theology belongs in the pulpit, the school, the workplace, the family, and everywhere. Society as a whole is weakened when theology is neglected. Without a systematic application of theology, too often people approach the Bible with a smorgasbord mentality, picking and choosing that which pleases them. Then, in the name of Christianity, we have interpretations of the meaning of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit which are alien to Scripture." -- Publisher's Annotation

*Westminster Assembly (1643-1652), The Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) (Glasgow, Scotland [Free Presbyterian Publications, 133 Woodlands Road, Glasgow G3 6LE]: Free Presbyterian Publication, 1994). ISBN 0902506080 (casebound) and ISBN 0902506358 (paperback), Still Waters Revival Books, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Also available from Crown and Covenant Publications:
http://www.crownandcovenant.com/product_p/ds115.htm
" 'The product of Puritan conflict,' stated Shedd, reaching 'a perfection of statement never elsewhere achieved.' All that learning the most profound and extensive, intellect the most acute and searching, and piety the most sincere and earnest, could accomplish, was thus concentrated in the Westminster Assembly's Confession of Faith, which may be safely termed the most perfect statement of Systematic Theology ever framed by the Christian Church,' writes Hetherington (The History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines), p. 345. Concerning the Shorter Catechism, which is one of the items also included in this book, Mitchell notes: 'it is a thoroughly Calvinistic and Puritan catechism, the ripest fruit of the Assembly's thought and experience, maturing and finally fixing the definitions of theological terms to which Puritanism for half a century had been leading up and gradually coming closer and closer to in its legion of catechisms' (Westminster Assembly: Its History and Standards, p. 431). The Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) is the greatest of all the creeds of the Christian church. The church of Christ cannot be creedless and live. Especially in an age of doubt and confusion, it is her duty to define and proclaim the one true faith. Nowhere has the Reformed church done this so effectively as in the Westminster Confession (1646) and family of documents. This book represents Reformed thinking at its purest and best. It was intended, as part of the Covenanted Reformation taking place during its compilation, to be adopted as the binding confessional standard for every individual, family, court, church, and legislature in the British Isles." -- SWRB
This is considered to be the definitive publication of the Westminster family of documents. It includes the following:

1. To the Christian Reader, Especially Heads of Families, Mr. Thomas Manton's Epistle to the Reader,
2. The Confession of Faith (1646), the full and original edition with Scripture proofs written out,
3. The Larger Catechism with Scripture proofs written out,
4. The Shorter Catechism with Scripture proofs written out,
5. The Sum of Saving Knowledge,
6. The National Covenant,
7. The Solemn League and Covenant,
8. A Solemn Acknowledgement of Publick Sins and Breaches of the Covenant; and a Solemn Engagement to all the Duties Contained Therein
   CD #1, Reformation Bookshelf 30 CD Set
   http://www.swrb.com/Puritan/reformation-bookshelf-CDs.htm
9. The Directory for the Public Worship of God,
10. The Form of Presbyterial Church Government, and
11. The Directory for Family Worship.

See also: Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, Casuistry and Conscience, Calvinism, Covenant Theology and Covenanting

Related WebLinks

Westminster Shorter Catechism With Proof Texts
http://www.reformed.org/documents/WSC_frames.html

Westminster Larger Catechism With Proof Texts
http://www.reformed.org/documents/wlc_w_proofs/WLC_frames.html

The Comprehensive John Calvin Collection (CD-ROM)
http://www.ageslibrary.com

Bibliography for a course of readings in Reformed Systematic Theology, by Sherman Isbell
http://members.aol.com/RSICHURCH/course.html

Ephesians Four Group, The E4's Bible Study Library, Volume 1 and 2 is a Biblical Studies collection including 25 Christian Classics on CD-ROM in Logos Library Format, (Escondido, CA [Ephesians Four Group, P.O. Box 15505, Escondido, 92033]: The Ephesians Four Group).
The E4's Bible Study Library, Volume 1 and 2 is a Biblical Studies collection including 25 Christian Classics on CD-ROM in Logos Library Format. Specially indexed by theologians. Works include: McCheynne, SERMONS AND LETTERS, Ryle, HOLINESS, Dabney, SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY, Hodge, OUTLINE OF THEOLOGY, a Brakel, THE CHRISTIAN'S REASONABLE SERVICE, VOLUME 1 AND 2, Vincent, A FAMILY INSTRUCTIONAL GUIDE, THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION AND CATECHISMS -- HARMONIZED BY TOPIC, Hodge, COMMENTARY ON WESTMINSTER CONFESSION, Spurgeon, A COLLECTION OF SERMONS, Haldane, COMMENTARY ON ROMANS, AND Smeaton, PAUL'S DOCTRINE ON THE ATONEMENT, Owen, THE GLORY OF THE TRINITY. Recommended.
E-4 Group
http://www.e4.net

THEOLOGY

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Each CD contain from 10,000 to 20,000 pages. There are about 2,000 titles in this library collection, about 3,000 counting articles and tracts.

Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set
The Puritan Bookshelf was discontinued as of December 7, 2004. However, the CDs may be found in libraries, and in the used book trade. The set is a useful research index. Apparently some of the titles in the Puritan Bookself Set appear in other bookshelf sets published by Still Waters Revival Books.
The "Comprehensive Index Containing all the Books Found in the Entire 32 CD Puritan Bookshelf Set" and "Comprehensive Index Containing all the Audio MP3S Found in the Entire 32 CD Puritan Bookshelf Set" are found on Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #32.
"The books are all listed alphabetically according to author, but are fully searchable to enable the reader to look up a title when the author is unknown. The CD number which contains each book is listed next to the author and title of the book, for ease in locating the select work."

Various authors, Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #1 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: Church of Scotland, Covenanting, Civil Government, Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #2 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: Against Arminianism and Popery, Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #3 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).
Henry Ainsworth, Theodore Beza, Theoph. Brabourne, Anthony Burgess, John Cameron, George Downame, Thomas Gataker, Peter Heylen, Joshua Hoyle, Peter Moulin, Matthew Poole, Samuel Peck, John Piscator, John Rainolds, Andrew Willet, William Whitaker, Daniel Whitby, Thomas Whitfield, Huldrick Zwingli, Greg Price, Greg Barrown, Reg Barrow, Michael Wagner, and many more. . .

Various authors, Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #4 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors, Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #5 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors, Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #6 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors, Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #7 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors, Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #8 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: William Ames, Robert Bolton, Robert Harris, Pietro Martire Vermigli, William Perkins, Greg Barrow, Reg Barrow, Greg L Price, Michael Wagner, James Douglas, Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #9 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors, Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #10 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: Bible annotations, Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #11 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: Bible Annotations, Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #12 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: Catechisms and Church Government, Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #13 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: History, Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #14 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: History, Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #15 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: Sacraments and Prayer, Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #16 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: Sermons, Sabbath, Worship, and God's Promises, Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #17 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: On independency, toleration, and hermeneutics, Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #18 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: Family issues and overcoming temptation, Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #19 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: Bible commentaries (Genesis-Leviticus), Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #20 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: Bible commentaries (Numbers -- Nehemiah), Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #21 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: Bible commentaries (Esther -- Job) Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #22 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: Bible commentaries (Psalms), Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #23 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: Bible commentaries (Proverbs -- Song of Solomon), Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #24 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: Bible commentaries (Isaiah -- Hosea), Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #25 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: Bible commentaries (Joel -- Malachi), Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #26 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: Bible commentaries (Acts -- Corinthians) Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #27 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: Bible commentaries (Corinthians -- Colossians), Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #28 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: Bible commentaries (Thessalonians -- Philemon), Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #29 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: Bible commentaries (Hebrews), Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #30 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: Bible commentaries (James -- Jude), Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #31 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

Various authors: Bible commentaries (Revelation), Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #32 (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 2001).

*Beeke, Joel R., A Reader's Guide to Reformed Theology: An Annotated Bibliography of Reformed Theology

*Beeke, Joel R., Justification by Faith: A Bibliography (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, Inc.).
Nearly 400 works on justification are arranged alphabetically by author. Includes the works of Augustine, Calvin, Zanchius, Owen, Manton, Boston, Watson, Edwards, and many others.

*Boettner, Loraine, Studies in Theology (Philadelphia, PA: The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1947). A Christian classic.

*Bridges, Charles, The Christian Ministry, With an Inquiry Into the Causes of its Inefficiency (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust). ISBN-10: 1428610979. A Christian classic.
"Bridges was a minister in England into the nineteenth century. . . . This book has been considered a classic book for ministers almost since it was written in 1829. . . ." -- Jay P. Green, Sr.

*Calvin, John, Calvin's Commentaries, 22 volumes (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House). A Christian classic.
"I know of no man since the Apostles' days whom I value and honor more than Calvin, and whose judgment in all things, one with another, I more esteem and come nearer to." -- Richard Baxter
"Of all commentators I believe Calvin to be the most candid. . . . He was no trimmer and pruner of texts. He gave their meaning as far as he knew it." -- C.H. Spurgeon
"A large volume could not contain all that has been written in praise of Calvin's commentaries, by men of all theological persuasions. Anyone who neglects consulting Calvin is going to be the poorer for their neglect." -- Jay P. Green, Sr.
It is recommended that CALVIN'S COMMENTARIES be used for daily devotions.
Calvin's Commentaries (22 Volumes) in Logos Library System format (LLS)
http://www.logos.com/products/details/887
The Comprehensive John Calvin Collection CD-ROM
http://www.ageslibrary.com
The Comprehensive John Calvin Collection CD-ROM in Logos Library System (LLS) format
http://www.logosbiblesoftware.com/logosbiblesoftware/calcom.html
Calvin's Commentaries (those in e-text to date)
http://www.ccel.org/calvin/commentaries/commentaries.html

*Calvin, John, The Institutes of the Christian Religion, 2 volumes (Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press, 1960). A Christian classic.
"Edited by John McNeill and translated by Ford Lewis Battles, this is the definitive English language edition of one of the monumental works of the Christian church -- Calvin's INSTITUTES.
"Still considered by many to be the finest explanation and defense of the Protestant Reformation available.
"The work is divided into four books: I. The Knowledge of God the Creator, II. The Knowledge of God the Redeemer in Christ, III. The Mode of Obtaining the Grace of Christ, IV. The External Means or Helps by Which God Allures Us Into Fellowship With Christ and Keeps Us in It. . . . THE INSTITUTES is praised by the secular philosopher, Will Durant, as one of the ten books that shook the world." -- GCB
Calvin spent a lifetime writing and perfecting INSTITUTES OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION. His Prefatory Address makes it clear that he intended the work to be a defense of Christianity to the King of France.
Therefore, plainly stated, one of the most influential works ever published in the English language is a defense of Christianity to leaders of State.
Prefatory Address to His Most Christian Majesty, The Most Mighty and Illustrious Monarch, Francis, King of the French, His Sovereign, John Calvin
"Indeed, this consideration makes a true king: to recognize himself a minister of God in governing his kingdom. Now, that king, who in ruling over his realm does not serve God's glory, exercises not kingly rule but brigandage. [Footnote: 'Nec iam regnum ille sed latrocinium exercet.' An echo of Augustine's famous phrase: 'When justice is taken away, what are kingdoms [[regna]] but a vast banditry [[magna latocinia]]?' City of God IV. iv (MPL [[Migne, J.P., Patrologiae cursus completus, series Latina]] 41. 115; tr. NPNF [[A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, second series]] II. 66).] Furthermore, he is deceived who looks for enduring prosperity in his kingdom when it is not ruled by God's scepter, that is, his Holy Word; for the heavenly oracle that proclaims that 'where prophecy fails the people are scattered' [Prov. 29:18] cannot lie." (Battles translation)
"The characteristic of a true sovereign is, to acknowledge that, in the administration of his kingdom, he is a minister of God. He who does not make his reign subservient to the divine glory, acts the part not of a king, but a robber. He, moreover, deceives himself who anticipates long prosperity to any kingdom which is not ruled by the sceptre of God, that is, by his divine word. For the heavenly oracle is infallible which has declared, that where there is no vision the people perish (Prov. 29:18). (Beveridge translation)"
See the entire Prefatory Address, Beveridge translation:
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.ii.viii.html
"The doctrines of covenant liberty were rediscovered in the Reformation. John Calvin went further than anyone else in defining liberty and what Christians need to do to maintain it. Includes bibliographies."
It is recommended that INSTITUTES OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION be used for daily devotions and may be used in combination with Ford Lewis Battles and John Walchenbach, AN ANALYSIS OF THE INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION OF JOHN CALVIN (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House) and with CALVIN'S COMMENTARIES.
Nelson's Ultimate Bible Reference Library, Logos Library System format (LLS) (CD-ROM)
This library systems includes CALVIN'S INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, THE HOLY BIBLE KING JAMES VERSION, THE NEW TREASURY OF SCRIPTURE KNOWLEDGE, AUGUSTINE'S CONFESSIONS, WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH (1646), WESTMINSTER LARGER CATECHISM, WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM, MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTARY, NEW NAVE'S TOPICAL BIBLE, PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, and other classic Bible study aids. THE REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE (Other title: THE NEW GENEVA STUDY BIBLE,) in LLS format, may be added to this library. Therefore, all the above works may be used in combination with each other in Bible study.
http://www.logos.com/products/details/3247
Calvin, Spurgeon and International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) (LLS)
Contains Calvin's Commentaries.
http://www.logos.com/products/details/889
Calvin's Commentaries (22 Volumes) (LLS)
http://www.logos.com/products/details/887
The Comprehensive John Calvin Collection CD-ROM in Logos Library System (LLS) format
http://www.logosbiblesoftware.com/logosbiblesoftware/calcom.html
Calvin's Commentaries (online)
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom
One Hundred Aphorisms, Containing, Within a Narrow Compass, the Substance and Order of the Four Books of THE INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION
http://www.lettermen2.com/pringle.html
The Comprehensive John Calvin Collection
From Ages Software. Includes both the Battles and the Beveridge translation of THE INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, CALVIN'S COMMENTARIES, and other works by Calvin.
http://www.ageslibrary.com/ages_calvin_collection_1.html
Institutes of the Christian Religion (Beveridge translation online)
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.i.html

*Cunningham, William, The Reformers and the Theology of the Reformation (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust). 10884

*Dabney, Robert L., Systematic Theology (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1985).
"Regarded as the finest theologian of his day. . . . Dabney possessed the ability to integrate the teaching of the Bible on theology with his Reformed beliefs, a clear application of truth to civil government, plus a clarion call for Christian involvement in all walks of life." -- Cyril J. Barber
Systematic Theology, Robert L. Dabney
http://www.e4.net
An R.L. Dabney Anthology
http://www.gty.org/~phil/dabney.htm

*Fairbairn, Patrick, The Typology of Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications). 10886
"A systematic treatment of typology . . . the best ever written on this subject." -- Cyril J. Barber

*Fuller, David O., A Treasury of Evangelical Writings: Valiant for the Truth (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1974, c1961). 10887

Hall, David W., The Arrogance of the Modern: Historical Theology Held in Contempt (Covenant Foundation).
Table of Contents
http://capo.org/opeds/AOMTOC.html
"Into the breach comes a very well documented volume by David W. Hall, with the title, `The Arrogance of the Modern: Historical Theology Held in Contempt.' Early on in the book, Hall decries the tendency for researchers and theoreticians to cite only recent writings as backup of their work. He cites the concept that civilization is a democracy extending far back into time; the `votes' of citizens of old, represented by their writings, are just as important as those written just yesterday.
"To cap off his argument, Hall quotes a comment from Lord Acton, in which he said, `Just as the loss of memory in an individual is a psychiatric defect calling for a medical treatment, so too any community which has no social memory is suffering from an illness.' Those who do not learn from history, as you will recall, are doomed to repeat it. And, I might add, history has far more of what the Clarence Pages of this generation despise than the present. But, the Balkanization brought on by Postmodern criticism may well be our `unlearned lesson' that finally does us all in.
"This volume is a closely-argued, well organized thesis. It is not easy reading but, with the complexity of the subject, I think it is as well written a volume as I have seen." -- William L. Brown

*Hodge, Charles, Systematic Theology, 3 volumes (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House). 10890
Charles Hodge and his son A.A. Hodge are considered to be two of the finest theologians produced by America. "This work considers every area of theology, including 205 pages on the Ten Commandments." The major sections are: Introduction, Theology, Anthropology, Soteriology, and Eschatology.

*Kevan, Ernest F., Moral Law (Philadelphia, PA: The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co.). 10892

*Machen, J. Gresham, The Origin of Paul's Religion (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1925). 10893
"Consists of the James Sprunt Lectures, Union Theological Seminary, Virginia. Surveys the early years of Paul's life, his Jewish environment, religious training, and development of his doctrine. A valuable treatment. Amillennial." -- Cyril J. Barber

*Owen, John, Biblical Theologyy or: The Nature, Origin, Development, and Study of Theological Truth, in 6 books (Soli Deo Gloria Pubns). A Christian classic.
"Owen wrote 24 volumes, and only 23 have been available in reprint. BIBLICAL THEOLOGY, has been in Latin, and this is the first-ever English edition of this important work. It was translated into English by Dr. Stephen Westcott. It contains six sections, tracing theology from Adam to the present. Appendixed is Owen's Defense of Scripture against Fanaticism, which has much to say in the current discussions with Charismatics. J.I. Packer says, "All the qualities we expect of Owen-the focus on God, the passion for Christ, the honoring of the Holy Spirit, the shattering depth of insight into human sinfulness and perversity, the concern for holiness, the radical view of regeneration, the vision of the church as a spiritual fellowship that worships, the distrust of philosophical schemes and styles for dealing with divine things, the celebration of God's wisdom in giving the Scriptures in the form in which we have them-all are seen here." -- Publisher's Annotation "The present treatise is vintage Owen, searching and spiritual, devotional and doxological, the product of a masterful mind and a humble heart." -- J.I. Packer from the Foreword
"Biblical Theology is that which starts with Genesis and builds teachings based *only* on what the particular writers have to say about a topic, building the theme together as one progresses through Scripture. "Systematic Theology" is that which takes a topic (i.e., the atonement) and finds all applicable texts from all over Scripture to form a concise teaching of that doctrine." -- Reader Comment

*Payne, John Barton, The Theology of the Older Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1962). 10894
"An impressive work in the field of Biblical theology. Written from a thoroughly Reformed point of view." -- Cyril J. Barber

*Strong, James, The Tabernacle of Israel: Its Structure and Symbolism (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications). 10896

*Warfield, B.B., Biblical and Theological Studies (Philadelphia, PA: The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co.). 10897

Sproul, R.C. (editor), Soli Deo Gloria: Essays in Reformed Theology; Festschrift for John H. Gerstner (Nutley, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1976). 10905
"Contains fifteen essays by contemporary Reformed theologians covering the areas of Gerstner's specialties. A fitting tribute." -- Cyril J. Barber

See also: Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, Works by and about puritans, Covenant theology and the ordinance of covenanting

Related WebLinks

The Best Books in This Bibliography
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr1cha.html

Books Considered To Be Among the Ten Greatest in the English Language
http://www.lettermen2.com/tengreat.html

Reformation Translation Fellowship (Chinese translations of Reformed Works)
"During the past forty years writings by John Calvin, J.I. Packer, Loraine Boettner, Herman Bavnick, J.G. Vos, Charles Spurgeon, E.J. Young, A.W. Pink, Louis Berkhof, J. Gresham Machen, B.B. Warfield, John R.W. Stott, R.B. Kuiper, O.T. Allis, D.M. Lloyd-Jones, Charles Hodge, John Bunyan, and many others have been translated into Chinese. Books published recently by the RTF are CALLED TO THE MINISTRY by Edmond Clowney, THE HOLY SPIRIT by John Owen (the abridgement by R. J. K. Law), and EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE by Richard Pratt."
http://members.aol.com/Bill4RTF/rtf/index.html

Chapter 5: "Reference Works"
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr5ch.html

Ehud of Gera (Reformed online resources)
http://www.angelfire.com/oh/ehudofgera/Index2.html

Bibliography for a course of readings in Reformed Systematic Theology, by Sherman Isbell
http://members.aol.com/RSICHURCH/course.html

Ephesians Four Group, The E4's Bible Study Library, Volume 1 and 2 is a Biblical Studies collection including 25 Christian Classics on CD-ROM in Logos Library Format, (Escondido, CA [Ephesians Four Group, P.O. Box 15505, Escondido, 92033]: The Ephesians Four Group).
The E4's Bible Study Library, Volume 1 and 2 is a Biblical Studies collection including 25 Christian Classics on CD-ROM in Logos Library Format. Specially indexed by theologians. Works include: McCheynne, SERMONS AND LETTERS, Ryle, HOLINESS, Dabney, SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY, Hodge, OUTLINE OF THEOLOGY, a Brakel, THE CHRISTIAN'S REASONABLE SERVICE, VOLUME 1 AND 2, Vincent, A FAMILY INSTRUCTIONAL GUIDE, THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION [1646] AND CATECHISMS -- HARMONIZED BY TOPIC, Hodge, COMMENTARY ON WESTMINSTER CONFESSION, Spurgeon, A COLLECTION OF SERMONS, Haldane, COMMENTARY ON ROMANS, AND Smeaton, PAUL'S DOCTRINE ON THE ATONEMENT, Owen, THE GLORY OF THE TRINITY. Recommended.
E-4 Group
http://www.e4.net

Calvinism

---

Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah. (Psalm 3:8)

"And may I remind you, and I would remind you of this for all times throughout your lives, that in the Western church there are only three basic theologies. There is Thomism (which held sway in the Roman church officially from the Council of Trent to Vatican II) . . . Lutheranism . . . and, thirdly, Calvinism. These are the three theologies which have dominated Western thought. . . .
I would remind you that all other theological systems are, to a lesser or greater extent, negation either of Thomism within the Roman Catholic system, or they are a negation of Lutheranism, or they are, to a lesser or greater extent, a negation of Calvinism. . . .
"When enemies of Christiantity unlease their attacks on Christianity, if they attack the Roman Catholic system, they always direct their heaviest guns against Thomas Aquinas. This is not an idle gesture. For if they can topple Thomas Aquinas, then the rest of the Roman Catholic structure will fall, because it depends upon Saint Thomas Aquinas. He was a great thinker, no question about it, and had a systematic approach to his position. So if they can destroy him, they can destory the rest of it.
"But within Protestantism, I would remind you, that the heaviest attacks against the Church always come against Calvinism. Now there is a reason for that, the same reason, in general, which I mentioned in regard to Thomas Aquinas. If the enemies of faith can destroy Calvinism, then those theologies which are, to a greater or lesser extent, negations of Calvinism, will fall under their own weight. Which is to say, that in Calvinism all these other theologies find their resting place, even though they may deny major aspects of the Calvinistic position, they still are supported by it, even though they will not admit it. . . . When they attack Calvinism they are attacking the citadel of the whole Protestant position, even as when they are attacking the Roman Catholic position, they are aiming their heaviest artillery at the fortress known as Thomistic Theology." -- C. Gregg Singer in his address Calvinism and the Reformation

In the first place, Calvinism is something much broader than the "five points" indicate. Calvinism is a whole world-view, stemming from a clear vision of God as the whole world's Maker and King. Calvinism is the consistent endeavour to acknowledge the Creator as the Lord, working all things after the counsel of his will. Calvinism is a theocentric way of thinking about all life under the direction and control of God's own word. Calvinism, in other words, is the theology of the Bible viewed from the perspective of the Bible -- the God-centred outlook which sees the Creator as the source, and means, and end, of everything that is, both in nature and in grace. Calvinism is thus theism (belief in God as the ground of all things), religion (dependence on God as the giver of all things), and evangelicalism (trust in God through Christ for all things), all in their purest and most highly developed form. And Calvinism is a unified philosophy of history which sees the whole diversity of processes and events that take place in God's world as no more, and no less, than the outworking of his great preordained plan for his creatures and his church. The five points assert no more than that God is sovereign in saving the individual, but Calvinism, as such, is concerned with the much broader assertion that he is sovereign everywhere. -- J.I. Packer

Calvin's Commentaries: Micah 2:11
"In short, Micah intimates that the Israelites rejected all sound doctrine, for they sought nothing but flatteries, and wished to be cherished in their vices; yea, they desired to be deceived by false adulation to their own ruin. It hence appears that they were not the people they wished to be deemed, that is, the people of God: for the first condition in God's covenant was, -- that he should rule among his people. Inasmuch then as these men would not endure to be governed by Divine power, and wished to have full and unbridled liberty, it was the same as though they had banished God far from them. Hence, by this proof, the Prophet shows that they had wholly departed from God, and had no intercourse with him. If there be then any man walking in the spirit, let him, he says, keep far from the truth; for he will not otherwise be borne by this people. -- How so? Because they will not have honest and faithful teachers. What is then to be done? Let flatterers come, and promise them plenty of wine and strong drink, and they will be their best teachers, and be received with great applause: in short, the suitable teachers of that people were the ungodly; the people could no longer bear the true Prophets; their desire was to have flatterers who were indulgent to all their corruptions.
Prayer.
"Grant, Almighty God, that since we cannot otherwise really profit by thy word, than by having all our thoughts and affections subjected to thee, and offered to thee as a sacrifice, -- O grant, that we may suffer thee, by the sound of thy word, so to pierce through everything within us, that being dead in ourselves, we may live to thee, and never suffer flatteries to become our ruin but that we may, on the contrary, patiently endure reproofs, however bitter they may be, only let them serve to us as medicine, by which our inward vices may be cleansed, until at length being thoroughly cleansed and formed into new creatures, we may, by a pious and holy life, really glorify thy name, and be received into that celestial glory, which has been purchased for us by the blood of thy only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen." -- John Calvin commenting on Micah 2:11
http://www.ccel.org/c/calvin/comment3/comm_vol28/htm/iv.2.xi.htm

See the Theological Notes, "Original Sin and Total Depravity," at Psalms 51:5, page 809, in The Reformation Study Bible

See the Theological Notes, "Election and Reprobation," at Romans 9:18, page 1784, in The Reformation Study Bible

See the Theological Notes, "Definite Redemption," at John 10:15, page 1682, in The Reformation Study Bible

See the Theological Notes, "Effectual Calling and Conversion," at 2 Thessalonians 2:14, page 1904, in The Reformation Study Bible

See the Theological Notes, "Perseverance of the Saints," at Romans 8:30, page 1781, in The Reformation Study Bible

I do not understand all the controvery over Calvin. Christ was the first Calvinist. -- Donald Ewing

Adams, Jay E., Counseling and the Five Points of Calvinism [30020]

*Battles, Ford Lewis, and John Walchenbach, An Analysis of THE INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION of John Calvin (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House). 10915
"Detailed, concise, and insightful. A doctrinal summary all by itself. Over 400 pages! This brilliant analysis is highly recommended to those seeking to understand the theology of Calvin as represented in the INSTITUTES." -- GCB

*Boettner, Loraine, The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination (Philadelphia, PA: The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co.). 10906
"This one book has convinced more Christians that Calvinism or the Reformed faith is the Biblical view than any other in print." -- GCB
"This book is a clear and convincing presentation of the great distinctive doctrines of the Reformed Faith." -- J. Gresham Machen

*Cadier, Jean, The Man God Mastered [100005]

*Calvin, John, Calvin's Commentaries, 22 volumes (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House). A Christian classic.
"I know of no man since the Apostles' days whom I value and honor more than Calvin, and whose judgment in all things, one with another, I more esteem and come nearer to." -- Richard Baxter
"Of all commentators I believe Calvin to be the most candid. . . . He was no trimmer and pruner of texts. He gave their meaning as far as he knew it." -- C.H. Spurgeon
"A large volume could not contain all that has been written in praise of Calvin's commentaries, by men of all theological persuasions. Anyone who neglects consulting Calvin is going to be the poorer for their neglect." -- Jay P. Green, Sr.
It is recommended that CALVIN'S COMMENTARIES be used for daily devotions.
Calvin's Commentaries (22 Volumes) in Logos Library System format (LLS)
http://www.logos.com/products/details/887
The Comprehensive John Calvin Collection CD-ROM
http://www.ageslibrary.com
The Comprehensive John Calvin Collection CD-ROM in Logos Library System (LLS) format
http://www.logosbiblesoftware.com/logosbiblesoftware/calcom.html
Calvin's Commentaries (those in e-text to date)
http://www.ccel.org/calvin/commentaries/commentaries.html

*Calvin, John, Calvin's Calvinism (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications). 10917
Translated by Henry Cole. "Two major treatises by Calvin in which he clearly defends the sovereignty of God in predestination and providence. Some say that modern-day Calvinists believe more than Calvin ever said. This book shows that view to be far from the truth." -- GCB

*CALVIN, JOHN, Calvin's Ecclesiastical Advice (Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1991). 10918
"Forty-six (46) letters and writings of Calvin newly translated into English from Corpus Reformatorum (volume 38, part I). Focusing on doctrine, the Reformation, worship, discipline, judicial questions, and marriage, this books clearly exhibits Calvin's pastoral style. It also shows the great influence which Calvin exerted over second Reformation thought, because of his focus on doctrine, worship and church government." -- SWRB

Calvin, John, Calvin's Wisdom: An Anthology Arranged Alphabetically (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust). 10916
Graham Miller, editor. "This anthology (arranged alphabetically by topic) also becomes a dictionary of his thought and almost an encyclopedia of his theology." -- GCB

*Calvin, John, Commentaries of Jeremiah and Lamentations [30648]

*Calvin, John, Commentary on the Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews [30541]

*Calvin, John, Commentaries of the Minor Prophets [30660]

*Carson, Donald A., Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: Biblical Perspectives in Tension [10192A]

*Calvin, John, Commentary on Jeremiah [30647]

Calvin, John, Concerning Scandals (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1978). 10919

*Calvin, John, Daniel [30653]

*Calvin, John, Genesis and Daniel [30552]

*Calvin, John, Sermons on Deuteronomy (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust). A Christian classic.
"This quality facsimile is of the 1583 edition. The Elizabethan text has small print but the 200 sermons provides us with the greatest and best volume of Calvin's sermons on the Old Testament. A Scripture index is included. Many today think that unless a commentary is new it has little value. Calvin is one of the best arguments against that view." -- GCB
"Everything that Calvin wrote by way of exposition is priceless, even those who differ from him in theology admit this." -- C.H. Spurgeon
Sermons on Deuteronomy by John Calvin
http://www.reformed.com/pub/jc_sab_1.htm
Covenant Enforced: Sermons on Deuteronomy 27 and 28, John Calvin
http://entrewave.com/freebooks/docs/2212_47e.htm

*Calvin, John, Sermons on Ephesians (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust), EEBO. A Christian classic.
"The sermons are priceless." -- C.H. Spurgeon
"These also were translated by A. Golding, one who shared completely the spirit and fervor of John Calvin. He loses noting in the translation. These have been very rare, selling for as high as $500.00 when found. You will revel in the closeness they will bring to you as you contemplate Jesus Christ, the One who has made you alive, and has set you in the heavenlies with Him." -- Jay P. Green, Sr.

*Calvin, John, The Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House). 10908

*Calvin, John, The Institutes of the Christian Religion, 2 volumes (Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press, 1960). A Christian classic.
"Edited by John McNeill and translated by Ford Lewis Battles, this is the definitive English language edition of one of the monumental works of the Christian church -- Calvin's INSTITUTES.
"Still considered by many to be the finest explanation and defense of the Protestant Reformation available.
"The work is divided into four books: I. The Knowledge of God the Creator, II. The Knowledge of God the Redeemer in Christ, III. The Mode of Obtaining the Grace of Christ, IV. The External Means or Helps by Which God Allures Us Into Fellowship With Christ and Keeps Us in It. . . . THE INSTITUTES is praised by the secular philosopher, Will Durant, as one of the ten books that shook the world." -- GCB
Calvin spent a lifetime writing and perfecting INSTITUTES OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION. His Prefatory Address makes it clear that he intended the work to be a defense of Christianity to the King of France.
Therefore, plainly stated, one of the most influential works ever published in the English language is a defense of Christianity to leaders of State.
Prefatory Address to His Most Christian Majesty, The Most Mighty and Illustrious Monarch, Francis, King of the French, His Sovereign, John Calvin
"Indeed, this consideration makes a true king: to recognize himself a minister of God in governing his kingdom. Now, that king, who in ruling over his realm does not serve God's glory, exercises not kingly rule but brigandage. [Footnote: 'Nec iam regnum ille sed latrocinium exercet.' An echo of Augustine's famous phrase: 'When justice is taken away, what are kingdoms [[regna]] but a vast banditry [[magna latocinia]]?' City of God IV. iv (MPL [[Migne, J.P., Patrologiae cursus completus, series Latina]] 41. 115; tr. NPNF [[A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, second series]] II. 66).] Furthermore, he is deceived who looks for enduring prosperity in his kingdom when it is not ruled by God's scepter, that is, his Holy Word; for the heavenly oracle that proclaims that 'where prophecy fails the people are scattered' [Prov. 29:18] cannot lie." (Battles translation)
"The characteristic of a true sovereign is, to acknowledge that, in the administration of his kingdom, he is a minister of God. He who does not make his reign subservient to the divine glory, acts the part not of a king, but a robber. He, moreover, deceives himself who anticipates long prosperity to any kingdom which is not ruled by the sceptre of God, that is, by his divine word. For the heavenly oracle is infallible which has declared, that where there is no vision the people perish (Prov. 29:18). (Beveridge translation)"
See the entire Prefatory Address, Beveridge translation:
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.ii.viii.html
"The doctrines of covenant liberty were rediscovered in the Reformation. John Calvin went further than anyone else in defining liberty and what Christians need to do to maintain it. Includes bibliographies."
It is recommended that INSTITUTES OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION be used for daily devotions and may be used in combination with Ford Lewis Battles and John Walchenbach, AN ANALYSIS OF THE INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION OF JOHN CALVIN (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House) and with CALVIN'S COMMENTARIES.
Nelson's Ultimate Bible Reference Library, Logos Library System format (LLS) (CD-ROM)
This library systems includes CALVIN'S INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, THE HOLY BIBLE KING JAMES VERSION, THE NEW TREASURY OF SCRIPTURE KNOWLEDGE, AUGUSTINE'S CONFESSIONS, WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH (1646), WESTMINSTER LARGER CATECHISM, WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM, MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTARY, NEW NAVE'S TOPICAL BIBLE, PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, and other classic Bible study aids. THE REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE (Other title: THE NEW GENEVA STUDY BIBLE,) in LLS format, may be added to this library. Therefore, all the above works may be used in combination with each other in Bible study.
http://www.logos.com/products/details/3247
Calvin, Spurgeon and International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) (LLS)
Contains Calvin's Commentaries.
http://www.logos.com/products/details/889
Calvin's Commentaries (22 Volumes) (LLS)
http://www.logos.com/products/details/887
The Comprehensive John Calvin Collection CD-ROM in Logos Library System (LLS) format
http://www.logosbiblesoftware.com/logosbiblesoftware/calcom.html
Calvin's Commentaries (online)
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom
One Hundred Aphorisms, Containing, Within a Narrow Compass, the Substance and Order of the Four Books of THE INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION
http://www.lettermen2.com/pringle.html
The Comprehensive John Calvin Collection
From Ages Software. Includes both the Battles and the Beveridge translation of THE INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, CALVIN'S COMMENTARIES, and other works by Calvin.
http://www.ageslibrary.com/ages_calvin_collection_1.html
Institutes of the Christian Religion (Beveridge translation online)
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.i.html

*Calvin, John, Calvin's Selected Works, 7 Volumes (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 1998, 1672). A Christian classic.
"These remarkable volumes contain Calvin's tracts and letters. They clearly exhibit why Calvin was one of the great saints (who defended the regulative principle of worship) and why his work was singularly blessed of God. Understanding these works will shed much light on our current situation; for many in the professed Christian community live in as great (or greater) darkness today than those who were contemporaries of Calvin. This set contains such classics as `The Necessity of Reforming the Church,' `The Catechism of the Church of Geneva,' `An Antidote Against Trent,' `The Sinfulness of Outward Conformity to Romish Rites' and much more. Calvin's only letter to Luther, his letters to Knox, Bullinger, Beza and a host of other Reformers, along with Beza's 100 page Life of Calvin are also all included. Indexed, 3507 pages." -- SWRB
The Necessity of Reforming the Church (1543), by John Calvin
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/NRC_ch00.htm

Crampton, Gary, and Kenneth Talbot, Calvinism, Hyper-Calvinism and Arminianism (Edmonton, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books). 10922
"The authors state, `This monograph has been written to clarify in laymen's term, the major differences within the Christian church today: Calvinism, Hyper-Calvinism, and Arminianism. Historically, the church has been predominantly Calvinistic. It is the theological system supported in this book and only one which can be shown to be faithful to the plain teaching of Scripture. Both authors teach at Whitefield Theological Seminary." -- GCB

Coppes, Leonard J., Are Five Points Enough? The Ten Points of Calvinism (Manassas, VA: Reformation Educational Foundation, 1980). 10921
"Dr. Coppes not only clearly explains the usual `Five Points,' but also presents five additional points that are actually a vital part of Biblical Calvinism. The chapter on the Lord's Supper is perhaps the best, but none of the others is far behind!" -- GCB

*Davies, Alfred M., Foundation of American Freedom [90102]

Dewitt, John R., What Is the Reformed Faith? (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust). 10924
"A professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Seminary in Jackson provides a short, insightful look into the major truths of the Reformed Faith." -- GCB

Synod of Dort, The Canon Ratified in the National Synod of the Reformed Church Held at Dordrecht (1618-1619), (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"This classic Dutch Reformed standard, proclaiming the five points of Calvinism [the 'T-U-L-I-P' decrees on the five main points of doctrine in dispute in the Netherlands: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverence of the Saints], refuted and condemned the Remonstrance (protest) found in the five Arminian articles of 1610, written by Johanness Uytenbogaert. Includes, for comparison, the five Arminian articles also." -- SWRB
"As far as I am able to judge by the information in all history of that kind, the Christian world, since the day of the Apostles, had never a synod of more excellent divines (take one thing with another) than this Synod [The Westminster Assembly] and the Synod of Dort were." -- Richard Baxter
"Theological liberalism at heart has been a continuing protest against Calvinism, particularly against its insistence on the Sovereignty of God and the Total Depravity of the race. These two Biblical doctrines have often proved to be a stumbling block to theologians within the church as well as to the unbelieving world." -- C. Gregg Singer, Theological Interpretation of American History, p. 290
Helm, Paul, Calvin and the Calvinists (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1982). 10925
"Examines the writings of Calvin and the Puritans and shows that, at the root of their theology, they were one in their beliefs and practices." -- Cyril J. Barber

*Kelly, Douglas F., The Emergence of Liberty in the Modern World: The Influence of Calvin on Five Governments From the 16th Through 18th Centuries (Philadelphia, PA: The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co.). [10910, D1037]
"Examines Calvin's influence on the civil governments of Geneva, Huguenot France, Knox's Scotland, Puritan England, and Colonial America. Shows how Calvin's legacy continues to bear upon the issues that guide and agitate Western nations today." --Publisher's Annotation

*Kuyper, Abraham, Lectures on Calvinism [90208]

Leith, John H., John Calvin's Doctrine of the Christian Life (Louisville, KY: Westminster/ John Knox Press). 10926
"This work provides a thorough analysis of Calvinist doctrine, defining Christian life in relation to four aspect of Calvinist thought: justification by faith, providence and predestination, history and the transhistorical, and church and society. The relationship between God and man is seen as the most central." -- GCB

*McFetridge, N.S., Calvinism in History (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 1989). [10911]
"A splendid book." -- Loraine Boettner
The rich Reformation heritage of truth and freedom is set forth in four chapters: 1. Calvinism as a Political Force, 2. Calvinism as a Political Force in the History of the USA, 3. Calvinism as a Moral Force, 4. Calvinism as an Evangelizing Force." -- Publisher's Annotation
"Arminianism, taking to an aristocratic form of church government, tend toward a monarchy in civil affairs, while Calvinism, taking to a republican form of church government, tends toward a democracy in civil affairs."

*Owen, John, The Death of Christ (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust), ISBN: 9780851510644 0851510647. A Christian classic.
"Greatest Biblical apologetic on the specific and limited nature of the atoning work of Christ in print. Contains discussions on Arminianism, the death of death in the death of Christ, Divine justice, and also discusses, in detail, many views of the atonement that certain men and groups held (and still hold)." -- Publisher's Annotation. A Christian classic.
"THE DEATH OF DEATH IN THE DEATH OF CHRIST is a polemical work, designed to show, among other things, that the doctrine of universal redemption is unscriptural and destructive of the gospel. . . . Those who see no need for doctrinal exactness and have no time for theological debates which show up divisions between so-called Evangelicals may well regret its reappearance. Some may find the very sound of Owen's thesis so shocking that they will refuse to read his book at all. . . . But . . . there are signs today of a new upsurge of interest in the theology of the Bible: a new readiness to test traditions, to search the Scriptures and to think through the faith. It is to those who share this readiness that Owen's treatise is now offered, in the belief that it will help us in one of the most urgent tasks facing evangelical Christendom today - the recovery of the gospel.
"It is safe to say that no comparable exposition of the work of redemption as planned and executed by the Triune Jehovah has ever been done since Owen published his in 1684. None has been needed.
"Owen's interpretation of the texts . . . is sure; his power of theological construction is superb; nothing that needs discussing is omitted, and . . . no arguments for or against his position have been used since his day which he has not himself noted and dealt with. . . . Owen's work is a constructive, broad-based biblical analysis of the heart of the gospel, and must be taken seriously as such. . . Nobody has a right to dismiss the doctrine of the limitedness . . . of the atonement as a monstrosity of Calvinistic logic until he has refuted Owen's proof that it is part of the uniform biblical presentation of redemption, clearly taught in plain text after plain text. And nobody has done that yet." -- J.I. Packer, from the Introduction
"Packer's well balanced definition of Calvinism in the introduction to that volume [John Owen's THE DEATH OF DEATH IN THE DEATH OF CHRIST] is by far the best we have seen in 42 years of intensive reading." -- Jay P. Green, Sr. A Christian classic.
J.I. Packer's Introduction to The Death of Death in the Death of Christ by John Owen
http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/packer_intro.html
The Death of Death in the Death of Christ, by John Owen
http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/packer_intro.html
Owen, John. Salus electorum, sanguis Jesu: or the death of death in the death of Christ. Being a treatise of the redemption and reconciliation that is in the blood of Christ; wherein the whole controversy about universal redemption is fully discussed: in four parts; ... By John Owen, D.D. Carefully revised and corrected. Edinburgh, 1755. (ECCO) Gale Document Number CW3321796584

*Parker, Thomas H.L., John Calvin: A Biography [100014]

Perks, Stephen C., The Christian Philosophy of Education Explained [70331]

Peterson, Robert A., Calvin's Doctrine of the Atonement (Philadelphia, PA: The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co.). 10930
"Peterson is a professor at Biblical Theological Seminary, in Pennsylvania. . . . The task has not been tackled in print before in so adequate a manner, and this essay is something of a milestone. I commend it heartily . . ." -- J.I. Packer
"To understand Calvin on the atonement is to understand the Reformed position on atonement." -- GCB

Pink, Arthur W., The Doctrine of Salvation [10036]

Reid, W. Stanford (editor), John Calvin: His Influence in the Western World (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House). 90338
"This book, which is dedicated to Paul Woolley, covers over 400 pages. There are 16 different chapters. The contributor's include: Robert Knudsen, W. Stanford Reid, Richard Gamble, D. Clair Davis, Philip Hughes, R.T. Kendall, J.N.D. Douglas, George Marsden, C. Gregg Singer, John Bratt, and others." -- GCB

*Richardson, Cyril Charles, Early Christian Fathers (Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press, 1953). 10912
The Early Christian Fathers, 38 vols.
http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/

*Scott, Otto, R.J. Rushdoony, M.R. Rushdoony, Martin G. Selbrede, and John Lofton, Jr., The Great Christian Revolution: The Myths of Paganism and Arminianism (Vallecito, CA: Ross House Books). 10937 [90233]
"Dr. Warfield noted that Calvinism represents the Christian religion in its highest and purest form, for Calvinism alone acknowledges the totality of God's kingly prerogatives over every square inch of our world. This volume supports these powerful truths from three different perspectives, with each author supplying cumulative weight to the proposition that God rules in the affairs of all men, from the least to the greatest. This book will help you sort out much of the current error in theology in our day." -- GCB
"Never has so broad a sweep of Christian history been so swiftly or dramatically told. From the savage tribes of Europe to the rise of the most wealthy and intellectual civilization in the world; from the Dark Ages to the Reformation; from the tyranny of English kings to the spirit of freedom in Philadelphia. Otto Scott takes you on a gripping journey through the rise and fall of men and empires, while the Christian faith has always shined through every generation. Get this book for your library." -- Publisher's Annotation

Singer, C. Gregg, John Calvin (Self-Published, 1989).

Singer, C. Gregg, John Calvin: His Roots and Fruits (A Press, 1989).

*Singer, C. Gregg, A Theological Interpretation of American History 1994 edition, 354 pages (Greenville, SC: A Press, 1994, 1981, 1975, 1974, 1964), ISBN: 0875524265 9780875524269. A Christian classic.
This book portrays "the influence of theology and the changing doctrines in the life of the church on the pattern of American political, constitutional, social and economic development.
"The author shows that the decline of constitutional government in this country is the result of the departure from historical Christian faith and the resulting rise of alien political philosophies. Particularly does he emphasize the intimate relationship between theological liberalism on the one hand and political, social, and economic liberalism on the other. This theological liberalism has been a major agent in the decline of the Constitution in the political life of the people and in the appearance of a highly centralized government." -- Publisher's Annotation
"There is between the democratic philosophy and theological liberalism a basic affinity which has placed them in the same camp in many major political struggles.
"This condition exists because theological liberalism shares the basic postulates of the democratic philosophy. . . .
"Theological liberalism at heart has been a continuing protest against Calvinism, particularly against its insistence on the Sovereignty of God and the Total Depravity of the race. These two Biblical doctrines have often proved to be a stumbling block to theologians within the church as well as to the unbelieving world.
"The result of theological liberalism has been the movement away from constitutionalism and away from liberty, and a movement toward collectivistic society and totalitarian regime." -- C. Gregg Singer, Theological Interpretation of American History, p. 290
See also: "John Knox, the Scottish Covenanters, and the Westminster Assembly" (tape 3 of 5 in a series of addresses "History Notes on Presbyterianism, Reformation, and Theology") by Dr. C. Gregg Singer on SermonAudion.com
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12607114250
See also:
Dr. C. Gregg Singer at SermonAudio.com (161 messages)
http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?SpeakerO