Page Date:
02/23/2007
See AlsoDavid Calderwood: Against Festival DaysJames Gilfillan: HolidaysAt Other Sites: |
Introductory comments to these extracts. Holy Days take away our Christian Liberty Proved:
Answers to some arguments for allowing of Holy days (EPC 1.9, 46-53) Holy Days are Unlawful because superstitious (EPC, 3.1.7 - 3.1.15, 140-153) The Popish Ceremonies (including Holy Days) are proved to be Idolatrous (EPC, 154-180)
Answers to "Scriptural" Defenses for Holy Days (EPC 3.6.7 - 3.6.14, 263-274) The above are chapters and sections taken from George Gillespie (1613-1648), A Dispute Against the English Popish Ceremonies Obtruded on the Church of Scotland, ed. Christopher Coldwell (Dallas TX: Naphtali Press, 1993). All page references to EPC will be to that edition. One can find these sections in older editions by following the part, chapter, and section designations (e.g. 1.1.1). In these extracts Gillespie gives a thorough treatment of the subject of holy days wrapped in the polemical style of his day. If he seems harsh against his opponents, consider the persecution of the time, and perhaps even the boldness of youthful genius (he began writing EPC when only 22 years old), as well as the fact that his father and grandfather (both ministers) strongly opposed the reintroduction of the popish ceremonies. His grandfather authored an official protest against the reintroduction of episcopacy in 1606, which his father signed along with John Welsh and the Melvilles. See the excellent historical introduction to EPC which traces Gillespie's historical and familial background. The cast of characters Gillespie interacts with and cites is large. See the complete bibliography of EPC for details on who these folks were. Gillespie's original preface is also posted on the Naphtali web site. Some of Gillespie's arguments are not going to be as relevant in every situation today. For instance, most are not under civil injunction to cease from laboring on pretended holy days. On the whole his arguments are excellent, particularly the sections on the superstition and idolatry of holy days. One could very well draw up a modern theology against holy days from these extracts. The Presbyterians of Gillespie's day opposed holy days first because they were compelled to cease from their callings, which was a violation of the fourth commandment. They were inexpedient to edification because the enforcement of them was mixed with cruelty and intolerance. They contended observance of holy days was unlawful because they were observed superstitiously. And they were unlawful because they were monuments of past idolatry, present idolatry, and were actually idols themselves. The alleged scriptural arguments for holy days were shown to be groundless, and Gillespie concludes by showing why the observance of holy days is not a thing indifferent in nature. While all of Gillespie's EPC is directed against the unlawfulness of superstitious ceremonies, only those extracts which deal directly or significantly indirectly with holy days are included here. |
Articles Online
James Bannerman Rites & Ceremonies in Public Worship The Evil, Nature and Danger of Schism Relation Between Church and State The Westminster Confession on the Relation Between Church and State Albert Dod: Review of Charles Finney's Revival Methods The Fourth Commandment 1. Morality of the Fourth Commandment 2. The Particular Morality of the Fourth Commandment 4. The Sanctification of the day. Lectures on Job Extracts: To the Reader, Job Chapter One A Treatise Concerning Scandal Extracts: Historical Introduction, Author's Introduction, 2-2 Public Scandals Assurance of an Interest in Christ Wholesome Severity Reconciled with Christian Liberty The English Popish Ceremonies Extracts: Historical Introduction, Gillespie's IntroductionDiscipline of the Reformation part one part two part three John M. Mason Brief View of the evidence for the exercise of Civil Authority about religion. Sermon: Grief for the Sins of Men Sermon: The Fan in Christ's Hand Nature and Effects of the Stage Against Separatism § Part One § Part Two § Part Three § Part Four Danger of Being Overwise (On Use of Wine in the Lord's Supper) Separation from Corrupt Churches Thomas M'Crie: Brief View of the evidence for the exercise of Civil Authority about religion. Divine Right of Church Government Extracts: Publisher's Preface, 1-2 What is a Jus Divinum? Samuel Miller: Revivals of Religion James Wood: Separation from Corrupt Churches John MacPherson: Unity of the Church Thomas Boston: The Evil, Nature and Danger of Schism Samuel Rutherford: Against Separatism § Part One § Part Two § Part Three § Part Four David Calderwood, Against Festival Days John L. Girardeau: The Discretionary Power of the Church Robert L. Dabney: Review of Girardeau's Instrumental Music in Worship William Sprague: Danger of Being Overwise: Wine in Communion
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