Page  Date: 05/08/02

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Naphtali Press Reviews

English Popish Ceremonies

Hugh M. Cartwright, Professor of Church History and Church Principles, Free Church of Scotland College.

Thank you very much for sending this magnificently produced volume. We do have access to many of these Seventeenth Century works here in Edinburgh and there is something quite nice about handling original editions, but I must say that for study I much prefer a modern scholarly edition of the calibre of that which you have produced with the additions which make it more accessible to the modern reader. It will take its place on the shelves (and in the recommendations to students) alongside James Durham on Scandal and I hope that your intention of producing new critical editions of other Seventeenth Century Presbyterians will come to fruition. They get to basic principles and it would be of great benefit to our generation of Presbyterians if they would make the little effort involved in acquainting themselves with their statement of these basic principles in order that they may be worked out in our present circumstances where the old battles are having to be fought all over again even in the Presbyterian churches.

Review by Joel R. Beeke, Westminster Theological Journal, 57, 1, 1995.

This hansome volume is the first of a uniform Naphtali Press series, "17th Century Presbyterians," to be comprised mostly of Scottish authors who have contributed significantly to theological and religious literature. The beginning volume of the series was published to coincide with the 350th anniversary of the Westminster Assembly of Divines (1643-1648).

Naphtali Press has chosen to turn first to the Westminster Assembly's youngest divine, George Gillespie (1613-1648). English Popish Ceremonies was a historically crucial work written by Gillespie at the age of twenty-four, to the astonishment of both friend and foe in Scotland. In trenchant style, Gillespie divided his work into four parts, arguing against (1) the necessity, (2) the expediency, (3) the lawfulness, and (4) the indifference of the English-popish ceremonies that Charles I was seeking to impose upon the Scottish church. It is a detailed, masterful polemic against human innovation in public worship. The book "fell like a thunderclap, silencing any argument, except that of force, against which the Scots rose up in a defensive war." The civil government burned and banned the book, and never answered it.

This new critical edition of Gillespie's first renowned work will undoubtedly become the authoritative edition of English Popish Ceremonies. This edition has numerous advantages over past editions: First, a historical introduction by Roy Middleton (Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland) provides valuable background to the work. When one has finished the introduction, the question of why Gillespie wrote over five hundred pages on English popish ceremonies no longer remains. Charles I's attempts to bring the worship and order of the Scottish church into conformity with the Anglo-Catholic Church had to be answered by those who were convinced that the episcopal system of church government led to church abuse. Middleton also effectively shows how Gillespie's background was molded by providence to write and have published this particular volume in 1637, which in turn helped pave the way for the great historic events of 1638, often reckoned as the high-water mark in the annals of Scottish Presbyterianism. One could only wish Middleton had not broken off his introduction after the famous General Assembly of 1638, but had also informed us, albeit briefly, of the last decade of Gillespie's life.

Second, the text of the 1637 first edition has been carefully compared and collated with the 1845 edition, which was based on the only other printing of 1660. Numerous defects and errors in the earlier editions, particularly in the footnotes, have been corrected. The work itself has been freshly typeset in larger, cleaner type than former editions. Extensive Latin quotations have been translated, but the Latin has been retained in footnotes. Other than these changes, together with the usage of contemporary spelling and some necessary changes in punctuation, the original text has not been tampered with. Helpful editorial notes and the defining of archaic or Scottish terms are notable assets to this edition. A glossary of such terms is also provided. Any editorial insertion, however, is clearly bracketed.

Third, there are a complete indix of Scripture passages cited, a lengthy and helpful subject index, and an extensive bibliography unveling as far as possible the particular editions of works quoted by Gillespie, together with page numbers indicating where the equotations occur [in EPC]. A Gillespie bibliography is also included.

Despite all these assiting tools and this fine edition, this book's actual reading audience will primarily be confined to those interested in the study of the Second Scottish Reformation. The drawback of this work is of course that few contemporary readers will have the forbearance to cope with the polemical style of the seventeenth century. The style at that time was to completely demolish one's opponent in every possible argument he had raised or possibly could raise, thereby leaving him no hiding place. As Macleod says of the brilliant Gillespie, "He virtually fought all his battles over again and thrice he slew the slain." It can only be hoped that the resulting prolixity will not deter modern readers from reflecting on the crucial reformational principles Gillespie so powerfully upheld, particularly "that it is God's right to order the institutions of worship in His church exclusive of any innovations man might impose, through conceit, ignorance, or good intention."

This book still has lessons to teach us today, not only about the dangers of liturgical renewal movements and the church growth movement, but also about the need to retain the simplicity of scriptural worship at all costs. We would do well to ask ourselves the question: Are we allowing the simplicity of scriptural worship to slip through our fingers -- perhaps slowly, subtly, almost imperceptibly -- so that we are actually abandoning the very principles for which our forefathers were willing to live and die?

Jus Divinum Regiminis Ecclesiastici, or The Divine Right of Church Government, by sundry Ministers of London

Reviewed by Credenda/Agenda, vol. 8 #1. Jus Divinum is just full of great stuff. Originally written at the time of the Westminster Assembly, the book was offered in defense of two central propositions. The first was that god has, in fact, revealed His will in Scriputre concerning the government he intends for His church to have. Church government is not a subject where we are free to devise a system which we may think meets our needs. The title reflects the conviction of the writers that we are to govern our churches jure divino -- according to the law of God.

The second proposition, and the one occupying the bulk of the book, is that presbyterian government is that revealed form of government. The authors show the biblical necessity of ruling elders, the biblical warrant for regional presbyteries, the scriptural need for provincial, national, and ecumenical synods, the separation of church and state, and the true nature of ecclesiastical government. These men were careful exegetes and theologians, and their work is a treasure.

Given the level of tension in England at that time, this work is remarkably irenic. The writers begin their work by saying, "Things are handled rather by way of Positive Assertion than Polemical Differentiation (which too commonly degenerates into verbal strifes, 1 Tim. 6:3-4, 2 Tim. 2:23, and vain-jangling, 1 Tim. 1:6); and where any dissenting opinions or Objections are repelled, we hope it is with that sobriety, meekness and moderation of spirit that any unprejudiced judgement may perceive we had rather gain than grieve those that dissent from us. We endeavor rather to heal up than to tear open the rent, and we contend more for Truth than for victory."

The style of writing may be initially difficult for the modern reader, but the gold which can be mined here is more than sufficient to reward perseverance in study.

This classic reprint was revised, edited, and introduced by David Hall. He deserves our thanks and gratitude for making such a valuable work available again.

A Treatise Concerning Scandal

Concerning Scandal, reviewed in Banner of Truth, Issue 337, by Austin R. Walker.

This well-bound hardback volume is a new edition of James Durham's dying testament to the Church Scotland. Written in the 1650s, at a time when the Presbyterian Church in Scotland suffered a serious division among its leaders, this treatise was his attempt to reconcile the opposing parties. It grew out of his studies in Revelation 2, in particular Christ's letter to the church at Pergamos.

By 'scandal' Durham meant offences, matters that cause division and impede spiritual growth between individual Christians, Christian leaders and Christian churches. He observed in his day offences being given and taken.

The book is divided into four parts -- Part One: Concerning Scandals in General -- dealing with offences between individual Christians. Part Two -- Concerning Public Scandals -- dealing with church discipline. Part Three: Concerning Doctrinal Scandals -- dealing with the spread of error in the church. Part Four: Concerning Scandalous Divisions -- dealing with divisions between godly men occasioned by such things as different outlooks and practices.

The editor has spared no effort to make this old classic readable and useful. He has restructured chapters, provided footnotes, translations from Latin quotations, a glossary of obsolete terms, an extended table of contents and a topical and Scriptural index. However, the book will, I fear, still have a limited readership. That does not in any way negate the importance of the issues. Few books are written today on these matters and as far as the reviewer knows, none are as substantial as Durham. Even a glance through the extended table of contents will show the comprehensive nature of Durham's work.

Some 350 years have passed since Durham wrote these words. Sadly, heresy, schism and division have abounded. He would have had no sympathy with the modern ecumenical movement, but surely would have wept over the state of evangelicalism today. Anyone who weeps with him, concerned with the purity, unity, peace and prosperity of the church of God should take to heart his presentation of biblical principles and his reasoned arguments and pleas. No reader will agree with him at every point. The value of the book lies: (1) in bringing the matter of 'scandal' to our attention and attempting to enunciate biblical principles; (2) in stimulating us to rethink our attitudes, practices and judgments; and (3) in calling us, no longer to be spectators, but to become more and more men of prayer and zeal, acting for the glory of Christ in the church and its edification.

Lectures on Job, James Durham.

Review, Trinity Book Service catalog.

Last printed in 1759, this recent publication of James Durham's practical exposition of the book of Job makes available again the insightful pastoral observations of this proven servant of Christ. Originally produced to provide helpful devotional comments on this difficult Old Testament book, Durham's Lectures contains helpful instruction for the suffering servant.

Review, The Presbyterian Witness, Fall 1995.

Naphtali Press... continues to publish noteworthy volumes. Their recent offerings include a new edition of James Durham's Lectures on Job, edited by Christopher Coldwell, which is all the more important because there are few quality commentaries on Job; and The Divine Right of Church Governmment, a reprint of a 17th century work, revised and edited by David Hall, which is important because of its well-reasoned arguments on Biblical church polity. Although written in the day of the Westminster Assembly, its thesis is in dire need of being heard in our day.

Anthology of Presbyterian & Reformed Literature, volume 4.

Extract of a Review by Sherman Isbell (Presbyterian Reformed Magazine, Fall 1994).

This anthology is a collection of eleven writings by various American and British Reformed authors, on a variety of religious subjects. There are two fine pieces by William B. Sprague against the demands of the temperance movement for the removal of wine from the Lord's Supper. But we would draw attention in particular to two works of great worth on singing of Psalms. The True Psalmody was issued at Philadelphia in 1859 ... A judicious compliation of the finest argumentation from a number of nineteenth-century writers... The Hymnology of the Scottish Reformation [by David Hay Fleming]. Hay Fleming's assessment of the historical evidence on this subject is unsurpassed.