The high qualities and deserts of these people, were they not otherwise manifest, gain glory enough from this: that the King of kings and Lord of lords, our Lord Jesus Christ, after His Passion and Resurrection, called them, even though settled in the uttermost parts of the earth, almost the first to His most holy faith. Nor would He have them confirmed in that faith by merely anyone but by the first of His Apostles — by calling, though second or third in rank — the most gentle Saint Andrew, the Blessed Peter’s brother, and desired him to keep them under his protection as their patron forever.

The Most Holy Fathers your predecessors gave careful heed to these things and bestowed many favours and numerous privileges on this same kingdom and people, as being the special charge of the Blessed Peter’s brother…

But from these countless evils we have been set free, by the help of Him Who though He afflicts yet heals and restores, by our most tireless Prince, King and Lord, the Lord Robert. He, that his people and his heritage might be delivered out of the hands of our enemies, met toil and fatigue, hunger and peril, like another Macabaeus or Joshua and bore them cheerfully. Him, too, divine providence, his right of succession according to or laws and customs which we shall maintain to the death, and the due consent and assent of us all have made our Prince and King. To him, as to the man by whom salvation has been wrought unto our people, we are bound both by law and by his merits that our freedom may be still maintained, and by him, come what may, we mean to stand.

So why should you read Scottish Presbyterian works from the 16th and 17th centuries? I mean, really.

Well, let’s see. Why should you read the Federalist Papers? That seems fairly straightforward. If you are an American citizen, or if you are interested in the ideas that produced the founding documents of this Republic, you turn to the seminal works of the period.

Similarly, if you are a Presbyterian, the 16th and 17th century Scottish Presbyterian works are foundational to the confessional tradition of which you are a part. Even if you are not a Presbyterian, those works can open up to you the founding ideals of one of the major Christian traditions.

Additionally, there is much in the writings of these authors that has contemporary relevance. For example: we live in a time when formal Christian worship is in a state of flux. So did the magisterial Presbyterians. They initiated a major liturgical reform in their time, one whose effects continue to the present day. So what was their solution? Was it Biblical? Was it practical?

Another example: a great emphasis of these Presbyterians was the Kingship of Jesus Christ over all of life – especially the state. They struggled for two centuries in the unwavering conviction that Jesus reigns from the right hand of his Father, and that all human persons and institutions owe him obedience. So what happens when a Presbyterian pastor tells the king of Scotland to his face, “Sirrah, ye are God’s silly vassal”?

You see, I have been reading the history and theology of the magisterial Presbyterians for awhile now, and I can tell you one thing for certain: those men understood many things which contemporary Christians do not.

I invite you to look for forthcoming reprints from Sensus Divinitatis Publishing. Because there is more in heaven and on earth than is dreamt of in contemporary theology.

• The English Civil War – Wikipedia is always good place to start.  This article provides a 60,000 feet view of the periods before, during, and after the time we’re concerned with.
• Lectures On Early Modern European History – The English Civil War – A much shorter article, and touches more on the religious aspects and motivations of the war than Wikipedia does.
• The British Civil War 1638-1660 – Great site focusing on the military aspects of the civil war, but with good articles on the Covenanters and the Solemn League and Covenant.
• Google Timeline – British Civil War – I recently discovered these time-lines, and they are fantastic.  Basically Google builds a timeline based on the links it has to resources relating to the period in question, from which you can jump off into many directions.

One thing that has struck me as I read through this material is just how radical the Covenanters were.  They were willing to put their lives on the line for the purity of the Gospel and of worship.  We often pay lip-service to such a level of commitment, but if we had to make that choice, if I had to make that choice, would I?

I think it’s good to have a grasp of historical context whenever you’re reading source material.  In the same way that studying the historical background of the New Testament yields a deeper understanding of it, having this knowledge will allow you to appreciate and understand the writings of the Scottish Presbyterians in a more fulfilling way.

See more of Mr. Grant’s sermons and lectures at SermonAudio.