CHISWICK STEAM PRESS, TEMPLE WORKS, CURSITor street, E.C.

JAMES

PUBLISHED BY

GEMMELL,

11 & 15 GEORGE IV. BRIDGE,

EDINBURGH.

THE ONLY HISTORY OF THE WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY

OF DIVINES.

Recently published, in 1 vol. crown 8vo, price 68.,

HETHERINGTON'S HISTORY

OF THE

WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES.

FOURTH EDITION.

WITH

NOTES AND FAC-SIMILES OF TITLE-PAGES OF THE ORIGINAL EDITIONS OF THE CONFESSION OF FAITH, THE CATECHISMS (LARGER AND SHORTER); AND THE DIRECTORY FOR CHURCH GOVERNMENT AND ORDINATION OF MINISTERS.

EDITED BY THE

REV. ROBERT WILLIAMSON, D.D.,

OF ASCOG.

EXTRACTS FROM REVIEWS.

"The fourth edition of this History, under the editorship of Dr Williamson, appears in a considerably enlarged form. Dr Hetherington, in common with many others, supposed that the original minutes had been irrecoverably lost. He refers to Dr Thomas Goodwin's volumes of Notes of the Assembly's proceedings, and had intended to consult them in Dr Williams' library, London, but found it impracticable at the time. Had he been able to carry out his intention, how delighted he would have been to discover that, instead of Dr Goodwin's notes, the three volumes to which he referred, contained the original Minutes of the Assembly. Corrections and addtiions have been made by Dr Williamson, rendered necessary by the light shed upon the

2

subject by these minutes. Alphabetical indices to names and subjects have
been prepared. A list of the original Scottish Commisioners, and the date
of their reception by the Assembly, have been supplied, as also notes relative
to the Committees appointed to draw up the first draughts of the Confession
Correct fac-simile title-pages of books relating to
of Faith and Catechisms.
the Westminster Assembly, and copied from the originals in the possession
of the editor, are appended. Comparing this edition with the book when
first published in 1843, its enhanced value is great."-Scottish Congregational
Magazine.

"It was a most important service, rendered to the Church and country by the late able Dr Hetherington, when, no doubt after great labour, he gathered together all the scattered rays of light on this subject, and formed them into a consecutive and interesting narrative, entitled the 'History of the Westminster Assembly.' This History has been highly prized, especially It contains a very in ecclesiastical circles, as is evident from the fact that the present is the 'fourth edition' of the work which has been issued. interesting and graphic preliminary sketch of the previous history, which our younger ministers would do well to read and ponder."-Perthshire Courier.

Dr Hetherington's History of the Westminster Assembly, being out of This was much to be regretted, as the work print, had become very scarce. The present edition was one of great value and permanent interest. is not to be regarded, however, simply as a reprint of the previous one. With the additions made, the present edition contains more than one-fifth more than the previous editions."-Reformed Presbyterian Witness.

"No one ever doubted the conscientiousness of Dr Hetherington's work, He did well, therefore, when in 1843, as and the accuracy of his facts. parish minister of Torphichen, he supplied the want of a History of the WestFor all practical purposes, indeed, minster Assembly of Divines. And the present editor Presbyterians will continue to be satisfied with it. has done his part well in making considerable additions to the volume."Daily Review.

"The new edition of the late Dr Hetherington's well-knowt History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines will be welcomed by all who are desirous of possessing, in a convenient form, an account of the labours of the men who framed the Standards of the Presbyterian Churches."-Edinburgh Courant.

"We are glad to see a new edition of this work, which has been long out and its appearance of print. It is the Standard work on the subject, is most opportune. Dr Hetherington's merits as an historian are well known, and need no commendation from us."-Christian Banner.

"And perhaps the most valuable and interesting feature of this edition is a collection of really admirable fac-simile titles of the original Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms, and Directory for Church Government and Ordination of Ministers-a collection which is believed to be the only trustworthy one of the kind in existence. This appendix of itself makes To read in the old fashioned, big, the new edition well worth purchase. broad, black type of 1647, "THE HUMBLE ADVICE of the ASSEMBLY of DIVINES now, by authority of Parliament, sitting at Westminster, concerning a Conis of itself fession of Faith. Printed at London, and reprinted at Edinburgh by Ewan Tyler, printer to the KING's Most Excellent Majesty," worth more than this edition of Dr Hetherington's History costs."--Perthshire Constitutional.

"The work itself is an opportune contribution to the disscussion of ecclesiastical questions of the time, and a most valuable aid to their historical study. Dr Hetherington gives us a valuable picture of that con

structive and elevated piety, out of which alone so noble a Confession of Faith and Directory for Public Worship could have originated."—Preachers' Exchange.

Its

"A re-issue of this valuable work was urgently required. careful perusal will lead to a more thorough understanding, and a sounder appreciation of the Westminster Standards."-The Advocate.

"When Dr Hetherington's History of the Westminster Assembly first appeared, it supplied a felt want; and for the manner in which it was appreciated by the Christian public, it is enough to note the fact that this is the fourth edition within thirty-five years. In paper and typography this edition is far superior to its predecessors, and we expect that, for many years to come, this will be the standard edition of a standard work.' Covenanter.

"At a crisis like the present, when within the Presbyterian Church there are indications of individual departures from historic forms of faith, it is a timely fact to have given us in this volume, the original and authoritative minutes of the Assembly, and the first 'Draught of the Confession of Faith.' This history is almost dramatic in in its vivid portrayal of scenes and events. We live again in the times, enter afresh into the great controversies, witness with eager interest the conflict of ecclesiastical dignitaries, feel the flush of glad victory; it is a most quickening and infectious book. And it will be with the Pesbyterians, and not a few others just now concerned to hold the Churches faith inviolate, a standard of appeal, as well as a source of ready and accurate information, on themes of uncertainty and dispute."-Study and Homiletic Monthly.

'Hetherington's is the only History of the Westminster Assembly that has yet appeared; and a new edition of it, with corrections and additions from sources to which the author had not access, and of the most important of which the existence was not known in his lifetime, must be heartily welcomed by all who take an interest in a subject of no small importance, in relation to the ecclesiastical and even the civil history of Britain, and which has peculiar and very strong claims on the attention of all Presbyterians throughout the world."-Glasgow News.

TREATISE ON THE LORD'S SUPPER:

ITS NATURE, USES, ENDS, AND PERPETUAL OBLIGATION; EXPOSURE OF ROMANIST AND RITUALIST PERVERSIONS;

WITH

PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR ITS OBSERVANCE.

BY

THOMAS HOUSTON, D. D.,
Knockbracken, Belfast..

"Of vast importance is the subject of this volume, and the author was well qualified to discuss it with ability and wisdom. The first part treats of the covenant character of the Church and the Redeemer's Headship; the