"These questions (concerning the regulative principle of worship - RB) go to the very root of the Presbyterian system of worship, as one that can be practically defended and maintained, and they have a most important bearing on the future of Scotland and of the Presbyterian Church throughout the world. If the principles of Presbyterian worship, as asserted by John Knox and by the Westminster Divines, are to be abandoned, either in theory or in practice, there are no principles of Presbyterian worship at all, and it is difficult to see what the end must be. The matter, therefore, is well worthy of the immediate and earnest consideration of Christian and patriotic men," writes James Begg.

This book helps illustrate the almost complete defection of modern Presbyterians from classic Presbyterian worship -- as set forth in the Westminster standards. Notwithstanding the book's many merits, one major drawback should be noted. Begg (as a Free Church of Scotland minister) speaks far too uncritically of the Revolution settlement of Presbyterianism in Scotland and the constitutionally defective acts of the churches that have sprouted from that bad (constitutional) tree.

The Revolution settlement was clearly an unsound, covenant breaking, substandard return to "Presbyterianism" -- something most Free Church ministers are not aware of. Nevertheless, Begg's citations concerning this period illustrate that even Revolution Presbyterian worship (and what followed it for some years) was far more faithful to the original Presbyterian vision for public worship (i.e. the vision of Calvin, Knox and the Covenanters at Westminster) than most Presbyterians today can even imagine -- the modern defection having become encrusted and solidified in its hardness by repeated and aggravated disregard (over many years) for the moral duties contained in the second commandment.

112 pages.