Second Reformation

"William Hetherington, concerning the Solemn League and Covenant (the epitome of second Reformation attainments), also comments that no man who is able to understand its nature, and to feel and appreciate its spirit and its aim, will deny it to be the wisest, the sublimest, and the most sacred document ever framed by uninspired men" - History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines (1856), p. 134, as cited in Dr. Reg Barrow's book, Saul In The Cave Of Adullam: A Testimony Against The Fashionable, Sub-Calvinism Of Doug Wilson (Editor Of Credenda/Agenda Magazine); And, For Classical Protestantism And The Attainments Of The Second Reformation.

"By the National Covenant our fathers laid Popery prostrate. By the Solemn League and Covenant they were successful in resisting prelatic encroachments and civil tyranny. By it they were enabled to achieve the Second Reformation... They were setting up landmarks by which the location and limits of the city of God will be known at the dawn of the millennial day... How can they be said to go forth by the footsteps of the flock, who have declined from the attainments, renounced the covenants and contradicted the testimony of "the cloud of witnesses"... All the Schisms (separations) that disfigure the body mystical of Christ... are the legitimate consequences of the abandonment of reformation attainments — the violation of covenant engagements. This is sound doctrine and historical truth combined. Again our author puts the important question, 'Is it not unfaithfulness to reject the obligations of the covenants of former times?' Yes, we think so, when their objects are not yet reached; and moreover, that 'Confession of sin, and especially the sins of covenant breaking should always accompany the renewal of our obligations.' This is well said. Was it thought of at Pittsburgh, 1871? To good purpose he adds, 'In the renewal of covenants there should be no abridgment of former obligations' (All these excellent sentiments seemed to have been totally forgotten or wholly disregarded when the time came for their practical use and appropriate application. Some said, 'We have all we want' and we strongly suspect too many wanted none of the former obligations — 'in this free country.') And can this be denied? Once more we quote, — 'The opposition is not so much to covenanting, as it is to the covenants of our fathers, and to the permanence of their obligations.' Then the author says emphatically and somewhat prophetically, 'The church never will renew her covenants aright until she embraces in her obligations all the attainments sworn in the covenants, National and Solemn League. This was done in the renovation at Auchensaugh, in Scotland.'" - Reformed Presbytery, A Short Vindication of Our Covenanted Reformation, 1879, pp. 38-39.

Dr. Joel R. Beeke Reviews and Recommends
the Puritan Hard Drive

DR. JOEL R. BEEKE

Dr. Joel R. Beeke, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

The Puritan Hard Drive is a massive collection of primary Puritan resources, dozens of which are very hard to find anywhere else in the world.

Any lover of Puritan literature, which, more than any other body of literature ever written, powerfully expands our minds, convicts our consciences, allures our hearts, and moves our hands, will find a treasure trove here.

- Dr. Joel R. Beeke, President and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary https://puritanseminary.org/, Author of many important Reformed books (including the must read, Meet the Puritans: With A Guide to Modern Reprints, https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/Meet-the-Puritans.html), Editorial Director at Reformation Heritage Books, Editor of the Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth magazine and Pastor of Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.