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Light From Old Times (Complete Works of J.C. Ryle)

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J. C. Ryle did a real service for the Christian church when he first wrote "Light From Old Times". This hard copy edition from Charles Nolan Publishing makes that Ryle classic available once again to a church that needs so desperatly to remember the lessons of history.

"Light from Old Times" sheds light on a time of church history that is not as well known as it should be. Who were the English reformers? Why did they die, being burned at the stake? What was the course of Anglican church history after the reformation? In "Light from Old Times" we see the foundations laid for the so called "high church" view in contrast to the evangelical reformed view of men like Hooper, Latimer, & Ridley. Ryle could see where the "high church" movement was going to take the Anglican church, and time has proved him correct. Given the current direction of some areas of the evangelical church, the church today would be wise to take heed to Ryle's warnings.

J. C. Ryle writes from the perspective of a general that is beginning to see the battle slip away. As a bishop of the Church of England in the twilight of the 19th century, Ryle sees forces of influence working within his own church which will eventually bring about its demise. He defends the so-called evangelical wing of his church against attacks by the Tractarians and Latitudinarians and the "high churchmen". These groups and others in the 19th century Church of England were calling for a rapproachment with Rome.

Ryle calls the church back to its heritage by recounting in vivid style the testimony of the Marian martyrs of the church in the 16th century. He is particularly critical of attempts by the "high churchmen" of his day to reestablish an observance of the Lord's Table more in keeping with the Roman Catholic mass. He proves, to this readers satisfaction, that the litmus test issue which condemned Hooper, Latimer, Ridley et al was the "real presence" doctrine of the Lord's Supper. By refusing to confess that the elements of the table were changed by the office of the church into the real flesh-and-blood presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Marian martyrs sealed their doom.

Ryles work is prophetic when one considers the compromised condition of the Church of England today. It serves as a warning to all churches who are committed to an orthodox, historic understanding of the Gospel of Christ.