BY THE REV. J. A. WYLIE, LL.D., Author of “The Papacy ,” “Daybreak in Spain ,” etc .

ILLUSTRATED “Protestantism, The Sacred Cause Of God’s Light And Truth Against The Devil’s Falsity And Darkness.” — Carlyle.

VOLUME 1 PUBLISHER’S PREFACE The Rev. James Aitken Wylie was for many years a leading Protestant spokesman. Born in Scotland in 1808, he was educated at Marischal College, Aberdeen and at St. Andrews; he entered the Original Seccession Divinity Hall, Edinburgh in 1827, and was ordained in 1831. Dr. Wylie became sub-editor of the Edinburgh Witness in 1846, and, after joining the Free Church of Scotland in 1852, edited the Free Church Record from 1852 until 1860. In 1860 he was appointed Lecturer on Popery at the Protestant Institute, a position he held until the year of his death. Aberdeen University awarded him the LL.D. in 1856.

Dr. Wylie was a prolific writer on Protestant themes. In 1851 the Evangelical Alliance awarded him first prize for his writing The Papacy , which he submitted as his entry for a competition for the best essay on Popery.

The writing for which Wylie is best known is his History of Protestantism which extends to nearly 2,000 pages and was first published in 1878. The last edition was published in the 1920’s by Thymme and Jervis and since that time there has been a constant demand for copies of the work. Dr.

Wylie’s thorough acquaintance with his subject and his entire sympathy with the Protestant cause made him just the man to compose such a history as this. An idea of his very readable style and of the magnificence of the theme which inspired him can be gathered from the following quotation: “It is true no doubt, that Protestantism, strictly viewed, is simply a principle. It is not a policy. It is not an empire, having its fleets and armies, its officers and tribunals wherewith to extend its dominion and make its authority be obeyed. It is not even a Church with its hierarchies and synods and edicts; it is simply a principle. But it is the greatest of all principles. It is a creative power. Its plastic influence is all-embracing. It penetrates into the heart and renews the individual. It goes down to the depths and, by its omnipotent but noiseless energy, vivifies and regenerates society. It thus becomes the creator of all that is true, and lovely, and great; the founder of free kingdoms, and the mother of pure churches. The globe itself it claims as a stage not too wide for the manifestation of its beneficent action; and the whole of its terrestrial affairs it deems a sphere not too vast to fill with its spirit, and the rule by its law.” The value, of this work is greatly enhanced by the insertion of more than 500 excellent illustrations. In addition we have added a Chronology at the end of Part 2. This was compiled by Mrs. D. H. Boggis of Polegate, East Sussex.

The ‘History of Protestantism’ should be read by every Minister of the Gospel and should be a standard work in every Bible College and Seminary.