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1 The History of ProtestantismVOLUME FIRSTBooks 1-9BYRev. James Aitken Wylie, LL.D1808-1890author of "The Papacy," "Daybreak in Spain," &c."Protestantism, the sacred causeof God's Light and Truthagainst theDevil's Falsity and Darkness."-Carlyle.Cassell & Company, Limited:London, Paris & New York.2Preface James A. Wylie: Earnest Contender for the Faithby Tom Stewart James Aitken Wylie was born in Scotland in 1808. "The steps of a goodman are ordered by theLORD" (Psalm 37:23). His collegiate preparation was at MarischalCollege, Aberdeen (a North Sea portcity and industrial center of northeastern Scotland) and at St. Andrews(Fife, East Scotland). "It is goodfor a man that he bear the yoke in his youth" (Lamentations 3:27). Though we could find no account of hisconversion, he entered the Original Seccession Divinity Hall, Edinburgh(Scotland, the land of JohnKnox) in 1827, and was ordained to the Christian ministry in 1831;hence, the name "Rev. J. A. Wylie"is affixed to most of his written works. "And that from a child thou hastknown the Holy Scriptures,which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which isin Christ Jesus" (2Timothy 3:15).His disposition to use the pen as a mighty "Sword of the LORD" (Judges7:18) is evidenced by hisassumption of the sub-editorship of the Edinburgh "Witness" in 1846."My tongue is the pen of a readywriter" (Psalm 45:1). In 1852, after joining the Free Church of Scotland-- which was only inaugurated in1843 (Dr. Chalmers as moderator), insisting on the Crown Rights of King Jesus as the only Headand King of the Church-- Wylie edited their "Free Church Record" until1860. "Stand fast therefore1
 
in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be notentangled again with the yoke of bondage" (Galatians 5:1). The Protestant Institute appointed himLecturer on Popery in 1860. He continuedin this role until his death in 1890. "Casting down imaginations, andevery high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity everythought to the obedience of Christ"(2Corinthians 10:5).Aberdeen University awarded him an honorary doctorate (LL.D.) in1856. "Yea doubtless, and I countall things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesusmy LORD: for whom I havesuffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I maywin Christ" (Philippians 3:8). Histravels took him to many of the far-flung places, where the events of Protestant historytranspired. "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the Gospelto you that are at Rome also"(Romans 1:15). As a prominent spokesman for Protestantism, Dr.Wylie's writings included "The Papacy:Its History, Dogmas, Genius, and Prospects"-- which was awarded aprize by the Evangelical Alliancein 1851-- and, his best known writing, "The History of Protestantism"(1878). "Beloved, when I gaveall diligence to write unto you of the Common Salvation, it was needfulfor me to write unto you, andexhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the Faith which wasonce delivered unto the Saints"(Jude 3).It is a solemn and sad reflection on the spiritual intelligence of ourtimes that J. A. Wylie's classic,"The History of Protestantism" went out of publication in the 1920's."Little children, it is the Last Time: and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now arethere many antichrists; wherebywe know that it is the Last Time" (1John 2:18). But-- "we are not of them who draw back unto perdition;but of them that believe to the saving of the soul" (Hebrews 10:39).And, we continue to "look for Him"(Hebrews 9:28) to come for us to cause us to "escape all these things"(Luke 21:36) in a Pre-TribulationRapture, while we intently "occupy" (19:13) for Him in the Gospelfields, which are "white already toharvest" (John 4:35). "Even so, come [quickly], LORD Jesus" (Revelation22:20).2
 
Amen, and Amen..3 Table of ContentsBOOK FIRST – PROGRESS FROM THE FIRST TO THEFOURTEENTH CENTURYChapter 1PROTESTANTISMProtestantism – The Seed of Arts, Letters, Free States, etc. – Its Historya Grand Drama – Its Origin –Outside Humanity – A Great Creative Power – Protestantism RevivedChristianity.Chapter 2DECLENSION OF THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCHEarly Triumphs of the Truth – Causes – The Fourth Century – EarlySimplicity lost – The Church remodeledon the Pattern of the Empire – Disputes regarding Easter-day – Descentof the Gothic Nations – Introductionof Pagan Rites into the Church – Acceleration of Corruption – Inability of the World all at once to receivethe Gospel in its greatness.Chapter 3DEVELOPMENT OF THE PAPACY FROM THE TIMES OF CONSTANTINE TO THOSE OFHILDEBRAND.Imperial Edicts – Prestige of Rome – Fall of the Western Empire – ThePapacy seeks and finds a New Basisof Power – Christ's Vicar – Conversion of Gothic Nations – Pepin andCharlemagne – The Lombards andthe Saracens – Forgeries and False Decretals – Election of the RomanPontiff.Chapter 4DEVELOPMENT OF THE PAPACY FROM GREGORY VII. TO BONIFACE VIII. The Wax of Investitures – Gregory VII. and Henry IV. – The Miter Triumphs over the Empire – Noon of thePapacy under Innocent III. – Continued to Boniface VIII. – First and LastEstate of the Roman PastorsContrasted – Seven Centuries of Continuous Success – Interpreted bySome as a Proof that the Papacy isDivine – Reasons explaining this Marvelous Success – Eclipsed by theGospel's ProgressChapter 5MEDIAEVAL PROTESTANT WITNESSES.Ambrose of Milan – His Diocese – His Theology – Rufinus, Presbyter of Aquileia – Laurentius of Milan –3
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