Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland

Reformed in Doctrine, Worship, and Practice

“Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth.” Psalm 60:4

  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • What We Contend For
    • What We Believe
    • How We Worship
    • How We Are Organised
    • Important Documents
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Articles
  • Publications
    • Free Presbyterian Magazine
    • Young People’s Magazine
    • Gaelic Supplement – An Earrann Ghàidhlig
    • Synod Reports
    • Religion and Morals Committee Reports
  • Audio
    • Sermons
    • Theological Conferences
    • Youth Conferences
  • Congregations
    • Places of Worship
    • Current Ministers
    • Galleries of FP Churches
  • International
    • Zimbabwe Mission
    • Other International Congregations
    • Translation Work
    • Metrical Psalms in Various Languages
  • History
    • History of the FP Church
    • Congregational Histories
    • Deceased Ministers and Probationers
    • Obituaries and Synod Tributes
    • Moderators of Synod etc.
  • Spiritual Help
    • How to Find Spiritual Help
    • How may a sinner be saved?
    • How may someone know if they are truly saved?
    • Spiritual Mindedness
    • Scripture and Catechism Exercises 2021-22
  • Bookshop
Home / Publications / Free Presbyterian Magazine / 1998 to 2003 / February 2001 / Christ Set up from Everlasting

Christ Set up from Everlasting

A Sermon by Ebenezer Erskine
Proverbs 8:23. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

In this passage there are such evident rays of the eternal and supreme deity of Christ, and of His personality and essential oneness with the Father, as puts the Arians and Socinians (2), these blasphemers of the Son of God, quite out of countenance. They are obliged, though with great absurdity, to allege that what is spoken of and by Christ in this chapter, particularly in verses 22-31, is to be understood of wisdom as one of the attributes of the divine nature. But it is beyond controversy, among all orthodox interpreters, that it is Christ, the second person of the glorious Trinity (under the idea of wisdom) that here speaks – as might be proved from the many personal properties, personal acts and personal words that are ascribed to Him in this passage of Scripture, which, for brevity’s sake, I cannot insist upon at this time.

The penman of this book was Solomon. But, “behold, a greater than Solomon is here”, even “Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God”, “in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”. Solomon had all his wisdom out of this treasure; so, being under the direction of the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, he is led, as a type, to speak in the person of his glorious antitype, as his father David doth frequently in the book of the Psalms, particularly in Psalms 16 and 40. Christ recommends his dictates in the Word unto the children of men and shows what advantage will accrue to them by the study of the Scriptures, agreeable unto what He says: “Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39). From verse 22 unto verse 31, in order to engage our faith and trust in Him, He elegantly describes the glory of His own person. Thus we, beholding His glory as in a glass, may be changed into His image. More particularly, (1.) He shows how from all eternity He lodged in His Father’s arms and bosom, as His beloved Son in whom He was and is well pleased: “The Lord possessed Me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old” (verse 22). (2.) He speaks of His eternal appointment unto the great work and service of our redemption, in the words of my text, “I was set up from everlasting . . .”. We may notice:

1.The divine person who is the speaker, in the pronoun I, the eternal Son of God, the glorious Immanuel, the faithful and true witness: I who am God co-equal with the Father and who sat as a constituent member of the council of peace, about the great affair of man’s redemption, and therefore cannot but be well acquainted with what was transacted there.

2. The result of that eternal transaction declared with relation to Himself, I was set up – that is, I was, by an act of the divine will, common to all the three Persons of the glorious Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Ghost – elected, set apart, or fore-ordained to the great service of man’s redemption. A word parallel unto this, which casts a light upon the text, you have in Psalm 2:7, where Christ, speaking of Himself, says, “I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten Thee”. This is called the Father’s will: “Lo I come, in the volume of the book, it is written of Me, I delight to do Thy will” (Ps 40:7,8).

3. In the words we have the date of the divine council and decree, with relation to our Redeemer, or when He was set up for that service. It bears date from the ancient years of eternity, I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, ere ever the earth was. Here are words that swallow up all finite thought and consideration; they lead us back to an eternity past, and who could ever have told us what was acted in the divine mind and council from all eternity but He only who is the Alpha and the Omega, from everlasting to everlasting God. So much for explaining the words.

Doctrine: That as Christ is the everlasting God; so, from all eternity, He was foreordained and set up for the great service of man’s redemption. I was set up from everlasting . . . . To this purpose is that verse of the apostle: “He was verily foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times” (1 Pet 1:20).

The method, through divine assistance, I shall observe, is as follows:

1. To prove that Christ is the everlasting God, and that He was from the beginning, ere ever the earth was.
2. Show what is meant by His being set up from everlasting.
3. For what ends and purposes He was set up.
4. Why He, and none else, was set up for this end.
5. Make some application of the whole.

1. To prove that Christ is the everlasting God, and that He was from the beginning, ere ever the earth was.

The Socinians affirm that He had no being before His actual incarnation. And the Arians, though they allow that He had a being before His incarnation; yet they deny His eternal existence, and consequently make Him but a nominal deity and reduce Him to the rank of created beings. Now, in opposition to both these damnable heresies, I shall endeavour to trace a little of the scriptural account of the eternal existence of the Son of God, our glorious Redeemer.

And firstly, that He existed before His incarnation, or His being born of the Virgin, is evident from the appearance He made to our first parents in paradise after the fall: “It [the seed of the woman] shall bruise thy head” (Gen 3:15) – the serpent’s, as explained by the apostle in Hebrews 2:14. That this was God in the person of the Son, intimating His future incarnation and the design thereof, is evident, for God absolutely considered is not a promising but an avenging God, a consuming fire unto the workers of iniquity. And all the promises in Him are yea and amen. It is only the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and none else, that opened the book of the divine counsel for our redemption. And therefore it was He, and none else, that broke up this seal, and disclosed this secret unto our first parents in paradise. In like manner, it was He that preached the gospel to Abraham, saying, “In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed”, as is clear from Galatians 3:8.

We find Him executing His threefold mediatorial offices before ever He came in the flesh. We find Him, as a prophet, preaching righteousness unto the great congregation, “I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained My lips, O Lord, Thou knowest!” (Ps 40:9). And by His Spirit in Noah, He preached to the old world, who, because of their disobedience, were shut up in the prison of hell, as we see in 1 Pet 3:18-20. We find Him acting as the great Priest of His Church before His actual appearance in the flesh, “The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek” (Ps 110:4). And His royal and kingly office is asserted by God the Father before ever He appeared in the flesh: “Yet have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion” (Ps 2:6); I have done it; it is not a thing to do, but it is done already: I have set Him King. And He speaks to Him as a person actually existing: “Ask of Me, and I shall give Thee the heathen for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession”. Thus you see Him executing all His offices before He was incarnate.

But I need not stand upon this point in opposition to the Socinians, seeing we have it from Christ’s own mouth, who is the faithful witness. Says He to the Jews, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58), alluding probably unto that same name He took to Himself when He appeared unto Moses in the bush and sent him to bring Israel out of Egypt. Go, says He, and tell them, “I AM hath sent me unto you” (Ex 3:14), a name equivalent unto the name Jehovah, which signifies past, present, and to come, and distinguishes Him from all the dunghill deities of the nations.

But then, secondly, let us go back further, even to the creation of the world, and we shall find His existence and agency in the production of all created beings: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him and without Him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:2,3). He must needs be the everlasting God who is the Creator of all the ends of the earth: “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth” (Gen 1:1); hence, “of old hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of Thy hands . . . ” (Ps 102:25). Which words are applied unto Christ, “Thou, Lord, in the beginning, hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thine hands. They shall perish, but Thou remainest: and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt Thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail” (Heb 1:10-12).

Again, thirdly, Let us run up to the endless ages before the creation of the world, and we find Him existing or ever the earth was (John 17:5). He prayeth that He might be glorified with His Father, with the same glory that He had with Him before the foundation of the world. Hence He is not only called the mighty God, but the everlasting Father, or the Father of eternity; and “His goings forth were from of old, from everlasting” (Mic 5:2). But I need not stand upon this, seeing the very words of the text are so clear as to this matter, “I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was”. If He were not the everlasting God, He could never have been set up from everlasting.

2. To enquire what is meant by His being set up from everlasting.

First, it supposes the council of peace, or an eternal transaction between the Father and the Son concerning the redemption of lost sinners; for this is the result of the counsel here declared by the Son, I was set up from everlasting “The counsel of peace shall be between them both” (Zec 6:13).

Second, it implies the infinite complacency that the Father and the Son had in each other from all eternity. This is more clearly expressed in the verse immediately preceding the text, “The Lord possessed Me in the beginning of His ways, before His works of old;” and yet more clearly: “When He appointed the foundations of the earth, then I was by Him, as one brought up with Him; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him” (verses 29,30). (So Is 42:1, Matt 3:17, 17:5.)

Third, it implies a divine ordination and decree, whereby he was from eternity elected unto the great service of man’s redemption. Hence He is called His Father’s elect, “Behold My Servant whom I behold, Mine elect, in whom My soul delighteth” (Is 42:1). So says God the Father, “I have laid help upon one that is mighty, I have exalted one chosen out of the people” (Ps 89:19); and with an eye to this decree of the election of Christ is that fore-cited verse of the apostle: “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world,” (1 Pet 1:20). Though He be God coequal with the Father, yet He voluntarily came under a decree of election that so He might be the head of the election among mankind sinners, in whom they are elected unto everlasting life: “He hath chosen us in Him, before the foundation of the world” (Eph 1:4).

Fourth, “I was set up from everlasting”, implies that, in consequence of the decree, He was called of God to undertake the work of redemption, “I the Lord have called Thee in righteousness, and will hold Thine hand, and will keep Thee, and give Thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles” (Is 42:6). “No man taketh this honour unto Himself, but he who is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not Himself to be made an high priest, but He that said unto Him, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten Thee” (Heb 5:4,5).

Fifth, it implies His own voluntary consent to, and compliance with, His Father’s call. This is of so great moment, that it is registered in the volume of the book of God: “Then said I, Lo, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of Me; I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea Thy law is within My heart” (Ps 40:7,8). Upon which words the Apostle Paul comments in Hebrews 10:5-10, applying them to the purpose in hand.

And a multitude of great promises that the Father made to Him followed upon this voluntary consent of the Son of God. The Father promised to fit Him with a human nature, which was to be personally united to His divine nature: “A body hast Thou prepared Me”, a promise of all needful preparation and assistance in the undertaking. The Father promised that an immeasurable fulness of the Spirit and all His gifts, graces and qualifications should rest upon Him (Is 11:2,3, Is 43). He promised that “the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. . . . Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong”; that He should see His seed (Is 53:10-12); that a seed should serve Him which should be accounted to Him for a generation (Ps 22:30,31); that He would make His enemies His footstool, and greatly plague all that hated Him; and that, when He had drunk of the brook that ran in the way, He should again lift up the head, and be repossessed, even in the human nature, of all that glory which He had with the Father before the world was.

But now, before I go on to the third general head, I would here show how (in consequence of all this which was done before the foundation of the world was laid) He was actually set up in time, in the view of lost simmers of Adam’s family, whom He came to save and redeem.

1. His first appearance was in the promise made to our first parents, of His future incarnation, already mentioned (Gen 3:15), which was the only foundation of faith the Church had until the days of Abraham, to whom that promise was renewed: “In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed (Gen 22:18).

2. He was set up typically, in the view of the Church, under the old testament. What was the meaning of the tabernacle and temple and of all the sacrifices and ceremonies of that economy? They were all intended as shadowy representations of good things to come, upon the actual appearance of the Son of God in our nature.

3. He was set up in the prophecies of the prophets – Isaiah, Jeremiah and the rest – for all the prophets prophesied of Him. To Him they did all bear witness, and every one of them successively spoke more clearly than another, till John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elias, pointing Him out with the finger, saying, “Behold the Lamb of God”.

4. He was set up personally and actually in His incarnation, obedience and death. His birth was celebrated and intimated by a company of angels, saying, “Unto you is born, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord,” and in their heavenly anthem, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”. His inauguration unto His mediatorial work, at His baptism, was celebrated by the opening of the heavens, the descent of the Spirit upon Him in the likeness of a dove, and a voice coming from His Father, from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased;” which voice was again repeated at His transfiguration and His passion. His death was celebrated by the rending of the veil of the temple from top to bottom, a quaking of the earth, a rending of the rocks, and a darkening of the sun in the firmament; all signifying that now the finishing stroke was given to the head of the old serpent, and that principalities and powers were spoiled, and the prince of this world cast out of his usurped authority and government.

5. He was set up in a glorious and triumphant manner in His resurrection and ascension; for then He was “declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by His resurrection from the dead”. He was set up also when “He ascended up on high”, “led captivity captive”, and “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” – things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth being ordered to bow at the name of Jesus, and every tongue to confess that He is the Lord, to the praise and glory of His Father.

6. He was and is set up declaratively in the preaching of the everlasting gospel, which is like the pole upon which the brazen serpent was lifted up in the wilderness, by looking unto which the Israelites were cured of the fiery serpents. Says Christ, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:14,15).

7. He is set up sacramentally in the sacraments of baptism and of the supper, particularly in the last of these, which we are about this day to celebrate. In these symbols and sacramental acts of His own institution, He is evidently set forth crucified before you; and therein we may, as in a mirror, discern the Lord’s body, which was broken for us, and His blood of the new testament, which was shed for us. There He is present, though not in a corporal and carnal manner, yet in a symbolical and spiritual manner, saying to His people, “Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved”.

8. He is set up in an efficacious manner in a day of conversion, and in the renewed manifestations of Himself to the souls of His people, by the power of His Word and Spirit, when He draws aside the veil and makes the light of the knowledge of His glory to shine into the heart. Then, O then, Christ is set up in the heart of the sinner; He gets the throne of the heart, and every thought is brought into captivity unto His obedience. What a pleasant setting up of Christ and His kingdom would it be to see Him going forth with His bow and sword, in the gospel, travelling in the greatness of His strength, making all the inhabitants of the land to fall under Him, everyone crying, “The Lord is our judge, the Lord is our king, the Lord is our lawgiver!” O then covenanting work would go on apace, and everyone will say to another, “Come, and let us join ourselves unto the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten” (Jer 50:5).

9. Christ will be set up in a glorious and remarkable manner at His second coming, without sin, unto the salvation of His people; for then He will descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God, when He shall come with clouds, and every eye shall see Him. Then shall He be glorified in His saints, and admired in all them that believe, while all the wicked, unbelieving world, and all the kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him, crying to the rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from the face of Him that sits upon the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; and the heavens passing away with a mighty noise, the elements melting with fervent heat.

Endnotes:
1. This is the first half of a sermon preached before the Lord’s Supper was administered. It will be concluded next month, DV. It is reprinted from The Works of Ebenezer Erskine, vol 3. This three-volume set is being reprinted by Free Presbyterian Publications. If ordered from the F P Bookroom before March 31, it will cost £45 (normal price is £55).
2. Both these groups of heretics denied the divinity of Jesus Christ.

Return to Table of Contents for The Free Presbyterian Magazine – February 2001

Upcoming Events

May 27
26 May - 30 May

Communion: Chiedza

Jun 2
2 Jun - 6 Jun

Communion: Perth

Jun 9
9 Jun - 13 Jun

Communions: Nkayi, North Uist, Santa Fe

Jun 23
23 Jun - 27 Jun

Communions: Bulawayo, Gairloch, Inverness

Jun 30
30 Jun - 4 Jul

Communion: Beauly

View Calendar

Publications

  • Free Presbyterian Magazine
    • Historic Sermons
    • 1896 to 1904
    • 1904 to 1910
    • 1910 to 1919
    • 1920 to 1929
    • 1930 to 1939
    • 1940 to 1949
    • 1950 to 1956
    • 1998 to 2003
      • October 2003
        • A View from the Outer Hebrides
        • The Untiring Travellers – Part 2
        • Sanctification – Part 2
        • The Ten Virgins
        • John Wesley 1703-1791
        • A Pastor’s Concern
        • Seeking Great Things
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • September 2003
        • A Kingdom Where Order Reigns
        • Church Information
        • The Untiring Travellers – Part 1
        • Sanctification – part 1
        • The Achreny Mission – 2. 1815 to 1843
        • Evidences of Saving Faith – part 4
        • Book Reviews
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • November 2003
        • Church Information
        • A Prayer-Hearing God – Part 1
        • The Achreny Mission – Part 3 – After the Disruption
        • Meditation – Its Blessedness
        • Obituary – John Beaton, Raasay
        • African Missions Update
        • Growing Vatican Sovereignty
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Christ as Prophet
      • March 2003
        • What We Make It?
        • King Solomon’s Chariot
        • Samuel Rutherford – St Andrews and Westminster
        • Those Who Have Fled for Refuge – Part 4
        • The Parable of the Talents
        • The Kinsman
        • Scottish Church Initiative for Union
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • May 2003
        • A Powerful Voice
        • Notes and Comments
        • “Ye Shall Ask What Ye Will”- Part 2
        • Christianity – an Exclusive Religion – The Religion of the Bible
        • The Prodigal Son
        • The Study of Providence
        • Poor and Needy
        • John Piper and His Doctrine
        • African Missions
        • Protestant View
      • June 2003
        • No Sense of Need
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • The Call of Matthew
        • Christianity – an Exclusive Religion – The Christian Doctrine of God
        • The Sower
        • Evidences of Saving Faith – Part 1
        • Meditation Sanctifies
        • Mbuma Zending Meeting – 2003
        • Zimbabwe Ordinations and Inductions
        • Book Reviews
      • July 2003
        • Acceptable Worship
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Grace Glorified in Election
        • Christianity – an Exclusive Religion – Some Further Doctrines
        • The Pharisee and the Publican
        • Rabbi Duncan
        • Evidences of Saving Faith – Part 2
        • A Plea for Prayer
        • Continuing Repentance
        • Book Review: Christmas Evans, The Life and Times of the One-Eyed Preacher of Wales
      • January 2003
        • Thankfulness
        • The Lord God of Elijah
        • Samuel Rutherford – Fair Anwoth by the Solway – 1627 – 1636
        • Manna
        • All of Grace
        • Obituary – Mr Edward Arthur Christensen, Auckland
        • Obituary – Miss Isabel Murray, North Tolsta
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • February 2003
        • Christ’s Infinite Riches
        • Protestant View
        • Church Information
        • The Lord God of Elijah – Part 2
        • Samuel Rutherford – His King’s Palace in Aberdeen
        • The Privilege of Prayer
        • In Possession of the Promises
        • The Rich Man and Lazarus
        • Humiliation and Prayer
        • Book Reviews
        • Notes and Comments
        • Book Review – Sidelights on Bible Characters
        • Book Review – Authentic Christianity: Sermons on the Acts of the Apostles
      • December 2003
        • Nineteenth-Century Drift
        • A Prayer-Hearing God – Part 2
        • The Achreny Mission – 4. After the Disruption – Part 2
        • Meditation – Its Consequences
        • Visit to the Ukraine
        • Book Review – Letters from the South Seas, Margaret Paton
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • April 2003
        • The Promised Land
        • Church Information
        • “Ye Shall Ask What Ye Will”- Part 1
        • Samuel Rutherford – The Last Years
        • The Pearl of Great Price
        • Repentance
        • A Private Among the Padres
        • Damaging Doubts
        • The Prince – Defender of all Faiths
        • Protestant View
      • August 2003
        • What Kind of Faith?
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • The Head Stone of the Corner
        • The Vineyard
        • Mary and the Spiritual Mind
        • The Achreny Mission – 1. 1760 to 1815
        • Church of Scotland General Assembly
        • Evidences of Saving Faith – Part 3
        • Book Reviews
        • Protestant View
        • Book Review – God’s Hymnbook for the Christian Church
      • September 2002
        • The Shepherd’s Reward
        • Notes and Comments
        • The Jubilee
        • The Early Christian Church – The Era of Conflict
        • Those Who Have Fled for Refuge – Part 2
        • The Beliver’s Sanctification
        • Trinitarian Bible Society Update
        • The New Archbishop of Canterbury
        • Book Reviews
        • Protestant View
      • October 2002
        • “My Counsel Shall Stand”
        • Church Information
        • The Way to the City
        • The Early Christian Church – The Era of Consolidation
        • “Your Mercy”and the Jews’ Future
        • Springing Up After Many Days
        • Book Reviews
        • Eastern Europe News
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • November 2002
        • Christ’s Spiritual Conquests
        • Church Information
        • The Call to the Water of Life – Part 2 (1) A Sermon by William Nixon Revelation 22:17. And the spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
        • The Right Way (1) Rev J S Sinclair
        • Obituary Mr Murdo Macleod, Elder, Stornoway
        • Book Reviews
        • Foreign Mission News
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • May 2002
        • Divine Compassion
        • Book Review – The Antichrist
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • Coming to Christ – Part 2
        • A Master in Israel
        • The Cleansing of the Leper
        • The Christian’s Life
        • The Puritans on Prayer
        • Advice on Preaching
        • The Great Draught of Fishes
        • Book Review – Church and State
      • March 2002
        • “Hear the Word of the Lord”
        • The Blessing of Asher
        • Thomas Cranmer – That God Might Be Truly Worshipped
        • Psalms or Hymns in Public Worship
        • Obituary – Reverend Donald Nicolson
        • Is Britain Being Protected?
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Protestant View
      • June 2002
        • “Another King, One Jesus”
        • Church Information
        • Pray Without Ceasing
        • The Puritans on Prayer – Part 2
        • Inventing Religion
        • Princeton and Pelagianism
        • Among the Children
        • Hopes of Future Usefulness – A Letter of John Love
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • January 2002
        • “Religion in its Purity”
        • Notes and Comments
        • Attaining a Knowledge of Our Sins
        • The Meat Offering
        • The Strength of Faith
        • Thomas Cranmer – Moving Towards a Reformation
        • The Extent of the Atonement
        • Rev John MacDonald (1925-2000) – Obituary
        • Book Review – God and Cosmos
        • Protestant View – Queen Invites Cardinal to Sandringham
      • July 2002
        • The Need for Opened Eyes
        • God’s Wrath Against Sin
        • The Puritans on Prayer – A Wondrous Mysterious Grace
        • Revival in Arran
        • Man’s Righteousness and God’s
        • Church of Scotland General Assembly
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Protestant View
      • February 2002
        • Offering up Our Desires to God
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • Look unto Me and Be Ye Saved
        • Thomas Cranmer – The Man of Extreme Caution
        • The Power of the Gospel
        • The Goodness of God in Redemption
        • Obituary – Mrs Isabella Turner
        • Book Review – Galatians
        • Book Notices
        • Protestant View
      • December 2002
        • “A Zealous, Godly Preacher”
        • The Call to the Water of Life – Part 2
        • Samuel Rutherford – From Birth to New Birth
        • Those Who Have Fled for Refuge – part 3
        • Obituary – Mrs Annie MacIver, North Tolsta
        • Book Reviews
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • April 2002
        • “I am the Resurrection and the Life”
        • Coming to Christ – Part 1
        • Thomas Cranmer – On to the Fire
        • The Plague of Leprosy
        • Divided Allegiance
        • Obituary – Miss Margaret Sutherland
        • Book Review – The Hidden Pathway
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • August 2002
        • Everything Devoted to God’s Service
        • Unity Among the Brethren
        • Those Who Have Feld for Refuge
        • The Early Christian Church – The Era of Conquest
        • Symptoms of Spiritual Death
        • Book Review – The King’s Daughters
        • African Mission News
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • September 2001
        • Knowing God
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • The Path of the Just
        • Obituary – The late Miss Jean Nicolson
        • Obituary – The late Mrs Lexie MacLeod
        • Raasay Congregation – a Brief History
        • The Knowledge of Sin
        • Induction at Sengera
        • Book Review: The Source of the IRA/Sinn Fein
        • Protestant View
      • October 2001
        • Tragedy
        • “God Gave the Increase”
        • The Westminster Confession of Faith – It’s Usefulness for the Church
        • Desires for Glory
        • Calling a Minister
        • The Vatican Archives
        • A Visit to Singapore
        • Notes and Comments
      • November 2001
        • Scotland’s Preachers
        • Recent Inductions
        • The Rose of Sharon
        • The Westminster Confession of Faith – It’s Usefulness on the Personal Level – Intellectually
        • “Be Strong and of a Good Courage”
        • God’s Wonderful Goodness
        • “Withhold not Correction”
        • Obituary – The late Mr Donald Beaton, Elder, Auckland
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Obituary – The late Mr Donald Beaton, Elder, Auckland
      • May 2001
        • Sinking in Capernaum’s Doom
        • Book Review – Irish Worthies
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • The Goodwill of God
        • Keeping the Heart in Temptation
        • The Establishment Principle – Part 2
        • The Garden of Nuts
        • The Son of Man Lifted up
        • Obituary – The late John Angus MacLeod
        • A Deputy’s Visit to Africa – Kenya
        • Book Review – Faith and Justification
      • March 2001
        • “Just with God”
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • Christ Set up from Everlasting
        • Stevenson on the Offices of Christ – Christ as Priest
        • W S Plumer- Part 2
        • Obituary – The late Rev Alexander McPherson, Perth
        • Pastoral Letter – Rev Alexander McPherson
        • Joseph MacKay
        • Book Review – Forerunner of the Great Awakening
      • June 2001
        • Blessedness
        • Church Information
        • Christ Coming for His people’s Help – Part 1
        • Who Belong to the Visible Church?
        • The Establishment Principle – Part 3
        • Religion in the Highlands After 1688 – Part 3
        • Raising Questions Against Darwinism
        • Eastern Europe News
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • July 2001
        • Cry Aloud Spare Not
        • Christ Coming for His people’s Help – Part 2
        • Stevenson on the Offices of Christ
        • Our African Missions – an Update
        • Church of Scotland General Assembly
        • Spring Visit to Ukraine
        • Trinitarian Bible Society Report
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • January 2001
        • Looking Forward
        • Book Review – The Government of the Church
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • Faith, Its Nature, Origin and Effects
        • Thomas Halyburton and How God May Be Known
        • The Divinity of Christ
        • Religion in the Highlands after 1688 – Part 1
        • Keep a good conscience
        • God’s True Family
        • What is the Object of Faith?
        • Communion in Singapore
      • February 2001
        • Calling the Sabbath a Delight
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • Christ Set up from Everlasting
        • Stevenson on the Offices of Christ – Christ as Prophet
        • Religion in the Highlands after 1688 – Part 2
        • Book Review – Daily Prayer and Praise by Henry Law
        • Psalm 122 – Henry Law
        • The enemies of the Christian
        • African Mission News
        • Protestant View
      • December 2001
        • Protestant View
        • African Mission News
        • Eastern Europe News
        • Book Review – Tell it to the Generation Following
        • The Westminster Confession of Faith – Usefulness on the Personal Level
        • The Impossibility of Neutrality
        • “Christian”Entertainment
        • Attaining a Knowledge of Our Sins
        • Church Information
        • Notes and Comments
        • A View From Zimbabwe
      • August 2001
        • “There They Preached the Gospel”
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • “He Will Bless Us”
        • Stevenson on the Offices of Christ
        • “He Delighteth in Mercy”
        • “The Voice of Christianity in Scotland”
        • Obituary – The late Mr Ian M MacLeod, Elder, Dingwall
        • Obituary – The late Mrs Catherine MacKenzie, Stornoway
        • Book Review – Southern Presbyterian Leaders 1683-1911
        • Book Review – The Westminster Confession of Faith, Milestone, Millstone or Manifesto?
      • April 2001
        • Sowing the Seed
        • The Duty of Nations to the Church
        • The Establishment Principle – Part 1
        • “The Finger of God”
        • Obituary – The late Miss Peggy Nicolson, Inverness
        • A Deputy’s Visit to Africa – Zimbabwe
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • September 2000
        • The Resurrection of Christ
        • Church Information
        • Reading the Scriptures Profitably
        • The believer is to put those sins… into the hands of Christ
        • The Puritans and the Ministry
        • Christ Glorifying God
        • Blessed Are They That Mourn
        • The Nature of Vital Piety (2)
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • October 2000
        • The Fear of God
        • Church Information
        • Reading the Scriptures Profitably (2)
        • He indeed is rich in grace whose graces are not hindered by his riches
        • The Puritans and the Ministry (2)
        • James Stewart
        • Christ Healing a Leper
        • Visits To Eastern Europe
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • November 2000
        • “What Are They Among so Many?”
        • Vain Religion
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • The Desired Haven
        • God may bear long with the wicked, but…
        • Thomas Halyburton
        • James Stewart (2)
        • The Temptation of Christ
        • Book Review
      • May 2000
        • The Church of God From Age to Age
        • Jesus of Nazareth passeth by
        • Rev Lachlan MacLeod (1918-1998) – Obituary
        • “So let him give”
        • The Solemn League and Covenant
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • African Mission News
        • Church Information
      • June 2000
        • The Example of the Church in Smyrna
        • Eastern Europe – Spring 2000 Report
        • Church Information
        • The Nature of the New Birth
        • This is Indeed the Christ
        • Obituary The late Mr Alasdair Gillies, M.A., Elder, Dingwall
        • Report of Mbuma Zending Meeting – 29th April 2000
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Ma Donsa One of the Pilgrims at Ingwenya
        • African Mission News
      • March 2000
        • Two Free Churches
        • Sermon The Gracious Invitation of Christ
        • The Rev John Sinclair of Bruan (1801-43)
        • Princeton Theology – the Scottish Connection
        • Regeneration Regulating the Affections
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • July 2000
        • The Church of Scotland General Assembly
        • Church Information
        • Lift up a Standard for the People
        • At the Westminster Assembly
        • The Earth Corrupt before God
        • The Trinitarian Bible Society Report
        • Obituary – The late Mr Kenneth Gillies, Elder, Raasay
        • The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland Synod
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • February 2000
        • The Rev. Christopher Munro (1817-85)
        • African Mission News
        • Church Information
        • “Come unto me”
        • Joy and Peace in Believing
        • Princeton Theology – the Scottish Connection
        • Negotiations in London
        • Obituary
        • Trinitarian Bible Society Scottish Day Conference
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • January 2000
        • Another Millennium
        • Notes of a Sermon The Earth Filled with His Glory
        • The Second Coming of Christ – Three Main Views
        • The Latter Day Glory
        • Building up the Church of God
        • Princeton Seminary – The Majestic Testimony by David Calhoun.
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • December 2000
        • The Divine Saviour
        • A Sermon by John Kennedy
        • Thomas Halyburton
        • The Late Roderick Macleod,
        • The Aberdeen Church
        • Book Reviews
        • Book Reviews
        • Notes and Comments
      • August 2000
        • Where Are We Now?
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • Christ Given in His Fulness
        • Alexander Henderson
        • I cannot always come to Christ
        • Obedience to Christ
        • The Nature of Vital Piety
        • The Puritans for Today
        • Protestant View
      • April 2000
        • The Family Under Attack
        • Sermon
        • Princeton Theology – the Scottish Connection
        • The King in Scotland
        • Comments on Psalm 51
        • Unsettling the Settlement
        • The pope’s visit to the Holy Land
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • October 1999
        • Declaring All the Counsel of God
        • Church Information
        • God so Loved the World
        • The Rev. James S. Sinclair
        • The Glasgow Assembly
        • Calvin’s View of the Millennium
        • Book Review
        • Trinitarian Bible Society Annual General Meeting
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • September 1999
        • Old Testament Types
        • Church Information
        • Christ Seeing of the Travail of His Soul
        • Alexander Stewart of Cromarty
        • The Intercession of Christ
        • Resolved to Abolish Episcopacy
        • “And the sun was darkened”
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • November 1999
        • Morality and Politics
        • Church Information
        • Sermon
        • Rev Alexander Morrison (1925-1999) – Obituary
        • The Charismatic Movement – The Gifts have Ceased
        • Casting down the Walls of Jericho
        • A Visit to Singapore
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • May 1999
        • “Upon this rock I will build my church”
        • The Blessed Poor
        • Rev Angus Mackay
        • Is Christ our High Priest?
        • Signs of Religious Declension
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • March 1999
        • Heaven-provoking Legislation
        • Church Information
        • The Drawing Power of the Cross
        • The Alpha Course Examined
        • Teaching Christianity in Scottish Schools
        • The late Mrs Margaret Tallach, Glasgow
        • Letter by John Love, D.D.
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • African Mission News
      • June 1999
        • Made a Faithful Shepherd
        • Notes and Comments
        • How May Sanctification Be Attained?
        • Protestant View
        • Mbuma Zending Meeting Report
        • Address to Mbuma Zending Meeting
        • Spiritual Pride in Man
        • Church Information
        • Preaching the Unsearchable Riches of Christ
        • The Free Church and the World
      • January 1999
        • When the Enemy Shall Come in Like a Flood
        • Church Information
        • Let me see thy countenance
        • The Religion of the Highlands
        • Personal Creed and Resolutions
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • African Mission News
        • Eastern Europe Mission
      • July 1999
        • The Church of Scotland General Assembly
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • The Pre-eminence of Christ
        • A Man Who Wished to Live Obscurely
        • The Nature of Saving Faith
        • The Light of the World
        • God is: therefore God is to be Worshipped
        • Book Review
        • The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland Synod
        • Protestant View
      • February 1999
        • The Purposes of the Lord’s Supper
        • The Trinitarian Bible Society – Appointments
        • The Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God
        • Holy Importunity in Prayer
        • A Heavenly Eternal Crown of Glory
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • African Mission News
        • Church Information
      • December 1999
        • The End of a Millennium
        • African Mission News
        • Church Information
        • Until the Day Break
        • The Charismatic Movement – The Gifts have Ceased
        • The Rev. Donald Macfarlane of Dingwall
        • The Pagan Origin of Christmas A Reminder
        • Ministers Prepared by Temptation
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • August 1999
        • The Advance of Rome under Hume
        • Notes and Comments
        • Eastern Europe Mission
        • Church Information
        • The Marks of a Time of Revival, and the Means of Bringing it About
        • The Free Church of Scotland General Assembly
        • Thy Kingdom Come
        • The National Covenant
        • Work of the Trinitarian Bible Society in 1998
        • Unsettled and Discouraged?
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
      • April 1999
        • The Observance of Easter
        • The Smitten Shepherd and His Flock
        • The Prince of Highland Preachers
        • The Inter-Faith Movement
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • September 1998
        • The Golden Key of Prayer
        • Church Information
        • Weighed in the Balances
        • Christ, the Way
        • Praying as Beggars
        • Book Reviews
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Our African Mission
        • Patrick Mzamo – A sketch of an African elder and lay-preacher
      • October 1998
        • The Westminster Assembly and Romanism
        • African Mission News
        • Church Information
        • Christ Liveth in me *
        • God’s Way of Bringing Sinners to Christ
        • The Effects of Television Violence
        • Sin and Sanctification
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Philemon Ndebele
      • November 1998
        • Faithfulness or Vilification
        • Church Information
        • The Best Security in Evil Times
        • Pentecostal Dialogue with Rome
        • The Prayers of the Aged
        • The Religion of the Highlands – The Persecution of a Highland Laird
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Eastern Europe Mission Work
      • May 1998
        • The Mode of Baptism – A Defence
        • Outlines of Lectures on the Bible
        • A Vessel Meet for the Master’s Use
        • African Mission News
        • Church Information
        • Serving the Lord with Humility
        • The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland on the Internet
        • Booklet Reviews
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • The Story of Mamlotshwa
      • March 1998
        • A Minister of God
        • “I will yet for this be inquired of”
        • African Mission News
        • Church Information
        • Godliness With Contentment
        • Protestant View
        • African Mission News
        • Outlines of Lectures on the Bible
        • Private Prayer and Public Profession
        • Truth and Life
        • The Free Church, Psalms and Hymns
      • June 1998
        • Family Worship
        • Notes and Comments
        • Ma Ngwenya – Mother of the late Rev. B. B. Dube
        • Church Information
        • The Lord is Risen Indeed
        • Outlines of Lectures on the Bible
        • The Pastoral Epistles
        • The Church of Scotland and the Bible
        • Mbuma-Zending Meeting – 1998
        • Three Characteristics of True Faith
        • Book Reviews
        • Protestant View
        • Three Characteristics of True Faith
      • July 1998
        • The General Assemblies
        • Church Information
        • The Scriptural Warrant for Creedal Subscription
        • The Pastoral Epistles
        • The Trinitarian Bible Society Report
        • A Cambuslang Case of Conversion
        • Booklet Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland Synod
      • January 1998
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • MaHlabangana
        • Winter Visit to Eastern Europe
        • THE NEW YEAR
        • The Church Built and Kept by the Lord
        • Outlines of Lectures on the Bible
        • The Fruits of the Declaratory Act In the Free Church of Scotland
        • Redeeming the Time
        • African Mission News
      • February 1998
        • Outlines of Lectures on the Bible
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • A Mission Day of Prayer
        • Church Information
        • Leaning Upon her Beloved
        • Brought Home to Heaven
        • Observing the Sabbath
        • Church Deputy’s Visit to North America
        • African Mission News
        • A Faithful Ambassador is Health
      • December 1998
        • When the Enemy Shall Come in Like a Flood
        • “My grace is sufficient for thee”
        • The People of the Great Faith
        • Sudden Conversions
        • A Good Soldier of Jesus Christ
        • “Give ye them to eat”
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • August 1998
        • The General Assemblies
        • Sermon – The House of Many Mansions
        • Lessons From the Doctrine of Divine Justice
        • Book Notice
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Paul Magaya – Lay Preacher in Shangani
        • Church Information
      • April 1998
        • Outlines of Lectures on the Bible
        • The Mode of Baptism – A Defence
        • Notes and Comments
        • Protestant View
        • The Manner of Coming to Christ
        • Book Notice
        • A Lily from the Ukraine
        • Eastern Europe Mission
        • Church Information
        • Called of God
        • Threats to our Religious Liberties
        • Mazwabo’s Amazing Transformation
    • 2004 to 2011
    • 2012 to 2019
    • 2020 to 2022
  • Young People’s Magazine
    • 2012 to 2019
    • 2003 to 2011
    • 2020 to 2022
  • Gaelic Supplement – An Earrann Ghàidhlig
  • Synod Reports
  • Religion and Morals Committee Reports

Latest Articles

  • Synod Resolution re The Church of Scotland’s Declaration of Friendship with the Roman Catholic Church
  • Worksheets for the Scripture and Catechism Exercises 3
  • Special Offers on New Books for May

Recently Added Audio

  • Synod Sermon 2022 17 May 2022
  • Earth, Earth, Earth 7 Nov 2021
  • The Dew upon Israel 3 Nov 2021
  • The Queen of Sheba’s Visit 31 Oct 2021
  • Loving this present world 24 Oct 2021
  • God’s gracious call to repentance 8 Sep 2021
  • All things through Christ’s strength 5 Sep 2021
  • Still unsaved 21 Nov 2021
  • Christ always the same 21 Nov 2021
  • Paul preaching Christ’s death and resurrection 14 Nov 2021

View All Sermons

Download Latest Issues:
The Free Presbyterian Magazine
Young People’s Magazine

Free Presbyterian Places of Worship

Browse the Church Bookshop

Special Offers on New Books This Month

The Peep of Day by F L Mortimer, £6.30

Comfort in Affliction by James Buchanan, £3.95

Art of Divine Contentment by Thomas Watson, £2.50

Life of John Knox by Thomas M’Crie, £4.40

Revivals of the Eighteenth Century by Duncan MacFarlan, £4.70

(Postage is extra.)
Available from the Free Presbyterian Bookoom.

Back to top

Website Contact

Rev Keith M Watkins
[email protected]

Moderator of Synod

Rev Donald A Ross
Free Presbyterian Manse
Laide
Ross-shire
IV22 2NB
[email protected]

Clerk of Synod

Rev Keith M Watkins
Free Presbyterian Manse, Ferry Road, Leverburgh, Isle of Harris, HS5 3UA, UK.
[email protected]

General Treasurer

Mr William Campbell
133 Woodlands Road, Glasgow,
G3 6LE, UK.
[email protected]

Copyright © 2022 Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland · Log in · Subscribe via RSS · Privacy Notice