The Story of the Gospel in England, Vol I., by S. F. Paul, A.R.C.Sc., 4 Silverdale Road, Hove, 4, Sussex; price 2s. 6d.; by post, 2s. 9.
The author intends to publish The Story of the Gospel in England in four volumes, the first of these being now for sale. This booklet of 79 pages, printed in good, clear type, deals with the pre-Reformation period from about 200 A.D. to the close of the 14th century. Outstanding historical events, from one stage of this period to another, are recorded concisely and in an interesting manner; and these events, with the persons and peoples concerned, are introduced in as far as they are connected with the introduction of the Gospel to Britain, its preservation, trials and triumphs during this period. In his first chapter, on “The Early Britons,” the author quotes Tertullian (A.D. 160-245), Origen (185-254) and others, in proof
of the existence of the Gospel in Britain at that early date; e.g., Origen says: “The power of God our Saviour is even with them which in Britain are divided from our world.” The author later deals in a most informative way, with the rise to power of the popes at Rome and their arrogant endeavours to enslave England, from the time of King Edward the Confessor (1042-1066) and onwards. In the chapter, “Resistance to Rome Awakened,” there is recorded, among other matters, the case of a William Occam (1300-1349), a scholar and writer of the period, who was excommunicated for contrasting the poverty of the Lord Jesus, Peter and other disciples, with the worldly grandeur of the pope. And there is worth-while reading in the concluding chapters dealing with John Wycliff and his followers (1300-1400), who were by God’s grace faithfully devoted to the doctrines of God’s holy Word and the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, for which they also suffered in various ways, as the author reminds us. The author has been much concerned throughout to introduce the light of Scripture where he deems this necessary. We recommend this booklet to our people, and to the young.