John Howie (1) (1793–)

Howie, John, The Scots Worthies. Biographia Scoticana: or, A Brief Historical Account of the Lives, Characters, and Memorable Transactions of the Most Eminent Scots Worthies . . . As also, an appendix, containing a short historical hint of the wicked lives . . . of the . . . apostates and . . . persecutors in Scotland .., 2nd edition, corrected and enlarged, 1781 (Glasgow: Printed by John Bryce, and sold at his shop opposite Gibson's-Wynd, Salt-market, 1781), rel="nofollow" target="_top"> (Gale: Eighteenth Century Collection Online [ECCO.] Gale Document Number CW3300757473), and (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"Most commonly known as SCOTS WORTHIES, this edition contains Howie's footnotes (defending the Covenanters) and Howie's appendix titled `The Judgment and Justice of God' (which chronicles God's judgments upon Reformation apostates and those who persecuted the Covenanters). It is the only edition in print which contains both these sections intended for publication by the author (as later editors often removed either one or both of these parts of this book). BIOGRAPHIA SCOTICANA covers the history of `noblemen, gentlemen, ministers and others from Mr. Patrick Hamilton, who was born about the year of our Lord 1503, and suffered martyrdom at St Andrews, Feb, 1527, to Mr. James Renwick, who was executed in the Grass-market of Edinburgh, Feb. 17, 1688. Together with a succinct account of the lives of other seven eminent divines, and Sir Robert Hamilton of Preston, who died about, or shortly after the Revolution.' This is one of our best history books (over 700 pages), covering all of the major Scottish Reformers. Howie summarizes his book as follows: `The design of the following was to collect, from the best authorities, a summary account of the lives, characters, and contendings, of a certain number of our most renowned SCOTS WORTHIES, who, for their faithful services, ardent zeal, constancy in sufferings, and other Christian graces and virtues, deserve honourable memorial in the Church of Christ; and for which their names have been, and will be savoury to all the true lovers of our Zion, while Reformation principles are regarded.' Furthermore, the momentous nature of the struggles chronicled in this book are succinctly noted when Howie writes: `the primitive witnesses had the divinity of the Son of God, and an open confession of Him, for their testimony. Our reformers from Popery had Antichrist to struggle with, in asserting the doctrines of the Gospel, and the right way of salvation in and through Jesus Christ. Again, in the reigns of James VI. and Charles I., Christ's REGALIA, and the divine right of Presbytery, became the subject matter of their testimony. Then, in the beginning of the reign of Charles II. (until he got the whole of our ancient and laudable constitution effaced and overturned), our Worthies only saw it their duty to hold and contend for what they had already attained unto. But, in the end of this and the subsequent tyrant's reign, they found it their duty (a duty which they had too long neglected) to advance one step higher, by casting off their authority altogether, and that as well on account of their manifest usurpation of Christ's crown and dignity, as on account of their treachery, bloodshed, and tyranny... which may be summed up. The Primitive martyrs sealed the prophetic office of Christ in opposition to Pagan idolatry. The reforming martyrs sealed His priestly office with their blood, in opposition to Popish idolatry. And last of all, our late martyrs have sealed His kingly office with their best blood, in despite of supremacy and bold Erastianism. They indeed have cemented it upon His royal head, so that to the world's end it shall never drop off again.' Moreover, the importance of this book can be clearly seen when Johnston, in TREASURY OF THE SCOTTISH COVENANT, ATLA 1988-6070, reports that, Walter Scott refers to Howie as `the fine old chronicler of the Cameronians'. . . Howie's book has been for upwards of a century a household word, occupying a place on the shelf beside THE BIBLE and PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.' Written for God, country and the covenanted work of Reformation. Stirring history!" -- SWRB
Biographia Scoticana or Scots Worthies (second edition, corrected and enlarged, 1781)
This is a book series of 22 audio files availabe at AudioSermons.com. It was produced by Still Waters Revival Books from the edition cited above.

http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?seriesOnly=true&currSection=sermonstop...
The full book and the book series MP3 files may also be found on:
The Reformation Bookshelf CD Series

http://www.swrb.com/Puritan/reformation-bookshelf-CDs.htm
See also: Thomson, John Henderson (editor), A Cloud of Witnesses for the Royal Prerogatives of Jesus Christ Being the Last Speeches and Testimonies of Those who Have Suffered for the Truth in Scotland Since . . . 1680 (Harrisonburg, VA [Sprinkle Publications, P.O. Box 1094, Harrisonburg, 22803]: Sprinkle Publications) or the 1871 edition, digitized Aug 31, 2006, free online e-text A Cloud of Witnesses for the Royal Prerogatives of Jesus Christ Being the Last Speeches and Testimonies of Those who Have Suffered for the Truth in Scotland Since . . . 1680, and John Foxe's Book of Martyrs. Actes and Monuments of Matters Most Speciall and Memorable, the second edition of Foxe's Book of Martyrs Variorum Edition Online (version 1.1 - summer 2006).… (mehr)