Light From Old Times

by J.C. Ryle, Douglas Wilson (Foreword), J.C. Liverpool (Introduction)

In this book Ryle casts light on milestones long forgotten by his generation. When was the Gospel first preached in the English tongue? Who was the first man to translate the entire Bible into English? Why were men, women, and children burned alive? How did Mary Tudor earn the unhappy name "Bloody Mary"? Whose evil policies forced thousands of seventeenth-century pilgrims to seek refuge in America? Drawing from his classical education, Ryle answers these questions by tracing the English Reformation as it was seen through the eyes of those who reformed the Church. Well schooled in the Fathers who kept the faith, he instructs their childrens children who will inherit that faith. He brings focus and clarity to the epochs which forever changed the destiny of the English speaking peoples. With his typical eloquence he lays bare the plain truth for all to see. While some pages are filled with the fragrant aroma of Gods grace, others reek with the stench of burning fleshbut all are Ryle at his bestgracious, forceful, judicious, and honest. "Light From Old Times" illuminates the ancient paths. Like points on a compass, the lives sketched in this volume and the doctrines uncovered by it guide us toward the true Gospelthe one worth living forand the one worth dying for.

Genres: Biography, Church History, History, Theology, Christian, Audiobook, Christianity

432 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 1980

About the author

(John Charles Ryle) Ryle started his ministry as curate at the Chapel of Ease in Exbury, Hampshire, moving on to become rector of St Thomas's, Winchester in 1843 and then rector of Helmingham, Suffolk the following year. While at Helmingham he married and was widowed twice. He began publishing popular tracts, and Matthew, Mark and Luke of his series of Expository Thoughts on the Gospels were published in successive years (1856-1858). His final parish was Stradbroke, also in Suffolk, where he moved in 1861, and it was as vicar of All Saints that he became known nationally for his straightforward preaching and firm defence of evangelical principles. He wrote several well-known and still-in-print books, often addressing issues of contemporary relevance for the Church from a biblical standpoint. He completed his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels while at Stradbroke, with his work on the Gospel of John (1869). His third marriage, to Henrietta Amelia Clowes in 1861, lasted until her death in 1889.

Reviews

[Omri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryle is always so clear and so precise and so compelling! Light From Old Times is classic Ryle. This book is an excellent introduction to the Reformation era and a few of its key but less known characters.
LFOT was written by Ryle to keep back ministers and laymen from reintroducing elements of Catholicism back into the Church of England. As the first Bishop of Liverpool, Ryle wrote to remind his fellow churchmen of the atrocities of Rome against England's Protestant heroes. He accomplishes this with a series of biographical sketches that acquaint the reader with several heroes and villains of the Reformation as well as the issues over which they disputed during this time.

"Why Were Our Reformers Burned" was a helpful chapter describing the terrible reign of Mary Tudor I (aka Blood Mary) and the significance of the Mass + the doctrine of transubstantiation/the real presence to Catholicism.

[Chase Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryle gives us brief biographical accounts of martyrs during the Church of England and Puritan split, running parallel to the reign of Bloody Mary and the infiltration of Rome-ish leaders in England. Ryle not only details these lives, but gives great commentary on their faithful and courageous acts, while not glossing over their shortcomings either. Amid this account, Ryle also provides a staunch defense of Protestantism and the ugly skeletons in the closet of Rome. Although written as a warning to the CoE in his day, this book highlights Scriptural truths which means it is beneficial for today as well. Many of the points made carry over to a 1:1 ratio, even hundreds of years later! There is truly nothing new under the sun and Ryle’s book gives testimony to this. Highly recommend!

[William Schrecengost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good. A bunch of biographies of men in the Church of England who stood against the Papists and Romanizing doctrines. Several stories of martyrs. I think the most interesting parts were when Ryle gave his own thoughts and opinions on the events. You were able to see some the theology he held too. He was definitely a low church Anglican. Disagreed with vestments and making the service overly ritualistic. He held a less strict view of apostolic succession, basically stating that Presbyterian ordination is an acceptable form of receiving ministerial orders.

[Connor Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much of this book was 5 star quality but some of it felt more like 3 star quality. This book was all about reformers that were important in the church of England’s history. Many of them were burned at the stake and it was powerful reading about Roger’s, Hooper’s, Ridley’s, and Latimer’s commitment to the Lord and their convictions. Their words and beliefs were the high points of the book. I also really liked reading how Laud, Queen Mary, and King James II did much harm to the church. Richard Baxter and William Gurnall had different responses to controversy that was helpful and thought provoking. Some of the other essays were kind of boring. He spent so long mentioning the bishopric structure of the Church of England in most of the essays that was excessive and not super helpful. Overall very encouraging and would recommend to fans of church history and Ryle!

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book detailing the lives and contributions of many protestant reformers. The work they completed in their lives would take most men and women several lifetimes. Their love for Christ outweighed dozens of others. Ryle chronicles their history and implications for modern readers who still can benefit from that old time light.

[Anete Ābola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring! A history book gets adventurous and useful when it is written by Ryle.
It is useful to learn Europe's past, to see how people lived and died for their Christian convictions. Are we able to live and die for the glory of God? Or are we shallow, weak and self-centered? Aren't we too concerned about ecumenism totally forgetting the truths others were ready to be burned for? May we learn from our brothers and sisters a few centuries ago!
This book made me want to learn even more about the history of England and the history of Christianity.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! J.C. Ryle was a passionate Protestant and I think he wanted to “light a candle” in other Protestants that has been put out by time and ignorance. This book made me so proud to be a protestant. Are Protestants perfect? No (he shares a shocking event done by Protestants)- but nevertheless, this book was amazing and J.C. Ryle wanted his readers to know how indebted we are to the early Reformers. What wonderful, bold, and godly men and women have gone before us - we’d do well to learn about them and from them. Every Protestant (& Catholic) should read this book.

“We shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.”

-Latimer, right as he was about to burn at the stake

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book by J. C. Ryle. In it he holds up faithful heroes of the not so distant past as an example not only to those of his time but for those of us today as well. Also, he does not shrink from letting his readers know of the dangers that he thinks Roman Catholicism poses to the freedoms of his countrymen as well as the world. Well worth reading in my opinion.

[Rick Presley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryle's animus toward the RC church comes through loud and clear in this book. Considering England's history, it's not surprising. I wish he would have spent more time on the men's accomplishments in a more detailed fashion. What he does do is whet one's appetite for biographies of many of these men. At least to the degree that they're available.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good stuff. Ryle's strength isn't in being a thorough historian or biographer. He lays out sketches and summaries. Like John Piper's biographical messages, the significant contribution made is to be found in his abundant observations and practical remarks.

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb!

[Brent McDaris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great as far as learning about many of the early reformers and other figures which played a big role in church history. A little dry, but good historical perspective.

[Zachary Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I understand more why I find J.C. Ryles orginal works to be most beneficial, it is because he drew from a very deep well.

[Ben Lansing]

“We live in an age when there is a false glare on the things of time and a great mist over the things of eternity.”

[Peter Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the language is somewhat dated and there is perhaps too little of a critical eye cast over previous generations, this is a very interesting read. Ryle's passion for the gospel comes through as he recounts the passion of the English reformers. It is deeply challenging to read about the white hot commitment to the gospel shown by these men. We have much to learn from them in our day.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good.