“Thomas Cartwright is little known today, but he was surely known by the Westminster Divines, being an early father of English Puritanism and an advocate of Presbyterian ecclesiology. In this impressive work, Cartwright employs a question-and-answer method to cover typical dogmas and foundational doctrines worthy of greater consideration by modern Christians. I am pleased that Sacra Press has republished this book.” — Zachary Garris
“Most know of Thomas Cartwright, the great 16th century English theologian, only through his adversaries, particularly through Richard Hooker. But, as any scholar or avid reader will tell you, this is no way to understand a man’s work, even if his opponents were indeed judicious. Cody Justice, the editor of this volume, has done a great service to the church. It should dispel some myths about Cartwright, a faithful and remarkably learned man, whose influence spread from Scotland to Continental Europe, and eventually across the Atlantic. As our world demands that we conform to moral insanity, let Cartwright’s boldness for truth inspire us to renew our homelands to the glory of God and the good of the church.” — Stephen Wolfe
“This father of the Puritans unpacks more wisdom in concise questions and answers than most modern theologians do throughout the course of their lives. Cartwright’s Treatise
here and the excellent little biography at the front of the book give reason to pause before swallowing whole the account of Hooker, namely that the Presbyterian cause was reducible to mere biblicism and a censorious spirit. Whether the reader agrees with the whole doctrine or not, what shines forth here is a reverence for God, His word and works, and the whole-life implications of the union between Christ and the church.” — Matt Marino
What is the Christian Religion?
Thomas Cartwright asks and answers this question in this book, edited and published anew for the first time in centuries by Sacra Press, including three additional works. Plain, pious, and practical—with this work Cartwright displays the full jewels of a Puritan systematic theology in a catechetical format, with Scripture citations for his answers.
Topics included:
God's Essence, Triunity, Attributes, & Works.
Kingdom of God, Creation, and God's Government.
Man, the Fall, and Sin, Including the Guilt and Punishment Thereof.
Covenant of Works & the Ten Commandments.
Covenant of Grace, Christ & his Mediation, and Salvation.
Church, Sacraments, & Church Discipline.
Prayer, Fasting, Feasting, & Vows.
Lord's Prayer.
Judgment.
Contents Included:
A Treatise of ChristianReligion. 57 chapters, 445pp.
The Christian Religion Contracted into a Short Catechism
by Thomas Cartwright—a shorter catechetical summary of the same doctrine. 158 questions. 22 pp.
A Directory of Church Government
by Thomas Cartwright—a brief treatise on polity & liturgy, including direction for preaching and divinity students. 17 pp.
Helps for Discovery of the Truth in Point of Toleration
by Thomas Cartwright—a brief treatise defending the continuing equity of the judicial law of Moses. 16 pp.
