The aim of the author in writing this ‘sketch’ is to ‘show the continuity through the centuries of the testimony to “the faith that was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3)’. The book is bursting with facts, quotations and interesting incidents relating to each person.
For one who makes no pretence of great historical knowledge about the godly men and women who have witnessed to the truths of free and sovereign grace, this was a perfect introduction.
The book begins right back at the close of apostolic days with Ignatius and Polycarp, Athanasius and Augustine, bringing out the specific doctrines that each man was given particular light on. The reader is then taken through the times of the Reformers, the Puritans and into the Eighteenth Century. This ends the chronological section of the book, and from there on it is divided under denominational headings: the Church of England, the Independents, and finally the Baptists. The author then discusses some prominent figures in nineteenth century literature and goes on to consider the future exhorting believers to ‘holdfast’ their profession of free and sovereign grace.
Although originally published in 1909 the quaintness of the language does not make this anything other than easy reading due to the naturally flowing style of the author, and the deeply expressive nature of his descriptions. From Wycliffe and Knox, Owen and Bunyan, Whitefield and Gill, to Newton and Parks, Huntington and Irons, Gadsby and Wells a stream of enlightening incidents and experimentally taught doctrines hold the interest. Many well known as well as lesser known people are included with relevant illustrations and a useful index.
To me, a consistent thread running throughout the book is the earnestness of each believer, the incredible amount of time given to prayer, the study of the word and to exposition whether in writing or preaching. How this highlights the lack of such earnestness in our own day!
One small criticism of the book is that, at times, the biographical sketches become entangled so as to slightly confuse the reader, or else too much knowledge is assumed on the reader’s part.
However, this is a book that has whet my appetite for further reading of the writings of these ‘witnesses’, and, partly due to a poor memory for facts, one that will be dipped into time and time again.

Lorna Roe
cbo