The Christian's Reasonable Service

Wilhelmus à Brakel, translated by Bartel Elshout and edited by Joel R. Beeke (Reformation Heritage Books, 1992–95).

De Redelijke Godsdienst (Rotterdam, 1700) is the great systematic and practical divinity of the Dutch Second Reformation (Nadere Reformatie), the Dutch counterpart of English Puritanism: the whole body of Reformed doctrine set out in 103 chapters and, at the end of every one, turned to the conscience — “expounded, defended against opposing parties, and their practice advocated,” as the title page puts it. It went through twenty editions in its author’s own country and became the household book of the Dutch Reformed for two centuries. Elshout’s is the first and only English translation.

In copyright (© Reformation Heritage Books, 1992); freely distributed by the publisher.

Up: Wilhelmus à Brakel

Contents (115)

Volume One: God, Man, and Christ

Front matter

1. Preface
2. Acknowledgments
3. Wilhelmus à Brakel — A Biographical Sketch
4. The Dutch Second Reformation (Nadere Reformatie)
5. To the Congregation of God

Theology: The Doctrine of God

6. Chapter 1. The Knowledge of God from Nature
7. Chapter 2. The Word of God
8. Chapter 3. The Essence of God
9. Chapter 4. The Divine Persons
10. Chapter 5. The Decrees of God: General Observations
11. Chapter 6. Eternal Predestination: Election and Reprobation
12. Chapter 7. The Covenant of Redemption Between God the Father and God the Son Concerning the Elect; or, the Counsel of Peace
13. Chapter 8. The Creation of the World
14. Chapter 9. Angels and Devils

Anthropology: The Doctrine of Man

15. Chapter 10. Concerning Man, Particularly the Soul
16. Chapter 11. The Providence of God
17. Chapter 12. The Covenant of Works
18. Chapter 13. The Breach of the Covenant of Works
19. Chapter 14. Original and Actual Sin
20. Chapter 15. Man’s Free Will or Impotency and the Punishment Due Upon Sin

Christology: The Doctrine of Christ

21. Chapter 16. The Covenant of Grace
22. Chapter 17. The Necessity of Satisfaction by the Surety Jesus Christ
23. Chapter 18. The Divinity, Incarnation, and Union of Two Natures in the Person of Our Lord Jesus Christ
24. Chapter 19. Concerning the Three Offices of Christ, and Particularly His Prophetic Office
25. Chapter 20. The High-Priestly Office of Christ
26. Chapter 21. The Kingly Office of Jesus Christ
27. Chapter 22. The State of Christ’s Humiliation by Which He made Satisfaction for the Sins of the Elect
28. Chapter 23. The State of Christ’s Exaltation