Absolutely Basic

Horatius Bonar (1808–1889) was a minister in Scotland for over 50 years. He is best known today as the writer of many great hymns, including ‘I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say’ and ‘Of the Father’s Love Begotten’.J. C. Ryle (1816 - 1900) was the first Bishop of Liverpool. He was one of the most authoritative churchmen of his time and his writings have been in constant demand throughout the last hundred years. His popularity was due to his clear and simple style, his longevity due to his being a profound thinker and compassionate pastor.

The hymns of Horatius Bonar are unique. He could be called the greatest of Scottish hymnists for the amount of hymns written and their rich variety of mood, metre and poetic beauty. But he was also an evangelist and a masterful writer, simplifying the profound and fundamental gospel truths of the Westminster Confession. This book on the imputation of Christ’s righteousness is typical. It opens up the heart of the Christian message of grace. It is conjoined to three messages by a contemporary preacher of Bonar’s, the wonderfully lucid and challenging J. C. Ryle. What a rich and helpful combination.