The Whole Works of James Ussher (18 vols.)
by James Ussher, Charles Richard Elrington
6 publishers R. J.,Jonathan Robinson,A. and J. Churchill,J. Taylor,J. Wyatt,Hodges, Smith and Co. 1702–1864
Overview
One of the most important biblical scholars and theologians of the 17th century, James Ussher’s work has made a recent resurgence in Christian literature with the reprinting of his books. Ussher’s writings influenced generations of Christian thought and his research and scholarly work earned high praise—even from those opposed to his ideas. An expert on the writings of the early Church Fathers, Ussher’s work had a giant impact on the Westminster Assembly and Reformation theology. The Whole Works of the Most Rev. James Ussher (18 Vols.) contains his most important works, some in their original Latin language.
One of Ussher’s most famous works, Annales Veteris Testamenti, was his attempt to recount the history of the world from creation until 70 A.D. A controversial subject now, chronological studies of this kind were common for that era—and Ussher produced one of the most well sourced, fascinating books of history from a Christian framework that is still cherished today. Likewise, Ussher’s A Body of Divinity has re-emerged as a powerful book for many Christians: its question and answer format creates an engaging and practical guidebook for the Christian faith. Just two of the eighteen remarkable volumes contained in this collection, The Whole Works of the Most Rev. James Ussher (18 Vols.) is packed with spiritual insight and early English and Irish Church history.
With the Logos Bible Software edition all Scripture passages in the The Whole Works of the Most Rev. James Ussher (18 Vols.) are tagged and appear on mouse-over. This makes these resources more powerful and easier to access than ever before for scholarly work or personal Bible study. With the advanced search features of Logos Bible Software, you can perform powerful searches by topic or Scripture reference—finding, for example, every mention of “free will,” or “Paul.”
Key Features
- Biography of James Ussher included
- Noted works presented in their original Latin
- Over 10,000 pages of historical, theological, and spiritual insight
- Detailed appendices
Praise for James Ussher
Archbishop James Ussher was a leader par excellence among the Irish Puritans. His colorful history is inseparable from that of Irish Christianity and from major events transpiring simultaneously in England and Scotland. Ussher's range of achievements are outstanding, including ancient languages, patristics, ancient and Irish history, theology, and chronology.
—Joel R. Beeke, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
Reformed believers have unknowingly stood on the theological shoulders of Ussher. He was an instrumental figure among the Irish Puritans.
—Online Reviewer
All in all, this is excellent work that deserves a much wider audience in contemporary Christianity. With the resurgence of Puritan studies, now is the time to begin seriously studying those that shaped the minds of the Puritans themselves.
—Online Reviewer
Raised in a Bible-believing Calvinistic environment, Dr. Ussher soaked himself in the Holy Scriptures without ceasing. He also read the Early Church Fathers systematically, every day, for eighteen years. Head of Ireland's foremost Theological Faculty, Ussher was internationally the greatest Anglican antiquarian and theologian of his age, if not of all time.
—Dr. Francis Nigel Lee
Individual Titles
“What is that which all Men especially desire? Eternal Life and Happiness.” So begins the question and answer format that James Ussher uses with great effect in A Body of Divinity: or, the Sum and Substance of the Christian Religion. Considered to be one of the classic works on Reformation theology, Ussher’s book was heavily resourced during the Westminster Assembly. Full of spiritual gems and theological insight, this volume is perfect for family and personal devotional reading. This much over-looked book is a gateway into Puritan history and essential to understanding the roots of the English Reformation.
This edition also includes a short biography of James Ussher, his short catechism for students, and a catechism on the major doctrines of Christianity.
Volume one of The Whole Works of James Ussher (18 Vols.) includes an in-depth biography of Ussher. Entering college at age thirteen, Ussher embarked on a captivating journey, both spiritually and politically, which eventually led to his acceptance as Primate of Ireland. Along the way, Ussher earned great respect for his theological and scholarly work, even by those that disagreed with him, and became an integral figure in English Reformation history. This biography captures his entire life: from his early life in Dublin, through the turbulent years of the English Civil war and the execution of Charles I, to his state-honored funeral in England.
Volume two includes Ussher’s Latin work De Christianarum Ecclesiarum successione et statu Historica Explicatio, as well as three sermons:
- A Sermon preached before the Commons House of Parliament, 18th February, 1620
- A Speech delivered in the Castle Chamber, Dublin, 22nd November, 1622, concerning the Oath of Supremacy
- A Sermon preached before the King's Majesty, 20th June, 1624, on the Universality of the Church of Christ
Volume three contains the “Jesuit’s Challenge,” whereby Ussher is challenged by a contemporary Roman Catholic theologian to debate certain doctrines of Christianity. Ussher defends his Anglican views on traditions, confessions, the priests’ power to forgive sin, purgatory, prayer for the dead, Christ’s descent into Hell, prayer to saints, free will, and more. Over six-hundred pages of Christian doctrine are discussed.
Volume four includes Ussher’s ground-breaking historical work Discourse of the Religion Anciently Professed by the Irish and British. Demonstrating the differences between the Church of Rome and the early Irish and British Church, Ussher’s work argued that the Church of Rome had strayed far from its Christian history, and that the Protestantism of the Church of Ireland made it the true descendant of early Celtic Christianity.
Also included in this volume:
- Gotteschalci et Praedestinatianae Controversial ab eo mota? Historia una cum duplice ejusdem confessione nunc primum in lucem edita
- Veterum Epistolarum Hibernicarum Sylloge
- Immanuel, or the Mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God
Volume five contains the first half of Ussher’s critical and detailed history on the origins of Christianity in Ireland and Britain. Written at the request of King James I, Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates is a remarkable demonstration of Ussher’s ability to synchronize a plethora of sources into a coherent and careful book. A large section of the work focuses on the historical fight against Pelagianism in Britain, mirroring the rise of Arminianism in Ussher’s day, which he disagreed with.
Volume six contains the second half of Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates, Ussher’s critical and detailed history on the origins of Christianity in Ireland and Britain.
Volume seven includes six essays in English and Latin:
Table of Contents:
- A Geographical and Historical Disquisition, touching the Asia properly so called
- The Original of Bishops and Metropolitans briefly laid down
- The Judgment of Doctor Rainoldes, touching the Original of Episcopacy, more largely confirmed out of Antiquity
- Dissertatio non de Ignatii solum et Polycarpi Scriptis, sed etiam de Apostolicis Constitutionibus et Canonibus Clementi Romano attributis
- Praefationes in Ignatium
- De Romanae Ecclesiae Symbolo vetere aliisque Fidei Formulis turn ab Occidentalibus turn ab Orientalibus in prima Catechesi et Baptismo proponi solitis
Annales Veteris Testamenti, a prima mundi origine deducti, or more commonly known as Annals of the World in its shortened, English translation, is Ussher’s most well-known book. Starting with the year 70 A.D., Ussher attempted to work backward through the Old Testament to give an accounting on the history of the world, including the date of its creation. A literary feat of dazzling proportions, Ussher’s classic work required extensive language, historical, and biblical knowledge, and a wide-ranging use of sources (which Ussher traveled extensively to find). Presented in its original Latin language, Annales Veteris Testamenti is an exciting trove of historical and biblical content, a literary epic far surpassing any other work of its kind during that era.
Volume nine includes the second portion of Annales Veteris Testament.
Volume ten includes the third portion of Annales Veteris Testament.
Volume eleven includes essays in English and Latin, including The Principles of Christian Religion and The Method of the Doctrine of Christian Religion.
Table of Contents:
- Annales Veteris Testamenti, Ætas septima
- The Principles of Christian Religion
- The Method of the Doctrine of Christian Religion
- The Power communicated by God to the Prince, and the Obedience required of the Subject
- The original and first Institution of Corbes, Herenaches, and Terraon Lands
- The first Establishment of the English Laws and Parliaments in the Kingdom of Ireland
- A Discourse, showing when and how far the Imperial Laws were received by the old Irish and the Inhabitants of Great Britain
- Chronologia sacra
Volume twelve includes tracts, essays, letters, and sermons in English and in Latin.
Known world-wide for his scholarly works on theology and history, James Ussher was also known to those lucky enough to hear him preach as a gifted and passionate orator. This volume contains thirty-seven of his most inspiring and insightful sermons preached from the pulpits of England and Ireland.
Volume fourteen includes two long essays in their original latin:
Table of Contents:
- Tractatus de Controversiis Pontificiis
- Paelectiones Theologicae
Almost five hundred letters make up the fifteenth and sixteenth volumes of Ussher’s works. These correspondences are between Ussher and other bishops, theologians, book collectors, professors, and friends. Ussher and his colleagues discuss doctrines of Christianity, ancient manuscripts, political strategy, translation and dating issues, and more. An absorbing gateway into the personal life of Ussher from his own words and from those closest to him, this volume also offers a wide-range of fascinating Irish and English Church history.
Volume sixteen contains the second half of the collected letters of James Ussher.
Volume seventeen contains the essay “The Cause of the Continuance of Contentions concerning Church Government,” as well as the notes for three of Ussher’s unfinished sermons. This volume also includes over two hundred pages of indexes covering the entire seventeen volume collection.
Product Details
- Title: The Whole Works of James Ussher (18 Vols.)
- Author: James Ussher
- Publisher: Hodges, Smith, and Co.
- Volumes: 18
- Pages: 10,183
About James Ussher
James Ussher (1581–1656) was born in Dublin, Ireland. He was a Professor of Theological Controversies at Trinity College, Dublin, where he advanced in office from Bachelor of Divinity to Doctor of Divinity to Vice-Chancellor, and finally to Vice-Provost. James I nominated him Bishop of Meath in 1621. In 1625 he succeeded Christopher Hampton as Archbishop of Armagh. A prolific writer, he produced dozens of works in Latin and English over his long and successful career.