Old Paths

Old Paths is a collection of nineteen of J. C. Ryle's most effective tracts on the leading truths of Christianity, which are, as he says, “necessary to salvation.” In including in such a series Inspiration, Election, and Perseverance, he allows that good Christians have disagreed and will still disagree about them, but he inserts them nevertheless on account of the immense importance of the first and the extraordinary neglect into which the last two have fallen. Ryle's racy style, plainspokenness, and good taste are sure to secure your affection and hold your attention.

1. Opening
2. Preface
3. Chapter 1
4. One
5. Two
6. Chapter 2
7. One
8. Two
9. Three
10. Four
11. Chapter 3
12. One
13. Two
14. Three
15. Four
16. Chapter 4
17. One
18. Two
19. Three
20. Four
21. Five
22. Chapter 5
23. One
24. Two
25. Three
26. Chapter 6
27. One
28. Two
29. Three
30. Four
31. Five
32. Chapter 7
33. One
34. Two
35. Three
36. Four
37. Chapter 8
38. One
39. Two
40. Three
41. Four
42. Chapter 9
43. One
44. Two
45. Three
46. Chapter 10
47. One
48. Two
49. Three
50. Four
51. Chapter 11
52. One
53. Two
54. Three
55. Chapter 12
56. One
57. Two
58. Three
59. Four
60. Five
61. Six
62. Chapter 13
63. One
64. Two
65. Three
66. Chapter 14
67. One
68. Two
69. Three
70. Four
71. Chapter 15
72. One
73. Two
74. Three
75. Four
76. Chapter 16
77. One
78. Two
79. Three
80. Chapter 17
81. One
82. Two
83. Three
84. Chapter 18
85. One
86. Two
87. Chapter 19
88. One
89. Two
90. Three
91. Four
92. Note

J. C. Ryle

John Charles Ryle, the Beloved Bishop of Liverpool, was born on May 10, 1816, and obtained a degree in classical studies from Oxford University. He had aspired for a career in politics, but this dream was derailed by family financial misfortunes that compelled him into becoming an Anglican clergyman in 1841.

Upon becoming a vicar, Ryle’s vigorous evangelical preaching, warm personality, and ability to relate well with the masses earned him success in gospel outreach. He was later appointed Bishop of Liverpool in 1880 at the recommendation of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, a post Ryle he held until retiring at age 83.

J.C. Ryle embodied a singular dedication to a single book; his knowledge of Scripture ran deep within him; his devotion to the Bible was unwavering - he lived and breathed the sacred text. As Ryle himself said, “It is still the first book which fits the child’s mind when he begins to learn religion, and the last to which the old man clings as he leaves the world.”

After his death in 1900 the subsequent Bishop of Liverpool described J.C. Ryle as “the man of granite with the heart of a child.”