Originally published in the 1950s by George Allen & Unwin. When originally published, these volumes were making available very rare material (tracts and manuscripts etc.) for the very first time. Most of the documents exist in their original state as difficult to locate, read and understand - for example: there are only two copies of A Plaine Refutation (1591) and two copies of A Brief Discoverie of the False Church. It is impossible to understand the rise and development of Independency and of the democratic idea in religion and in politics without reflection upon some of this rare material.

Written for use with new and existing GCSE syllabuses, this is one of a series of three books which is also suitable for general RE and PSE courses at Key Stage 4. The book offers an understanding of contemporary Christianity through an examination of its development, rites of passage ceremonies, principal festivals and beliefs, and attitudes to a range of personal, social and global issues.