David Laing, ed. (three large volumes, 1841 ed.). Baillie was one of the Scottish delegates to the Westminster Assembly and these volumes cover the period from 1637 to 1662 -- some of the most momentous days in the history of the Reformed faith. These letters contain an intimate insider's look at these days of international religious drama, national covenants, and the writing of the greatest religious Confession ever given to men, the Westminster Confession of Faith. A major source for 17th century Church history and a totally unique compilation -- peering into the very heart of Reformation! "Baillie was a keen Resolutioner, but lived to see his mistake. To this he refers in the last of his Letters, 'We are in the most hard taking we have seen at any time. It is the matter of my daily grief, and I think it has brought all my trouble on me, and I fear it shall do me more harm.' The work is of immense historical value" (Johnston, The Treasury of the Scottish Covenant, p. 312). Cunningham is also cited by Johnston regarding this work, "His Letter and Journals furnish us with some pictures, as lifelike as photographs, of the principal actors then on the stage of affairs, and not unfrequently gives us a peep of what was passing behind the scenes. It is the book of all others to be read by those who would understand the period of the Covenant." About 1700 pages.

Volume 1 contains Baillie's letters and journal entries covering the period from 1637 to 1641.

The appendix includes "Original Letters and Papers, Chiefly Relating to Ecclesiastical Affairs in Scotland, 1633 to 1639."

Volume 2 contains letters covering the period from 1642 to 1646.

The appendix includes "Original Letters and Papers, Chiefly Relating to Ecclesiastical Affairs in Scotland, 1639 to 1646."

Volume 3 contains letters covering the period from 1647 to 1662.

The appendix includes "Original Letters and Papers, Chiefly Relating to Ecclesiastical Affairs in Scotland, 1647 to 1661."

Volume 3 also includes a glossary, an index of names and the memoir of the life and writings of Robert Baillie. Of special note are pages 525-557, which contain "Notices Regarding the Metrical Version of the Psalms Received By the Church of Scotland," where we see the historical validity of the Reformed practice of exclusive Psalmody, from the place occupied by the Psalter printed in Geneva in 1556, right up to the "Psalter debates" that took place during Westminster Assembly.