Paisley Left Speechless

• Paisley Left Speechless


• A few years ago the voice of Rev Ian Paisley roared against whatever he considered to be contrary to Free Presbyterian separatist principles and values; today things are very much different.


• Some time ago, Rev Ian Paisley objected very strongly when the UUP’s Harry West attended a Nationalist’s funeral; he actually demanded that Mr West be thrown out of the Orange Order for attending the mass. Here was Mr Paisley calling for the Orange Order to discipline Mr West, even though Mr Paisley was not himself a member. Presently, when his party leader, Mr Robinson goes to mass, he quietly acquiesces; when his church welcomes Mr McGuinness and disciplines TUV supporters, his voice is inaudible.


• In the past, Ian Paisley gave his unequivocal support to the establishment and maintenance of independent Christian schools; now when, Free Presbyterian DUP MLA, Mervyn Storey advocates integrated education in a pluralist society, there is not a sound of censor from the once vigilant defender of the faith.


• Silence is often taken for consent; should this be the case, then God will raise up another voice, another testimony. (Esther4:14) ‘For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise ….. from another place;’ Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

A Divided Church

• A Divided Church ‘If a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.’ (Mrk3:25) Once the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster was identified by the doctrine of separation; the pulpits and pews were occupied exclusively by those sympathetic to this cause. All this was to change dramatically after Rev Ian Paisley decided to share power with unrepentant terrorists in government.


• Suddenly another voice was raised amongst the Free Presbyterian ranks, that of traditional unionism; now the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster has to accommodate two separate political movements. On the one hand the followers of the forward looking, mass going, pluralist and integrationist DUP are demanding votes; while on the other, the persecuted, rejected, dissenting and faithful voices of the TUV ask for electoral support.


• This once separatist church has capitulated to sharing in the past; where its ministers and office bearers support DUP partnership with IRA Sinn Fein and is perfectly complicit with mass going by association. Now, the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster has discovered the voice of opposition from within its own political ranks as TUV members have taken up the torch.


• ‘If a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand’; these are words of wisdom and warning from the Son of God. When Free Presbyterianism relocated to the political site, this has proved to be the place where compromise and sharing took root; now the irony is that this church has to accommodate two separate political opinions within its walls.


• The church that distinguished itself by separation is now distinguished by division; in the past, Free Presbyterians were united in their opposition to ecumenical compromise and political union with Rome. Things are very different now; the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster is distinguished by division from within; where the TUV are rightly opposing the treachery and duplicity of the DUP IRA Sinn Fein partnership. This is the price to be paid by rejecting separation and embracing sharing.

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

How long halt ye between two opinions

‘How long halt ye between two opinions’ At home here in Ulster, we are preparing to make choice with regard to the forth coming elections on May 5th. Every choice we make in life has its consequences; some, we get right, others are to be regretted. As an evangelical Protestant, I am persuaded that the choice of sharing power with unrepentant terrorists, a few years back, was a poor one; however, that is what democracy demanded and that is what we have to deal with. Democracy here in the past was always associated with Biblical standards and precepts; whether Roman Catholic or Protestant, Nationalist or Unionist, there was identification with Christianity. From St Andrews, the situation is very much different; Biblical principles and values have been exchanged for Secularist philosophy. The ‘shared future advocates’ are seeking to amalgamate Nationalist and Unionist, Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions into one Secularist entity. Amazingly, the DUP, supported by the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, have been actively engaged in this process; they are compromising the principles of the Reformed Faith at such speed and determination, that if unchecked, they will transform Ulster from a cradle of Biblical Protestantism into a caldron of Secularism. Presently they have turned from ‘Separation’ to ‘Sharing’; they have turned from Christ the only Mediator to the Celebration of the Mass; they have cast out those with Christian principle and welcomed the Secularist scoundrel. It is time for those within the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster to consider their position; how can a person oppose the capitulation and treachery of the DUP and remain in the Free Presbyterian Church. These two organisations are joined at the hip; the Free Presbyterian Church supports its ministers and office bearers while they hold position and membership in the DUP. When the DUP is represented at the Roman Catholic mass, then so is the Free Presbyterian Church; when the DUP sanctions public money to support homosexuality, then so does the Free Presbyterian Church. When the children of Israel were gathered unto Elijah on mount Carmel in the days of Ahab’s apostasy and compromise, they were confronted with the question; ‘how long halt ye between two opinions’ (1Kings18:21) Now in these days of apostasy and compromise within the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, it is time for God’s redeemed people to seriously consider their position and to respond to this great question, ‘how long halt ye between two opinions’. Attendance will always be viewed as participation; no one can sit in a Free Presbyterian congregation without being identified with the DUP. Rev Mervyn Cotton

Choose you this day

‘Choose you this day’ With the elections of May 5th coming ever closer, the concept of choice is uppermost on the mind of the electorate; while the choice for some will be based upon tradition or habit, for others, it will be a matter of conviction or conscience. From an evangelical Protestant prospective, I want to highlight a situation that is sweeping through Ulster like an odourless poisonous gas. For generations, the diverse political establishment here, has been associated with Christianity; irrespective, as to what end of the political spectrum may be considered, the one dominant factor was that, the moral and ethical outlook was predicated to the Word of God. Ever since the St Andrews Agreement, the subtle wind of change has been blowing through the electorate; little by little the focus has been turning away from once held Christian values and principles, towards Secularism. While this phenomenon is evident on a global scale, it becomes more apparent at home here because of our strong religious heritage; whether that is Protestant or Roman Catholic. Nowhere is that change more remarkable than in the Protestant and Unionist tradition; there appears to be a greater impetus in compromising or even rejecting Biblical Christian principles and values so as to guarantee political progress. The Reformed Faith position is being discredited and destroyed by some Unionist politicians, just for political expediency; they appear to have no difficulty in abandoning Christian principles in order to choose Secularist ones. Remarkably, the front runners in this situation are the DUP, backed by the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster; they have chosen the path of ‘Sharing’ as an alternative to that of ‘Separation’. Now it is time for the people to ‘chose’; in the days of Joshua, the people had to consciously choose whether they should be identified with the Lord God of heaven, or be identified with the Secularism of their day. ‘And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve ….. but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.’ Rev Mervyn Cotton

Real Error in the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster 3

Evidence of Real Error in the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster 3

Some sixty years ago on the 17th of March, Rev Ian Paisley founded the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster at Crossgar; sadly, much has changed since then. Rev Paisley was swift to condemn the main line Protestant churches in Ulster and abroad, as apostate and ecumenical; at every opportunity he attacked what he considered to be their compromise with the Church of Rome. Sixty years on and there is real error in the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster; compromise and rebellion are well established in the ranks, so much so that people are leaving and going back into the main line Protestant denominations from whence they came.

Yet another real error was manifest when Free Presbyterian ministers and office bearers accepted the terms of the St Andrews Agreement, the error of ‘falling away’ or apostasy. It was Rev Ian Paisley, prior to signing the Agreement, which asked a question of Mr Blair; I want to quote Mr Blair’s words, ‘he (Ian Paisley) asked me whether I thought God wanted him to make the deal that would seal the peace process. I wanted to say yes, but I hesitated; though I was sure God would want peace, God is not a negotiator. I felt it would be wrong, manipulative, to say yes, and so I said I couldn't answer that question, that only he could and I hoped he would let God guide him.’ (Tony Blair ... A Journey p195-196) this reveals the Free Presbyterian moderator seeking guidance from an unsaved Prime Minister; he didn’t ask his presbytery for council or help, nor did he call for a day of prayer and fasting as at other times.

In signing up to the St Andrews Agreement, Rev Ian Paisley together with his Free Presbyterian ministerial and oversight colleagues signed up to the introduction of Secular Humanism in Ulster. In signing up to Secularist principles these Free Presbyterians are now implementing Equality Legislation which is being used successfully against believing Christians; they are driving God’s Word out of society by stealth, while at the same time encouraging apostasy. Rather than standing against and condemning the dreadful apostasy that is spreading like a global plague, the Free Presbyterian Church is complicit.

For generations the Free Presbyterian Church described denominational backsliding as apostasy, (a falling away); however an apostate is a person that has come close to and perhaps has even accepted the principles of Biblical Christianity, but then has turned fully and finally away into atheism. (Heb6:4-6) ‘For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God, afresh, and put him to an open shame.’ Secular Humanism is the engine that propels the vehicle of apostasy, and atheism is the fuel that keeps it running. Free Presbyterians such as Mervyn Storey are fully persuaded that the Secularist policies which ultimately are designed to spread apostasy are advantageous to a forward looking, inclusive and integrated society.

The real error of apostasy is being promoted by Free Presbyterianism as it implements the Secularist principles of cohesion, sharing and integration; this is such a far step away from separation and a leap towards Secularism. Now, when the DUP leader wants to go to Mass, the Free Presbyterian Church condemns the Mass but not its own ministers and office bearers that support their political leader. There appears to be a persecuting zeal within Free Presbyterianism against disaffected DUP members and a purging out of any that have fallen foul of the church system; it is not uncommon for believers to be denied the right hand of fellowship as they attend public worship.

The three errors that are apparent in the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster are, Compromise, Rebellion and Apostasy; where such real error is manifest, then the clear message from God’s Word is to Separate, to come out of.
‘Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.’ (Rev18:4)

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

Real Error in the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster 2

Evidence of Real Error in the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster 2

For decades the Free Presbyterian Church claimed the moral high ground by protesting against Sunday trading, Sunday sports and the laxed drinking and gambling laws. The irony was that, while the Free Presbyterians protested against the lowering of social and moral standards, the DUP were becoming much more liberal in their outlook; DUP led councils were opening their leisure facilities on the Lord’s Day, shopping centres were open for business on the Sabbath. What really defied logic was the fact that the leader of the DUP and the moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church was the same person, Rev Ian Paisley; here was an enigma in the making, preaching against immorality while at the same time tolerating it.

It must be remembered that ministers and office bearers in the Free Presbyterian Church also hold high profile positions within the DUP and now in the power sharing executive. These same people, together with their colleagues in the ministry and their congregations, signed a solemn covenant before Almighty God, to love the things that Christ loves and to hate the things that Christ hates. The Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster entered into this very solemn covenant with Almighty God; if such a covenant was honoured, God’s blessings would continue and abound: however, if the covenant was to be broken, then the displeasure and rebuke of the Lord would be assured.

So with the way of blessing through obedience and the way of cursing through disobedience before them, the Free Presbyterian Church choose out the path which they desired to tread. After protesting against homosexuality and denouncing it as abomination before the Lord, the Free Presbyterian Church supported its ministers and office bearers in the power sharing administration as they handed out public money to advance the Gay Rights Campaign. The error evidenced here is that of Spiritual rebellion against the Word of God; they knew the way that God would have them to follow but they rejected the Commandment of Almighty God, they smashed their solemn covenant with the Lord.

When a Co Antrim Free Presbyterian minister was challenged regarding support being given to the Gay Pride incident; he refused to publicly condemn the action, saying that he had spent his entire ministry fighting apostasy, and now at sixty years of age, he was not getting involved with this matter.

It was the error of rebellion that destroyed the house of Saul in the O.T; Saul depended upon political expediency and rebelled against the Word of God in sparing the Amalekites. Samuel’s reproof against the house of Saul is still appropriate for the modern-day ‘House of Saul’ today; (1Sam15:22-23) ‘And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.’


Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

Real Error in the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster 1

Evidence of Real Error in the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster 1

This denomination, founded by Rev Ian Paisley was established to champion the cause of evangelical Protestantism against a backdrop of ecclesiastical, backsliding, compromise, ecumenism and apostasy. The Biblical doctrine of ‘separation’ or holiness, which is considered to be; separation from sin and error on the one hand, and separation unto God and truth on the other; this was a pivotal aspect of Free Presbyterianism.

Such texts as the following were frequently used; ‘Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,’ (2Cor6:17) ‘Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?’ (2Cor6:14) ‘Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.’ (Rev18:4)

The preaching of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, called people out of what it called ‘apostasy’ and ecumenism; it warned against unequal partnerships and relationships in every walk of life: it warned against political association with what it called Dublin rule and castigated Unionist and Alliance politicians for selling Ulster Protestantism down the river. It was common knowledge that Free Presbyterian pulpits were sometimes used as political platforms to voice DUP principles and values; after all the same man was leader of the Church and the DUP.

Prayer meetings were held in Free Presbyterian churches in support of DUP enterprise; in fact days of prayer and fasting were observed to ‘smash the Anglo Irish Agreement’. Then suddenly everything changed; Rev Ian Paisley and his colleagues entered into secret dialogue with IRA Sinn Fein to explore power sharing; he also, eventually went into dialogue with the Roman Catholic leadership. The outcome was that he signed up to political power sharing, with unrepentant convicted terrorists, at St Andrews.

As moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, Rev Ian Paisley sat down with, and fellowshipped with unrepentant terrorists; this is something that he condemned others for doing: this is the very thing that Free Presbyterians called ‘apostasy’. To this day the Free Presbyterian Church has yet to throw this man out of his pulpit and to discipline his supporters for bringing the real error of ‘Compromise’ into the Church.

The first real error found in the Free Presbyterian Church is that of ‘Compromise’; to accommodate this heresy, Free Presbyterians had to tread the Word of God, that they formerly preached under foot. So then, ‘Anonymous’ let the debate begin; I will cite two more examples of real error within Free Presbyterianism shortly, which, no doubt you will have to reflect upon.

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)