The Westminster Confession of Faith (The Westminster Standards) and Related Works: A Study Guide



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Background

The Westminster Confession of Faith is said to be the finest summary of The Holy Bible.
All that learning the most profound and extensive, intellect the most acute and searching, and piety the most sincere and earnest, could accomplish, was thus concentrated in the Westminster Assembly's Confession of Faith, which may be safely termed the most perfect statement of Systematic Theology ever framed by the Christian Church.' (Hetherington, The History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines, p. 345).
For a background summation see:
"History of the Assembly at Westminster," a lecture by Greg Price (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada" Still Waters Revival Books).
History of the Assembly at Westminster
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=1160161639
History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines 1/13
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=4140113051
History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines 2/13
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=660112729
History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines 3/13
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=660121725
History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines 4/13
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=690125529
History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines 5/13
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=6150115848
History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines 6/13
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=622014356

When reading The Westminster Confession of Faith for the first time it is recommended that one begin by reading the Shorter Catechism and the Larger Catechism. (Thomas Manton, "Epistle to the Reader")

Keep in mind that the Westminster Confession of Faith and other Standards were prepared by the Westminster Assembly as a result of the Solemn League and Covenant. "The Solemn League and Covenant was the epitome of the Second Reformation."

No man who is able to understand its nature [The Solemn League and Covenant], and to feel and appreciate its spirit and its aim, will deny it to be the wisest, the sublimest, and the most sacred document ever framed by uninspired men. (Hetherington, The History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines, p. 134)
"Greg Price gives special attention . . . to the central place of the Solemn League and Covenant in the thinking and international vision for Biblical Reformation of the Westminster Divines." -- SWRB annotation on (Greg Price, History of the Assembly at Westminster)


The Goal Was Unity Within the Protestant Church

"Consider the lofty and Christ honoring goal of the Assembly:
There was one great, and even sublime idea, brought somewhat indefinitely before the Westminster Assembly, which has not yet been realized, the idea of a Protestant union throughout Christendom, not merely for the purpose of counterbalancing Popery, but in order to purify, strengthen, and unite all true Christian churches, so that with combined energy and zeal they might go forth, in glad compliance with the Redeemer's commands, teaching all nations, and preaching the everlasting gospel to every creature under heaven. This truly magnificent, and also truly Christian idea, seems to have originated in the mind of that distinguished man, Alexander Henderson. It was suggested by him to the Scottish commissioners, and by them partially brought before the English Parliament, requesting them to direct the Assembly to write letters to the Protestant Churches in France, Holland, Switzerland, and other Reformed Churches. . . . and along with these letters were sent copies of the Solemn League and Covenant, a document which might itself form the basis of such a Protestant union. The deep thinking divines of the Netherlands apprehended the idea, and in their answer, not only expressed their approbation of the Covenant, but also desired to join in it with the British kingdoms. Nor did they content themselves with the mere expression of approval and willingness to join. A letter was soon afterwards sent to the Assembly from the Hague, written by Duraeus (the celebrated John Dury), offering to come to the Assembly, and containing a copy of a vow which he had prepared and tendered to the distinguished Oxenstiern, chancellor of Sweden, wherein he bound himself 'to prosecute a reconciliation between Protestants in point of religion'. . . . [O]n one occasion Henderson procured a passport to go to Holland, most probably for the purpose of prosecuting this grand idea. But the intrigues of politicians, the delays caused by the conduct of the Independents, and the narrow-minded Erastianism of the English Parliament, all conspired to prevent the Assembly from entering farther into that truly glorious Christian enterprise. Days of trouble and darkness came; persecution wore out the great men of that remarkable period; pure and vital Christianity was stricken to the earth and trampled under foot." (Hetherington, The History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines, pp. 337-339)

Study Guide

The following order of reading is suggested. (Birger, "Guide for studying the Westminster Confession, in suggested order of Reading" (1996 rev. 2003, used by permission.)
  1. The Solemn League and Covenant

  2. The National Covenant of Scotland.

  3. The Directory for the Public Worship of God.

  4. The Form of Presbyterial Church Government. See also, The Divine Right of Church Government (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books). Also available on CD #23, Reformation Bookshelf 30 CD Set.

  5. Read again The Solemn League and Covenant

  6. A Solemn Acknowledgement of Publick Sins and Breaches of the Covenant; and a Solemn Engagement to all the Duties Contained Therein.
    CD #1, Reformation Bookshelf 30 CD Set
    http://www.swrb.com/Puritan/reformation-bookshelf-CDs.htm

  7. To the Christian Reader, Especially Heads of Families, Mr. Thomas Manton's Epistle to the Reader.

  8. The Confession of Faith (1646).

  9. The Catechisms, Shorter and Larger,

  10. The Sum of Saving Knowledge and The Practical Use Thereof.

Additional Resources

Hetherington, William M., The History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
" 'Every person who has directed his attention to the events of the seventeenth century, whether with regard to their civil or their religious aspect, has felt that it was impossible fully to understand either the one or the other line of study, without taking into view the character of the Westminster Assembly, the purpose for which it met, and the result of its deliberations . . . The man who penetrates a little deeper into the nature of those unrevealed but powerful influences which move a nation's mind, and mold its destinies, will be ready to direct his attention more profoundly to the objects and deliberations of an assembly which met at a moment so critical, and was composed of the great master-minds of the age; and the theologian who has learned to view religion as the vital principle of human nature, equally in nations and in the individual man, will not easily admit that weak idea, that such an assembly could have been an isolated event, but will be disposed earnestly to inquire what led to its meeting, and what important consequences followed. And although the subject has not hitherto been investigated with such a view, it may, we trust, be possible to prove, that it was the most important event in the century in which it occurred; and that it has exerted, and in all probability will yet exert, a far more wide and permanent influence upon both the civil and the religious history of mankind than has generally been ever imagined,' writes William M. Hetherington in this book (SWRB, 1856, 2nd reprint edition, 1993, pp. 16-17). This book is probably the best popular historical account ever published regarding this unsurpassed Assembly. The history leading up to the Assembly is especially important and not only set the context for what became the major debates among the ministers present, but even dictated who was selected to this august body of scholars. These debates and their resolutions have defined and directed Christian thought and culture ever since their original ratification. Hetherington covers the period from 1531 to 1662. Many consider this era a historical high water mark for doctrinal and practical precision. Also included is a chapter on the theological productions of the Westminster Assembly and six valuable appendices (one containing six biographical notices of the Scottish Commissioners -- including Rutherford, Gillespie, Henderson, and Baillie)." -- SWRB
History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines, by William Maxwell Hetherington, D. D., LL. D.
http://www.reformed.org/books/hetherington/west_assembly/index.html

Christ's Mediatorial Dominion; or, What our Standards Teach in Relation to the Headship, or Dominion of Christ the Mediator, John McAuley
http://www.covenanter.org/JMcauley/christsmediatorialdominion.htm

Worldwide Calvinistic Unity and Loving One Another (1 John Series 18/27)
A sermon by Greg Price commenting on "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." (1 John 4:7)
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonsspeaker&sermonID=5270121261
Also available on:
Reformation Bookshelf CD #27
http://www.swrb.com/Puritan/reformation-bookshelf-cds.htm

That a Christian Assembly or Congregation has the Right and Power to Judge all Teaching and to Call, Appoint, and Dismiss Teachers, Established and Proven by Scripture, Martin Luther
http://www.covenanter.org/Luther/thatachristianassembly.htm

Price, Greg, Covenants & Covenanting (3/7) National Covenant (1/2), audio file
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonsspeaker&sermonID=830101554

Price, Greg, Covenants & Covenanting (4/7) National Covenant (2/2), audio file
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonsspeaker&sermonID=8501202735

Price, Greg, Covenants & Covenanting (5/7) The Solemn League and Covenant, audio file
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonsspeaker&sermonID=890122138

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1648), audio file
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=1030071751

Westminster Larger Catechism (1648) 1/2, audio file
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=103007251

Westminster Larger Catechism (1648) 2/2, audio file
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=1030073045

Westminster Confession of Faith (1647) & the Solemn League and Covenant (1643), audio file
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=1030065935

"History of the Assembly at Westminster," a lecture by Greg Price, audio file (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada" Still Waters Revival Books).
"This lecture is probably the best introductory historical account of this unsurpassed Assembly in audio format. It fulfills the same purpose for which Hetherington noted he wrote his classic THE HISTORY OF THE WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES (only it is in audio format and much shorter): In common with all true Presbyterians, I have often regretted the want of a History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines... Especially in such a time as the present, when all distinctive Presbyterian principles are not only called in question, but also misrepresented and condemned, such a want has become absolutely unendurable, unless Presbyterians are willing to permit their Church to perish under a load of unanswered, yet easily refuted, calumny. And as the best refutation of calumny is the plain and direct statement of truth, it is by that process that I have endeavored to vindicate the principles and the character of the Presbyterian Church (p. i.). The Puritan history leading up to the Assembly (which this lecture takes a in-depth look at) is especially important and not only set the context for what became the major debates among the ministers present, but even dictated who was selected to this august body of scholars. Civil wars, national upheavals, emigration to the 'new world' and a host of other epoch making events surrounded this momentous period of history. These debates and their resolutions have defined and directed Christian thought and national cultures ever since their original ratification -- and Hetherington (The History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines,) is not shy about noting the significance of this Assembly when he writes,

'But the man who penetrates a little deeper into the nature of those unrevealed but powerful influences which move a nation's mind, and could its destinies, will be ready to direct his attention more profoundly to the objects and deliberations of an assembly which met at a moment so critical, and was composed of the great master-minds of the age; and the theologian who has learned to view religion as the vital principle of human nature, equally in nations and in the individual man, will not easily admit the weak idea, that such an assembly could have been an isolated event, but will be disposed earnestly to inquire what led to its meeting, and what important consequences followed. And although the subject has not hitherto been investigated with such a view, it may, we trust, be possible to prove, that it (the Westminster Assembly -- RB) was the most important event in the century in which it occurred; and that it has exerted, and in all probability will yet exert, a far more wide and permanent influence upon both the civil and the religious history of mankind than has generally been even imagined.' (p. 17)
"Many consider this era a historical high water mark for doctrinal and practical Puritan precision and this work is indispensable for understanding the work accomplished by the Westminster Assembly, Presbyterian and Independent history, Cromwell and much more. For example, consider the lofty and Christ honoring goal of the Assembly as summarized by Hetherington (The History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines):
There was one great, and even sublime idea, brought somewhat indefinitely before the Westminster Assembly, which has not yet been realized, the idea of a Protestant union throughout Christendom, not merely for the purpose of counterbalancing Popery, but in order to purify, strengthen, and unite all true Christian churches, so that with combined energy and zeal they might go forth, in glad compliance with the Redeemer's commands, teaching all nations, and preaching the everlasting gospel to every creature under heaven. This truly magnificent, and also truly Christian idea, seems to have originated in the mind of that distinguished man, Alexander Henderson. It was suggested by him to the Scottish commissioners, and by them partially brought before the English Parliament, requesting them to direct the Assembly to write letters to the Protestant Churches in France, Holland, Switzerland, and other Reformed Churches. . . . and along with these letters were sent copies of the Solemn League and Covenant, a document which might itself form the basis of such a Protestant union. The deep thinking divines of the Netherlands apprehended the idea, and in their answer, not only expressed their approbation of the Covenant, but also desired to join in it with the British kingdoms. Nor did they content themselves with the mere expression of approval and willingness to join. A letter was soon afterwards sent to the Assembly from the Hague, written by Duraeus (the celebrated John Dury), offering to come to the Assembly, and containing a copy of a vow which he had prepared and tendered to the distinguished Oxenstiern, chancellor of Sweden, wherein he bound himself 'to prosecute a reconciliation between Protestants in point of religion'. . . . [O]n one occasion Henderson procured a passport to go to Holland, most probably for the purpose of prosecuting this grand idea. But the intrigues of politicians, the delays caused by the conduct of the Independents, and the narrow-minded Erastianism of the English Parliament, all conspired to prevent the Assembly from entering farther into that truly glorious Christian enterprise. Days of trouble and darkness came; persecution wore out the great men of that remarkable period; pure and vital Christianity was stricken to the earth and trampled under foot.' (pp. 337-339)
"Further demonstrating his grasp of the most important events of the second Reformation, Hetherington comments on the Solemn League (the epitome of second Reformation attainments), 'no man who is able to understand its nature, and to feel and appreciate its spirit and its aim, will deny it to be the wisest, the sublimest, and the most sacred document ever framed by uninspired men' (p. 134). Price gives special attention in this study to the central place of the Solemn League and Covenant in the thinking and international vision for Biblical Reformation of the Westminster Divines. Anyone interested in the work of the Westminster Assembly -- and the men, teaching and events which were at the heart of the Puritan revolution against the forces of antichrist -- should read listen to this audio track at least once." -- SWRB
"History of the Assembly at Westminster," a lecture by Greg Price, audio file (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada" Still Waters Revival Books).
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonsspeaker&sermonID=1160161639
History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines 1/13, audio file
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=4140113051
History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines 2/13, audio file
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=660112729
History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines 3/13, audio file
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=660121725
History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines 4/13, audio file
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=690125529
History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines 5/13, audio file
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=6150115848
History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines 6/13, audio file
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=622014356

Birger, Larry, Jr., "Guide for studying the Westminster Confession, in suggested order of reading" (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada" Still Waters Revival Books, 1996).

The Westminster Assembly Project
The Westminster Assembly Project exists to publish The Minutes and Papers of the Westminster Assembly.
http://www.westminsterassembly.org/

The Divine Right of Church Government, (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books). Also available on CD #23, Reformation Bookshelf 30 CD Set.

*Westminster Assembly (1643-1652), The Westminster Confession of Faith (Glasgow, Scotland [Free Presbyterian Publications, 133 Woodlands Road, Glasgow G3 6LE]: Free Presbyterian Publication, 1994). ISBN 0902506080 (casebound) and ISBN 0902506358 (paperback), Still Waters Revival Books, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Also available from Crown and Covenant Publications:
http://www.crownandcovenant.com/product_p/ds115.htm
" 'The product of Puritan conflict,' stated Shedd, reaching 'a perfection of statement never elsewhere achieved.' All that learning the most profound and extensive, intellect the most acute and searching, and piety the most sincere and earnest, could accomplish, was thus concentrated in the Westminster Assembly's Confession of Faith, which may be safely termed the most perfect statement of Systematic Theology ever framed by the Christian Church,' writes Hetherington (The History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines), p. 345. Concerning the Shorter Catechism, which is one of the items also included in this book, Mitchell notes: 'it is a thoroughly Calvinistic and Puritan catechism, the ripest fruit of the Assembly's thought and experience, maturing and finally fixing the definitions of theological terms to which Puritanism for half a century had been leading up and gradually coming closer and closer to in its legion of catechisms' (Westminster Assembly: Its History and Standards, p. 431). The Westminster Confession of Faith is the greatest of all the creeds of the Christian church. The church of Christ cannot be creedless and live. Especially in an age of doubt and confusion, it is her duty to define and proclaim the one true faith. Nowhere has the Reformed church done this so effectively as in the Westminster Confession and family of documents. This book represents Reformed thinking at its purest and best. It was intended, as part of the Covenanted Reformation taking place during its compilation, to be adopted as the binding confessional standard for every individual, family, court, church, and legislature in the British Isles." -- SWRB
This is considered to be the definitive publication of the Westminster family of documents. It includes the following:

  1. To the Christian Reader, Especially Heads of Families, Mr. Thomas Manton's Epistle to the Reader,
  2. The Confession of Faith (1646), the full and original edition with Scripture proofs written out,
  3. The Larger Catechism with Scripture proofs written out,
  4. The Shorter Catechism with Scripture proofs written out,
  5. The Sum of Saving Knowledge,
  6. The National Covenant,
  7. The Solemn League and Covenant,
  8. A Solemn Acknowledgement of Publick Sins and Breaches of the Covenant; and a Solemn Engagement to all the Duties Contained Therein
    CD #1, Reformation Bookshelf 30 CD Set
    http://www.swrb.com/Puritan/reformation-bookshelf-CDs.htm
  9. The Directory for the Public Worship of God,
  10. The Form of Presbyterial Church Government, and
  11. The Directory for Family Worship.
The Westminster Confession of Faith is said to be the finest summary of The Holy Bible available. It is recommended for daily devotions. Among the ten greatest works in the English language.
"The Westminster Confession of Faith (The Westminster Standards) and Related Works: A Study Guide"
http://www.lettermen2.com/suggest.html
For commentaries see the following topical listing:
"The Westminster Confession of Faith (The Westminster Standards) and Related Works"
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9cha.html#wcf
Westminster Larger Catechism With Proof Texts
http://www.reformed.org/documents/wlc_w_proofs/WLC_frames.html
Westminster Confession of Faith With Scripture Proofs
http://www.reformed.org/documents/wcf_with_proofs/
Scripture Index to the Westminster Standards (The complete Scripture index to the Westminster Confession, Larger and Shorter Catechisms.)
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/index01.htm
Bordwine, James, A Guide to the Westminster Standards: Confession of Faith and Larger Catechism (Unicoi, TN: (The Trinity Foundation, 1996).
Includes a unique, 100-page topical index to both the Confession and the Catechism.
The Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) with all its subordinate documents in searchable format are found on CD #1 of the Reformation Bookshelf 30 CD Set
http://www.swrb.com/Puritan/reformation-bookshelf-CDs.htm.
Westminster Assembly and Related Documents
http://www.covenanter.org/Westminster/westminsterhome.htm
The Significance of The Westminster Standards as a Creed
http://www.fpcr.org/blue_banner_articles/signific.htm
Heresies Defined and the Necessity of Heresies Explained, by George Gillespie, Scottish Commissioner to the Assembly of Divines at Westminster
http://www.truecovenanter.com/gillespie/ggilles09.html
The Shorter Catechism With Scripture Proofs (Carlisle, PA [P.O. Box 621, Carlisle 17013, USA]: The Banner of Truth Trust).
Arguably the greatest tract ever created, all factors considered.
http://www.reformed.org/documents/WSC_frames.html
Westminster Shorter Catechism Project
"Click on any of the individual questions below to get the answer and Biblical references, as well as links to works by John Flavel, Thomas Watson, Thomas Boston, James Fisher, and John Whitecross, and others."
http://www.shortercatechism.com/

Antichrist
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappd.html#antichrist

Beeke, Joel R. (editor) and Sinclair B. Ferguson (editor), Reformed Confessions Harmonized
"Despite the acknowledged importance of confessional statements throughout church history, the most significant of these documents have never before been published in a single volume. Now Drs. Beeke and Ferguson have harmonized seven important Reformed confessions into a convenient parallel arrangement.
"Joel R. Beeke is pastor of Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. Sinclair B. Ferguson, former professor at Westminster Theological Seminary, is now the minister of St. Georges-Tron parish in Glasgow, Scotland, and the author of numerous books on Reformed theology." -- Publisher's Annotation
"A helpful tool for ministers, scholars, church leaders, and all who love the Reformed faith." -- R.C. Sproul

"Rethinking the Apostles' Creed," Clifton R. Loucks, The Trinity Review, Number 218, April 2003
http://www.trinityfoundation.org/PDF/201a-RethinkingtheApostlesCreed.pdf

"Regulations at Yale College (1745)"
Showing the centrality of Calvinism and the Westminster Confession in Colonial higher education.
http://www.constitution.org/primarysources/yale.html

"The Westminster Confession of Faith (The Westminster Standards) and Related Works"
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9cha.html#wcf.

Symington, William, Messiah the Prince or, The Mediatorial Dominion of Jesus Christ (Pittsburgh, PA: The Christian Statesman Press [National Reform Association], 1999, 1884) and (Hardbound [ISBN: 0921148054] or Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, 1990, 1884). The 1884 edition is also included on the Reformation Bookshelf CD #13 (Still Waters Revival Books).
"It was deemed essential to the salvation of men that their Redeemer should possess the powers at once of a prophet, a priest, and a king. These offices, while essentially distinct, are necessarily and inseparably connected with one another. Such a union has been by some utterly denied; and its denial has laid foundation for some capital errors, which have exerted a pernicious influence on the Christian church. By others it has been criminally overlooked; and the neglect with which it has been treated has occasioned vague and conflicting conceptions regarding the great work of man's deliverance from sin and wrath by the mediation of the Son of God." -- William Symington
"It is the standard work on the kingdom of God in English! There is nothing else like it; it is one-of-a kind! It covers the necessity, reality, and qualifications of Christ's dominion over not only the church, but all nations too. Anything less is to rob Christ of His magnificent, majestic, mediatorial glory -- for He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. 'While books on the priestly work of the Redeemer, and especially on the Atonement, are numerous,' notes the introduction to the American edition, 'no formal and exhaustive discussion of the kingly office of the Messiah . . . and its application to various classes of moral agents is elsewhere to be found . . . It is cause for satisfaction that the only treatise, as yet, upon this subject, is a work of signal ability, lucid in arrangement, reverent in spirit, and with hardly an exception, sound and judicious in its conclusion. Its very merits are probably, in part, the reason why no other work on the same subject has appeared, and until it is supplanted by a better work--an event not likely soon to occur--it will have a value peculiar to itself'." -- SWRB
Chapters include "The Necessity of the Mediatorial Dominion," "The Universality of the Mediatorial Dominion," "The Mediatorial Dominion Over the Church," and "Over the Nations," plus much more.
Messiah the Prince or, The Mediatorial Dominion of Jesus Christ, William Symington
Online free etext of the 1999 Christian Statesman Press edition.
http://www.reformed.org/eschaton/symington/index.html?mainframe=/eschaton/symington/index_mtp.html

Symington, William, The Westminster Assembly of Divines
http://members.aol.com/RSICHURCH/west1.html

Watson, Thomas, Body of Divinity (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1965, 1890), EEBO.
"The first book published by the Trust, this has been one of the best sellers and consistently the most useful and influential of our publications . . . It deals with the foremost doctrinal and experimental truths of the Christian faith . . . It is based on the Westminster Assembly's Shorter Catechism, in which the main principles of Christianity that lie scattered in the Scriptures are brought together and set forth in the form of question and answer. This catechism is unsurpassed for its 'terse exactitutde of definition' and 'logical elaboration' of the fundamentals. . . . Watson conveys his thorough doctrinal and experimental knowledge of the truth in such an original, concise, pithy, pungent, racy, rich, and illustrative style that he is rightly regarded as the most readable of the Puritans." -- Publisher's Annotation
"As an introduction to Puritan theology, as a short and sweet course in Christian doctrine, as devotional reading, and as a preacher's gold-mine, Watson's work can hardly be praised too highly." -- J.I. Packer
"Contains Watson's exposition of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, excluding the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments." -- GCB (Great Christian Books)
Westminster Shorter Catechism Project
"Click on any of the individual questions below to get the answer and Biblical references, as well as links to works by John Flavel, Thomas Watson, Thomas Boston, James Fisher, and John Whitecross, and others."
http://www.shortercatechism.com/

Westminster Shorter Catechism With Proof Texts
http://www.reformed.org/documents/WSC_frames.html
Scripture Index to the Westminster Standards (The complete Scripture index to the Westminster Confession, Larger and Shorter Catechisms.)
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/index01.htm

Watson, Thomas, The Lord's Prayer (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1960, 1890), EEBO.
"A full and powerful Puritan exposition of the Lord's Prayer. So excellent that it may be without equal." -- GCB
"A part of the writer's famous BODY OF DIVINITY. An excellent exposition combining sound doctrine with practical application." -- Cyril J. Barber
The Lord's Prayer, Thomas Watson
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/ipb-e/epl-watson-lprayer.html

Watson, Thomas, The Ten Commandments (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1962), EEBO.
"Excellent study. Highly recommended for personal and group study. The need for understanding the Law of God is always of great importance for the Christian. Watson is an excellent expositor of it." -- GCB
The Ten Commandments, Thomas Watson
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/ipb-e/epl-watson-10cm.html

The Covenanted Reformation of Scotland
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9chc2.html#covref

Reformed Presbytery, (America), David Steele, 1803-1887, Act, Declaration, And Testimony, For The Whole Of The Covenanted Reformation, As Attained To, And Established In, Britain and Ireland; Particularly Betwixt The Years 1638 and 1649, Inclusive. As, Also, Against All The Steps Of Defection From Said Reformation, Whether In Former Or Later Times, Since The Overthrow Of That Glorious Work, Down To This Present Day (1876) (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"Upholds the original work of the Westminster Assembly and testifies to the abiding worth and truth formulated in the Westminster family of documents. Upholds and defends the crown rights of King Jesus in church and state, denouncing those who would remove the crown from Christ's head by denying His right to rule (by His law) in both the civil and ecclesiastical spheres. Testifies to the received doctrine, government, worship, and discipline of the Church of Scotland in her purest (reforming) periods. Applies God's Word to the Church's corporate attainments 'with a judicial approbation of the earnest contendings and attainments of the faithful, and a strong and pointed judicial condemnation of error and the promoters thereof' (The Original Covenanter and Contending Witness, Dec. 17/93, p. 558). Shows the church's great historical victories (such as the National and Solemn League and Covenant, leading to the Westminster Assembly) and exposes her enemies actions (e.g. the Prelacy of Laud; the Independency, sectarianism, covenant breaking and ungodly toleration set forth by the likes of Cromwell [and the Independents that conspired with him]; the Erastianism and civil sectarianism of William of Orange, etc.). It is not likely that you will find a more consistent working out of the principles of Calvinism anywhere. Deals with the most important matters relating to the individual, the family, the church and the state. Sets forth a faithful historical testimony of God's dealings with men during some of the most important days of church history. A basic text that should be mastered by all Christians." -- SWRB
Act, Declaration, & Testimony, For The Whole Of The Covenanted Reformation, As Attained To & Established In Britain #1
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=81907517162
Act, Declaration, & Testimony, For The Whole Of The Covenanted Reformation, As Attained To & Established In Britain #2
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=926071233170
Act, Declaration, & Testimony, For The Whole Of The Covenanted Reformation, As Attained To & Established In Britain #3
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=92707111830
Act, Declaration, & Testimony, For The Whole Of The Covenanted Reformation, As Attained To & Established In Britain #4
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=927071140420
Steele, David, 1803-1887, and the Reformed Presbytery (America), Act, Declaration, And Testimony (1876)
http://www.covenanter.org/RefPres/actdeclarationandtestimony/acttitle.htm
Act, Declaration, & Testimony for the Whole of our Covenanted Reformation (1876 Reformed Presbytery, America, Steelite)
The Project Gutenberg text was prepared by members of The Reformed Presbytery North America using the Reformed Presbytery (America, Steelite) text of the 1876 edition.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/13200/13200.txt
The electronic text found at ManyBooks.com is the Project Gutenberg text.
http://manybooks.net/pages/presbyteryr13201320013200-8/0.html
Act, Declaration, and Testimony for the Whole of our Covenanted Reformation, as Attained to, and Established in Britain and Ireland; Particularly Betwixt the Years 1638 and 1649, Inclusive by The Reformed Presbytery
http://www.fullbooks.com/Act-Declaration--Testimony-for-the-Whole-of.html
Reformed Presbytery (Scotland?), (Thorburn, John, 1730?-1788, Courtass, John, d. 1795), et al, Act, Declaration, & Testimony for the Whole of our Covenanted Reformation, as Attained to, and Established in Britain and Ireland; Particularly Betwixt the Years 1638 and 1649, Inclusive (Hard Press, November 3, 2006).
Reformed Presbytery, Act Declaration and Testimony: for the Whole of our Covenanted Reformation as Attained to and Established in Britain and Ireland; Particularly Betwixt the Years 1638 and 1649 Inclusive (IndyPublish, March 12, 2007).
Reformed Presbytery, Act Declaration and Testimony: for the Whole of our Covenanted Reformation as Attained to and Established in Britain and Ireland; Particularly Betwixt the Years 1638 and 1649 Inclusive (BiblioBazaar, June 2, 2007).

The Scottish Covenanting Struggle, Alexander Craighead, and the Mecklenburg Declaration
http://www.lettermen2.com/craig.html

Edwards, Jonathan, 1703-1758 The End for Which God Created the World (Philadelphia: Printed and sold by R. Aitken & Son, no. 22 Market Street, 1791).
"Two dissertations ... / by the late reverend, learned and pious Jonathan Edwards, A.M., president of the college in New-Jersey. Concerning the end for which God created the world."
A Dissertation Concerning the End for Which God Made the World
http://www.ccel.org/e/edwards/works/vol1/end_of_world/end.htm

Moore, Edwin Nisbet, Our covenant heritage: the Covenanters' struggle for unity in truth as revealed in the memoir of James Nisbet (1667-1728) and sermons of John Nevay (d. 1672), illustrated by Brenda Newman and Linda Rhoden (Tain (Ross-shire), Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, c2000), includes bibliographical references and index.
"A new book, OUR COVENANT HERITAGE, examines the rise and fall of the Scottish Church. It rose when men placed the rights of God above the rights of man. It fell when men abandoned unity in truth. It is written by Ed Moore, who spent several years examining why the Covenanters, particularly those who lived near Loudoun Castle, were willing to die for their understanding of God's truth. The answer is found in the sermons of their minister John Nevay on God's Covenant of Grace and in the Memoirs of James Nisbet, one of their number who survived their epic battle for truth only to face the age-old struggle of Christ's church for unity in truth." -- Publisher's Annotation
Our Covenant Heritage, Edwin Nesbet Moore
http://www.covenanters.com/

Hall, David W., The Practice of Confessional Subscription (University Press of America, May 1995).
"A unique and historical study of how various Reformed churches view adherence to their confessions. Expert theologians survey a range of traditions and practical considerations."
"David W. Hall is the author or editor of SAVIOR OR SERVANT? PUTTING GOVERNMENT IN ITS PLACE, THE ARROGANCE OF THE MODERN, PARADIGMS IN POLITY, ELECTION DAY SERMONS, and 10 other volumes." -- Publisher's Annotation

*Gaussen, Louis, David Scott (translator), John W. Robbins (editor) God-Breathed: The Divine Inspiration of the Bible. Other title: THEOPNEUSTIA: THE PLENARY INSPIRATION OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, 1854 (Unicoi, TN: The Trinity Foundation, 2001). Also available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #15.
"The fundamental doctrine of Christianity is the reliability of Scripture. Through the centuries, Christianity's enemies have concentrated their attacks on the inerrancy [infallibility -- sk] the sufficiency, and the clarity of the Bible, alleging that it contains errors, is inadequate, or is in need of an interpreter. These attacks come from the Roman Catholic Church, zealots, modernists, and unbelievers of various other sorts. God has used these attacks as goads to prod Christian thinkers into defending his Word, and one of the greatest defenses of Scripture ever penned is the book you hold in your hands. Louis Gaussen was a 19th-century Swiss Reformed pastor, defrocked for his fidelity to God's Word. Christians in the 21st century will also face persecution, but they can answer their opponents using Gaussens's arguments." -- Publisher's Annotation
"The turning-point of the battle between those who hold 'the faith once delivered to the saints' and their opponents lies in the true and real inspiration of the Holy Scriptures. This is the Thermopylae of Christendom. . . . In this work the author proves himself a master of holy argument. Gaussen charms us as he proclaims the Divine veracity of Scripture. His testimony is clear as a bell." -- C.H. Spurgeon

*Singer, C. Gregg, A Theological Interpretation of American History 1994 edition, 354 pages (Greenville, SC: A Press, 1994, 1981, 1975, 1974, 1964), ISBN: 0875524265 9780875524269. A Christian classic.
This book portrays "the influence of theology and the changing doctrines in the life of the church on the pattern of American political, constitutional, social and economic development.
"The author shows that the decline of constitutional government in this country is the result of the departure from historical Christian faith and the resulting rise of alien political philosophies. Particularly does he emphasize the intimate relationship between theological liberalism on the one hand and political, social, and economic liberalism on the other. This theological liberalism has been a major agent in the decline of the Constitution in the political life of the people and in the appearance of a highly centralized government." -- Publisher's Annotation
"There is between the democratic philosophy and theological liberalism a basic affinity which has placed them in the same camp in many major political struggles.
"This condition exists because theological liberalism shares the basic postulates of the democratic philosophy. . . .
"Theological liberalism at heart has been a continuing protest against Calvinism, particularly against its insistence on the Sovereignty of God and the Total Depravity of the race. These two Biblical doctrines have often proved to be a stumbling block to theologians within the church as well as to the unbelieving world.
"The result of theological liberalism has been the movement away from constitutionalism and away from liberty, and a movement toward collectivistic society and totalitarian regime." -- C. Gregg Singer, Theological Interpretation of American History, p. 290
Ten Best Classics For Advanced Studies From Still Waters Revival Books
http://www.swrb.com/ten-best.htm

Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Series
Each CD contain from 10,000 to 20,000 pages. There are about 2,000 titles in this library collection, about 3,000 counting articles and tracts.
WorldCat.org has a record for each CD. All the WorldCat records may be viewed together in the Personal List entitled "The Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set." Go to WorldCat.org, select "Search," search for "lettermen2" in the "Contacts" box.
The Puritan Bookshelf was discontinued as of December 7, 2004. However, the CDs may be found in libraries, and in the used book trade. The set is a useful research index. Some of the titles in the Puritan Bookself Set appear in other bookshelf CD set published by Still Waters Revival Books.
The "Comprehensive Index Containing all the Books Found in the Entire 32 CD Puritan Bookshelf Set" and "Comprehensive Index Containing all the Audio MP3S Found in the Entire 32 CD Puritan Bookshelf Set" are found on Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set, #32.
"The books are all listed alphabetically according to author, but are fully searchable to enable the reader to look up a title when the author is unknown. The CD number which contains each book is listed next to the author and title of the book, for ease in locating the select work."

Reformation Bookshelf 30 CD Set (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).
"This 30 CD set contains a vast number of Reformed, Puritan, Covenanter, Presbyterian, Calvinistic, and Reformed Baptist works by the best authors of the first and second Reformations. Emphasis is on the most prominent and faithful Reformers, such as John Calvin, John Knox, Samuel Rutherford, the Westminster Divines, C.H. Spurgeon. The smallest CD contains over 9,400 pages and the largest CD contains over 20,500 pages.
"Some titles have been out of print for hundreds of years. Some are almost impossible to find. Others are only found in rare book collections, in distant libraries, or abroad. If they can be found in the antiquarian book trade, then they may be very expensive.
"Other titles included on the CDs are presently available in SWRB's Cerlox and hardcover bound photocopy format, although the cost on CD is a fraction of their normal cost.
"In addition, each CD includes over 101 fully searchable free bonus books, and articles. Free audio (MP3) sermons and audio books (by Calvin, Knox, et al.), which were previously read on to tape, are also included on each CD.
"These CDs make classic Puritan and Reformed works both accessible and affordable to everyone. It is an opportunity to inexpensively build a vast library of important works of both Reformations (and related contemporary titles), at a small fraction of the cost of the actual books (i.e. about $.25 US funds or $.30 Canadian funds per average-sized book on these CDs).
Searching the Reformation Bookshelf 30 CD Set

Books are in the universal Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF). Pages are similar in appearance to SWRB's photocopies. Files are readable by all computers with a CD drive using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader program. Adobe Reader 9.0 will enlarge the text to over 600% of its original size for easier reading.
Word searches are possible in all of the 101 plus contemporary bonus books included with each CD.
Word searches are not possible in the facsimile, bitmap scans of the older, rare books, with the regular Adobe Acrobat Reader.
However, Abode Acrobat Pro has an OCR (optical character recognition) feature that will do a word search in the image-based PDFs (bit-map scans). Text can be cut and paste from PDF to OCR (character) format. The accuracy of the character-format-from PDF is dependent on the source document typeface. Some of the old, irregular typefaces can not be accurately converted to individual characters.
Free Sample PDF File From the Reformation Bookshelf 30 CD Set
"Take this PDF file for a test drive on your computer. By the way, you will need to purchase the CD itself before the final bookmark titled 'CD INDEX' will actually take you to the extensive index on each CD, though all the other bookmarks in this sample PDF file will be active. Also, you will need the free Acrobat Reader program on your computer to read this file. This free program is available at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html (and for more about PDF see http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/adobepdf.html)."
http://www.swrb.com/Puritan/Covenanted-Reformation-Def.PDF
"This collection of 62 CDs [speaking of both the Puritan Bookshelf 32 CD Set and the Reformation Bookshelf 30 CD Set] is a truly astounding accomplishment. There is nothing like this available to the ordinary Christian.
"Now, for the first time ever, ordinary Christians can have direct and near effortless access to the very cream of Puritan and Reformed, as well as Covenanter, literature [over 3,000 titles, over 500,000 pages].
"These books are often in fascinating first editions and many are electronically linked and indexed for the first time. The ordinary Christian may here dig into a simply staggering wealth of literature, from devotional and sermonic material to technical and scholarly works. Even in the days of the Long Reformation itself ordinary Christians didn't get to see this kind of library -- most couldn't read for a start, and even those who could, would never have been able to afford to buy even a hundredth part of the material on these CDs. Truly we are without excuse!
"And the significance of this collection goes even beyond that. No longer do we have to wait for modern Reformed publishing houses to predict that a particular Reformation or Puritan book will be sufficiently popular to make it economical to reprint, or to deem it `safe' enough to be let loose on the modern evangelical church. Rather, we are now able to see for ourselves the whole range of the Puritan and Reformed publishing enterprise, including views that are usually suppressed by most modern devotees of `Puritan' piety!
"Buy these CDs while you can, and find out for yourself what the First and Second Reformations were really all about! You'll be truly amazed, and, by God's grace, will grow from being an ordinary Christian to being an extraordinary one." -- Dr. Jonathan D. Moore, Cambridge, UK (Scholar of 16th and 17th century Calvinistic literature.)
Also published by SWRB:

SWRB Puritan CDs, [Puritan Bookshelf and Reformtion Bookshelf] a review by C. Matthew McMahon
http://www.apuritansmind.com/BookReviews/Puritans/SWRBCDCollection.htm

The Covenanted Reformation of Scotland Short Title Listing
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9chb.html#crsstl

Books Considered To Be Among the Ten Greatest in the English Language
http://www.lettermen2.com/tengreat.html

Sowell, Thomas, A Conflict of Visions (William Morrow and Co.).
"Controversies in politics arise from many sources, but the conflicts that endure for generations or for centuries show a remarkably consistent pattern. The analysis of this pattern is the purpose of A CONFLICT OF VISIONS. Its theme is that the enduring political controversies of the past two centuries reflect radically different visions of the nature of man. Issues as diverse as criminal justice, income distribution, or war and peace repeatedly show those with one vision lining up on one side and those with another vision lining up on the other.
"Dr. Thomas Sowell describes A CONFLICT OF VISIONS as 'the culmination of thirty years of work in the history of ideas' -- a field in which he established his professional reputation years before writing any of his well-known books on ethnicity and other social issues. Dr. Sowell and his books have received a number of awards and honors, and have been translated into several languages. He has been a consultant to three administrations of both parties, as well as scholar-in-residence at three "think tanks." He is now a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institute in Stanford, California." -- Publisher's Annotation

The Sovereignty of God
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr1cha.html#tsogod

The Doctrine of Man (Human Nature, Total Depravity)
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr2cha.html#domhntd

The Mediatorial Reign of Christ and the Crown Rights of Christ
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr1cha.html#mroccroc

The Question of the One and the Many
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9chc.html#onemany

Statements Supporting the Original Consensus That Christianity Is the Highest Ethical Standard Known to Mankind and, Therefore, Should Be the Basis of Law and Government
http://members.aol.com/vtpa/agc002.html

The Priesthood of All Believers
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr1chb.html#priestab

Robbins, John W., (editor) "Christ and Civilization" (Unicoi, TN: The Trinity Foundation, 2003).
Reprinted from The Trinity Review, Numbers 214-217, December 2002 -- March 2003.
"A new 48-page booklet. Includes a complete listing (in an additional 16 pages) of the books currently available from The Trinity Foundation."
"Christ and Civilization"
http://www.trinityfoundation.org/PDF/200a-ChristandCivilization.pdf

Chapter 9 (part 1): "Corporate Faithfulness and Sanctification"
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9cha.html

Selection of Covenant Heads for Positions of Leadership
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9cha.html#covenantheads

Religious Test Clauses in Colonial and State Constitutions and Other Documents and Statements Supporting the Original Consensus That There Should Be a Religious Test For Positions of Authority and Trust
http://members.aol.com/vtpa/agc001.html

The Biblical Test of Character for Candidates for Public Office, all Civil Servants, Magistrates, Judges, and all Lawyers
http://members.aol.com/vtpa/pvtpa002.html

Trinitarianism Verses Polytheism: Unresolved Questions of Article VI, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution
http://members.aol.com/vtpa/pvtpa001.html

American Revisions to the Westminster Confession of Faith
Later leaders, unfaithful to the precise truths of the Bible, have altered the Westminster Confesssion of Faith, and have changed the course of history.
http://www.opc.org/documents/WCF_orig.html

Appendix A: Major Changes of the Savoy Declaration
http://www.bible-researcher.com/wescoappa.html

Appendix B: Major Changes of the PCUSA (1788-1958)
http://www.bible-researcher.com/wescoappb.html

Appendix C: Major Changes of the UPCUSA and PCUS (1958-1983)
http://www.bible-researcher.com/wescoappc.html

Abuses and Usurpations of the U.S. Constitution
http://www.constitution.org/cs_abuse.htm

Duncan, J. Ligon, III and David W. Hall, The Westminster Assembly: A Guide to Basic Bibliography (Oak Ridge, TN [The Covenant Foundation, 190 Manhattan Avenue, Oak Ridge 37830]: The Covenant Foundation).

*OWEN, JOHN, "God's Presence With a People the Spring of Their Prosperity; With Their Special Interest in Abiding in Him" (Cerlox Bound Photocopy Series and Hardcover. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books). A Christian classic.
Owen preaches at length, 21 pages, on God's presence with a people both individually and corporately in a sermon on the text "And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you." (2 Chronicles 15:2) delivered to Parliament October 30, 1656.
"The great concernment of any people or nation is, to know that all their prosperity is from the presence of God amongst them, and to attend to that which will give continuance thereunto. . . .
"There is a presence of God in respect of providential dispensations. . . . -- attended with peculiar love, favor, good-will, special care towards them with whom he is so present. So Abimelech observed that he was with Abraham, Genesis 21:22, "God is with thee in all that thou doest," -- with thee to guide thee, bless thee, preserve thee, as we shall see afterward. So he promised to be with Joshua, "I will be with thee," Joshua 1:5; and so he was with Gideon, "The Lord is with thee," Judges 6:12, -- to bless him in his great undertaking; and so with Jeremiah, "I am with thee," Jeremiah 15:20. This is fully expressed, Isaiah 43:1,2, "I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee." And this is the presence of God here intimated, -- his presence with the people as to special providential dispensations, as is manifest from the whole discourse of the prophet; and wherein this consists, shall be afterward at large declared. . . .
"There is an abiding with God in national administrations; -- this is a fruit of the other, in those who are called to them. And that this is principally here intended is evident from that use that Asa made of this information and exhortation of the prophet. He did not only look to his personal walking thereupon, but also immediately set upon the work of ordering the whole affairs of the kingdom so as God might be glorified thereby. How this may be effected, shall at large afterward be declared. What hath already been spoken may suffice for a foundation of that proposition which I shall this day insist upon; and it is this, --
"The presence of God with a people, in special providential dispensations for their good, depends on their obediential presence with him in national administrations to his glory: "The Lord is with you, while ye be with him. . . ."
"What is the rule and measure of God's continuance with his people in the covenant of grace? Plainly this, -- that he will never forsake them; and, on that account, will take care that they shall never forsake him, but abide with him forever. It is not whilst they do so and so, he will abide with them; and when they cease so to do, he will forsake them, as to his federal and covenant presence; -- there is not such a sandy foundation left us of our abiding with God in Christ. See the tenor of the covenant, Jeremiah 31:33, 32:38-40. The sum is, that God will be with them, and take care that they always abide with him; and therefore hath he provided for all interveniences imaginable, that nothing shall violate this union. God lays his unchangeableness as the foundation of the covenant, Malachi 3:6, and he therein makes us unchangeable; -- not absolutely so, for we change every moment; but with respect to the terms and bounds of the covenant, he hath undertaken that we shall never leave him. The law of God's presence in respect of providential dispensations, and all special privileges attending it, is quite of another importance: it is purely conditional, as you may see in my text. The tenor of it is expressed to the height, 1 Samuel 2:30, "I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me forever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed." Here is no alteration of counsel or purpose in God; but merely an explanation of the rule, law, and tenor of providential dispensations; -- no interpretation of the covenant of grace (Eli held not the priesthood by that covenant); but an explication of the tenor of a privilege given in special providence, Psalm 89:32,33. Hence is that variety of God's dealings with men mentioned in the Scripture; which yet are always righteous, according to one or other of these rules and laws. . . . "I suppose I need not go for proof beyond the observation of the constant tenor of God's proceedings with his people of old. When did he not deal thus with them? What instance can be given of transgressing this rule? Is the whole story of the nation of the Jews any thing but the illustration of this proposition? Some ruled well, and sought the Lord; and the Lord was with them, and prospered them in all their ways; — some fell from him, and walked according to their own imaginations; and the Lord cut them short on that account; -- yea, sometimes the same man, as Solomon, Asa, Uzziah, experienced both these states and conditions. Hath not the state of all nations, since they came into the power of men professing the knowledge of him, been the same? Look on the Roman empire; did it not flourish under the hand of men who ruled with God, and were faithful with the saints? Is not the present distraction of it, under the fury and cruelty of Turk and Pope, the issue of the violence, unrighteousness, idolatry, luxury, and persecution of ill governors? Doth not the demonstration of all God's people in the world -- the consideration whereof, in particular, might be insisted on as the ground and reason of the truth insisted on -- require that it should be thus Leviticus 26:1, and almost the whole book of Deuteronomy, are sermons on this text; and every verse, almost, in them would afford a new confirmation of the truth in hand. . . .
"The second use of this pillar was, to give them protection and defense in their ways; so Exodus 14:19,20,24. This protected them from the Egyptians; -- and from thence God troubled their enemies out of the pillar; that is, from his especial presence. This use of it is insisted on, Isaiah 4:5,6. The cloud, that was as smoke by day, and as fire by night, was also a shadow, a place of refuge, and a covert; in one word, a protection or a defense. And this is a second thing which is in God’s special presence, -- he will protect or defend them with whom he is so present. He is their dwellingplace, Psalm 90:1, then, when in this world they have none; their refuge in the time of trouble: so Isaiah 25:4, 26:1, 31:4. Promises and instances to make this good abound; — they are known to all; the time would fail me to insist upon them. I might go over all the causes, means, and ways of the fears, dangers, ruin of such a people, and show you how a defense is provided against them all. Are their fears from themselves, because of their folly, weakness, and division? or from pretended friends, because of their envy and desertion? or from open enemies, because of their power, cruelty, malice, and revenge? A defense is provided on every account. Heat, rain, tempests, storms, adversity, prosperity, -- all are provided against, where God is present, Isaiah 32:1,2.
"And if any people in the world have experience of this truth, we have it this day. Had not the Lord been with us, who had not destroyed us? Enemies, friends, abroad, at home, our own follies, — all, any of them, had done the work, had not the Lord himself been with us. . . .
"That we may abide with God, this is indispensably required, -- that we may have peace with him in Jesus Christ. If we are never with him, we cannot abide with him; no man can abide where he never cornea The acceptance of our persons lies at the bottom of the acceptance of our duties. As the special presence of God with any, is in and by Christ, and no otherwise, so is our abiding with God in and through him. "God with us" is the name of Christ: our being with God is in him who is our peace. Two cannot walk together, unless they be agreed, Amos 3:3.
"Now, because this is not to be expected from all the individuals of a nation, yet this thing is to be endeavored, -- that the rulers of it be such as have this interest. I do not divest of a share in government, those who have no share in Christ, if lawfully called thereunto; but I say, when God gives governors whom he intends to make a blessing unto a people, they shall be such as are blessed of him in Christ. And if ever the government of this nation, in this present constitution, -- suppose it the most exactly framed and balanced, in the several parts of it, for the furtherance of public good, -- be devolved into the hands of men not interested in God by Christ, though the constitution may be absolutely good, yet the government will not be blessed, and the nation will be ruined; for God and his glory will depart, Micah 5:5,6. It is Christ that is our peace, even in outward troubles. . . .
"This, then, I say, is pre-required, as a qualification of any person to the performance of this duty of abiding with God. It is the psalmist's advice, Psalm 2:11,12. Let this principle be always owned amongst you; by it honor Christ in the world. Give him the pre-eminence; it is the Father's will he should have it in all things. Expect not the presence of God, but upon this account. Bear testimony herein against the world of profane men, who despise these things. Seeing, then, it cannot be expected to have this qualification diffused universally, as yet, through the body of the people, let the rulers take care that they be not the cause of God's departure from us. . . ." -- John Owen
This sermon is also availabe on Reformation Bookshelf CD #25)
Owen, John, 1616-1683, God's presence with a people, the spring of their prosperity; with their speciall interest in abiding with Him. A sermon, preached to the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, at Westminster, Octob. 30. 1656. A day of solemn humiliation. By John Owen, D.D. a servant of Jesus Christ, in the work of the Gospel. Printed by Order of Parliament, 1656, EEBO.
The sermons is also found in the various editions of THE COMPLETE WORKS OF JOHN OWENS.
*Owen, John, (1616-1683) The Complete Works of John Owen, 16 volumes, Alternate title: THE WORKS OF JOHN OWEN (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust). ISBN-10: 0851513921 ISBN-13: 9780851513928. See Chapter 1 for annotation on all 16 volumes. Available on The Amazing Christian Library, THE COMPLETE WORKS OF JOHN OWEN including HEBREWS (OCR digital text), DVD One, CD #1. Many separate works by Owen may be found in the Reformation Bookshelf 30 CD Set, the forthcoming Calvinism Bookshelf 30 CD Set (as of August 2008), and the forthcoming forthcoming Protestant Bookshelf 30 CD Set (as of August 2008)
John Owen (1616-1683) "is by common consent not the most versatile, but the greatest among Puritan theologians. For solidity, profundity, massiveness and majesty in exhibing from Scripture God's ways with sinful mankind there is no one to touch him. . . ." -- J.I. Packer in A Quest for Godliness, p. 81
"To master his works is to be a profound theologian." -- C.H. Spurgeon
"The Banner of Truth Trust completed in May, 1968, the re-issue of the complete English works of Owen, his seven volumes on the Epistle of Hebrews excepted. All of these volumes `are of the greatest value' (Dr. Lloyd-Jones) but for newcomers to Owen we especially recommend the four volumes in the Practical Division (vols. 6-9.) . . ." -- William J. Grier
"His works on communion, Christian life, and the person and glory of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, etc. are of the utmost value to any serious-minded Christian." -- Jay P. Green, Sr.
John Owen is an example of a great theologian who prescribed to independency, and was unable to attain to covenanted reformation. He was not a member of the Westminster Assembly of Divines.

Conservatism: An Autopsy, John W. Robbins
http://www.trinityfoundation.org/PDF/195a-Conservatism-AnAutopsy.pdf

A Resolution to Combat Mind Control With Truth
http://www.lettermen2.com/mindc.html

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