The doctrine of conversion in the Westminster Standards

An address given at the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland Ministers' Conference in 1993 marking the 350th anniversary of the signing of the Solemn League and Covenant which was instrumental in enlarging the remit of the Westminster Assembly to aim "to bring the Churches of God in the three kingdoms (i.e. England, Scotland & Ireland) to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in religion, confession of faith, form of church-government, directory for worship and catechising" (Solemn League & Covenant para. I). It was the outworking of this aim that resulted in the Assembly producing the 'Westminster Standards', i.e. the Westminster Confession, Larger & Shorter Catechisms, Directory of Public Worship and The Form of Presbyterial Church-Government.

This is a doctrinal rather than historical address, however, and pays particular attention to the points of difference on the doctrine of conversion between the Westminster Confession and Catechisms and the views of Herman Hoeksema.

See our Web Store page for a book entitled 'The Free Offer: Biblical & Reformed' that contains a much-expanded version of this material.