Monergism Books

The assembly's Confession of Faith, completed in December, 1646, is the last of the classic Reformed confessions and by far the most influential in the English-speaking world. Though it governed the Church of England only briefly, it has been widely adopted (sometimes with amendments) by British and American Presbyterian bodies as well as by many Congregational and Baptist churches. It is well known for its thoroughness, precision, conciseness, and balance. Notable elements are: (1) The opening chapter on Scripture, called by Warfield the best single chapter in any Protestant confession. (2) The mature formulation of the Reformed doctrine of predestination (chs. III, V, IX, XVII). It is noncommittal on the debate between supra- and infralapsarianism, but teaches clearly that God's will is the ultimate cause of all things, including human salvation. It teaches the doctrine of reprobation in very guarded terms (III. vii. viii.). It is careful to balance this teaching with a chapter on human freedom (IX). (3) The emphasis on covenants as the way in which God relates to his people through history (VII, esp.). (4) Its doctrine of redemption structured according to God's acts (X-XIII) and human response (XIV-XVII), thus underscoring its "covenantal" balance between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. (5) Its Puritan doctrine of assurance (XVIII), a strong affirmation, yet more sensitive than other Reformed confessions to the subjective difficulties believers have in maintaining a conscious assurance. (6) Its strong affirmation of the law of God as perpetually binding the conscience of the believer, even though certain ceremonial and civil statutes are no longer in effect (XIX), balanced by a careful formulation of the nature of Christian liberty of conscience (XX). (7) Its Puritan view of the sabbath, regarding the day as a perpetual obligation, contrary to Calvin's Institutes and other Reformed writings. (8) The first clear confessional distinction between the visible and invisible church (XXV). - J M Frame (Elwell Evangelical Dictionary)

Monergism Review: This is one of the best volumes in my whole library. No, really… I mean it! Basically, it is like having a concise Systematic Theology at my fingertips. At least, that is the way I have always viewed the Westminster Confession. If I am struggling with a particular doctrinal issue I often turn to this volume, examine the scripture proofs, and more often than not, my question is answered -or I am pointed in the right direction. There is such value in this little volume it is hard to estimate its worth. It is one book I do not mind owning ten copies of -and I am dead serious when I say this! Prized above so many other works in my library because the Confession (along with the Larger and Smaller Catechism) is pure doctrine-from scripture contained in a nice hardbound volume. However, this volume is much more than just the text of the “Westminster”, it contains both the “Larger” and “Smaller Catechism” with complete scripture proofs. The proofs are typed out so that you don’t need to flip back and forth in your Bible. Aside from the Confession and Larger and Smaller Catechisms this book contains: “Thomas Manton’s Epistle to The Reader”, “The Sum of Saving Knowledge”, “The National Covenant”, “The Solemn League And Covenant”, “Public Sins and Breaches of The Covenant” “Directory for The Public Worship of God”, “The Form of Presbyterial Church-Government”, “The Directory For Family-Worship” and “A Table”, which contains all the important concepts of the Confession, Lager and Smaller Catechisms. I honestly think this book should be read and studied by every Christian!
--B.K. Campbell