The Puritans and the Westminster Standards

Lectures and readings in English.

1. Reading Read:

   • The Westminster Confession of Faith 30 pp. Broken link Primary text Read in the 1647 text, the school's standard (Standards reader on this site). Where an edition follows the 1788 American revision (WCF 20.4, 23.3, 31.1-2), the 1647 text governs.
   • Larger Catechism 31 pp. Open source Primary text Read in the 1647 text. Q.109 (the civil magistrate and false worship) was also revised in 1788, with WCF 20.4, 23 and 31; the 1647 text governs.
   • Shorter Catechism 11 pp. Open source History
   • Directory for Public Worship 29 pp. Broken link History
   • Directory for Family Worship 4 pp. Broken link History
   • American Revision of the Standards Lee Irons 15 pp. Open source Comparison Read as comparison Teaches the 1788 American revision of WCF 20.4, 23 and 31 (and of Larger Catechism Q.109, which was changed with them). Read as comparison: the school's standard is the 1647 text. Teacher to review (subscription to the Westminster Standards or the Three Forms not established; unverified): Lee Irons (subscription not established).
   • The Influence of James Ussher on Church History and the Westminster Confession of Faith Francis Nigel Lee 5 pp. Broken link History

2. 1. Lectures Listen, outline, and taken notes on the following lectures:

   • The Westminster Assembly Dr. C. Gregg Singer 50 min Open source History
   • The Westminster Assembly Dr. John R. Dewitt 54 min Open source History
   • The Westminster Assembly Dr. Alan Cairns 62 min Open source History
   • Westminster Standards: Historical Context Dr. Sinclair Ferguson 64 min Open source History
   • Westminster Standards: Summary of Constitution Dr. Sinclair Ferguson 64 min Open source History
   • A Day at the Assembly Chad Van Dixhoorn 58 min Open source History
   • The Westminster Assembly and Scripture Dr. Chad Van Dixhoorn 60 min Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3 Open source History
   • Westminster Assembly and the Second Reformation 1, 2, 3 Chad Van Dixhoorn 2 h 50 min History
   • Men of the Westminster Assembly 1-4,6,7 Ian Goligher 3.5 h Open source History
   • Puritan Preaching and the Westminster Confession Bill Potter 45 min Open source History Under review Teacher to review (subscription to the Westminster Standards or the Three Forms not established; unverified): Bill Potter (subscription not established).
   • Directory for Public Worship: Background Rowland Ward 51 min Open source History
   • Directory for Public Worship: Elements and Practice Rowland Ward 56 min Open source History

3. 2. Reading Read and provide chapter summaries:

   • The Westminster Assembly and Its Work Benjamin Warfield 76 pp. Open source History
   • A History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines Archibald Alexander 430 pp. Open source History
   • History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines Hetherington 290 pp. Open source History
   • Minutes of the Sessions of the Westminster Assembly Alexander Mitchell 646 pp. Open source History
   • The Westminster Assembly: Its History and Standards Alexander Mitchell 546 pp. Open source History

   Total: TOTAL LECTURES: 15.5 hours; TOTAL PAGES: 1,988

4. 3. Assignment Write a 40 page paper on a topic of interest presented in the course material.

   Open the assignment

Every lecture and reading carries its role. "Under review" means the teacher's subscription to the Westminster Standards or the Three Forms of Unity is not yet established; "Read as comparison" means the material teaches the 1788 American text of WCF 20.4, 23 or 31 or of Larger Catechism Q.109, which the school reads beside the 1647 text. Nothing has been removed.