The Westminster Confession of Faith,Milestone, Millstone or Manifesto? by Rev Hugh M Cartwright, published by the James Begg Society, booklet, 23 pages, £1.50, obtainable from the Free Presbyterian Bookroom.
This booklet addresses four main points: (1) It is necessary and proper for the Church to have a Biblical and comprehensive Confession, genuinely adhered to, which will assist it in bearing witness to the truth. (2) The Westminster Confession of Faith is admirably suited for all the purposes to be served by a Creed or a Confession. (3) The Westminster Confession, far from being a millstone round the Church’s neck or merely a milestone marking former attainments in theological understanding, is a manifesto by which the Church can proclaim comprehensively, accurately and relevantly the truth of God for which she has to contend in this generation. (4) The need for unqualified subscription to the Westminster Confession on the part of those entrusted with office in Churches which subscribe to it, and the need for thorough acquaintance with it on the part of those who are members of the Church.
In a time of general declension, it need not surprise us that many who hold office in the Church view creed subscription lightly. This booklet, however, shows clearly that the Church must have a Biblical creed and hold to it firmly. Mr Cartwright presented a paper on the usefulness of the Westminster Confession to last year’s Theological Conference, which it is hoped to publish in this magazine shortly, DV. While the subjects are similar, the material used in this booklet is almost entirely different. Its testimony, if read and received, could be highly useful. May the Lord use it greatly!
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