Livingston, though being brought up in a Dutch Reformed Church, was a prominent Presbyterian for most of his life. Facing much opposition in New York, a heavily Anglican colony, Livingston devoted much of his writing to challenging clericalism and the Anglican Episcopacy. He lobbied against the establishment of a Anglican college in New York City and pushed back against the installation of an Anglican bishop. In general, Livingston objected to the liturgies of many denominations and the elevation of their clergy. He believed these practices to interfere with the Glory and Reverence that is due to God alone.

Livingston being influenced by both reformed protestant doctrine and the enlightenment, adopted beliefs of both. He often cited the depravity of mankind, a main principle of the Biblical doctrines of grace and calvinism, and seemingly rejected the notion of election, believing that the Enlightened man, through reason and education could be brought to the place where belief in the one true God of the Bible was the only logical conclusion. Wherever his particular beliefs about Christian doctrine rested, Livingston very clearly relied on his faith, cited scripture, and revered God.

It is also evident from letters to and from his family members that Livingston raised his children in and guided them by Scripture and a strong belief in the sovereignty of God. Not only in a personal sense, but also in a public one, William Livingston used his faith to guide him in his service as Governor of New Jersey. He often humbled himself and credited God for his blessings and called on the Legislature for days of prayer and religious observances. It is also clear that Livingston’s personal beliefs were a result of great contemplation of and conviction by Scripture. Being a former practitioner of slavery, Livingston, while his record is not completely consistent, was convicted of sinfulness of the practice, worked to the best of his means within governments to end the practice, manumitted his own enslaved persons, and joined the New York Manumission Society. While not a perfect man, Livingston recognized his own imperfections.

In some cases it is difficult to understand Livingston’s precise beliefs and doctrinal stances, however, from many sources it is clear that he held to many reformed protestant principles and had a high reverence for God and Scripture. Livingston knew his life on earth was temporal and towards the end of his life, demonstrated a real sense of assurance of salvation looking forward to eternal life.

Livingston is a fascinating lens through which to examine the faiths of those around him. He poses as an interesting contrast with deists such as Jefferson. He embodied the intellectual, religious, and philosophical interactions between reformed protestant doctrines and the principles of enlightened thought of his world.