CHAPTER VI. THE WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES. THE HE meeting-house, of which an account soon commences in this narrative, was founded by those who called themselves Presbyterian. Some mention must, therefore, be now made of an Assembly destined to have very powerful influence in shaping the theology and form of worship of early Nonconformity. Parliament called together the most learned Divines throughout the kingdom, including a few of the Episcopal persuasion, but most of the Presbyterian profession, to confer on matters appertaining to the national religion and other concerns of high importance to the realm. About 140 were summoned, including of the Presbyterian members, such distinguished ministers as Edward Reynolds, M.A., Dean of Christ Church; Edward Calamy, D.D., William Twisse, D.D., John Lightfoot, M.A., D.D., Thomas Coleman, M.A.. Thomas Gattaker, B.D., some of whom have been designated "walking libraries.' About six ministers from Scotland, with hearts aglow with the Covenant," were also present, including the celebrated Robert Baillie, of Glasgow, who chronicles the meetings and members in his characteristic style; George Gillespie, of Edinburgh, a distinguished Scotch Divine; Samuel Rutherford, of St. Andrew's, that gentle "Melanthon" of the stern Covenant. Of members favoring at least a moderate episcopacy, there were nominated James Usher, Archbishop of Armagh; Robert Sanderson, D.D., afterwards Bishop of Lincoln; Henry Hall, B.D., of Norwich. There was also a very small number of Independent Divines, Thomas Goodwin, B.D., and Philip Nye, M.A. conspicuous among them. Several Peers also sat in the assembly, including well-known characters,-Philip, Earl of Pembroke, William, Lord Viscount Say and Seale, Robert, Earl of Warwick; and a number of Commoners, including Sir Henry Vane, senior, Bøuldstrode Whitlocke, Sir Henry Vane, junior, Sir Benjamin Rudyard, John Pym, Sir John Evelyn. The minutes of the assembly extended from 4th August, 1643, to 25th March, 1652. The Presbyterian Divines from the outset predominated in influence and voting, and carried practically all decisions, consequently some members who refused the Covenant discontinued attendance. On account of the overbearing character of the Presbyterian majority the assembly must be regarded as mainly partaking of the Scotch theological complexion. Bitter satires were published of these learned, sombɛɛ, stern Presbyters. The following is a mild specimen : What was styled "The New Letany" has such verses as the following :— From dissembling presbyters, and their plots, From dissembling Scots and their gogle-eyes, From rogues and from re-publique spyes, That the majority of the Divines were men of distin guished personal worth and eminent learning we have the unprejudiced judgment of Richard Baxter. His testimony is :-"The Divines there congregate were men of eminent learning and godliness, and ministerial abilities and fidelity; and being not worthy to be one of them myself, I may the more freely speak that truth which I know, even in the face (1) Sir Thomas Fairfax. (2) Oliver Cromwell. of malice and envy, that, as far as I am able to judge by the information of all history of that kind, and by any other evidence left us, the Christian world since the days of the Apostles, had never a synod of more excellent divines (taking one thing with another) than this synod and the synod of Dort were." He who gave this charitable testimony would have been worth a dozen or more of those present, while the absence of Archbishop Usher and Dr. Sanderson was greatly also to be deplored. WESTMINSTER ABBEY. This important assembly first met in the magnificently adorned chapel of Henry VII., where these austere divines looked with perfect horror on the most elaborate and beautiful architectural provisions and adornments designed for the old Roman Catholic worship and rites. They lifted eyes by no means of admiration on the vaulted roof, springing from clustered pillars in the walls, corresponding to branches of lofty trees interlaced together. Not theirs the tasteful appreciation of the artistic critic, who elegantly says, “it would seem as though the architect had intended to give to stone the character of embroidery, and inclose the walls in meshes of net-work." Commissioner Baillie evidently expressed the feeling of his fellow members when he wrote back to Scotland, "They did sit in Henry the 7th's Chappell, in the place of the Convocation, but since the weather grew cold they did go to Jerusalem chamber, a faire room in the Abbey of Westminster. The house is all well hung, and hes a good fyre, which is some dainties at London." What did these divines do and agree upon? They substituted for the Book of Common Prayer-"The Directory for the public worship of God in the three kingdoms." It was considered by the Assembly of Divines a security for the scriptural conduct of public worship. It opens with elaborate definitions of worship from Scripture; permits the recitation of the Apostles' Creed; encourages free prayers by the minister, the order of readings from the Old and New Testaments for the Presbyterian Church, and concludes the introductory part with the prayer which Christ taught his disciples. The minister then proceeds to the preaching of the sermon, followed by a brief |