Part 10 (2/2)

POINTS FOR THE CLa.s.s.

1. How long did the Solemn League and Covenant remain in force?

2. What is its permanent use to the nations?

3. What was the Covenanters' ideal for nations?

4. Give the substance of the Solemn League and Covenant.

5. What caused these nations to abandon the Covenant?

6. Is the Covenant position still held by any?

7. How is truest patriotism best displayed?

XVIII.

THE WESTMINSTER a.s.sEMBLY.--A.D. 1643.

The Covenanted Church is much indebted to the Westminster a.s.sembly, for its magnificent contributions to the Reformed religion. Presbyterian Churches of every name have reaped rich harvests from the seed sown by this a.s.sembly.

Nothing has done more, if the Covenants be excepted, to give the Covenanted Church decision, stability, permanence, spiritedness, and undecaying strength, than the superlative formulas of truth produced by this ill.u.s.trious a.s.sembly. Our inheritance received from their hands should awaken our admiration for the men and our interest in their work.

ORIGIN.

This a.s.sembly came into existence in peculiar times and for a remarkable purpose. England was goaded to desperation by the despotism of King Charles. As king of that nation and head of the Episcopal Church, he attempted to stifle liberty and conquer conscience. He clashed with his parliament in London. A great awakening had suddenly spread over all England. New ideas of life electrified the people, and they arose in the majesty of their inalienable rights to realize their ideals. The action and reaction became terrible. The king and the parliament called out their armies each against the other. England was plunged into a horrible civil war. The parliament, perceiving that Episcopacy was the bulwark of the king's tyranny and hostile to the interests of the people, attempted to abolish that system of Church government. But this destructive act necessitated a constructive work. Accordingly parliament, by an ordinance, created an a.s.sembly for ”settling the Government and Liturgy of the Church of England.”

CHARACTER OF THE MEMBERS.

The ordinance provided for an a.s.sembly of ”learned, G.o.dly, and judicious divines.” Milton, while not in sympathy with their work, called this ”The Select a.s.sembly.” Baxter, another disapproving contemporary, said, ”that in his judgment the world, since the days of the apostles, had never a Synod of more excellent divines than this and the Synod of Dort.” Abundant evidence certifies that in Westminster Hall, in those days was seen a rare combination of native talent, cla.s.sic learning, sanctified conscience, spiritual illumination, and devotion to the truth as revealed in the Word of G.o.d.

ENROLLMENT.

The complete number of members was 174, of which 142 were ministers, and 32, elders. Of this number, four ministers and two elders were commissioners from Scotland. The Scottish delegation of divines were men mighty in the Scriptures and powerful in debate. Their influence in making Scripture truths lucid, and thereby directing the a.s.sembly to right conclusions, was deeply felt and cordially acknowledged. They declined to sit as regular members of the a.s.sembly, content with the humbler position of consultative members. They would not by incorporation become responsible, personally or representatively, for the deliverances of an a.s.sembly selected and erected by parliament.

These Scotch ministers form a brilliant constellation; let their names be written in capitals:

ALEXANDER HENDERSON ROBERT BAILLIE SAMUEL RUTHERFORD GEORGE GILLESPIE

”And they that be wise shall s.h.i.+ne as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” The Scottish elders were John Maitland and Archibald Johnston.

Maitland in after years renounced the Covenant and became a powerful foe of the Covenanters.

[Ill.u.s.tration: WESTMINSTER a.s.sEMBLY.

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