Manchester University Press
6 Presbyterian ecclesiologies at the Westminster assembly
Abstract
This chapter explores the development of differing strands of presbyterian ecclesiology at the Westminster assembly of divines in the mid-1640s. It explores the varying concerns of the clergy who would advance presbyterian positions at the Westminster assembly to demonstrate how the assembly’s presbyterianism emerged as a coherent programme for the further reformation of the British churches. While some theologians would seek to stress the rights of individual congregations, others wished to preserve the integrity of the Church Catholic and others still wished to build a broad alliance of Reformed ministers. Together these voices managed to marshal their differences in a single platform. The chapter then explores the thought of George Gillespie, one of the leading presbyterian theorists at the assembly, in light of these differing presbyterian ecclesiologies.
Abstract
This chapter explores the development of differing strands of presbyterian ecclesiology at the Westminster assembly of divines in the mid-1640s. It explores the varying concerns of the clergy who would advance presbyterian positions at the Westminster assembly to demonstrate how the assembly’s presbyterianism emerged as a coherent programme for the further reformation of the British churches. While some theologians would seek to stress the rights of individual congregations, others wished to preserve the integrity of the Church Catholic and others still wished to build a broad alliance of Reformed ministers. Together these voices managed to marshal their differences in a single platform. The chapter then explores the thought of George Gillespie, one of the leading presbyterian theorists at the assembly, in light of these differing presbyterian ecclesiologies.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- Acknowledgements viii
- Notes on contributors ix
- List of abbreviations xi
- 1 Introduction 1
- 2 ‘From the Apostles’ time’ 17
- 3 Peers, pastors and the particular church 38
- 4 ‘One of the least things in religion’ 60
- 5 Polity, discipline and theology 80
- 6 Presbyterian ecclesiologies at the Westminster assembly 104
- 7 ‘They agree not in opinion among themselves’ 130
- 8 The New England way reconsidered 155
- 9 The association movement and the politics of church settlement during the interregnum 174
- 10 Polity and peacemaking 200
- 11 ‘Promote, protect, prosecute’ 222
- 12 The Restoration episcopate and the interregnum 242
- Index 260
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- Acknowledgements viii
- Notes on contributors ix
- List of abbreviations xi
- 1 Introduction 1
- 2 ‘From the Apostles’ time’ 17
- 3 Peers, pastors and the particular church 38
- 4 ‘One of the least things in religion’ 60
- 5 Polity, discipline and theology 80
- 6 Presbyterian ecclesiologies at the Westminster assembly 104
- 7 ‘They agree not in opinion among themselves’ 130
- 8 The New England way reconsidered 155
- 9 The association movement and the politics of church settlement during the interregnum 174
- 10 Polity and peacemaking 200
- 11 ‘Promote, protect, prosecute’ 222
- 12 The Restoration episcopate and the interregnum 242
- Index 260
