Covenanted Uniformity in Religion: The Influence of the Scottish Commissioners upon the Ecclesiology of the Westminster Assembly

by Wayne R. Spear

It is a common view that the Westminster Assembly was dominated by Scots pursuing their nationalistic goals to the disadvantage of a desperate English Parliament. But in Covenanted Uniformity in Religion, Wayne R. Spear reassesses the Assembly from the standpoint of the Scottish commissioners and their influence in the drawing up of the Form of Church Government. Spear begins by placing the Assembly in its historical setting and giving an overview of how it conducted its business. Then, following the order of the Form of Church Government, he traces each significant expression from its origin in a committee, through its debate and modification in the Assembly, to its final placement in the document. Finally, Spear evaluates the significance of this document by considering the responses it received in England and Scotland. Here we see how the Scots failed to achieve some of their most cherished goals in the Assembly debates, which demonstrates that the Assembly operated as a truly deliberative body. This book gives us a more accurate picture of the Westminster Assembly as it debated the proper structure and function of the Christian church.

Table of

Introduction

Part 1: The Westminster Assembly in its Historical Setting

The Historical Background of the Westminster Assembly
The Organization and Operation of the Assembly
The Scottish Commissioners and Their Work

Part 2: The Composition of the Westminster Assembly’s Form of Church Government

The Church and Its Officers
The Local Church
Governmental Assemblies
Ordination

Conclusion

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

References Cited

Series Description Studies of the Westminster Assembly. Complementing the primary source material in the Principal Documents of the Westminster Assembly series, the Assembly studies provides access to classic studies that have not been reprinted and to new studies, providing some of the best existing research on the Assembly and its members.

Author Wayne R. Spear is professor emeritus of systematic theology at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Endorsements “Dr. Wayne Spear’s study of the discussion of church government at the Westminster Assembly has for decades remained hidden in the relative obscurity of scholarly libraries. It is a cause for rejoicing that it is now being made available to a wider public. Carefully researched and written with a gracious clarity, it is enormously helpful in walking us through the long and complex debates on church government in which the Westminster divines engaged. Dr. Spear brings out the role of the small group of unusually gifted teaching and ruling elders sent to the Assembly as commissioners from the Church of Scotland. The value of Covenanted Uniformity in Religion extends far beyond the world of academic study and discussion, where it will certainly be welcomed. It also has a special relevance and value to the large number of ministers and other leaders of churches who today are thinking for the first time, or rethinking, the significance of the structures of church life. Wayne Spear has given us a study of historical ecclesiology with considerable practical value for the contemporary church.” — Sinclair B. Ferguson, professor of systematic theology, Redeemer Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas

Genres: Theology, History

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 3, 2013

Reviews

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meticulously researched and well argued. Let it be said, however, that a meticulously researched looking at over four years of committee debates does not make for the most gripping of reads. A great reference tool, and a great book to read with a large cup of coffee if you have to make your way straight through it…

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Fascinating study on the deliberations for the Form of Church Government at the Westminster Assembly. While this study mostly focuses on the Scottish delegation and their influence, I found the debates regarding church polity, especially with the Independents, very interesting.

[Josh Valdix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dense and informative book which covers the influence of Scottish presbyterians and English independents in the Westminster Assemblies work on ecclesiology. Not riveting, but I learned alot.

[Joseph Rizzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fact that there are so many records of the assembly, and that researchers have done the work to comb through the minutes, gives the church and other interested readers such a rich treasure to better understand the basis of our confession of faith and accompanying documents. This is a very specific look at the work of the Scottish commissioners to the assembly and how much influence they were able to bring to the eventual decisions and formulations of the faith. The assembly and the work of all to come to agreement on the reformation of the churches was a wonderful work to engage in, for the better unity of the visible church. It is to be lamented that much of the work did not get put to use in the English church because of political changes and realities, but we should rejoice in the enduring use of these documents in so many reformed and confessional churches throughout the world. The Scottish church adopted the Westminster documents despite some of the assembly's decisions not going fully towards their existing practice and polity, but this serves as a testimony to the Scottish churches commitment to their covenant obligations of the Solemn League and Covenant.