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
Part 1: The Westminster Assembly in its Historical Setting
1. The Historical Background of the Westminster Assembly
2. The Organization and Operation of the Assembly
3. The Scottish Commissioners and Their Work
Part 2: The Composition of the Westminster Assembly's Form of Church Government
1. The Church and Its Officers
2. The Local Church
3. Governmental Assemblies
4. Ordination

Genres: Theology, History

244 pages, Hardcover

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.