OF THE

WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY

OF

DIVINES.

EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF ITS PRINCIPAL TRANSACTIONS,

AND

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

OF ITS

MOST CONSPICUOUS MEMBERS.

COMPILED FOR THE BOARD OF PUBLICATION FROM THE BEST AUTHORITIES.

PHILADELPHIA:

PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION,

JAMES RUSSELL, PUBLISHING AGENT.

1841.

Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1841, by A. W. MITCHELL,
M. D., in the office of the Clerk of the District Court for the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania.

Printed by

WILLIAM S. MARTIEN

PREFACE,

CONTENTS.

PART I.

CHAPTER I.

14

Application to the Parliament by the London Ministers to call a

Synod-A bill presented to the king for this purpose at the

treaty of Oxford-The Parliament enact the same in form of

an Ordinance-The Ordinance itself-The names of the lords

and gentlemen chosen to sit in the Assembly-Complete list of

the Divines nominated in the Ordinance, and those afterwards

added,

CHAPTER II.

The Assembly opened-Rules of proceeding-Solemn oath of

the members-Assembly divided into three committees-Re-

vision of the ARTICLES undertaken-Description of the room

and manner of sitting, and of transacting business,

CHAPTER III.

Delegation from Parliament and the Assembly to Scotland—

Solemn League and Covenant-Commissioners chosen to go to

the Westminster Assembly-Their Commission-Reception of

the Commissioners-They decline sitting as members,

CHAPTER IV.

Covenant approved by Parliament and the Assembly-Is solemnly

sworn by the members of both Houses-Tendered to the peo-

ple and taken by many-All persons in office, and all persons

ordained required to take it,

CHAPTER V.

Episcopalians mostly decline attending-The members divided

into three parties-Their respective opinions-Distinguished

leaders,

CHAPTER VI.

Correspondence with foreign Divines.

CHAPTER VII.

Fifteen Articles of the Church of England revised-A view of the

alterations proposed,

CHAPTER VIII.

Confession of Faith composed,

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