WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY.

CHAPTER I.

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.

As early as the year 1641, the London ministers, in a petition to Parliament, requested them to intercede with the King for the calling of a free synod, to take into consideration and remove the grievances of the Church. The Commons, accordingly, in their grand remonstrance, presented December 1, 1641, made mention of the subject, in the following words:"We desire that there may be a general synod of the most grave, pious, learned, and judicious Divines of this island, assisted with some from foreign parts, professing the same religion with us, who may consider all things necessary for the peace and good government of the Church, and to represent the result of their consultations, to be allowed and confirmed, and to receive the stamp of authority."

In the treaty of Oxford, a bill was presented to the same purpose, and rejected. Some time after, Dr. Burgess, at the head of the Puritan clergy, applied again to Parliament, but the Houses were unwilling to take this step without the King's concurrence, until they were reduced to the necessity of calling in the Scots, who insisted, that there should be a uni

formity of doctrine and discipline, between the two nations. To make way for which, the Parliament turned their bill, which had been rejected by the King, into an ORDINANCE, and convened the Assembly by their own authority. The Ordinance bears. date, June 12, 1643, and is the very same as the Oxford bill, except in the point of lay assessors, and the article by which the assembly is restrained from exercising any ecclesiastical jurisdiction or authority. It is entitled, "An ordinance of the Lords and Commons, in parliament, for the calling of an assembly of learned and godly divines, and others, to be consulted with by the parliament, for settling the government and liturgy of the church of England, and for vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the said church, from false aspersions and interpretations." The ordinance itself is as follows:

"Whereas, amongst the infinite blessings of Almighty God upon this nation, none is nor can be more dear unto us than the purity of our religion; and for that, as yet, many things remain in the liturgy, discipline, and government of the church, which do necessarily require a further and more perfect reformation, than as yet hath been obtained; and whereas, it hath been declared and resolved by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, that the present church government, by archbishops, bishops, their chancellors, commissars, deans, and chapters, arch-deacons, and other ecclesiastical officers, depending upon the hierarchy, is evil, and justly offensive and burdensome to the kingdom, a great impediment to reformation and growth of religion, and very prejudicial to the state and government of this kingdom; and, therefore, they are resolved, that the same shall be taken away, and that such a government shall be settled in the church, as may be most agreeable to God's holy word, and most apt to procure and preserve the peace of the church at home, and nearer agreement with the church of Scotland, and other reformed churches abroad; and for the better effecting hereof, and for the vindicating and clearing of the doctrine

of the church of England from all false calumnies and aspersions, it is thought fit and necessary, to call an assembly of learned, godly, and judicious divines, who, together with some members of both houses of Parliament, are to consult and advise of such matters and things, touching the premises, as shall be proposed unto them, by both or either of the houses of Parliament, and to give their advice and counsel therein, to both or either of the said houses, when, and as often, as they shall be thereunto required. Be it, therefore, ordained, by the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, that all and every the persons, hereafter, in this present ordinance named; that is to say, [the names were here written,] and such other person or persons as shall be nominated and appointed by both houses of parliament, or so many of them as shall not be letted by sickness, or other necessary impediment, shall meet and assemble, and are hereby required and enjoined, upon summons signed by both houses of parliament, left at their respective dwellings, to meet and assemble themselves, at Westminster, in the chapel, called king Henry the seventh's chapel, on the first of July, 1643, and after the first meeting, being at least of the number of forty, shall, from time to time, sit, and be removed from place to place; and also, that the said assembly shall be dissolved in such manner as shall by both houses of Parliament be directed; and the said persons, or so many of them as shall be so assembled, or sit, shall have power and authority, and are hereby likewise enjoined, from time to time, during the present Parliament, or until further order be taken by both the said houses, to confer and treat among themselves of such matters and things, touching and concerning the liturgy, discipline, and government of the church of England, for the vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the same, from all false aspersions and misconstructions, as shall be proposed unto them by both or either said houses of Parliament, and no other; and deliver their opinion, advices of, or touch

ing matters aforesaid, as shall be most agreeable unto the word of God, to both or either of the houses from time to time, in such manner and sort, as by both or either of the said houses of Parliament shall be required: and the same not to divulge, by printing, writing, or otherwise, without the consent of both or either house of Parliament.

"And be it further ordained, by the authority aforesaid, that William Twisse, doctor in divinity, shall sit in the chair, as prolocutor of the said assembly; and if he happen to die, or be letted by sickness, or other necessary impediment, then such other person to be appointed in his place, as shall be agreed on by the said houses of Parliament. And in case any difference of opinion shall happen amongst the said persons so assembled, touching any the matters that shall be proposed to them as aforesaid, that then they shall represent the same, together with the reasons thereof, to both or either of the said houses, respectively, to the end that such further direction may be given therein, as shall be requisite to that behalf. And be it further ordained by the authority aforesaid, that for the charges and expenses of the said divines, and every one of them, in attending the said service, there shall be allowed every one of them that shall so attend, during the time of their said attendance, and for ten days before and ten days after, the sum of four shillings for every day, at the charges of the commonwealth, at such time and in such manner, as by both houses of Parliament shall be appointed. And be it further ordained, that all and every the said divines, so, as aforesaid, required and enjoined to meet and assemble, shall be freed and acquitted of and from every offence, forfeiture, penalty, loss, or damage, which shall or may ensue or grow, by reason of any non-residence, or absence of them, or any of them, from his or their, or any of their church, churches, or cures, for, or in respect of their said attendance upon the said service; any law or statute of non-residence, or other law or statute enjoining their

attendance upon their respective ministries and charges, to the contrary thereof notwithstanding. And if any of the said persons shall happen to die before the said assembly shall be dissolved by order of both houses of Parliament, then such other person or persons shall be placed in the room and stead of the person or persons so dying, as by both the said houses shall be thought fit and agreed upon; and every such person or persons, so to be named, shall have the like power and authority, freedom and acquittal, to all intents and purposes, and also all such wages and allowances for the said service, during the time of his or their attendance, as to any other of the said persons in this ordinance is by this ordinance limited and appointed. Provided alway, that this ordinance, or any thing therein contained, shall not give unto the persons aforesaid, or any of them, nor shall they in this assembly assume to exercise any jurisdiction, power, or authority ecclesiastical, whatsoever, or any other power than is herein particularly expressed."i

The number of persons named in the foregoing ordinance, was one hundred and fifty; thirty of whom were lay-assessors; ten from the house of lords, and twenty from the commons. These, however, had an equal liberty of debating and voting, as the divines. The names of the members, as contained in the ordinance, were as follows:

PEERS.

Algernoon earl of Northumberland.

William earl of Bedford.

Philip earl of Pembroke and Montgomery.

William earl of Salisbury.

Henry earl of Holland.

Edward earl of Manchester.

William lord viscount Say and Seal.

Edward lord viscount Conway.

Philip lord Wharton.

Edward lord Howard of Esrick.

1 See Rushworth's Collections.