Survey of the Westminster Confession of Faith Class #3: History Between Scotland and England (cont.) & Political Context Of the Writing of the Confession

Part 2 - The Century Prior (cont.)

Tolerant to Catholicism Intolerant to Puritans A new Bible King’s Book of Sports Pilgrims sail on Mayflower “Thinking men cannot be slaves.”

Divine right of Kings Clashes with Parliament Intolerant to Puritans “King’s Book of Sports II” King’s Prayer Book

The National Covenant of 1637

King Charles I (Divine right) Church of England Anglican Presbyterian Court of High Commission Star Chamber Nonconformists (Puritans) Congregationalists Independents Parliament present govt. challenged; prelatic church govt. abolished 1643 – “a reformation of the church” Roman Catholics Arminianism

‘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 the settling of 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.’

Part 2 - The Century Prior The Westminster Abbey

Part 2 - The Century Prior The Westminster Abbey The Theological Politics English Presbyterians Episcopalians Congregationalists Erastians Scottish Presbyterians (delayed)

Part 2 - The Century Prior The Westminster Abbey The Theological Politics The Assignment from Parliament Function without a structure of Church Government Revise the 39 Articles of the Anglican Church

Part 2 - The Century Prior The Westminster Abbey The Theological Politics The Assignment from Parliament Theological union of England with Scotland – Solemn League and Covenant

Part 2 - The Century Prior The Westminster Abbey The Theological Politics The Assignment from Parliament Theological union of England with Scotland The Progress of the Assembly

1642 – First English Civil War begins 1643 – Solemn League and Covenant 1643 – Westminster Assembly begins 2/3/1645 – Directory for Public Worship 2/15/1645 – Form of Church Government 1646 – First English Civil War ends 8/27/1647 – Confession of Faith 11/5/1647 – The Shorter Catechism 1648 – Second English Civil War begins 4/14/1648 – The Larger Catechism 1649 – Second English Civil War ends 1/30/1649 – Charles I executed 2/22/1649 – Assembly dissolved, having sat for 5 yrs., 6 mos. 22 days, 1163 sessions.