CHARACTER OF THE MEMBERS.

The ordinance provided for an Assembly of “learned, Godly, and judicious divines.”  Milton, while not in sympathy with their work, called this “The Select Assembly.”  Baxter, another disapproving contemporary, said, “that in his judgment the world, since the days of the apostles, had never a Synod of more excellent divines than this and the Synod of Dort.”  Abundant evidence certifies that in Westminster Hall, in those days was seen a rare combination of native talent, classic learning, sanctified conscience, spiritual illumination, and devotion to the truth as revealed in the Word of God.

ENROLLMENT.

The complete number of members was 174, of which 142 were ministers, and 32, elders.  Of this number, four ministers and two elders were commissioners from Scotland.  The Scottish delegation of divines were men mighty in the Scriptures and powerful in debate.  Their influence in making Scripture truths lucid, and thereby directing the Assembly to right conclusions, was deeply felt and cordially acknowledged.  They declined to sit as regular members of the Assembly, content with the humbler position of consultative members.  They would not by incorporation become responsible, personally or representatively, for the deliverances of an Assembly selected and erected by parliament.  These Scotch ministers form a brilliant constellation; let their names be written in capitals: 

Alexander Henderson         Robert Baillie
Samuel Rutherford           George Gillespie

“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”  The Scottish elders were John Maitland and Archibald Johnston.  Maitland in after years renounced the Covenant and became a powerful foe of the Covenanters.

[Illustration:  Westminster assembly.

The Westminster Assembly met in London in 1643.  The roll of members contained 174 names, of which 142 were divines and 32 selected from parliament.  The Covenanters of Scotland were represented by 6 commissioners, of whom 4 were ministers.  This Assembly produced the Confession of Faith, the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, the Directory for Public Worship, and the Form of Church Government.  These excellent formulas of Divine truth are carefully compiled and finely polished, and, being true to the Bible, they will scarcely ever be surpassed.]

ORGANIZATION.

The Assembly met according to the call, July 1, 1643, in the Church of Westminster.  Dr. William Twisse, President, preached the opening sermon from Christ’s precious promise, “I will not leave you comfortless.”  These word’s were as apples of gold in pictures of silver, in those days of woeful distraction.  One week later they met again, when the oath was administered to every member present, in the following words: