Each of the documents within the Westminster Standards were produced in fulfillment of the Solemn League and Covenant, including the "Directory for Public Worship". For evidence of this, please note that the title pages of the various Westminster documents contain the phrase, "as a part of the covenanted uniformity in religion betwixt the churches of Christ in the kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland."
Are you aware that the "Directory for Public Worship" mandated only the singing of Psalms in public worship (as a part of the covenanted uniformity in worship)?
The making of a separate "hymnal" (full of man-made compositions) was never discussed at the Westminster Assembly. Nor was such a thing ever presented to Parliament, and everything produced by the Assembly was presented to Parliament. Furthermore, nothing of that sort was presented to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, but that General Assembly did ratify the other documents produced by the Westminster Assembly.
This information is important in demonstrating the original intent of the framers of the Westminster Standards regarding worship. It also shows that those ministers who have taken vows, without mental reservation, to uphold these Standards, while they continue to practice (even in ignorance) anything other than exclusive Psalmody, are guilty of perjury.
The battles over the Psalter (i.e. the debates concerning translators, publication, civil and ecclesiastical ratification, etc.) are all well documented; yet strangely, not one word was ever recorded about any debates, votes or proclamations regarding a man-made "hymnal."
Such a situation is inexplicable if an uninspired hymnal had indeed been considered (never mind ratified by the different levels of church and civil government) as being consistent with the goal of covenanted uniformity in worship, especially given that both the Westminster Assembly and the Scottish General Assembly were composed of strict regulativists.
During the Westminster Assembly the issue of the use of musical instruments in public worship was not even mentioned. Among Reformed people of that time, the use of instruments in worship was not an option.
The use of organs in public worship, "along with other remains of Popery," was eliminated by the civil government of that period because it was properly informed by Scripture. (This article has been adapted from "Saul in the Cave of Adullam by Reg Barrow.)
Are you aware that the "Directory for Public Worship" mandated only the singing of Psalms in public worship (as a part of the covenanted uniformity in worship)?
The making of a separate "hymnal" (full of man-made compositions) was never discussed at the Westminster Assembly. Nor was such a thing ever presented to Parliament, and everything produced by the Assembly was presented to Parliament. Furthermore, nothing of that sort was presented to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, but that General Assembly did ratify the other documents produced by the Westminster Assembly.
This information is important in demonstrating the original intent of the framers of the Westminster Standards regarding worship. It also shows that those ministers who have taken vows, without mental reservation, to uphold these Standards, while they continue to practice (even in ignorance) anything other than exclusive Psalmody, are guilty of perjury.
The battles over the Psalter (i.e. the debates concerning translators, publication, civil and ecclesiastical ratification, etc.) are all well documented; yet strangely, not one word was ever recorded about any debates, votes or proclamations regarding a man-made "hymnal."
The Psalms of David in Metre (Scottish Metrical Psalter of 1650)
Such a situation is inexplicable if an uninspired hymnal had indeed been considered (never mind ratified by the different levels of church and civil government) as being consistent with the goal of covenanted uniformity in worship, especially given that both the Westminster Assembly and the Scottish General Assembly were composed of strict regulativists.
During the Westminster Assembly the issue of the use of musical instruments in public worship was not even mentioned. Among Reformed people of that time, the use of instruments in worship was not an option.
The use of organs in public worship, "along with other remains of Popery," was eliminated by the civil government of that period because it was properly informed by Scripture. (This article has been adapted from "Saul in the Cave of Adullam by Reg Barrow.)
About the Author:
For additional information about pure worship (following the Regulative Principle of Worship), ecclesiastical history and the Reformation, please visit PuritanDownloads.com. There are many Reformation theology resources at that site.
