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This Thesis Has Been Submitted in Fulfilment of the Requirements for a Postgraduate Degree (E.G This thesis has been submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for a postgraduate degree (e.g. PhD, MPhil, DClinPsychol) at the University of Edinburgh. Please note the following terms and conditions of use: This work is protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights, which are retained by the thesis author, unless otherwise stated. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author. The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author. When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given. The munus triplex in the English separatist tradition, 1580 to 1620, with particular attention to Henry Barrow and Henry Ainsworth By Tim Gessner Doctor of Philosophy The University of Edinburgh 2015 Declaration I, Tim Gessner, declare that I have composed this thesis myself. All of the work contained within is my own work. It has not been submitted for any other degree or professional qualification. Edinburgh, 14 September 2015 Tim Gessner ii Abstract This study explores the use of the doctrine of the offices of Christ (prophet, priest, and king) in the literature of the English separatists Henry Barrow (c.1550-1593) and Henry Ainsworth (1569-1622). No study to date explores the English separatists’ use of the doctrine in ecclesiological debates. During the period 1580 to 1620 the doctrine was more commonly referenced when discussing soteriology. Barrow and Ainsworth provide some of the clearest expressions of the doctrine of the offices of Christ in separatist works and their steadfastness in those beliefs in light of opposition make them good candidates for this research. This study sets out to answer the question: what was the significance of participation by the elect in the offices of Christ as used in Barrow and Ainsworth’s writings? This research focuses on the theology of Barrow and Ainsworth and does not consider the social or experiential aspects of their professed beliefs. This study provides a detailed analysis of the writings of Barrow and Ainsworth particularly noting their use of the offices of Christ in discussions of the visible church. It then examines the relationship of Barrow and Ainsworth’s Christology and ecclesiology, expressed through the offices of Christ, in their understanding of the visible church. Finally, this research compares their usage with works published in England from 1580 to 1620, considering whether their usage was distinct. Its findings challenge the traditional historiographical suggestions that purity, polity, discipline, and covenant were the central themes of Barrow and Ainsworth’s ecclesiology. This research suggests that, for Barrow and Ainsworth, the visible church was the visible expression of Christ on earth and the continuation of his earthly ministry begun at the incarnation. They believed that the visible church was the result of union with Christ, not the means of it. Through union with Christ, all the elect participated in Christ’s offices. Barrow and Ainsworth’s understanding of the visible church incorporated their understanding of Christ’s continuing work expressed in his offices of prophecy, priesthood, and kingship. Christ was immediately present in his visible church, working in the elect and through the elect as prophets, priests, and kings. The visible elect, when gathered, became the body of Christ on earth and as his body they continued the work of prophecy, priesthood, and kingship that he had begun. iii Lay Summary This study explores the use of the concept of the ‘offices of Christ’ in the writings of Henry Barrow (1550-1593) and Henry Ainsworth (1569-1622). The offices of Christ describe Christ’s work on earth expressed through the Old Testament roles of a prophet, a priest, and a king. The church throughout its history has used this schema of Christ’s offices to understand Christ’s work. During the Reformation in England, in the decades that followed Queen Elizabeth I establishment of the English church (1559), some individuals refused to participate with the church as it was instituted; hence they ‘separated’ themselves from it. Barrow and Ainsworth were separatists. This research seeks to understand the significance of participation by the members of the church in the offices of Christ as used in Barrow and Ainsworth’s writings. Previous research concerning those who separated from the Church of England has suggested that they were obsessed with a moral lifestyle, particular religious practices or a difference over how the church was to be organised. This work considers Barrow and Ainsworth’s religious beliefs, particularly the concept of the offices of Christ, as the motivations for their social practices. It addresses itself to historical theology. This work seeks to explain how their religious beliefs were the cause of their focus on purity and church organization. The findings of this research argue for a different understanding of Barrow and Ainsworth than has been previously offered. For Barrow and Ainsworth, each local church was a visible expression of Christ on earth continuing his work of prophecy, priesthood, and kingship. They believed that all the members of the church were to participate in Christ’s offices and not just its leaders. The members of the church, when gathered, became the body of Christ on earth and as his body they continued the work of prophecy, priesthood, and kingship that he had begun. iv Acknowledgements The completion of this project owes a debt to many individuals. I would like to thank my supervisor Professor Susan Hardman-Moore for her help and longsuffering patience with me. I would also like to thank the staff of the School of Divinity and of the Divinity library for all the help they offered through the years of research on this project. Most importantly I would like to thank my wife, Doreen, and my children, Sara and Christopher. This thesis is dedicated to them. Thank you for all you have sacrificed for me. soli Deo gloria v A Note on Transcribing Early Modern Texts Quotations from early modern texts have preserved the original spelling, capitalization, and punctuation with two exceptions. In the case of the letters ‘u’ and ‘v’ a modern form has been used. For example where the text had ‘vs,’ the ‘v’ has been changed to a ‘u.’ Similarly where the text had ‘couenant,’ the ‘u’ has been changed to a ‘v’ in this work. The second exception concerns the letters ‘i’ and ‘j’ which differ in similar fashion to the letters ‘u’ and ‘v.’ Where the text had ‘Iesus’ the ‘I’ has been changed to a ‘J.’ It is believed these changes modify only the orthography of the original texts and not the variations common to the period. vi Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................ 1 1. Historical Context .............................................................................................. 10 2. Separatist Historiography ................................................................................... 30 3. The Available Literature .................................................................................... 36 4. Methodology ...................................................................................................... 40 5. Argument and Findings ...................................................................................... 50 Chapter 2: Henry Barrow and the Offices of Christ .................................................. 55 1. Separation from a false church ........................................................................... 56 2. Christ’s offices and the errors of the Church of England ................................... 66 3. Participation in the offices of Christ .................................................................. 76 1. True members of a true visible church ........................................................... 77 2. Every member’s interest in the work of Christ .............................................. 87 4. Conclusion .......................................................................................................... 95 Chapter 3: Henry Ainsworth and the Barrowist tradition .......................................... 99 1. Separation from a false church ......................................................................... 102 2. Christ’s offices and the errors of the Church of England ................................. 109 3. Participation in the offices of Christ ................................................................ 118 1. True members of a true visible church ......................................................... 120 2. Every member’s interest in the work of Christ ............................................ 128 4. Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 142 Chapter 4: The Offices of Christ and the True Visible Church ............................... 149 1. The presence of Christ ..................................................................................... 151 2. An empowered people ...................................................................................... 161 vii 3. The visible church, the body of Christ
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