THE ADMISSION OF MINISTERS IN THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 1560-1652. A Study la Fresfcgrteriaa Ordination. DUNCAN SHAW. A Thesis presented to THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW, For the degree of MASTER OF THEOLOGY, after study la THE DEPARTMENT OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, April, 1976. ProQuest Number: 13804081 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a com plete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. uest ProQuest 13804081 Published by ProQuest LLC(2018). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States C ode Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 X. A C KNQWLEDSMENT. ACKNOWLEDGMENT IS MADE OF TIE HELP AND ADVICE GIVEN TO THE AUTHOR OF THIS THESIS BY THE REV. IAN MUIRHEAD, M.A., B.D., SENIOR LECTURER IN ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW. II. TABLES OP CONTENTS PREFACE Paso 1 INTRODUCTION 3 -11 The need for Reformation 3 Clerical ignorance and corruption 3-4 Attempto at correction 4-5 The impact of Reformation doctrine and ideas 5-6 Formation of the "Congregation of Christ" and early moves towards reform 6 Desire to have the Word of God "truelie preached" and the Sacraments "rightlie ministred" 7 The Reformation in Scotland - the influence of John Knox and the Reformers' reliance upon Scripture 8-9 Outside influences 9 - H SECTION ONE CHAPTER ONE 12-52 "TIE CONTINENTAL INFLUENCE" The Confessio Helvetica of 1536 13-14 The position of John Calvin as outlined in his "Institutes of the Christian Religion" 14-23 The distinguishing marks of the Church 14 The "Power of the Keys" 15 Importance of the Ministry 15-16 Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers 16-17 The Nature of the Pastoral Office 17-18 Ministerial appointment 18 The importance of the "call" and its nature 18-19 Who/ III. TABLE OF CONTESTS. (Contd) CHAPTER ONE (Contd) Page Who are to be chosen ministers? 19 In what way are they to be chosen? 19 Jfy whom are ministers to be chosen and appointed? 20-22 "The laying on of hands" 22-23 The Admission of ministers in the Reformed Churches of the Continent 23-32 The importance of having a "call" stressed 23-24 How the "call” was understood 24 Selection 24 Examination 25 Election by the people 25-27 "Fasting and prayer" etc. 27-28 "The laying on of hands" 28-30 The agent or agents of Ordination 30-31 The all-pervading influence of Calvin - especially as it affected John Knox 31-32 CHAPTER TWO. 33-53 SCOTTISH REFORMATION PRACTICE IN ELECTING AND ADMITTING MINISTERS TOGETHER WITH THE SUMMARY OF A REPLY FROM N IN IAN WINGET. The Scots Confession of Faith, 1560 34 "Hailsome and sound doctrine" 54 Notes of the true Church 54 Lawful ministers 34-35 Ministerial manpower at the time of the First General Assembly and immediately thereafter 35-36 Who should minister the Word and Sacraments? 36-37 The First Book of Discipline 37-40 The object of the Book 37 The/ IT. TABLE OF CONTENTS. (Contd) CHAPTER TWO. (Contd) Page The role of the local congreg­ ation in terms of outreach etc* 57-38 "Electioun, Examinatioun and Admissioun" 38-39 Those not to be admitted to the Ministry 39-40 Admission to the ministry to be Hin opin audience" 40 Attitude of the people 40 The Book of Common Order 41-43 "The Genevan Service Book" or "Forme of Prayers" 41 The procedure in admitting men to the ministry summarised 42 The Forme and Ordour of the Electioun of the Superintendents 43 Ninian Vinget - his viewpoint expressed 43-53 Vinget's attitude towards John Knox 43-44 Vinget*s questioning of Knox's calling 45-46 Knox's defence 46-47 Vinget*s letters seeking clarification of Knox's position 47-48 "The last Blast of the Trompet ..." 48-49 Vinget's appeal to the Protestants etc* 49-50 Summary of the two positions regarding Homan ordination and its validity 50-52 Points of agreement and disagree­ ment 52-53 CHAPTER THREE. 54-78 THE SUPERINTENDENT OR "GODLY BISHOP" The/ V. TABLE OP CONTENTS. (Contd) CHAPTER THREE (Contd) Page The old ecclesiastical organisation 55 The attitude of the Reformers towards the Episcopate 55-56 The "test1* of a real bishop 56 Personal Succession denied 57 "Succession" understood as being of faith and good works 57 The position of the Bishops after the Reformation 58 The presbyterate the only "order" of ministry 58 Contemporary Anglican attitudes 58 Flexibility of arrangements regarding ordination 59-60 Belief in value of a " •godly* or reformed bishop" in Scotland 60-61 " •Godly* or reformed bishop" defined 61 The office of Superintendent in the Book of Discipline 61-63 Prof. Donaldson*a interpretation of the position adopted in the Book of Discipline 65 Tendency towards a coneiliar form of Church government within the Church of Scotland 64 Superintendent's office an office of expediency 64-65 The initial method of appointing Superintendents 65 The method of appointment to be adopted later on 65-67 Superintendents as agents of the Church's mission but possessing no superiority 68 The duties of the Superintendent 69 The Superintendent's role in admitting ministers to charges 69-75 NO JUS DIVINUM of Superintendents 72 Summary of the procedure followed by the early Reformers in admitting men to the ministry 73-74 The Scottish Church - reformed from within 74-75 The/ 71. TABLE OP CONTENTS, (Contd) CHAPTER THESE. (Contd) Page The sacerdotal conception of the Church abolished 75 Idea of the Church as the whole Christian community revived 75 Ordination 75 Transmission of orders repudiated 75-77 Points of debate 77-78 CHAPTER FOUR. 12=101 "CONFORMITY WITH ENGLAND” AND THE SECOND BOOK OF DISCIPLINE Outstanding problem of Church polity 80 John Douglas appointed to the See of St* Andrews 80 Question concerning the presentation of people to benefices 80-81 Letter of John Erskine of Dun - 1571 81 Functional identity of bishop and superintendent 81 Superintendent essential for the proper admission of ministers 81-82 The Leith Convention and the Concordat of 1572 83 Appointment of titular bishops agreed 83-84 The accomplishment of the Reformers' ideals resulting in Knox giving his approval 84 Knox's regret expressed 85 Aim at "Conformity with England" 85-86 The arrival in Scotland of Andrew Melville 86 Controversy arises over lawfulness of Episcopacy 86-87 Lord Glamis' consultation with Theodore Beza 87-88 Question relating to the necessity of there being bishops in the Church 88-89 Beza's/ VII* TABLE 0? CONTENTS. (Contd.) CHAPTER FOUR.(Contd.) Page Beza's reply BE TRIPLICI EPISCOPATU 89-91 The Second Book of Discipline 91-94 "Policie of the Kirk" always in obedience to the Word of God 91 Leith Concordat condemned 91 > £7rid'KGiro5 91-92 Oversight to be by those "Lawftillie chosin be the presbytrie." 92 The Lawful calling of ministers - extraordinary and ordinary 92 Election and ordination 92 Qualities sought in candidates for the ministry 92-93 Ordination defined 93 "Doctrine, discipline and distribution" and the threefold division of ministers, elders and deacons 94 The meaning of the term "elderschip" examined 95,-96 The "laying on of hands" by ministers only 96 Imposition of hands not enforced until 1597 97 Regent withholds approval of the Second Book of Discipline 97-98 James VI - "Bo bishop, no king" 98 The "Black Acts" of 1584 98 Compromise 98-99 Scheme of presbyteries drawn up 99 The "Act of Annexation" - 1587 99 Episcopacy eclipsed 99 The "Golden Act" or "Magna Carta of the Church of Scotland" - 1592 99-100 The opposition of King James VI 100 Bishops reintroduced to Parliament - 1600 100 Forms of Presbyterian Discipline and Govern­ ment overthrown 100 Scottish/ VIII* TABLE OF CONTENTS.(Contd) CHAPTER FOUR (Contd) Page Scottish bishops consecrated at Anglican hands 100-101 "The Forme and Maner of ordaining ministers •••• used in the Church of Scotland" - 1620 102-104 CHAPTER FIVE 105-117 THE WESTMINSTER PERIOD The Ecclesiastical policy of Charles I 106 The non-conformists of this period - George Gillespie and Alexander Henderson 106 The Rational Covenant of 1638 106 The General Assembly at Glasgow - Episcopacy abolished 106-107 The attempt at formulating a common Confession and a common form of Church worship and government between the Church of England and The Church of Scotland 107 The Westminster Assembly - 1645 107-108 "The Government and Order of the Church of Scotland" 108-113 Episcopacy in the Church of Scotland 108 "The face and strength of the Kirk" 108 The Ministry of the Kirk 109 Succession from the Apostbs 109 The Presbyterian nature of the Kirk from the beginning 109-110 The inward call of God to the ministry 110 The approval of men also necessary 110 Examination, election and ordination 110 The choosing of a candidate and his examination 110-111 The approval of the people 111 The/ TABLE OF CONTENTS. (Contd.) CHAPTER FIVE (Contd) Page The Formal election and the Ordination 111-112 Ministers not admitted "at large" 112 Apostolic practice followed in the Kirk 113 The Westminster Documents 113-117 "The Visible Church" 113 Particular Churches 113-H4 Purity thereof dependent upon the Gospel being taught and accepted, ordinances administered and public worship properly conducted 114 The Ministry, oracles and ordinances of God 114 "The officers of the Church" 114 The Pastor and his functions 114-115 "The Keys of the Kingdom" 115 Lawful calling and ordination 115-116 Ordination "at large" repudiated 116 Ordination by the Laying on of hands of the Presbytery 116 Non-Presbyterian ordination accepted 117 SECTION TWO* INTRODUCTORY HOTS 116-123 THE REFORMERS AND THE BIBLE.