The Covenanted Uniformity in Religion of the Westminster Standards, Worship, and Exclusive Psalmody
The title page of each of the documents contained in the Westminster Standards includes the phrase, “as a part of the covenanted uniformity in religion betwixt the churches of Christ in the kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland.” This shows that the Westminster Standards, including the “Directory for Public Worship”, were produced in fulfillment of the Solemn League and Covenant.
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)?
In fact, I defy anyone to produce one shred of evidence that the making of a separate “hymnal” (full of man-made compositions) was ever discussed at the Westminster Assembly (much less presented to parliament, as was all the work of the Assembly), or the Scottish General Assembly (from 1638-1649, or long after) — which General Assembly ecclesiastically ratified the Westminster Standards.
Regarding worship this speaks to the original intent of the framers of the Westminster standards and exposes how prevalent the sin of perjury is among 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.
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.”
Given the “strict regulativist” makeup of both the Westminster Assembly and the Scottish General Assembly, this is truly amazing if a human “hymnal” had indeed ever been considered (never mind ratified by the different levels of church and civil government) as in keeping with the covenanted uniformity in worship aimed at by these men.
On top of this, these divines did not even need to mention the judaizing heresy of the use of musical instruments in public worship, because that was not an issue among the Reformed folk of the day.
Even the civil magistrate of that period knew enough about Scripture to provide for the eradication of organs, “along with other remains of Popery.” (This article has been adapted from “Saul in the Cave of Adullam by Reg Barrow.)
For further information about Reformed worship (following the Regulative Principle of Worship), church history and the Reformation, please visit PuritanDownloads.com. There are many Reformation theology resources at that site.
