I suppose most of us have favorite authors either from the subject matter they treat, their style, or character in general, and there is nothing wrong with that as long as we don't idolize them, and as long as we use the opinions of men lawfully. For instance, the elders and many of the members at FPCR familiar with the works of Samuel Rutherfurd, think very highly of him. And I can think of at least one area where FPCR and Rutherfurd may have a difference of opinion. Yet, it would be idolatry, and a disparaging of the authority of God’s word, simply to change our view out of deference to Mr. Rutherfurd, whether he happened to be right or wrong. The Pharisees and the Papists elevated the traditions of men above the Scriptures. Protestants should be ever wary of falling into this error with the teachers they esteem.

George Gillespie is a favorite author of mine. He was one of the Scots worthies of the Second Reformation, participating and triumphing in some of the crucial theological debates of his age. His works fit within two moderately sized volumes, the bulk of which are taken up by his, Dispute Against the English Popish Ceremonies, and Aaron's Rod Blossoming. One of his shorter works which seems to have remained his most controversial, is Wholesome Severity Reconciled with Christian Liberty. Several years ago I discussed Gillespie and some of his works in several Blue Banner articles At that time I briefly touched upon the proof that this anonymously published pamphlet is the work of Gillespie. I intend here to go into more detail, but with a caveat. Most of the interest in Gillespie's Wholesome Severity today stems from the late Greg Bahnsen's desire to find evidence in Gillespie, and in Wholesome Severity particularly, to support his interpretation of the general equity clause in Westminster Confession of Faith 19:4. I agree with Sinclair Ferguson that while there may be a practical agreement on a particular aspect of Old Testament penology, theonomy in theory is simply not present in Gillespie (assuming one can come up with a definition of theonomy that satisfies everyone so that all are measuring by the same standard). It is rather futile and anachronistic to try to turn Gillespie into some sort of "Seventeenth Century Theonomist."

There is excellent historical evidence for Gillespie's authorship of Wholesome Severity. The source of the attribution of this work to Gillespie is his cousin, Rev. Patrick Simpson (1628-1715). Simpson was 19 or 20 when Gillespie died (1648). He evidently grew up with his cousin and/or cousin's children (see M'Crie's comment in Wodrow's Correspondence, volume 1, pp. 14). He was present when Gillespie was sick and dying. The historian, Robert Wodrow, knew Simpson, corresponded with him, interviewed him and stayed with him for three days. From this interview we have Simpson's recounting of Gillespie's last illness and death and the statement that Wodrow says he has from Mr. Simpson's mouth that Gillespie was the author of Wholesome Severity (see also Hetherington's Memoir, the appendix, in Gillespie's Works). Wodrow's personal assessment of the long lived Mr. Simpson, was that "I have now had long acquaintance of him, and never knew one more pleasant and profitable in conversation … He had one of the clearest judgments, and yet the most exact and tenacious memories that I ever knew."

So we have an usually reliable and accurate historian's interview of a man of unusually clear tenacious memory (for an octogenarian I suppose he means) attesting to these facts. And who better than a close friend and relative to know what Gillespie may have or may not have written, and who may well have collected and read all the material by his famous cousin? And why would he mention these works? Would it not be because they were published anonymously and he knew his cousin wrote them and wanted to attest to that fact? Wodrow termed Simpson one of the last "antediluvian" Presbyterians. He saw him as an important source of data, particularly I suppose given his relationship to Gillespie, one of the prime movers of the Second Reformation. Gillespie's authorship has been accepted by most of the historians I've seen who comment or make mention of Wholesome Severity. See Walker, Theology and Theologians of Scotland, Macphearson, Doctrine of the Church in Scottish Theology, Campbell, "George Gillespie" in the Records of the Scottish Historical Society, volume X, Part II. 1949.

Arguments from style and content are of little consequence by themselves, but they add a comfort level to the historical data outlined above. 1. In works all from 1645, we find use of similar sources. For example we find the use of the reformed theologian, Gualther in Wholesome Severity, House of Lords Sermon, and Nihil Respondes. Grotti Apologeta is cited in Wholesome Severity and Brotherly Examination. 2. There are similar themes or ideas among various works and Wholesome Severity. He speaks of Presbyterian Government being maligned in Aaron's Rod and Wholesome Severity, and uses the argument that the abuse of a thing is not an argument against the right use of it. Liberty of conscience is addressed in Wholesome Severity and some of the same ideas are covered in his House of Lords Sermon, where very similar language is also used (Hetherington edition, p. 12). 3. There are similar phraseologies. He uses Gallio to illustrate a favorite idea, the nullifidian, and the adiaphorist for one who views all things as things indifferent, in Wholesome Severity, English Popish Ceremonies, and Aaron's Rod Blossoming.

Compare from EPC ¾ "The atheistical nullifidian, nothing regards the assoiling of ecclesiastical controversies; he is of Gallio's humor (Acts 18:17), and cares for none of those things... The pragmatical adiaphorist ..." etc ¾ and Aaron's Rod (similar use, nullifidian is not used) ¾ "Let the Gallio's of this time (who care for no intrinsical evil in the church)..." ¾ with Wholesome Severity ¾ "The first is when the Magistrate is a Nullifidian, Neutralist, and Adiaphorist, esteeming as Gallio did …."

There is similar use of language in EPC and Wholesome Severity. In Wholesome Severity the author writes: "The thing being necessary, as has been said, it is pars tuitor, yea, tuitissima [it is the safer part, yea, the very safest], that a man is compelled to it … though it is against his erring and ill informed conscience." In EPC Gillespie writes: "But if the error of conscience is about unnecessary things, or such as are in themselves indifferent, then it is pars tutior [the safer part], the surest and safest part not to urge men to do that which in their consciences they condemn" (Naphtali Press edition, p. 25).

It is also interesting at least to note in the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) that EPC is cited as a usage example of the term "nullifidian," and Wholesome Severity is cited as one for "adiaphorist." And for what it is worth, the OED attributes Wholesome Severity without controversy to George Gillespie in the list of works cited for usage.

Thus there is very strong historical as well as internal evidence to support the attribution of Wholesome Severity Reconciled with Christian Liberty to George Gillespie.

 

Bibliography of the Works of George Gillespie

The following is a complete bibliography of the Works of George Gillespie, which was prepared for the Naphtali Press edition of English Popish Ceremonies.

Major Works

A Dispute Against The English Popish Ceremonies, etc. [Anon.] (1637) [Leiden?]. STC 11896 Aldis 885.5. Anr. Edition ([Edinburgh]: 1660). Wing 748. Aldis 1640.5.

Aaron's Rod Blossoming; or, The Divine Ordinance of Church Government Vindicated, etc. (London: E.G. for Richard Whitaker, 1646). Wing 743. Second edition (London, 1646). Wing 744.

An Assertion of the Government of the Church of Scotland in the points of Ruling Elders, and of the Authority of Presbyteries and Synods. (Edinburgh: for James Bryson, 1641). Wing 745. Another edition (Edinburgh, 1641). Wing 746.

Sermons

A Sermon Preached Before The Honourable House of Commons at their late solemn fast, Wednesday, March 27, 1644. (London: for Robert Bostock, 1644). Wing 756. Second Edition (1644). Wing 757. Anr. edition (Edinburgh: for Evan Tyler, 1644). Wing 756A. Aldis 1136.

A Sermon Preached Before The Right Honourable The House of Lords, in the Abbey Church at Westminster, August 27, 1645. (London: By F. Neile for Robert Bostock, 1645). Wing 758. Anr. Edition (London: 1645). Wing 759. These two sermons were reprinted in An Anthology of Presbyterian & Reformed Literature (Dallas, TX: Naphtali Press, 1988), v. 1, #3.

Dispute on Erastianism with Thomas Coleman

A Brotherly Examination of some passages of Mr. Coleman's late Sermon on Job 11:20, as it is now printed and published: By which he hath to the great offence of very many, endeavoured to strike at the very root of all Spiritual and Ecclesiasticall Government, etc. (printed as part of the above sermon of 1645).

Nihil Respondes: or A Discovery of the Extreme Unsatisfactoriness of Mr. Coleman's piece, published last week under the title of "A Brotherly Examination Re-examined," etc. (London: for Robert Bostock, 1645). Wing 755.

Male Audis; or, an Answer to Mr. Coleman's Male Dicis, etc. (London: Robert Bostocke, 1646). Wing 754.

Anonymous Pamphlets

Wholesome Severity Reconciled with Christian Liberty, etc. (London: for Christopher Meredith, 1645). Wing 765. Republished in An Anthology of Presbyterian & Reformed Literature, volume 4 (Dallas, TX: Naphtali Press, 1991).

A Late Dialogue Betwixt A Civilian and a Divine, concerning the present condition of the Church of England. (London: for Robert Bostock 1644). Wing 753.

Faces About. Or, A Recrimination Charged upon Mr. John Goodwin in the point of Fighting Against God and opposing the Way of Christ, etc. (London, 1644). This twelve page tract is attributed to William Prynne by Wing (3952). Others, apparently with some justification, cite Gillepsie as the author (Rev. J. C. Johnston, Treasury of the Scottish Covenant, [Edinburgh, 1887], p. 303. William M. Campbell, "George Gillespie," Records of the Scottish Church History Society, volume X. — Part II. 1949). From the standpoint of style it fits Gillespie more than Prynne, and Prynne had already answered Goodwin in a much larger work. Also, Prynne would not have written anonymously. A passage in Wholesome Severity may link the tract to Gillespie. "In this sir, you have faced about, sure you are not As You Were, for Mr. Goodwin himself (Theomaxia, p. 11), says that," etc. ("Wholesome Severity," Anthology, volume 4, p. 192).

Public Papers for the Church of Scotland

Reasons For Which The Service Book Urged Upon Scotland Ought to be Refused. (1638) [Edinburgh: G. Anderson?]. STC 22037, 22038. Reprinted in the appendix of the Naphtali Press edition of English Popish Ceremonies.

CXI Propositions Concerning the Ministry and Government of the Church. (Edinburgh: for Evan Tyler, 1647). Wing 752. Aldis 1266. Theoremata CXI de ministerio (Edinburgi: excudebat Evanus Tyler, 1647). Wing 760. Aldis 1287. Anr. Edition (Juxta exemplar qud —, 1648). Wing 760A. Aldis 1345.5. A form for church government and ordination of ministers, contained in XCI Propositions, propounded to the late General Assembly at Edinburgh, 1647. Together with an act concerning Erastianisme, Independencie, and Liberty of Conscience, etc. (London: for R. Bostock, 1647.). Wing 749.

The humble representation of the Commission of the General Assembly to the Honourable Estates of Parliament, upon their Declaration lately communicate, etc. 28 April 1648 (London: by Edward Griffin for I. R., 1648). Wing 750.

The answer of the commissioners of the General Assembly August 15, 1648 unto the observations of the Honourable Committee of Estates upon the Declaration of the late General Assembly (Edinburgh: by Evan Tyler, 1648). Wing 4200.

Pothumously Published Works

A Treatise of Miscellany Questions, etc. (Edinburgh: by Gedeon Lithgow for George Swintoun, 1649). Wing 761. Aldis 1367. Anr. Edition (printed at Edinburgh, to be sold at London, by Thomas Whitaker, 1649). Wing 762. Aldis 1367.5.

A useful case of conscience discussed and resolved, concerning associations and confederacies with idolaters, infidels, hereticks, or any known enemies of truth and godliness. Whereunto is subjoined a letter by him to the commissioners of the General Assembly in the time of his sickness, together with his testimony unto this truth, written two days before his death. (Edinburgh: Heires of George Anderson for Andro Wilson, 1649). Wing 762A. Aldis 1368. Anr. Edition (1649). Wing 763. Aldis 1368.5. Anr. Edition (by T.R. and E.M. for Ralph Smith, 1649). Wing 764. Aldis 1368.6. This work appeared as chapter fourteen in the Miscellany. Some editions contain: To The Right Reverend The Commission of the General Assembly (July 8, 1648); The Testimony of Mr. George Gillespie Against Association and Compliance with Malignant Enemies of the Truth and Godliness (December 15, 1648); and Part of Mr. Gillespie's Latter Will, Unto Which the Former Testimony Relateth.

Works edited by Hetherington

Works: A Presbyterian's Armoury, edited by William M Hetherington (Edinburgh: Robert Ogle and Oliver and Boyd, 1844-46), vls. 1-2. This edition was printed a piece at a time and the subscribers to the edition bound it as they wished. This accounts for copies bound in different order and for incomplete sets. None of the anonymous pamphlets were reproduced in this editon. Of the public papers, only the CXI Propositions was reprinted. The editor followed the 1660 edition of Popish Ceremonies. The following appeared in print for the first time in this edition:

Notes of Debates and Proceedings of The Assembly of Divines and Other Commissioners at Westminster, edited by David Meeks from unpublished manuscripts.

Reprints of the Armoury Edition

Aaron's Rod Blossoming, etc. (Harrisonburg, PA: Sprinkle Publications, 1985).

The Works of George Gillespie (Edmonton AB: Still Waters Revival Books, 1991), 2 vls. This photo-reprint used an incomplete edition of the Armoury set, and omits Aaron's Rod, etc., and An Assertion of the Government, etc.

Manuscript Works No Longer Extant

"In Wodrow's Analecta it is stated that Gillespie had a manuscript volume of sermons prepared for the press, which were bought from the printer by the Sectaries, and probably destroyed. It is also stated, that there were six octavo volumes of notes written by Gillespie at the Westminster Assembly then extant, containing an abstract of its deliberations. Of these manuscript volumes there are two copies in the Wodrow MSS., Advocates' Library, but neither of them appears to be Gillespie's own hand-writing; the quarto certainly is not, and the octavo seems to be an accurate copy of two of the original volumes. . . . What has become of the missing volumes is not known, and it is to be feared the loss is irrecoverable" ("Hetherington's Memoir of the Rev. George Gillespie," Works: A Presbyterian's Armoury, v. 1, pp. xxxiv-xxxv.).

"When the Bishop's War threatened he [Gillespie] was soon to the fore with another pamphlet on defensive war. This, if printed, is not now extant" (Rev. William M. Campbell, Phd., D.Litt., "George Gillespie," Records of the Scottish Church History Society, volume X. — Part II. 1949.). Gillespie's paper being considered too rash, "it was laid on Mr. Henderson, our best penman, to draw up somewhat for the common view." Robert Baillie, Letters and Journals (Edinburgh, 1841-42), vol. I, pp. 189-190.

Abbrevations

Wing. Donald Wing – Short-Title Catalogue of Books Printed in England, etc. 1641-1700. Pollard & Redgrave (STC) – Short-Title Catalogue, etc. 1475-1640. Aldis. Harry G. Aldis – List of Books Printed in Scotland before 1700.