Directory for Public Worship facts for kids
The Directory for Public Worship was a special guide for church services. It was created in 1644 by a group called the Westminster Assembly. Their goal was to replace the old Book of Common Prayer. Both the Parliament of England and the Parliament of Scotland approved the Directory in 1644 and 1645. It is part of a set of important documents known as the Westminster Standards. These also include the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Westminster Shorter Catechism.
Contents
Why the Directory Was Created
People in England started to dislike the Book of Common Prayer. Many felt it was too similar to Catholic traditions. In 1640, a petition called "Root and Branch" asked to get rid of the old church system. This included the Book of Common Prayer.
In 1641, a shorter version of John Knox's Book of Common Order was suggested. This book was already used in Scotland. However, the Westminster Assembly decided to write their own guide. They wanted a book that gave ministers directions for services, not a set of fixed prayers. The Directory was different from the Book of Common Prayer because it allowed ministers more freedom. It was more like the Book of Common Order used in Scotland.
Who Wrote the Directory
A special group from the Westminster Assembly wrote the Directory. Stephen Marshall led this group. Other important members included Thomas Young and Herbert Palmer. Philip Nye and Thomas Goodwin represented the Independents. From Scotland, Alexander Henderson and Robert Baillie helped write it.
What Was Inside the Directory
The Directory was like a plan for church services. It also worked as a handbook for ministers. It had long sections on how to visit sick people and how to give a good sermon. The book showed that its writers believed in the regulative principle of worship. This means that only things clearly taught in the Scripture should be part of public worship.
How Services Were Structured
Church services focused on reading the Scripture. Ministers would read a chapter from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. After this, there was a long prayer. Then, the minister would preach. The goal was to make everyone think deeply about their sins.
Baptism Rules
Baptism was to happen during the main service. The baptismal font (where the water was) had to be in a place where everyone could see and hear. Before the baptism, there was a long instruction. It explained that baptism was important but not so necessary that a child would be condemned without it. This was because children of believers were already considered "holy." There was also a prayer asking for the Holy Spirit to be part of the baptism.
Communion Service
Communion, also called the eucharist, took place after the morning sermon. The Directory said it should be celebrated often. People who wanted to receive communion would sit "about" or "at" the communion table. The words "about" or "at" were a compromise. Scots preferred sitting around a table, while some English people were fine with taking communion in their pews.
The minister would read the words of institution from the Gospels or from Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians. These words explain how Jesus shared bread and wine with his followers. Then, there was a prayer of thanks to God. The bread was then broken and shared, and the wine was also shared. Money for the poor was collected in a way that did not interrupt the service.
Marriage Guidelines
Marriage required the agreement of both people. Their intention to marry had to be announced publicly. The wedding service took place in a church. It could be on any day, but not usually on the Lord's Day (Sunday). The service included prayer, an explanation of marriage, and a check for any reasons why they shouldn't marry. The couple exchanged vows, and the minister declared them husband and wife. A closing prayer ended the service. Records of marriages had to be kept.
Burial Practices
The Directory did not include specific services for burial. This was because people worried that burial services led to superstitious practices. However, it did allow for "civil respects" at the burial. These were ways to show respect for the person who had died. They also reminded friends and family of their duties.
Differences from the Book of Common Prayer
Henry Hammond, a chaplain to King Charles I, pointed out several differences in 1645. The Directory avoided:
- A fixed set of prayers.
- Too many outward actions or ceremonies in worship.
- People responding aloud during prayers or singing many hymns.
- Dividing prayers into many small parts.
- Specific ceremonies like kneeling for communion or using the cross in baptism.
The Directory also did not include:
- Saying that sins were forgiven (absolution).
- The use of ancient creeds (statements of belief).
- Frequent use of the Lord’s Prayer.
- Special days for saints or the liturgical year (church calendar).
- Private baptisms.
- A set catechism (though the Westminster Catechisms came later).
- Confirmation (a ceremony for young people).
- Services for burial or thanksgiving after childbirth.
- Communion for the sick.
- Special services for Lent or other fasting days.
How the Directory Was Used in England
In some parts of England, like London and Lancashire, the Directory was used from 1646 until 1660. Many churches in these areas bought and used the Directory. It was also likely used in churches with Congregationalist ministers.
However, most churches in England did not use the Directory. The old Book of Common Prayer was still used secretly in many places, especially for funerals. The Directory was not very popular with most people. One sign of this was that fewer baptisms happened in churches that adopted the Directory.
How the Directory Was Used in Scotland
The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland officially adopted the Westminster Directory on February 3, 1645. When they adopted it, they added some clarifications. These made sure that Scottish traditions were kept. This was important, even if they were different from some English church practices.
For example, in Scotland, people would come forward to sit around the communion table. They also kept the use of the epiklesis (a prayer asking for the Holy Spirit to bless the elements). They would sing a psalm while people moved to and from the table. Communicants would also share the bread and wine among themselves. After communion, there was a "sermon of Thanksgiving." The Westminster Directory did stop some Scottish practices, like the "Reader's Service" and ministers bowing in the pulpit before a sermon.
