George Gillespie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Gillespie
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| Born | 21 January 1613 Kirkcaldy, Scotland
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| Died | 17 December 1648 (aged 35) Kirkcaldy, Scotland
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| Spouse(s) | Margaret Murray |
| Children | 4 |
| Theological work | |
George Gillespie (born January 21, 1613 – died December 17, 1648) was an important Scottish theologian. A theologian is someone who studies religion and religious beliefs.
George Gillespie was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland. His father, John Gillespie, was a minister there. George studied at St. Andrews University. He became a chaplain for important people like John Gordon, 1st Viscount Kenmure. Later, he was a tutor for James, Lord Kennedy.
In 1638, George Gillespie became a minister in Wemyss. He later moved to Greyfriars in Edinburgh in 1642. He was a key member of the Westminster Assembly in 1643. This group helped create important religious documents. He was the youngest member but contributed a lot. He helped write the Directory and the Confession of Faith. These documents guided how the church should be run and what its beliefs were.
He left Westminster in 1647. He presented the Confession of Faith to the General Assembly in Scotland. He was elected Moderator of the Assembly in 1648. This means he led the main meeting of the Scottish Church. George Gillespie died in Kirkcaldy in December 1648.
Family Life
George Gillespie married Margaret Murray. After his death, Parliament voted to give his family money. This was to help support his wife and four children. However, due to problems at the time, they never received the money.
His children were Robert, George, Archibald, and Elizabeth. His son, Robert Gillespie, also became a preacher. Robert was even put in prison for his beliefs later on.
Early Life and Ministry
George Gillespie was born in Kirkcaldy, where his father was a minister. His sister, Lilias Skene, became a well-known Quaker writer and preacher. Quakers are a religious group known for their peaceful beliefs.
After university, George worked as a chaplain. At that time, ministers in Scotland had to be approved by bishops. George did not agree with this system. He refused to be ordained by bishops.
In April 1638, the power of bishops in Scotland was removed. George Gillespie was then ordained as a minister in Wemyss. That same year, he spoke out against the king's interference in church matters. He believed the church should be independent.
Work at the Westminster Assembly
In 1643, George Gillespie became a member of the Westminster Assembly in London. He was one of four representatives from the Scottish Church. Even though he was the youngest, he played a big part. He was involved in many discussions about how the church should be governed. He also debated about church rules and worship.
George Gillespie strongly supported Presbyterianism. This is a system where the church is governed by elected elders. He wrote many papers and spoke often in debates. One famous debate was with John Selden. They argued about whether the government or the church should have final say in religious matters.
In 1645, he returned to Scotland. He helped create the rules for public worship. When he went back to London, he helped write the Westminster confession of faith. He especially worked on the first chapter.
George Gillespie became the leader of the Assembly in 1648. The work was very demanding. His health suffered, and he became ill with tuberculosis. He died in Kirkcaldy in December 1648.
His tombstone in Kirkcaldy was destroyed in 1661. This was a time when his beliefs were not popular. But it was put back in 1746.
Important Writings
George Gillespie was a very smart person. He achieved a lot even though he died at only 35 years old. He was known for being a strong debater.
His most famous book is Aaron's Rod Blossoming. This book defended the idea that the church should have its own spiritual authority. It argued that the church should not be controlled by the government.
One of his first works was A Dispute against the English Popish Ceremonies obtruded upon the Church of Scotland. This book was published in 1637. It criticized certain church practices that were being forced on the Scottish Church. The book was so impactful that the government ordered all copies to be burned.
Many of his writings were about defending the church's independence. Some of his main works include:
- Aaron's Rod Blossoming, or the Divine Ordinance of Church-government vindicated (1646)
- One Hundred and Eleven Propositions concerning the Ministry and Government of the Church (1647)
After he died, his brother published more of his works:
- A Treatise of Miscellany Questions (1649)
- The Ark of the New Testament (1661–1667)
- Notes of Debates and Proceedings of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster (from 1644 to 1645)
