author
George Gillespie
1613–1648
A gifted Scottish minister and theologian, he rose quickly to prominence as one of the most influential Presbyterian voices of the 1640s. Though he died young, his part in the Westminster Assembly helped shape Reformed church life for generations.
1 Audiobook
The Works of Mr. George Gillespie (Vol. 1 of 2)
by George Gillespie
About the author
Born in Kirkcaldy, Fife, in 1613, George Gillespie became a minister in the Church of Scotland and gained early attention for his sharp mind and confident defense of Presbyterian church government. He served first in Wemyss and later in Edinburgh, building a reputation as both a preacher and a writer.
Gillespie is best remembered for his work during the turbulent years of the British civil wars. In 1643, he was sent by the Scottish Church as one of its commissioners to the Westminster Assembly in London. Even as one of the younger men there, he played a prominent role in debates over worship, church order, and doctrine, and he contributed to the discussions that produced the Westminster standards.
In 1648, he was elected moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, a sign of the respect he had earned in a remarkably short life. He died later that same year, only 35 years old, but he left behind a lasting reputation for clarity, conviction, and unusual effectiveness in public debate.