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He was taken from the Greyfriars’ Church to the New Church. He has written several pieces, as ‘Aaron’s Rod Blossoming,’ and ‘Some Miscellany Questions,’ and his ‘Assertion of the Government of the Church of Scotland, about Ruling Elders.’ He had several little books wherein he set down his remarks upon the proceedings of the Assembly at Westminster.”—WODROW’S ANALECTA, vol. iii. pp. 109-18.
It has already been mentioned that this paper is nearly identical with part of a chapter in the Aaron’s Rod. Seventh, A short note on some discussions which took place in the Committee of the General Assembly at Edinburgh, on the 7th and 8th of February, 1645, at the time when Baillie and Gillespie laid before the Assembly the Directory which had been recently completed.
This conjecture is strengthened by the curious and interesting fact, that a paper, which will be found beginning at page 109 of the part now printed for the first time from the MS., is almost identical, both in argument and language, though somewhat different in arrangement, with chapter viii. pages 115 to 120, of Aaron’s Rod.
If, therefore, Gillespie’s Aaron’s Rod completely defeated the acute and able men of that day, we may well recommend it to the perusal of those whose duty it may be to engage in a similar controversy in the present age.
As it may be presumed that the readers of this memoir are also in possession of “Aaron’s Rod,” we need not occupy space in giving even a brief outline of that admirable work; but as we are convinced that the Erastian conflict, which has been recently resumed, must still be fought, and will be ultimately won, we strenuously recommend the studious perusal of Gillespie’s masterly production to all who wish fully to comprehend the subject.
He chastised Erastianism in his ‘Aaron’s Rod Blossoming.’ Having returned to his native country he weakened the violators of the covenant, who were bent on provoking a war with England.
The arrangement in the Aaron’s Rod is more succinct than in the paper referred to, but its principles, and very much of the language, are altogether the same. May not this indicate Gillespie’s mode of study and composition?
One or two points of general information, however, it may be expedient to give. In the “Aaron’s Rod,” while Gillespie intentionally traversed the whole ground of the Erastian controversy, he directed also special attention to the productions of the day.
Then followed the directions respecting the ark, and the tabernacle, and the mercy-seat, and the cherubim. And then were ordained the priesthood of Aaron and his vestments, and the garments for Aaron’s sons, and the ceremonies which pertained to the consecration of priests, and the altar of incense, and the brazen laver.
His Sermons and Controversial Pamphlets were produced in the years 1641-5-6, during the sittings of the Westminster Assembly. Aaron’s Rod Blossoming was published at London also, about the close of the year 1646. This is his greatest work.
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