Charles Herle (1598–1659) was a prominent English theologian, of moderate Presbyterian views.
[1] In a controversy with Henry Ferne, a Royalist, Herle insisted, against divine right theory, that a monarch's sovereignty was mediated by the people, rather than coming directly from God.
[2] It has been suggested that this work marks the beginning of a transition from theories of mixed government to the doctrine of separation of powers.
Parliament appointed Herle as Prolocutor of the Westminster Assembly on 22 July 1646, after the death of William Twisse.
[5][6] The Westminster Confession of Faith of 1646 was drawn up by Herle with others,[7][8] drafting being assigned at one point to a small group of Herle, Edward Reynolds and Matthew Newcomen.