Early PuritanismEarly Puritanism
An historical introduction to An historical introduction to English Non-Conformity to English Non-Conformity to 16251625
CHURCH HISTORY IICHURCH HISTORY IILesson 11Lesson 11
AgendaAgenda
1.1. Identity and DefinitionsIdentity and Definitions
2.2. Historical OverviewHistorical Overview
3.3. Lessons we can learnLessons we can learn
Identity and Identity and DefinitionsDefinitions
Who were the Who were the Puritans?Puritans?
English English
preacherspreachers
who wanted to reformwho wanted to reform
church lifechurch life
further than the episcopal further than the episcopal establishment would allowestablishment would allow
in the 16in the 16thth and 17 and 17thth centuries centuries
What’s in a name?What’s in a name?
““Puritan” = Puritan” = CathariCathari
Lumped with Donatists, Montanists, Lumped with Donatists, Montanists, Novatians, Cathari, AnabaptistsNovatians, Cathari, Anabaptists
Also called “Precisians”Also called “Precisians”
Puritans came to accept the name “Puritan”Puritans came to accept the name “Puritan”
Proper name would be English Dissenters or Proper name would be English Dissenters or Non-ConformistsNon-Conformists
Protestant
Lutheran Reformed Anabaptist Anglican
Anglo-Catholic
Protestant Conformist
s
Protestant Non-
Conformists
Separa-tionist
Indep-endent
BaptistPuritans
HistoricalHistorical
OverviewOverview
Historical OverviewHistorical Overview
1.1. Preparing the Soil (1376-1555)Preparing the Soil (1376-1555)
2.2. Emergence (1555-1565)Emergence (1555-1565)
3.3. The Spread of Dissent (1565-1577)The Spread of Dissent (1565-1577)
4.4. Full-blown Persecution (1577-1595)Full-blown Persecution (1577-1595)
5.5. A Lull in the Battle (1595-1604)A Lull in the Battle (1595-1604)
6.6. Renewed Persecution (1604-1610)Renewed Persecution (1604-1610)
7.7. Polarization of a nation (1610-1625)Polarization of a nation (1610-1625)
1550
1560
1570
1580
1590
1600
1610
1620
1630
Charl
es
IEliz
abeth
Jam
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IM
ary
Edw
ard
VI
Preparing the SoilPreparing the SoilSlide 1/2Slide 1/2
Wycliffe & the LollardsWycliffe & the Lollards
Proto-puritan forerunners:Proto-puritan forerunners:– William Tyndale (1531)William Tyndale (1531)– John Frith (1533)John Frith (1533)– William Turner & John Bale (1543)William Turner & John Bale (1543)– Miles Coverdale (1548)Miles Coverdale (1548)– John Bradford (1550)John Bradford (1550)– John Hooper (1550) John Hooper (1550)
………………………………………………………………………………
The First Vestments ControversyThe First Vestments Controversy (1550-1551)(1550-1551)
John HooperJohn Hooper
vsvs
Bp. Nicholas RidleyBp. Nicholas Ridley
Preparing the SoilPreparing the SoilSlide 2/2Slide 2/2
Historical OverviewHistorical Overview
1.1. Preparing the Soil (1376-1555)Preparing the Soil (1376-1555)
2.2. Emergence (1555-1565)Emergence (1555-1565)
3.3. The Spread of Dissent (1565-1577)The Spread of Dissent (1565-1577)
4.4. Full-blown Persecution (1577-1595)Full-blown Persecution (1577-1595)
5.5. A Lull in the Battle (1595-1604)A Lull in the Battle (1595-1604)
6.6. Renewed Persecution (1604-1610)Renewed Persecution (1604-1610)
7.7. Polarization of a nation (1610-1625)Polarization of a nation (1610-1625)
1550
1560
1570
1580
1590
1600
1610
1620
1630
Charl
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IEliz
abeth
Jam
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IM
ary
Edw
ard
VI
EmergenceEmergenceSlide 1/6Slide 1/6
The Troubles at Frankfort The Troubles at Frankfort (1555)(1555)
John KnoxRichard Cox’s
Party
?1552 Book of
Common Prayer
Knox’s Form of Prayers
To Geneva
Liturgy of Compromise
Whittingham& others
From Geneva
Calvin on the 1552 Prayer Book: it contains “Many foolish, tolerable
things”
EmergenceEmergenceSlide 2/6Slide 2/6
Geneva (1556-1560)Geneva (1556-1560)
First Reformed service in EnglishFirst Reformed service in English
Heavy influence from CalvinHeavy influence from Calvin
Geneva BibleGeneva Bible
EmergenceEmergenceSlide 3/6Slide 3/6
Return to England (1558-1560)Return to England (1558-1560)
Act of Uniformity (1559)Act of Uniformity (1559)
Queen’s InjunctionsQueen’s Injunctions– Holy DaysHoly Days– Clerical celibacyClerical celibacy– Habits / square capsHabits / square caps– Collegiate choirsCollegiate choirs
Some ministers scruple the habitsSome ministers scruple the habits
Conforming ministers (Coxians) elevated to Conforming ministers (Coxians) elevated to bishopsbishops
Elizabethan Settlement (1562)Elizabethan Settlement (1562)
Petitions to Parliament to remove:Petitions to Parliament to remove:– VestmentsVestments– KneelingKneeling– Private baptism / cross in baptismPrivate baptism / cross in baptism– Collegiate Choirs & OrgansCollegiate Choirs & Organs– Holy daysHoly days
1552 Book of Common Prayer confirmed1552 Book of Common Prayer confirmed
Thirty-nine ArticlesThirty-nine Articles
EmergenceEmergenceSlide 4/6Slide 4/6
EmergenceEmergenceSlide 5/6Slide 5/6
Suppression of Dissent (1564)Suppression of Dissent (1564)
Secretary Cecil’s report to the queenSecretary Cecil’s report to the queen
Bishops cave in and break promiseBishops cave in and break promise
Sampson & Humphreys*Sampson & Humphreys*– Interaction with Reformed leadersInteraction with Reformed leaders– Non-conforming ministers deprivedNon-conforming ministers deprived
EmergenceEmergenceSlide 6/6Slide 6/6
SummarySummary
Puritanism arose from four ingredients:Puritanism arose from four ingredients:
– Dissent over ceremoniesDissent over ceremonies
– Left out of positions of authorityLeft out of positions of authority
– Failed to gain concessions from majority partyFailed to gain concessions from majority party
– Pressured to conform against their consciencePressured to conform against their conscience
Historical OverviewHistorical Overview
1.1. Preparing the Soil (1376-1555)Preparing the Soil (1376-1555)
2.2. Emergence (1555-1565)Emergence (1555-1565)
3.3. The Spread of Dissent (1565-1577)The Spread of Dissent (1565-1577)
4.4. Full-blown Persecution (1577-1595)Full-blown Persecution (1577-1595)
5.5. A Lull in the Battle (1595-1604)A Lull in the Battle (1595-1604)
6.6. Renewed Persecution (1604-1610)Renewed Persecution (1604-1610)
7.7. Polarization of a nation (1610-1625)Polarization of a nation (1610-1625)
1550
1560
1570
1580
1590
1600
1610
1620
1630
Charl
es
IEliz
abeth
Jam
es
IM
ary
Edw
ard
VI
The Spread of DissentThe Spread of DissentSlide 1/2Slide 1/2
Cambridge dissent (1565)Cambridge dissent (1565)
Puritan pamphleteers*Puritan pamphleteers*
First separationistsFirst separationists– ““Plumber’s Hall” congregationPlumber’s Hall” congregation– Richard Fitz’ “Privye Church”Richard Fitz’ “Privye Church”
Field, Wilcox and Cartwright (1572)Field, Wilcox and Cartwright (1572)– Admonition to the ParliamentAdmonition to the Parliament
Many conform after Reformed letters publishedMany conform after Reformed letters published
Excursus:The Regulative
Principle of WorshipNormative Principle of Worship:
Every church is free to adopt practices in its worship servicewithout warrant from God’s Word as long as their practices
are not contrary to the Word of God, nor thought of as necessary for true worship.
[in-between position]Every church is free to adopt practices in its worship service
without specific warrant from God’s Word if they are moderate, edifying and reasonable applications of general
biblical principles and serve to enhance, rather than detract from, those practices that God has commanded.
Separationists,Independents,
Baptists,Strict Puritans
Anglicans,Lutherans
Reformed,Moderate Puritans
“We hold nothing that is not warranted by the word of God… we will be tried by the best reformed churches”
“the pure vnmingled and sincere worshippinge of God, accordinge to his blessed and glorious worde in al things, onely abolishinge and abhorringe all tradicions and inuentions of man…”
Regulative Principle of Worship:In the worship service, it is unlawful to do anything
except what God has prescribed in His Word, excepting only minor matters of public order.
The Spread of DissentThe Spread of DissentSlide 2/2Slide 2/2
SummarySummary
Puritan sentiments spread rapidlyPuritan sentiments spread rapidly
The people in the cities largely sided with The people in the cities largely sided with themthem
The Puritans:The Puritans:– Most remained faithful to AnglicanismMost remained faithful to Anglicanism– Many began promoting PresbyterianismMany began promoting Presbyterianism– A few broke off and became SeparationistsA few broke off and became Separationists
Historical OverviewHistorical Overview
1.1. Preparing the Soil (1376-1555)Preparing the Soil (1376-1555)
2.2. Emergence (1555-1565)Emergence (1555-1565)
3.3. The Spread of Dissent (1565-1577)The Spread of Dissent (1565-1577)
4.4. Full-blown Persecution (1577-1595)Full-blown Persecution (1577-1595)
5.5. A Lull in the Battle (1595-1604)A Lull in the Battle (1595-1604)
6.6. Renewed Persecution (1604-1610)Renewed Persecution (1604-1610)
7.7. Polarization of a nation (1610-1625)Polarization of a nation (1610-1625)
1550
1560
1570
1580
1590
1600
1610
1620
1630
Charl
es
IEliz
abeth
Jam
es
IM
ary
Edw
ard
VI
Full-blown PersecutionFull-blown PersecutionSlide 1/1Slide 1/1
AB Grindal imprisoned for defending Puritans* (1577)AB Grindal imprisoned for defending Puritans* (1577)
AB Whitgift sets up High Commission* (1583)AB Whitgift sets up High Commission* (1583)
““Martin Mar-prelate” tracts (1588-1589)Martin Mar-prelate” tracts (1588-1589)
Brownists / BarrowistsBrownists / Barrowists– Robert Brown: Robert Brown: Reformation without tarrying for anyReformation without tarrying for any
(1582)(1582)– Barrowe, Greenwood and Penry hanged (1593)Barrowe, Greenwood and Penry hanged (1593)– Brownists flee to HollandBrownists flee to Holland
Historical OverviewHistorical Overview
1.1. Preparing the Soil (1376-1555)Preparing the Soil (1376-1555)
2.2. Emergence (1555-1565)Emergence (1555-1565)
3.3. The Spread of Dissent (1565-1577)The Spread of Dissent (1565-1577)
4.4. Full-blown Persecution (1577-1595)Full-blown Persecution (1577-1595)
5.5. A Lull in the Battle (1595-1604)A Lull in the Battle (1595-1604)6.6. Renewed Persecution (1604-1610)Renewed Persecution (1604-1610)
7.7. Polarization of a nation (1610-1625)Polarization of a nation (1610-1625)
1550
1560
1570
1580
1590
1600
1610
1620
1630
Charl
es
IEliz
abeth
Jam
es
IM
ary
Edw
ard
VI
A Lull in the BattleA Lull in the BattleSlide 1/1Slide 1/1
Parliament backs offParliament backs off
Richard Hooker’s Richard Hooker’s Ecclestiastical PolicyEcclestiastical Policy (1597)(1597)
Ascession of King James (1603)Ascession of King James (1603)
Millenary Petition (1603)Millenary Petition (1603)
Hampton Conference (1604)*Hampton Conference (1604)*
Historical OverviewHistorical Overview
1.1. Preparing the Soil (1376-1555)Preparing the Soil (1376-1555)
2.2. Emergence (1555-1565)Emergence (1555-1565)
3.3. The Spread of Dissent (1565-1577)The Spread of Dissent (1565-1577)
4.4. Full-blown Persecution (1577-1595)Full-blown Persecution (1577-1595)
5.5. A Lull in the Battle (1595-1604)A Lull in the Battle (1595-1604)
6.6. Renewed Persecution (1604-1610)Renewed Persecution (1604-1610)
7.7. Polarization of a nation (1610-1625)Polarization of a nation (1610-1625)
1550
1560
1570
1580
1590
1600
1610
1620
1630
Charl
es
IEliz
abeth
Jam
es
IM
ary
Edw
ard
VI
Renewed PersecutionRenewed PersecutionSlide 1/2Slide 1/2
Book of Canons (1604)*Book of Canons (1604)*
AB Bancroft renews High Commission (1604)*AB Bancroft renews High Commission (1604)*
Puritans defend themselves in pamphletsPuritans defend themselves in pamphlets– Loyalty to king emphasizedLoyalty to king emphasized
Small groups of Puritans flee to Holland, Small groups of Puritans flee to Holland, VirginiaVirginia
Parliament defends Puritans and is dissolved Parliament defends Puritans and is dissolved (1610)(1610)
Renewed PersecutionRenewed PersecutionSlide 2/2Slide 2/2
Fracturing of the SeparationistsFracturing of the Separationists
Brownists excommunicate each otherBrownists excommunicate each other
John Smith becomes first BaptistJohn Smith becomes first Baptist– Gathers church in Leydon, HollandGathers church in Leydon, Holland– Embraces ArminianismEmbraces Arminianism– Eventually merge with the MennonitesEventually merge with the Mennonites
John Robinson becomes first IndependentJohn Robinson becomes first Independent– Leaves Brownism under influence from Dr. William Leaves Brownism under influence from Dr. William
AmesAmes
Intra-Puritan debate over separationIntra-Puritan debate over separation
Historical OverviewHistorical Overview
1.1. Preparing the Soil (1376-1555)Preparing the Soil (1376-1555)
2.2. Emergence (1555-1565)Emergence (1555-1565)
3.3. The Spread of Dissent (1565-1577)The Spread of Dissent (1565-1577)
4.4. Full-blown Persecution (1577-1595)Full-blown Persecution (1577-1595)
5.5. A Lull in the Battle (1595-1604)A Lull in the Battle (1595-1604)
6.6. Renewed Persecution (1604-1610)Renewed Persecution (1604-1610)
7.7. Polarization of a nation (1610-1625)Polarization of a nation (1610-1625)
1550
1560
1570
1580
1590
1600
1610
1620
1630
Charl
es
IEliz
abeth
Jam
es
IM
ary
Edw
ard
VI
Polarization of a NationPolarization of a NationSlide 1/2Slide 1/2
Dr. Abbot becomes archbishopDr. Abbot becomes archbishop
King James Bible published (1611)King James Bible published (1611)
Separationists return to EnglandSeparationists return to England– Baptists: Thomas Helwys* (1612)Baptists: Thomas Helwys* (1612)– Independents: Henry Jacob (1616)Independents: Henry Jacob (1616)
Declaration of Sports (1618)Declaration of Sports (1618)
Part of John Robinson’s congregation leaves Part of John Robinson’s congregation leaves Holland for New England (1620)Holland for New England (1620)
Polarization of a NationPolarization of a NationSlide 2/2Slide 2/2
Three Alarming TrendsThree Alarming Trends
The growth of ArminianismThe growth of Arminianism
The growth of Roman CatholicismThe growth of Roman Catholicism
Growing tensions between the Growing tensions between the king and parliamentking and parliament
Historical OverviewHistorical Overview
SummarySummary
Puritans pressed to violate their consciences over ceremoniesPuritans pressed to violate their consciences over ceremonies
Pressure increases dissent and drives them further awayPressure increases dissent and drives them further away
Begin to splinter into various groups that disagreed among Begin to splinter into various groups that disagreed among themselvesthemselves
Suffered severe persecution while maintaining loyalty to the Suffered severe persecution while maintaining loyalty to the statestate
Became staunch defenders of CalvinismBecame staunch defenders of Calvinism
Eventually found most of the nation politically on their side Eventually found most of the nation politically on their side against the growing threat of Catholicism.against the growing threat of Catholicism.
Lessons Lessons
we can learnwe can learn
Lessons we can learnLessons we can learn Slide 1/3Slide 1/3
Lesson #1Lesson #1
– GOOD:GOOD: Supremacy of the Word Supremacy of the Word of God in all matters (all)of God in all matters (all)
– BAD:BAD: Naïve to think that Naïve to think that the Bible gives us a complete order the Bible gives us a complete order of worship and church government of worship and church government (most)(most)
Lessons we can learnLessons we can learn Slide 2/3Slide 2/3
Lesson #2Lesson #2
– GOOD:GOOD: Conscientious about the Conscientious about the protecting the gospel (all) protecting the gospel (all)
– BAD:BAD: Made too much out of Made too much out of insignificant matters over which insignificant matters over which many were willing to leave the many were willing to leave the ministry over (many) and some to ministry over (many) and some to quarrel among themselves and quarrel among themselves and divide (Separatists) divide (Separatists)
Lessons we can learnLessons we can learn Slide 3/3Slide 3/3
Lesson #3Lesson #3
– GOOD:GOOD: Serious about church Serious about church discipline (all) discipline (all)
– BAD:BAD: Often too ready to Often too ready to excommunicate and disfellowship excommunicate and disfellowship over minor matters (Separatists)over minor matters (Separatists)
The EndThe End