Letter to the Evangelical Times claiming that later Puritans and Dissenters were sounder than our Reformers in their understanding of Scripture – The letter was not published.
Sir:
Towards the end of the nineteen fifties, several Christian magazines served their readership well by re-introducing the teachings of the long-neglected Puritans. Subsequently, the Puritans have become the staple reading of Reformed men. Sadly, …
Aug 18
… adequately by the Puritan Paper’s mixture of gold and dross, namely, who were the true Puritans?
When is a Puritan not a Puritan?
The roughly three stages in the development of the term start with the writings of the English Reformers. Here, we find the term used as a synonym for the so-called Precisians who believed that true conformity to Christian principles was reflected in strict adherence to externals, rules and regulations drawn up in Books of Discipline. The …
… exaggerated, often by those whose design is to trace a line of descent from the Calvinism of the Puritans, through a watered down moderate Calvinism, forgetting Fuller’s description of himself as a ‘strict Calvinist’, to modern ecumenism. It is a view which does less than justice to the eminent usefulness of Benjamin Beddome, Samuel Medley, or John Hirst, all of whom held to a high Calvinistic position, and to the enduring value of the writings of John Gill which are still read and …
Aug 21
… exaggerated, often by those whose design is to trace a line of descent from the Calvinism of the Puritans, through a watered down moderate Calvinism, forgetting Fuller’s description of himself as a ‘strict Calvinist’, to modern ecumenism. It is a view which does less than justice to the eminent usefulness of Benjamin Beddome, Samuel Medley, or John Hirst, all of whom held to a high Calvinistic position, and to the enduring value of the writings of John Gill which are still read and …
… exaggerated, often by those whose design is to trace a line of descent from the Calvinism of the Puritans, through a watered down moderate Calvinism, forgetting Fuller’s description of himself as a ‘strict Calvinist’, to modern ecumenism. It is a view which does less than justice to the eminent usefulness of Benjamin Beddome, Samuel Medley, or John Hirst, all of whom held to a high Calvinistic position, and to the enduring value of the writings of John Gill which are still read and …
Dec 19
… whose views were strengthened by the Good Parliament of 1376, were superior to the Commonwealth ‘Puritans’ who were mainly Melanchthonian in their legal understanding of justification which sadly many modern ‘Reformed’ men have inherited.
As Williams contradicts Wycliffe’s own words regarding the ministry and ordinances, I wonder what secondary sources he has used. He cannot be relying on Lechler and Green here as those scholars reject William’s theory citing strong …
Sep 9
… things, so did Cromwell and so did Charles I, especially in his posthumous bestseller amongst the Puritans, Eikon Basilike ( Royal Portrait ), which broke the back of the rebellion, causing former rebels to return to Reformed piety. Rutherford’s works, however, have been highly vetted by pseudo-Reformed editors, leaving readers ignorant of the intolerance, sedition, tyranny, lawlessness and obnoxiousness in them. Furthermore, Rutherford is treated by Antinomian politico-religious …
Aug 21
… Rebellion and who invited Charles II back to England. These included some of Britain’s greatest Puritans. Howe, himself, was very popular in Court circles and the close friend of high nobles, bishops and archbishops.
Mr. Gellion’s letter ends with a sting indeed. Though he discards with disapproval my stalwart Protestant eye-witness evidence from the pens of Calamy and Baxter and the research of Son of the Manse, John Buchan, he quotes with approval the judgement of a fierce …
Oct 24
… concerning Seceders arises from his insufficient knowledge of our Reformers and pre-Commonwealth Puritans who were strictly against Secession. The Dutch, Swiss, German, Italian, French, Hungarian and Polish Reformed churches viewed the English Church as exemplary as witnessed later at Dort. This was especially the position of England’s major Continental advisers, Bullinger, Gualter, Beza and Calvin. The break-up of the Church of England was not through the desires of her Reformed/Puritan …
… Are names such as Hall, Usher, Ward, Featley, Balcanqual and Love unfamiliar to him? Many ‘godly Puritans’ suffered under and documented both persecutions, the second of which was a sad reaction to the first. Twice persecuted Baxter’s severe criticism of both Cromwell and the Restitution Parliament are extant.
My book testifies to Toplady’s fine Christian witness and openness to lovers of the doctrines of grace whatever their denomination. These are points ignored by Mr. …
