2. Presbyterians and religious radicalism Flashcards
Henry Jacob
By 1616 - had returned to England and established a Congregational church in London
By 1640, how many Congregational churches were there?
8 - not least as a response to Laudian reforms
What further developments, encouraged by the Long Parliament after the increase of congregational churches, occurred?
- Allowing laymen to preach
On the eve of the Civil War in 1642, how many active separatists were there in London?
Only about 1,000 - in a city of around 350,000 - a supposed hotbed of radicalism
What did the breakdown of normal constraints in society during Civil War allow?
- For existing separatist groups and their preachers to become more active, attracting new members and strengthening the old
- More radical ministers took on parish responsibilities or preached in towns and boroughs sympathetic to parliament
Also established groups who attended meeting and debated the Bible - gradually building up a separate identity - not necessarily a formalised separation
Relative freedom of the press in Civil War
- Important - propagating new ideas and stimulating public debates - allowed for greater radicalism
- By 1647 - quarrel between parliament and army intensified - arguments for freedom and radical social change well publicised and available to those interested
Mark Kishlansky
Historian - “Radicalism did not cause the Civil War: the Civil War caused radicalism”
By the time of Cromwell’s death in 1658, were his efforts to balance religious freedom and stability in society a success?
- He achieved mixed results
What position were dangerous sects in by the time Cromwell died?
- Most had disappeared - but Quakers posed a threat
- John Lliburne, the Leveller, Gerrard Winstanley, the Digger, both converted in 1650s
Quakers became refugee movement for radicals from other sects
Congregationalists’ position, by the time of Cromwell’s death?
- Freedom given to them - and different orders of Baptists had allowed them to become established, setting up financial organisations and specific Confessions of Faith to apply to all their members
Position of Presbyterians’ by Cromwell’s death?
- Had benefitted from the opportunity to work in the Church and set up regional associations of ministers
What case demonstrated that fear and suspicion of religious radicalism continued following Cromwell?
The Nayler Case
Where was the focus of the reaction to religious radicalism against?
The sects - for numerous reasons, their significant was seriously exaggerated by contemporaries and historians
The nature of their beliefs - created a reaction out of all proportion to their numbers
Core of separatism before 1660 lay in 3 groups:
- Congregationalists
- Baptists
- Quakers
Were the separatist groups before 1660 feared?
- Yes - but in reality - were harmless
- Their total was dwarfed by the number of Presbyterians - aimed for a reformed national Church
