The Church Book of the Cockermouth Congregational Church (1651–c.1765)

• Published in: Bunyan studies no. 20; pp. 33 - 50
• Main Author: Wordsworth, R B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Newcastle Upon Tyne Northumbria University, Department of Humanities, Faculty of Arts, Design and Social Sciences 01.01.2016
• Subjects: 17th century; Allusion; British & Irish literature; Bunyan, John (1628-1688); Christianity; Congregational churches; Death & dying; English literature; Historians; Literary devices; Politics; Religious congregations; New York; United Kingdom > UK; United States > US; England; Scotland; Edinburgh Scotland
• ISSN: 0954-0970

Of late, however, interest has shifted to the impact of reform on the faith of the ordinary folk that populated the communities of parish, village and small market town, the weavers and miners, the farmers and artisans, the housewives and servants that inhabited the pews each Sunday to hear preachers and lecturers present the gospel message.1 How did these folk take to the plethora of new ideas and disciplines propounded by their reforming pastors? Most record the profession of faith of the founding members, thus providing valuable insights into the manner and intensity with which their faith was expressed. Since all aspiring members were required to assent to this profession, probably in the form of a signed covenant, the names of those satisfying the rigorous demands of the particular church, and gaining acceptance into church membership were recorded. [...]the Church Book chronicles the more tolerant times of William III. Restoration and persecution The tranquillity of the church's existence was cut short by the death in 1658 of Oliver Cromwell, 'that eminent servant of the Lord, & nursing father of the churches' as Larkham described him in the Church Book.18 After a short interlude of political confusion as the republican regime collapsed, Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660, and almost immediately the promise made at Breda, to honour 'tender consciences' was overridden by a vengeful Anglican parliament, bent on restoring the Church of England to its former liturgy and practice.