Congregational Church Books and Denominational Formation in the English Revolution

• Published in: Bunyan studies no. 20; pp. 51 - 75
• Main Author: Halcomb, Joel
• 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; Biographies; British & Irish literature; Bunyan, John (1628-1688); Christianity; English language; English literature; Historians; Literary canon; Literary characters; Plot (Narrative); Prehistoric era; Quakers; Religion; Religious congregations; Religious organizations; Theology; United Kingdom > UK; England
• ISSN: 0954-0970

According to Christopher Hill, 'it was long indeed before clear-cut lines of sectarian divisions were imposed' on the fluidity of revolutionary religion: to assign 'sectarian classifications' was 'anachronistic'.7 The religious divisions during the Revolution 'can be studied meaningfully only if [they are] seen as the prehistory of the different denominations', claimed Claire Cross.8 Not all have agreed. According to Jessey, 'instead of being the means of uniting as the Spirit doth', requiring believer's baptism for church membership 'hath not only rent [Christ's] seamless Coat, but divided his Body which he hath purchased with his own blood'.66 Contemporary complaints against 'rigid' and 'legal' Baptists derived from these specific accusations.67 These debates can be traced throughout the networks of Baptist and Congregational churches across Britain and Ireland. [...]a true church required 'the union of beleevers into one body, this is by voluntary agreement or solemne promise, for as timber & stones are not an house unless they be joyned & compacted togither, soe saints are not a vissible church & house of God unless joyned and united togither'. [...]we can return to Hill's suggestion that these organizational developments represent an acceptance by Baptists and Quakers of their 'sectarian' status outside of the national Church.