Cross+Way: There Were Some Anglican Puritans Also

In the Winter 2008 issue of the ‘Churchman,’ Brian H. Cosby, an American Presbyterian, discusses the definition of ‘Puritan’ and ‘Puritanism,’ looking at definitions given by both Christian writers on the Puritans and by secular historians.

Until recently my own views, coming from a Presbyterian and free Evangelical background, would have coincided with the conclusions of most of the writers referred to. However, now having encountered the beliefs and lives of Reformed Anglicans in the late 16th and early 17th Century, such as John Jewel, John Whitgift, Edmund Grindal, William Whitaker, John Davenant, Joseph Hall, James Ussher and Daniel Featley, convinces me that these godly Calvinists belong to the ‘Puritan brotherhood.’

For anyone wanting to know about these men, I would suggest reading the brief biographies of them by George M. Ella in ‘Mountain Movers – Champions of the Faith’ (see below for further details). Whitaker, Davenant and Hall are included in Joel R. Beeke and Randall J. Pederson’s excellent guide, ‘Meet the Puritans,’ published by Reformation Heritage Books, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Read more

It is a common misunderstanding that the Puritans were not a part of the Church of England. On the contrary they were very much a part of the English Church even after the Restoration and the ejection of the non-conforming ministers.