1960, a three-hundred-year-old Bible was discovered concealed in the wall of a cottage in Wrotham, Kent, it came as a forceful reminder of how men appreciated the Bible when faced with severe religious persecution.

THE PENDULUM OF RELIGIOUS ATTITUDES

The seventeenth century was notable for its degree of change. Matters went from one extreme to the other. Under Archbishop Laud only the Prayer Book could be used, but under Oliver Cromwell the Prayer Book was banned. Both sides expelled clergymen from their livings when they held the reins of power. In 1604 King James ejected about 300 clergy, who became known as the “silenced brethren.” In 1643 it was the turn of the Anglican clergy when 2,000 of them lost their livings, a serious matter for families in those times. By 1662 the Anglican church was back in power and 2,000 nonconformists were deprived under the Act of Uniformity.

The declaration called the “Book of Sports” helps us to understand religious attitudes too. This allowed Sunday games if church service had been attended. Puritans opposed this vigorously despite a fine of twelve pence for each absence from church. Maidservants even refused to wash dishes on Sunday.

Then the tables were turned and the Puritans gained control. Parliament in 1647 abolished Christmas, Easter, Whitsun and saints’ days. The reason for this shows how strong was the desire to return to true Christian teachings. Hugh Martin states it in these words: “We ought not to ignore the truth of the Puritan contention that many of the traditions of these festivals were pagan rather than Christian, even if we think it possible at times to learn even from the pagans. There is no warrant in Scripture for these days; they are not referred to in the apostolic Fathers, and many early Christian writers such as Chrysostom, Socrates the historian and Origen are very critical of their observance. There is a good deal of evidence that many of the Christian festivals were deliberately superimposed upon pagan festivals.”⁵

Changing attitudes were also reflected in the position of the communion table. Should its long side be north and south, or east and west? Laud insisted on the former or “altarwise” position. But with the fall of Laud the tables went back to their former position with great rejoicing. Revenge for Laud’s actions manifested itself by the wrecking of many churches, or “steeple houses,” as they were termed. At Norwich the cathedral was reduced to a ruin inside and the organ pipes, vestments, copes, surplices and service books were carried to the market place there to be set on fire while the crowds turned the cathedral into an alehouse.

The Presbyterians’ brief term of power saw the introduction of the Solemn League and Covenant. In return for military assistance from Scotland, parliament agreed to reform religion in England and set up a Presbyterian form of church government. The famous Westminster Assembly convened to settle all details, but little was ever done in reality and Presbyterianism never gained much strength in England. Instead it was the Independents or nonconformists who, during Cromwell’s time especially, built a foundation that was to last for centuries and insure their survival.

Oliver Cromwell is still one of the most controversial figures in English history. During his rule a more tolerant attitude toward religious differences prevailed. Cromwell felt that all his actions were governed by God, an attitude shared by large numbers of people in those days. This led to unfortunate statements at times. At the capture of Drogheda in Ireland Cromwell ordered a most hideous massacre, justifying it by stating, “I am persuaded that this is a righteous judgment of God upon these barbarous wretches.”⁶ Describing the battle of Dunbar, where Cromwell met the religious Scots, Winston Churchill observes with insight: “Both sides confidently appealed to Jehovah; and the Most High, finding so little to choose between them in faith and zeal, must have allowed purely military factors to prevail.”⁷

With the restoration of the monarchy the Anglican church was again dominant and persecution of Puritans was renewed with vigor in many parts. But nonconformity was stronger now, more sure of its own ideas and aims. With the death of Charles II the pendulum swung rapidly the other way, as James placed Roman Catholics in office here, there and everywhere. In trying to win the dissenters for his own purposes he drove them toward the Anglican camp. His designs were too apparent and he fled to France when William of Orange was invited to land in England.

William would not agree to reign without freedom of worship. In 1689 the Toleration Act saw the end of much suffering for the sake of conscience in religious matters, though isolated examples, such as the massacre of Glencoe three years later, still revealed much hatred and bitterness.

Not once in the seventeenth century did the pendulum point to a really Christian course of action by government and people. It was an era characterized by fear, bigotry, persecution, corruption and favoritism. The mixture of church and state led to great restraint of liberty for many and the framing of one law after another to hobble the dissenter. Such a page from history can be a warning today; to follow that course would be to reject the apostle’s sound counsel given nineteen centuries ago: “On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.”—Gal. 5:22, 23.

REFERENCES

¹ England Under the Stuarts, by G. M. Trevelyan, page 28.

² The Scottish Covenanters, by J. Barr, page 98.

³ A Collection of the Sufferings of the People Called Quakers, by J. Besse, 1753, Volume I, page 460.

⁴ The Church and the Puritans, by H. O. Wakeman page 133.

⁵ Puritanism and Richard Baxter, by H. Martin page 111.

⁶ Cromwell’s Letters and Speeches, by T. Carlyle, Letter 98, September 17, 1649.

⁷ A History of the English-speaking Peoples, by W. S. Churchill, Volume 2, page 235.

Do You Remember?

Have you read the recent issues of The Watchtower carefully? If so, you should recognize these important points. Check yourself.

● What is a career? So what must one do in the ministry if it is to be his career?

A career is a course of constant progressive achievement in a certain field or pursuit. For the ministry to be one’s career, he must make it his primary occupation and continually make progress in it.—P. 261.a

● Why was it that Jesus never made a mistake, while Adam and Eve, who were also perfect, did err?

Jesus never made a mistake because he had strong love for Jehovah and always obeyed Him, and God’s way is always right. Further, Jesus exercised his perceptive powers, considering the outcome of any course before pursuing it, and then chose the way that would glorify God. Adam and Eve failed on all these counts.—P. 264.

● Are the Ten Commandments any longer of concern to Christians?

Yes. While it is true that Christians are no