The moderate puritans are often looked upon as compromisers in partially conforming to things not wholly right in the Church (and State); yet their reasons for this are little known.
This newly edited book from the archives is a one of a kind jewel. Written by a group of unnamed English reformed ministers (in the trajectory of divine-right presbyterianism), they defend their outlook from the Scriptures while arguing against both the Conformists and Separatists, while preserving the Church as one (Jn. 17:20–23) in the fundamentals of the Faith, without sacrificing principles.
The Extended Introduction by Travis Fentiman (MDiv) sets forth the Scriptural case for principled partial conformity in worship and Church government, against George Gillespie. It also documents that most of the Westminster divines were conformists to some degree under pain of ministerial deprivation, and shows how partial conformity is consistent with the Westminster standards. The surprising breadth of Westminster’s parameters on worship is historically brought to light in consideration of its original intent.
The fascinating untold story of the indulged covenanting ministers in Scotland during 1669-1688, those who partially conformed to the undue impositions of the civil government, is narrated and defended from Scripture, especially against the arguments of that ultra non-conformist, John Brown of Wamphray. The civil dethroning principles of the 1680’s Scottish Cameronians are shown to be erroneous and contrary to the reformed, puritan and covenanting tradition as especially summed up in Samuel Rutherford’s Lex Rex (1644).
An honest and not simplistic view of the Solemn League and Covenant (1643) is surveyed, drawing on some of the latest historical research, supporting the partial conforming trajectory.
Lastly, the Extended Intro drives against denominationalism and the wrong-headedness of erecting denominational white towers, seeking the unifying of Christ’s Church through the catholic principles of Scripture, Westminster, the Scots and the London presbyterians. Church union in (at least) Christianity’s fundamentals will be seen to oblige from God’s Word, as many of the reformed, the London presbyterians and the Scottish covenanter James Durham taught. Separation for secondary matters that do not tend to overturn the fundamentals is seen to be schism (notwithstanding your denomination’s constitution, vows, covenants, etc.).
See the first several pages of the Extended Intro for what other things are treated of and argued in the book. Theological treasures are yours for the reaping; take up and read!
English Puritans – A Refutation of the Errors of Separatists (1604; 1644; RBO, 2025) 300 pp. with an Extended Intro by Travis Fentiman: “Defending the Lawfulness of Partial-Conformity in Worship & Church Government (including under Civil Impositions) from Scripture, Westminster & the Scottish Indulgence Controversy, contra George Gillespie, while Driving against Denominationalism, for the Unifying of Christ’s Church”