<p> The object of this study is to call into question the well established assumption that Baxter was entirely responsible for the failure of the Savoy Conference and that his combativeness and "overdoing" kept the non-conformists out of the Church.</p> <p> So vital an aspect in the history of the English Church and the history of non-conformity merits a thorough re-evaluation.</p> <p> In order to attempt a full discussion of the Conference and Baxter's role in it, it has been necessary to survey the historical background in which he developed. Thus the material in the thesis has been arranged in such a way as to reveal the relationship between the topics discussed and Baxter's personality, teaching and influence. In Chapter I we discover the general context in which his character was shaped and the marked influences in his early life and young manhood, It is shown how fully he embodied Puritan ideals which made him its [Puritanism] most notable representative. Chapter II presents Baxter's political thought. This is of enormous importance, because only as one understands how theology and politics were related in his mind, and how he viewed the function of the Pastor, the Magistrate or Governor and the paterfamilias, will one get a conscious appreciation of his role at the time of the Conference.</p> <p> Chapter III takes up the political and ecclesiastical conflicts which contributed to the degeneration of the Puritan forces into differing groups, and which led to the emergence of Presbyterianism as a dominant political and ecclesiastical power; the rise of Oliver Cromwell and the Independents and Baxter's
influence in practical politics during the period of the Commonwealth and Protectorate.</p> <p> Chapter IV deals with Charles II and the Presbyterians. Attention is given to the causes which once more gave control of the Church and Parliament to the Presbyterians, and the reasons for restoring the monarchy. At this time also one notices that with the restoration of the throne came the re-establishment of Anglican authority in both Church and State. Baxter's part in the negotiations for and restoration of the King is carefully discussed because it was at this time (1660) that many of the disputes between him and some of the leading bishops began--disputes which greatly affected the Conference.</p> <p> Chapters V and VI discuss in detail some vital issues which had not been discussed in previous studies and which throw greater light on the study of English Church history in this period. For example much attention is given to the Worcester Declaration of 16 October 1660, the King's Warrant of 1661 and to Clarendon's influence prior to and during the Conference. The view is taken that the bishops did not conform to the requirements in the Declaration and the Warrant and thus frustrated the plans which both the King and Clarendon had hoped would bring about a compromise for a Church settlement.</p> <p> For the first time special study is given to the bishops in
an attempt to identify the leaders among them and to isolate as far as possible the different factors which influenced them in their dealings with the non-conformists, For this reason it is maintained that the bishops were so controlled by political circumstances and the supposed rjghtness of their position that these prevented them from seeing their opponents point of view, or any reasons or necessity for comprehension.</p> <p> Chapter VI also discusses in detail the proceedings of the Conference. The various original documents are presented and
analyzed with the hope of providing as clear as possible the issues at stake and the manner in which these were dealt with.</p> <p> Finally in a concluding chapter VII an attempt is made to assess the reasons for the outcome of the Conference and to refute the charge that Baxter was responsible for its failure. The chapter ends with an evaluation of his contribution and his relevance for our time.</p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/17841 |
| Date | 05 1900 |
| Creators | Douglas, Walter B.T. |
| Contributors | Meyer, John, Religion |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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