The Conventicle: Who wrote this?

Who were the Puritans?

"A loosely organized reform movement originating during the English Reformation of the sixteenth century. The name came from efforts to 'purify' the Church of England by those who felt that the Reformation had not yet been completed. Eventually the Puritans went on to attempt purification of the self and of society as well."

(Mark Noll, "Puritanism", Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 1984)

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Who wrote this?

Anyone want to guess who penned this autobiographical statement?:

But the next day, at evening, being under many fears, I went to seek the Lord; and as I prayed, I cried, and my soul cried to him in these words, with strong cries: "O Lord, I beseech thee, show me that thou hast loved me with everlasting love" (Jer. 31:3). I had no sooner said it but, with sweetness, this returned upon me, as an echo or sounding again, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love." Now I went to bed at quiet; also, when I awaked the next morning, it was fresh upon my soul--and I believed it.

(Hint: It's not the fellow pictured.)

2 comments:

Bridges said...: Is it Bunyan. I know he was under "many fears" for a while as recorded in Grace Abounding. Just a guess.; 10:07 PM
Chris Ross said...: Stop the entries! Please, everyone: no more guesses. We have a winner!

Spot on, Mr Bridges. Taken from Sect. 190 of Grace Abounding to Chief of Sinners, by Mr John Bunyan, the progressing pilgrim himself.

I guess we'll let you stay in the Conventicle after all ...; 10:23 PM