Sermons of The Great Ejection

by Edmund Calamy, Thomas Brooks, John Collins

A fine introduction to Puritan preaching, this little book also recalls one of the great turning points in English Christianity--for these sermons were preached on 'the Farewell Sunday' in August, 1662, when two thousand ministers left the national Church for conscience' sake. Much has been written on that Great Ejection, but nothing is more important than to hear the ejected speak for themselves. Their watchword was:

I preach as never sure to preach again, and as a dying man to dying men.

This new edition of Sermons of the Great Ejection not only commemorates the 350th anniversary of a noteworthy historical event but, more importantly, gives a real insight into the theology, godliness, and preaching of the Puritans. Why is this relevant? For two reasons: (i) as the blurb on the first edition said, 'such preaching could set England alight again in our own times'; and (ii) the issues of 1662 are directly relevant to the present situation in the church when the emphasis is once again upon conformity and unity at the expense of truth and holiness. May this little book be an encouragement to men of gospel truth and integrity everywhere.

Genres: Theology, Church History, Christian

295 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2012

About the author

Edmund Calamy was an English Presbyterian church leader and divine. Known as "the elder", he was the first of four generations of nonconformist ministers bearing the same name.

Reviews

[Alec · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can you learn from 1662?

The compact and attractive Puritan Paperbacks series consists of 46 books covering a variety of topics relating to the Christian life. If you’ve ever had any interest in Reformation Christianity, Sermons of the great ejection is an easy way to get a taste without being overwhelmed. The Puritans are often ridiculed and maligned by people who know little or nothing about them. After reading this book, you will have a better idea of whether or not they have anything to offer you.

Farewell Sunday, 1662

On St. Bartholomew’s Day in August 1662, 2000 ministers were ejected from their pulpits and removed from the Church of England. These nonconformist pastors could not agree with one or more state mandated policies required of the Church. Some like John Whitlock would not read the mandated “common prayer”. Others like Thomas Brooks refused to administer Baptism and the Lord’s Supper indiscriminately (to those who were living in visible and flagrant sin). All the nonconforming pastors were told they would never again be permitted to pastor their congregations.

The seven authors featured in Sermons were all renowned preachers, highly educated and possessed of lively faith. They knew the Scriptures in a way which could put most of us to shame. These good shepherds loved the work of the ministry, and devoted themselves to teaching their flocks.

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[Chris Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

"There could be few more scathing reproofs for modern... Christianity than for us to really attend to the words of these men who gave up livings, homes, liberties, goods and sometimes lives rather than surrender any part of the teaching of the word of God."

This book provides meaty nourishment for the soul and is particularly relevant for us Christians in the West who are facing an increasingly hostile culture and who need to be equipped and encouraged to live well under trials and difficulties.

As is often the case with the Puritans, these sermons will take a verse, theme or doctrine and exhaustively examine each facet of it in a way that shows a great passion for the Lord and practical application to personal holiness. The fact that these were often the writer's last sermons to their congregations before ejection also emphasises the love for their people and the urgency that characterised much Puritan writing. It is well worth your time to read this, and if we could aspire to a fraction of the spiritual stature of these men, then God would be greatly glorified in the church.

[Clay Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

#3 of 60+ in the Puritan Paperbacks series by Banner of Truth.

This book is a collection of final sermons during the great ejection of the 17th century whereby these puritan pastors preached a final word of truth to their beloved congregations before being ousted by the government (so much for that whole Christian nationalism argument...didn't work out too well for them). The collection is great in that it includes some familiar names (Thomas Watson, Thomas Brooks) and some you've likely never heard of (John Whitlock, Thomas Lye, John Oldfield). All were solid exhortations to people they clearly loved deeply.

This book left me somber at times as I pictured myself sitting in one of their congregations brokenhearted that my cherished shepherd was being forced to deliver his final sermon simply because he stood firm. An absolute highlight was Thomas Watson's "Parting Counsels" but all were edifying. A common thread you will find throughout is the repeated urging of these pastors to their sheep to go to the Word and stay there. John Collins included in his to "bring the truths that have or shall be taught you and the doctrines that shall be imposed upon you to the Word of God. See whether they be according to the truth or no: for false doctrines and false worship of all things hate the Scripture most." They knew the best protection for sheep without an earthly shepherd would be God's Word. May we also take heed their pleas.

[George Mayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative, edifying, and challenging, this insightful collection of sermons from seven Puritans displays the pastor's heart for his flock. Due to the Act of Uniformity of 1662, these pastors were ejected from their pulpits.These final sermons to their churches has led me to deeper reflection upon my own ministry; my love and care for the church I pastor, my own pursuit and maintaining of personal godliness, and the gratitude I ought to have for the freedom God has granted me to worship unmolested from the government. May God grant us more men with the affectionate heart of these pastors.

[Jeremiah Cuellar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down one of the most powerful books I’ve ever read. The truth of God was so boldly spoken by these 7 men and many others during a time when they were persecuted and silenced. It is still so encouraging almost 400 years later. The very issues of the church in 1662 are so similar to those of today.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt sermons by men that were forced out of their churches. Each sermon provided insight to these mighty men. We need these kind of preachers today. This book is worth the read.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice collection, giving a good sampling of parting-shot sermons from nonconformists. Shows a range of the scope of concerns from the soon-to-be de-frocked, which in turn gives insight into the ministers’ perceptions of the issues which will be facing their congregations with the ecclesiastical hostile takeover, and the “last opportunity” fatherly advice/warning they give their flocks from their...hmm, ministerial death beds?

The range of fatherly concern is my biggest takeaway. With so much church transfer these days, we forget what it was for congregations to have such continuity in worship from cradle to grave, or how invested most ministers used to be in the spiritual fervor and progress of their congregants. What a value, to have parting counsel from over half a dozen fathers in the faith (and if you haven’t started adopting/collecting fathers in the faith with your reading yet, this is a rather good starting point).

Personal highlights were Thomas Watson’s Parting Counsels (2 Cor. 7:1), and The Nonconformist’s Catechism...which I wish I’d had on hand as a follow-up to reading The 39 Articles, as they’re such a wonderfully concise counterpoint. I know when we get to them in homeschooling, that’s how they’ll be taught.

[Tim Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book has sat on my shelf for ages. I love the Puritans but how much help can some sermons on a very specific occasion be. But there is something so beautiful in the rawness of these sermons.

A standout take home for me was that I should fear sinning more than suffering. But most of all, this book made me want to be a better pastor. I want to have the love and pastoral care these men recommended. Highly recommended.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. In hindsight, it will be a good introduction to the Puritans. The sermons, quite long by today's standards, are short by Puritans' writing. Also, because these sermons are delivered by the Ministers before they are ejected from the Church of England, they are full of wisdom and contain insights on godly living, faithfulness, repentance, and holding fast.

[Joonas Laajanen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timeless sermons that are worthy to come back to and meditate through.

[Md Meiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent sampling of sermons on such an historic event. It would serve well as an introduction to Puritan preaching. Thomas Watson stood out as a faithful handler of the Word.

[Blue Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ejection of Puritan pastors from the pulpit in 1662 ('Black Bartholomew's Day') was described by Thomas Lyle as "the greatest turn there ever was in England." Within 5 years of this ejection of two thousand nonconformists, religion in the Church of England was "almost extinguished."

The purpose of this book is to "let the ejected ministers speak for themselves," ultimately giving us a front row seat to the final sermons many of these men preached from the pulpit. Incredibly, I would argue that these sermons are precisely what these men would preach to our modern 21st Century Church in America. Take for example John Whitlock's description of England: "We once enjoyed comfortable days of the Son of man, but by our deadness, spiritual wantonness and unfruitfulness we have now sinned them away." Or look at the passion and sense of urgency of Lyle's concluding words: "I can truly say this: I have not spoken one word that I remember that I would not have said to you if I had been a-dying and called to go to God as soon as I had gone out of the pulpit."

Below are the names, sermon title/text, and some highlights of these sermons:

-Edmund Calamy "Trembling for the Ark of God" (1 Sam 4:13)
"We confess, many of us by hearing sermons, are grown sermon-proof; we know how to scoff and mock at sermons, but we know not how to live sermons."
"For this judgment came, not because the ark was not in the camp, but because their sin was in the camp."
"If the gospel be gone, our glory is gone."

-Thomas Brooks "A Pastor's Legacies"
"When the gospel goes, peace, plenty, and trading go."
"Look upon all the things of this world as you will look upon them when you come to die ... never put off your conscience with any plea or with any argument that you dare not stand by in the great day of your account."
"Record all special favours, mercies, providences, and experiences."
"Always make the Scripture, and not yourselves, nor your carnal reason, nor your bare opinion, the judges of your spiritual state and condition."

-John Collins "Contending for the Faith" (Jude 3)
"If you believe anything the Scripture does not speak, your faith is diabolical. The Word of God and your faith must run parallel. All that is written you must believe, and you must believe nothing but what is written."
"There never was anything of false doctrine brought into the church or anything of false worship imposed upon the church, but either it was by neglecting the Scripture or by introducing something above the Scripture."

-Thomas Lye "A Pastor's Love for His People" (Phil 4:1)
"It is the great and indispensable duty of all sincere saints, in the most black and shaking seasons, to stand fast, fixed, and steadfast in the Lord ... I beseech you hear me as those that would and may live with me to eternity."
"Hold fast to a God ... who is infinitely more ready to save you than you can possibly be desirous to be saved by Him ... you can never believe God's love so much as God's love engages you to believe."
Be careful who you put before you as teachers, "Eve lost all she had by hearing one sermon."
"Be as holy as you can, as if there were no gospel to save you. Yet when you are as holy as you can, you must believe in Christ as if there were no law at all to condemn you."
"There is no relief to be expected from earth; all our relief is to be expected from God and that is to be obtained by prayer."

-Thomas Watson "Weal to the Righteous but Woe to the Wicked" (Isaiah 3:10-11)
"All our springs are in Thee."
"God is the righteous man's portion, and can God give a greater gift than Himself?"
"The rod of God upon a saint is only God's pencil, by which He draws His image in more lively fashion on the soul."
"The day of a believer's death is the birthday of his blessedness."
"Get good books in your houses ... Good books are cisterns that hold the waters of life in them to refresh you."
"Among all the books that you read, turn over the book of your own heart; look into the book of conscience; see what is written there."

-John Oldfield "Stumbling at the Sufferings of the Godly" (Psalm 69:9)
"There is upon every man's heart an indelible impress of God's vindictive justice."

-John Whitlock "Remember, Hold Fast and Repent" (Rev 3:3)
"When either doctrine or worship is corrupted in a church, the way to reform both is not to fly to human authority or antiquity, but to the golden rule of the Word."
"The truths of God are as treasuries and storehouses, which are not only for present use, but for time to come, for men to live on a great while after, in times of want and scarcity."
"Divine meditation fixes truths in the head and fasten them in the heart."
"If the streams should fail, be sure you hold fast the fountain."
"Repentance is the soul's physic (medicine)."

[Xenophon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of sermons by seven ministers who suffered through the Great Ejection and a helpful Non-Conformist's Catechism at the end.

The introduction is a must-read for those unfamiliar with the Great Ejection. It sets the stage and provides a really cool unity to the rest of the book. These were each men preaching to their congregation for the last time and facing a level of persecution inconceivable in the Anglophonic world (until recently).

Their parting words are, as expected and each a unique meditation. Some of them are practical nuts and bolts approaches to persecution. Others have a more literary flare. All are amazing pieces considering the context.

The Non-Conformist's catechism was an unexpected treat. "Low church" Christianity had high origins. A lot of the "denomination divide" questions we struggle with today are addressed here and they deal ably with whatever folks may bring in their reading.

This is a great place to begin reading primary sources on the Great Ejection, and I'm eager to read other pastors who were caught up in it.

[Ethan McCarter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compilation of a few sermons from Puritan ministers right before the Great Ejection in England. A few are notable names (Thomas Brooks, etc.) while a few are lesser known (John Oldfield) though all are excellent sermons. As others have said, this little book is a great introduction to Puritan preaching and how they focused on the heart and the head. The Puritan's preaching was so different from modern preaching; even modern Reformed preaching. Some of the sermons, I'd say, were stronger than others while others stretched a bit too much on a few points of application. I also thought that the Non-Conformist's Catechism in the back (that one was written much later than the Puritan era proper) was a bit lacking in detail and descriptions of why non-conformity is preferrable to conformity in the Church of England. I understood the differences clearly, but the author could have made much stronger arguments than he did. Granted it is a catechism so it can only go so far. Perhaps not the absolute pinnacle of the Puritan Paperback series for Banner but an excellent addition to it.

[Matt Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Puritan paperbacks series is among the greatest gifts from God. It is the flagship product from Banner of truth, which is been around for almost 80 years now. There are certain volumes of the 60 or 70 in the series that stand out. The modification of sin, the doctrine of repentance, and, of course, sermons of the great ejection. This book is different than the others, and the fact that it is a compilation. The last time these pastors would be able to speak to their flock before they were ejected from their churches, they are not all on the same subjects. They do not use the same scriptures. But they do come from the heart of a caring caretaker. Each of them is loyal to the text they chose, warns about the wrath to come, but most importantly, tells their people to stay the course a message we desperately need.

[Stephen P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Several excellent sermons from Puritan preachers as they had their last opportunity to preach to their congregations on the even of the Great Ejection when the government of England forced them out of their pulpits for failing to comply with the Act of Uniformity in 1662. In all, 2,000 ministers of the gospel lost their congregations by this act of the government. This collection of sermons is a great reminder of the fragility of gospel preaching, even in what are considered the most free countries of the world.

[Valerie Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH. EM. Goodness. this book was amazing. heart wrenching, perspective changing. i could have finished and started all over again. remember each sermon is a SERMON. read it like a sermon. i highlighted and highlighted. wow. #nonconformist

[Trevor Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A series of farewell sermons from some puritans. Some great, some okay. These certainly helped reverse the thought that puritans were unfeeling monsters. These men deeply loved and cared for their congregations.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uneven but mostly poignant look at the hearts of pastors forcibly removed by nonconformity to the Church of England in 1662. The best bits are the most pastoral.

[Rusten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really humbling and timely stuff.

[Rory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the historical intro, the appendix "Nonconformists catechism," and of course the warm, pastoral puritan preaching in between!

[Travis Daggett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good history. Good sermons.