The Worship of the English Puritans

by Horton Davies

This book, written by Princeton professor Horton Davies as a doctoral thesis in the 1940s explains the crux of Reformed worship, focusing on the Christ-centered, Scripture-based, reverential worship of the 17th century Puritans.

Genres: Theology, History

304 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1997

Reviews

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An older (written in the 1940s) book, but still useful, because nothing has come along to replace it. It is a careful survey of all the issues related to worship among the Puritans. It makes clear, among other things, that there was no one "Puritan" position on anything. Davies has an easy style, and an eye for the apt quote. An important work, useful for anyone seeking to minister in modern Reformed churches.

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the companion to Davies' The Worship of the American Puritans, and is VERY dense. That being said, it's extremely well written, and contains a TON of information on the English Puritans. He covers how and why they worshipped the way they did and has a fascinating section on the dispute over corporate worship and what should be included in this worship. Well worth the time.

[Nigel Ewan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very thorough but the chapters were well-organized and not-too-long. This is a good paragraph from the conclusion:

[I]n their fear and detestation of the Roman Church, [the Puritans] did not give sufficient heed to the customs of the primitive Church, or to the conclusions of the Reformed Church on the Continent. In fact, in their eager haste to run away from the corruptions of Rome, they far outdistanced their leader, Calvin. Calvin desired a weekly celebration of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper; the Puritans celebrated at monthly intervals. Calvin approved of the use of a liturgy; the earliest Puritans produced their own prayer-books; but, gradually, objections to a particular liturgy, the Book of Common Prayer, became objections to any liturgy, as extemporary prayers ousted precomposed forms. Calvin included the Apostles' Creed in his service; the Puritans, probably under pressure from the Independents, left it out of their services, with the exception of a few Presbyterians. Calvin included a Scriptural form of Absolution in his order of service, but the Puritans omitted it from theirs. Calvin approved of Confirmation and of Confession; the Puritans jettisoned both. In their enthusiasm to root out the errors of antiquity, they ignored the wisdom of antiquity.

(p. 256f)

[Adam T. Calvert · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you don’t really like history (and I mean borderline love it), then this book may not be for you. Although, even if you just regular like history, I still wonder if maybe you should read this at some point.

I know the title doesn’t sound like a bestseller (well let’s be honest, it’s not a bestseller). But it is a great historical treatment about who the English Puritans were, what they were all about, and most importantly - why.

Apart from some church history classes in Bible college/seminary, most of my understanding of the Puritans came from literature class in high school and how terrible they were for things like the Salem Witch Trials. Basically, they were ridiculously severe, absolutely unjust, and - goes without saying - against all things fun.

Well, while this book doesn’t even get to the Salem Witch Trials (perhaps his second volume, The Worship of the American Puritans does), it certainly sheds a great more deal of light on the people, thoughts, and culture of the Puritans.

And it was truly edifying and encouraging to see how much thought they put into everything in life and how the Bible spoke to it. Much space in this volume was dedicated to their doctrines of worship, prayer, preaching, sacraments, etc. To see their arguments (and even the Anglican counter arguments) was very refreshing as both groups (not to mention the Separatists, and Brownists, and Barrowists - yes, the latter two being groups I didn’t even know existed until reading this book) sought to defend their views and practices from the Word of God.

I understand the Puritans had their own problems (like theology/church groups in all places of all ages do). But they are certainly not the bad guys they are generally made out to be in the public eye. And this book will aid in helping you understand their heart more than anything - to glorify God through understanding and applying His Word in His strength!

That right there is an example I should hope we would all like to follow!

[Luke Brodine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorough history attesting to the uniformity of the different groups of the Puritan tradition. Fair treatment of including critical voices in the midst of key thinkers. I specifically gained a greater appreciation of the work of Richard Baxter in regards to worship and liturgy. Certainly makes a good case that the Puritans, though seeing themselves as the offspring of Calvin, went far beyond Calvin's practices in restricting worship as a response to Roman abuses.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second read. Read previously in 2003. I think my opinion of it will be much more positive this time round.

Yes, I did appreciate in a whole new way on this reading.

Carefully argued and carefully documented. Being more liturgical than the Puritans and more Puritan than the Anglicans, Davis is well placed to do justice to both.

I particularly enjoyed the coverage of Prayer Books and the Savoy Conference.

Where I wouldn't agree so much is his love of Watts.

Loved it.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good overview of what the Puritans of England thought and how they worshiped. They agreed on the core issues, but didn't agree on much else. The Worship of the English Puritans was very instructive in the light of current Reformed squabbles. It isn't much different, but that doesn't make it any less sinful.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good.

[Jared Mcnabb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Stuff. I wish Davies would have developed the theme of Anglicans having a Lutheran view of Scripture and worship more. However, his treatment of puritan worship was great.