The Petty France Church (Part 1)

The Particular Baptist Church that met in Petty France was at the heart of Baptist life in London and the country from the 1650s onward. Its pastors were trained, educated theologians whose literature remains in use to this day. However, perhaps its most enduring legacy will be its record book, beginning in 1675 and concluding in 1727, a book that opens a window into the life of the church and the lives of its members. In this volume Dr. Renihan offers a complete transcription of the Petty France Church Book, transporting a book from the heart of London and its archives, with all its vivid stories, into the hands of everyone who wishes to read it. In addition to the Church Book itself, Dr. Renihan offers many chapters, full of new sources, that expand our view of this church and enliven our understanding of its Church Book. Publisher: Centre for Baptist History and Heritage Type: Paperback ISBN: 9781699845776 ______________ Samuel Renihan (MDiv, Westminster Seminary California & Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies, PhD, Free University of Amsterdam) is pastor of Trinity Reformed Baptist Church in La Mirada, California. Sam has authored several articles and books including God Without Passions, From Shadow To Substance: The Federal Theology of the English Particular Baptists, De Dios y su Decreto and The Mystery of Christ: His Covenant and His Kingdom. Sam is married to Kimberly, and they have one son, Owen. ______________ "This is an impressive work of scholarship, part monograph, part critical edition. Its centrepiece is an edition of the 'Church Book' of the Petty France congregation, a text that in itself is worth the price of the book, such is its value to historians. What is particularly welcome here is the integrated treatment of persons and places, texts and ideas. Renihan displays an admirable command of palaeography and archival sources, but he is equally comfortable with the technicalities of post-Reformation theology. Moreover, the book sheds new light on well-known episodes and individuals. Particularly notable are Nehemiah Cox's involvement with Bunyan's congregation, his role in drawing up the 1677 confession in the context of the Collier controversy, his contribution to the hymn-singing controversy, and his participation in the repeal campaign during the reign of James II. Finally, the book can be seen as an intervention in a number of current fields of enquiry and debate. Most notably, it adds to the resurgence of interest in church books, congregational life, and dissenting experience."-- John Coffey, Professor of Early Modern European History, University of Leicester