Anthony Burges facts for kids

Anthony Burgess (who died in 1664) was an English clergyman. He was known as a "Nonconformist." This means he was a Protestant who did not agree with the official Church of England. He was also a very active preacher and writer.

His Life

Anthony Burgess was born in England. His father was a schoolmaster in a town called Watford. Anthony was not related to other famous people named Burgess.

He went to St. John's College, Cambridge in 1623 to study. Later, he became a Fellow at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. A Fellow is like a senior member or teacher at a college.

While at Emmanuel College, he taught a student named John Wallis. Wallis later became a famous mathematician. Wallis described Burgess as a "pious, learned, and able scholar." He also said Burgess was a good teacher and a great preacher.

From 1635 to 1662, Burgess was the Rector (a type of church leader) in a town called Sutton Coldfield. He also gave many lectures in London, at a church called St Lawrence Jewry.

He was a member of the Westminster Assembly. This was a group of important religious leaders who met during the 1640s. They helped shape the future of the Church in England.

During the First English Civil War, Anthony Burgess found safety in Coventry. He gave sermons and lectures to the soldiers there.

In 1662, after the king returned to power, Burgess lost his job as Rector. This happened because he was a Nonconformist and did not follow the rules of the official Church of England. After this, he lived in Tamworth.

His Writings

Anthony Burgess wrote many books and sermons. He was known for explaining religious ideas clearly.

In 1640, he helped publish the collected sermons of Dr. John Stoughton. Stoughton's widow asked Burgess to do this.

Burgess also published many of his own sermons and books. Some of his important works include:

• The Difficulty of, and the Encouragements to a Reformation: This was a sermon he gave in 1643.
• Romes Cruelty and Apostacie Declared: A sermon from 1645.
• Vindiciae Legis: This book, published in 1646, defended the moral law.
• The True Doctrine of Justification: This was a major work published in 1648. It talked about how people are made right with God. He later published updated versions of this book.
• Spiritual Refining: This large book from 1652 contained 120 sermons about grace and assurance.
• Expository Sermons on the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John: A book from 1656 that explained a specific chapter from the Bible.
• A Treatise of Original Sin: A book from 1658 about the idea of original sin.
• An Expository Comment... upon the whole first chapter to the Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians: This book from 1661 explained another chapter from the Bible.