Edward Lawrence (minister) facts for kids

Edward Lawrence (1623–1695) was an important English minister who faced challenges because of his beliefs. He was known as an "ejected minister," which meant he was forced to leave his church job. This happened during a time when the government wanted everyone to follow the same religious rules.

Edward Lawrence's Life Story

Edward was born in 1623 in Moston, a village in Shropshire, England. His father was William Laurence. He went to school in Whitchurch, Shropshire. Later, he studied at Magdalene College, Cambridge, starting in 1644. He earned his first degree in 1648 and a master's degree in 1654.

Becoming a Minister

In 1648, after finishing his studies, Edward Lawrence became the vicar (a type of church leader) of Baschurch in Shropshire. He really liked his work there and stayed for many years. He even turned down other job offers to remain in Baschurch.

Facing Challenges

Things changed in 1662. A new law called the Act of Uniformity was passed. This law said that all ministers had to agree with the Church of England's rules exactly. If they didn't, they would lose their jobs. Edward Lawrence, like many others, could not agree with all the new rules, so he was forced to leave his church in Baschurch.

After losing his job, he stayed in the Baschurch area until 1666. Then, another law called the Five Miles Act made it hard for ejected ministers to live near towns or places where they used to preach. So, Edward had to move to Tilstock, a village near Whitchurch.

Preaching and Arrests

Edward Lawrence continued to preach, even though it was often against the law. In 1668, he and his friend Philip Henry preached in a church in Betley, Staffordshire. This event was reported to the government, which led to a new rule against nonconformists (people who didn't follow the official church rules).

In 1670, while living in Whitchurch, Edward was arrested. He was preaching to his family and a few friends at a neighbor's house. The local minister, Dr. Fowler, arrested him under the Conventicle Act. This law made it illegal for more than five people (who weren't family) to gather for religious services outside the official church. Edward and four others were fined.

Because of these difficulties, Edward Lawrence moved his family to London in 1671. There, he continued to preach in his own meetinghouse near the Royal Exchange.

Edward Lawrence passed away in November 1695. He was known as a minister who was sad about the disagreements and divisions within the church. His friend Philip Henry often mentioned him in his diary.

Edward Lawrence's Published Works

Edward Lawrence wrote and published several books and sermons. These works shared his religious ideas and teachings.

• Christ's Power over Bodily Diseases: This book was based on several sermons he preached. It was first published in 1662 and again in 1672. The famous minister Richard Baxter wrote an introduction for it.
• There is no Transubstantiation in the Lord's Supper: This was a sermon he gave as part of a series called The Morning Exercise against Popery. In this sermon, he explained his views on the Lord's Supper, a Christian ceremony.
• Parents' Groans over their Wicked Children: This book, published in 1681, was a collection of sermons about the challenges parents face when their children make bad choices.
• Use and Happiness of Human Bodies: These were two sermons he gave at funerals, published in 1690.

Edward Lawrence's Family

Edward Lawrence and his wife, Deborah, had eight children. Their baptisms were recorded in Baschurch between 1649 and 1661. One of his sons, Nathaniel, born in 1670, later became a nonconformist minister in Banbury.