George Walker (Puritan) facts for kids

George Walker (born around 1581, died 1651) was an English church leader known for his strong Puritan beliefs. Puritans were a group of Christians who wanted to make the Church of England simpler and more focused on the Bible. In 1638, a powerful church leader named William Laud, the Archbishop of Canterbury, had Walker put in prison. This event was later brought up during Laud's own trial. In 1643, George Walker became a member of the Westminster Assembly, a special meeting of religious leaders who decided how the church should be run during the English Civil War.

Some people had different opinions about George Walker. Anthony à Wood called him a "severe partisan," meaning he was very strict about his beliefs. However, Thomas Fuller described him as "a man of an holy life, humble heart, and bountiful hand," suggesting he was a good and generous person.

Early Life and Education

George Walker was born around 1581 in Hawkshead, a place in Furness, Lancashire. He went to the grammar school in Hawkshead, which was started by a relative of his, Archbishop Edwin Sandys. He also had a close family connection to John Walker.

Later, George Walker went to St. John's College, Cambridge. He earned his first degree (B.A.) in 1608 and his master's degree (M.A.) in 1611. His former teacher, Christopher Foster, was a church leader in London. Foster gave up his position at the church of St. John Evangelist, Watling Street, and George Walker took over on April 29, 1614. He stayed at this church for the rest of his life, even though he was offered more important positions.

Religious Debates and Challenges

George Walker was known for his deep knowledge of logic, Hebrew, and theology (the study of religious beliefs). He often got into debates with people who had different religious ideas.

In 1614, he had a disagreement with Anthony Wotton about certain religious views. This led to a discussion with eight learned religious scholars, and Wotton's views were supported. On March 2, 1619, Walker became a chaplain to Nicholas Felton, who was the Bishop of Ely. In 1621, he also earned a Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) degree from Oxford.

In 1623, Walker had a debate about the authority of the church with a man named Sylvester Norris. Around the same time, he also debated with Father John Fisher alongside another religious leader, Daniel Featley.

Disagreements with Archbishop Laud

George Walker's strong Puritan beliefs were not popular with Archbishop Laud. In 1636, Laud mentioned Walker in a report to King Charles I. Laud said Walker was "disorderly" and had preached against a book about how Sunday (the Lord's Day) should be observed. However, after being warned, Walker seemed to calm down.

In 1638, Walker published a book called Doctrine of the Sabbath. This book, which was printed in Amsterdam, shared his very strict ideas about how important it was to keep Sunday holy.

Imprisonment and Release

Because of some things found in a sermon he gave, George Walker was sent to prison on November 11, 1638. However, on May 20, 1641, the House of Commons (part of the English Parliament) said that his imprisonment was against the law. He was then allowed to return to his church and received money for the difficulties he had faced.

When Archbishop Laud was put on trial in 1643, George Walker's unfair imprisonment was one of the accusations made against Laud. After his release, Walker became very active as a preacher and writer.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1641, George Walker published several books, including God made visible in His Works and The Key of Saving Knowledge. He also wrote about his religious debates, such as A Disputation between Master Walker and a Jesuite and Socinianisme in the Fundamentall Point of Justification discovered and confuted. In one of these books, he brought up old accusations against Wotton, which led to further debate with other scholars like Thomas Gataker and John Goodwin.

In 1643, Walker joined the Westminster Assembly of religious leaders. He was an active and important member of this group. In 1645, he gave a sermon to the House of Commons, which was later published. He also wrote a piece in 1646 called A Brotherly and Friendly Censure, which discussed some comments made by William Prynne. On September 26, 1645, Parliament chose him to help select elders for the London classis, a local church governing body.

George Walker also wrote a paper about providing preachers in Lancashire. He personally supported the minister in his hometown of Hawkshead. He also helped the library at Sion College.

George Walker passed away in 1651, at about 70 years old. He was buried in his church in Watling Street, London. Sadly, this church was later destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666.