John Angier facts for kids

John Angier (1605–1677) was an English minister who didn't follow the official church rules. People like him were called Nonconformists. He lived during a time when there were many changes and disagreements about religion in England.

Early Life and Education

John Angier was born in Dedham, England, and was baptized on October 8, 1605. From a young age, he wanted to become a preacher. When he was 12, he was a serious child. However, while studying at Cambridge University at Emmanuel College, he admitted he spent time with "vain company and loose practices." He earned his first degree in 1625 or 1626.

After his father passed away, John Angier returned home. There, he was greatly influenced by John Rogers, a powerful Puritan preacher in Dedham. Puritans were a group who wanted to make the Church of England simpler and more "pure."

Starting His Ministry

Angier lived and studied with John Rogers for a while. Later, he stayed with John Cotton in Boston, Lincolnshire, another important Puritan minister. Many Puritan ministers visited Cotton's home. Here, John Angier met Ellen Winstanley, who was Cotton's niece. They got married in Boston on April 16, 1628.

After his first son was born, Angier thought about moving to New England with other ministers. But he traveled to Lancashire to visit his wife's family. He preached a sermon in Bolton, and someone asked him to preach at Ringley Chapel. Even though he fainted during that sermon, the people of Ringley really wanted him as their pastor. In September 1630, he accepted their offer and settled there.

John Angier's situation was a bit unusual. He was ordained (officially made a minister) by Lewis Bayly, the bishop of Bangor. However, he did not agree to follow all the official Anglican church ceremonies. He remained a Nonconformist for his whole life.

Challenges and Changes

Angier's local bishop was John Bridgeman of Chester. Bishop Bridgeman was quite understanding with Angier, but he was criticized for it by William Laud, a very strict archbishop. After about 18 months, Angier was suspended from his job at Ringley.

Around this time, the church in Denton needed a new minister because their Puritan minister had also been suspended. The people of Denton chose Angier, and he moved there in 1632. He stayed their pastor for over 45 years, even with some interruptions due to the difficult times. He was even excommunicated (kicked out of the church) twice, and his church services were often disturbed by the authorities.

When the official church structure changed, his old church at Ringley wanted him back. But other ministers decided he should stay in Denton. When the Presbyterian church system was set up in Lancashire, Angier often led meetings and attended important assemblies. He had a moderate view on church rules, which sometimes caused him to be criticized.

Life During the Commonwealth

In 1648, John Angier signed a document called the 'Harmonious Consent.' In this document, Presbyterian ministers spoke out against allowing all kinds of different religious ideas, especially those they thought were wrong.

Angier also spoke against the execution of King Charles I. He refused to sign an agreement to be loyal to the new government without a king or a House of Lords. Because of this, he and other ministers were taken prisoner to Liverpool. Since the plague was active there, they were moved to Ormskirk. During their time in prison, they discussed prayer, which led to a book on the topic by Edward Gee.

Many people asked Angier for advice on difficult moral questions. His judgment was so trusted that some people jokingly called him the "idol of Lancashire." He was also known for helping people settle their disagreements. He preached twice on Sundays and often during the week. He prayed many times a day, fasted, and traveled frequently.

Later Life and Legacy

John Angier did not openly take part in a rebellion in Cheshire in 1659. After the Act of Uniformity 1662 was passed, which made it harder for Nonconformists, he managed to avoid much of the persecution that others faced. Warrants were issued for his arrest, but those who were supposed to arrest him often looked the other way. This was partly due to the influence of his brother-in-law, Mosley of Ancoats, whose family members lived with Angier for many years.

When a new law forced Nonconformist ministers to move away from towns, Angier moved to Cheshire. But he got sick with gout. He decided to return to Denton, saying to his friend Oliver Heywood, "Come, son, let us trust God and go home." The local judges decided not to bother him, saying, "He is an old man, and will not live long; let us not trouble him." The new bishop of Chester, John Wilkins, often asked about Angier's health. Angier even allowed Heywood to take communion at Denton after Heywood had been excommunicated.

John Angier passed away while praying on September 1, 1677, after being ill for several days. He was buried in Denton, and many people attended his funeral.

Writings

The only book that clearly has John Angier's name on it is An Helpe to Better Hearts for Better Times, published in London in 1647. This book is a collection of sermons he preached in 1638. Some people believe he also wrote another short book about the events of the civil war in Lancashire.

Family Life

John Angier's first wife, Ellen, was a religious but often sick woman. She died in December 1642, leaving him with a son and two daughters. Following her suggestion, Angier married Margaret Mosley in 1643. Her family was very important in the local area. They were married publicly in Manchester church during the war, which was seen as a brave act of faith. Margaret died in 1675.

Angier's own daughter married Oliver Heywood in Denton chapel in 1655. Angier was very happy and hosted about a hundred guests at his home for the wedding celebration.

John Angier's son, also named John, was born in Boston in 1629. Like his father, he went to Emmanuel College, Cambridge. However, his studies were not very good. When he applied to become a minister in 1657, he was approved for his skills, but he had to publicly admit his mistakes from his youth. He became a minister at Ringley Chapel but later moved to Lincolnshire. His wife passed away in 1699.

Samuel Angier, another Presbyterian minister, was John Angier the elder's nephew.