John Humfrey facts for kids
John Humfrey (1621–1719) was an English church leader who lived a long time ago. He was a Presbyterian, which was a type of Protestant Christian. He was known for speaking out about his beliefs, especially after he was removed from his church job in 1662.
Early Life and Education
John Humfrey went to Pembroke College, Oxford University. He earned his first degree in 1641 and a master's degree in 1647. He studied there during a time when the King's supporters (called Royalists) controlled Oxford.
Becoming a Minister
In 1649, John Humfrey became a minister in the Presbyterian church. He started working at a church in Frome Selwood, Somerset. He believed that everyone should be allowed to take part in the church's special meal called communion. This idea caused some debate with another person named Roger Drake.
Challenges and Beliefs
In 1661, John Humfrey was re-ordained by William Piers, who was the Bishop of Bath and Wells. Humfrey wrote a paper called The Question of Re-Ordination to explain why he did this. However, he soon changed his mind.
In 1662, he lost his church job because he chose not to follow the rules of the Church of England. People who did this were called "nonconformists." After this, he started his own churches in London, first in Duke's Place and later in Petticoat Lane, Whitechapel.
John Humfrey strongly believed that all Protestants should be united within one national church. He supported an idea called 'comprehension.' This meant adjusting some church rules so that nonconformists could come back into the Church of England. In his book A Case of Conscience (1669), he argued that the government should not force people to go against their personal religious beliefs.
