Richard Alleine facts for kids

Richard Alleine (born October 16, 1610 – died December 22, 1681) was an English Puritan minister. He was known for his strong religious beliefs and his powerful sermons. He lived during a time of big changes in England, especially for people who practiced religion differently from the official church.

Richard Alleine's Early Life and Education

Richard Alleine was born in Ditcheat, a village in Somerset, England, in 1610. His father, also named Richard Alleine, was a minister there. Richard had a younger brother named William Alleine, who also became a well-known minister.

Richard went to St Alban Hall, a college at Oxford University, in 1627. He studied hard and earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). Later, he moved to New Inn and continued his studies, earning a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree.

After finishing his education, Richard became an assistant to his father. He quickly became famous in the area for his powerful and inspiring speeches. In 1634, Richard married Lettice Gough.

Richard Alleine's Ministry and Challenges

In 1641, Richard Alleine became the main minister (rector) of Batcombe, Somerset. He supported the Puritans, a group of Protestants who wanted to make the Church of England simpler and more "pure." He signed important agreements like "The testimony of the ministers in Somersetshire" and the Solemn League and Covenant. He also helped Parliament remove ministers who were not doing a good job.

Richard served as the rector of Batcombe for 20 years. However, in 1662, a new law was passed that required ministers to agree to certain rules of the Church of England. Richard, along with about 2,000 other ministers, refused to agree because of their strong Puritan beliefs. Because of this, he was forced to leave his church. These ministers are often called "ejected ministers."

After being ejected, another law called the Five Mile Act made it illegal for him to live or preach near his old church. So, he moved to Frome Selwood and continued to preach there until he died in 1681.

Richard Alleine's Books and Influence

Richard Alleine wrote many books that focused on deep spiritual ideas. One of his most famous books was Vindiciae Pietatis, which means "A Defense of Piety." It first came out in 1660. The Archbishop at the time, Archbishop Sheldon, did not want the book to be published because it was written by a nonconformist (someone who didn't follow the official church rules).

However, the book was published anyway without official permission. People loved it, and it sold very quickly. The king's printer, Roger Norton, tried to stop the sales by seizing many copies. He sent them to the royal kitchen to be used for lighting fires! But when Norton looked at the book, he felt it was wrong to destroy such a holy and popular work. So, he bought the copies back cheaply and sold them in his own shop.

This made some people angry, and Norton had to apologize to the council. The remaining copies were ordered to be "bisked," which meant they were rubbed with an inky brush to make them unreadable and sent back to the kitchen. Even so, the book was not stopped. It was reissued many times with new parts added, like The Godly Man's Portion (1663), Heaven Opened (1666), and The World Conquered (1668). He also published a book of sermons.

A famous religious leader named John Wesley, who started Methodism, said that Richard Alleine was the person who first came up with the idea for the covenant prayer, which Wesley introduced in 1755.

Richard Alleine's daughter, Theodosia Alleine, married her cousin, Joseph Alleine, who was also an ejected minister. She was known for being very hardworking.

Richard Alleine's Published Works

• A Brief Explanation of the Common Catechisme Distinguished into Three Parts, London, 1630
• Vindiciæ Pietatis, London, 1660
• Cheirothesia Tou Presbyteriou, or A Letter to a Friend, London, 1661
• The Godly Mans Portion and Sanctuary, London, [1662?]
• Heaven Opened, or, A Brief and Plain Discovery of the Riches of Gods Covenant by Grace, London, 1665
• The Best of Remedies for the Worst of Maladies, London, 1667
• The World Conquered, or A Believer's Victory Over the World, London, 1668
• Two Prayers: One for the Use of Families, the Other for Children, [ca. 1670]
• Godly-Fear, or, The Nature and Necessity of Fear, and its Usefulness, London, 1674
• A Rebuke to Backsliders, and a Spurr for Loyterers, London, 1677
• A Murderer Punished and Pardoned or, A True Relation of the Wicked Life, and Shameful-Happy Death of Thomas Savage, London, 1679
• A Companion for Prayer, London, 1680
• Instructions About Heart-Work, London, 1681
• The Christian's Daily Practice of Piety, Edinburgh, 1703
• The Voice of God to Christless Unregenerate Sinners, Boston, 1743