Robert Crosse facts for kids

Robert Crosse (1606–1683) was an English Puritan thinker and religious leader. Puritans were a group of Protestants in England who wanted to make the Church of England simpler and more "pure." Robert Crosse was known for his strong beliefs and his work as a theologian, which means he studied religion and God.

Early Life and Education

Robert Crosse was born in 1606 in Dunster, a town in Somerset, England. His father was William Crosse. When he was about 15 years old, in 1621, Robert began studying at Lincoln College, Oxford. This is a famous university in England.

He worked hard and became a fellow at the college in 1627. A fellow is like a senior member or teacher. He earned his first degree and later, in 1637, he completed a higher degree in divinity.

Role in the English Civil War

During the 1640s, England was in the middle of a big conflict called the First English Civil War. This war was fought between the King and Parliament. Robert Crosse supported the Parliament's side. He agreed with the Presbyterians, a group of Protestants who wanted to change how the church was run.

In 1643, Robert Crosse was chosen to be part of the Westminster Assembly. This was a group of important religious leaders who met to discuss and reform the Church of England. He also took the Solemn League and Covenant. This was an agreement to support the Parliament and change the church.

Life After the War

After the war, in 1648, the Parliament sent people to check on the University of Oxford. Robert Crosse agreed to their changes. He was offered a very important job: to become the Regius Professor of Divinity. This is a top teaching position for religious studies at the university. However, he decided not to take the job.

Instead, he became the vicar of Chew Magna, a church in Somerset. A vicar is a type of priest who leads a local church. When the King returned to power in 1660 (an event called the Restoration), Robert Crosse continued his work at Chew Magna. He stayed there until he died on December 12, 1683.

A writer named Anthony à Wood described Robert Crosse as a very smart person. He said Crosse was a great thinker, a good speaker, and knew a lot about old religious writings and ideas.

Debates and Writings

Robert Crosse was known for his strong opinions. He had a big argument with another famous thinker named Joseph Glanvill. Their disagreement was about Aristotelian philosophy, which are ideas based on the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle.

Crosse believed that Glanvill and the Royal Society (a group of scientists) were "atheists." This meant he thought they didn't believe in God, because of their focus on experimental philosophy (learning through experiments). Crosse even wrote a book against Glanvill, but it was not allowed to be published.

However, Glanvill managed to get a copy of Crosse's book. He then had 100 copies printed privately, calling it the Chew Gazette. Robert Crosse also wrote funny songs, called ballads, to make fun of Glanvill and the Royal Society.

Published Work

Robert Crosse wrote one known book:

• Logon alogia, seu Exercitatio Theologica de Insipientia Rationis humanae, Gratia Christi destitutae, in Rebus Fidei; in 1 Cor. ii. 14, Oxford, 1655. This long title means "The Unreasonableness of Reason, or a Theological Exercise on the Foolishness of Human Reason, Lacking the Grace of Christ, in Matters of Faith."