Thomas Ford (minister) facts for kids

Thomas Ford (1598–1674) was an English minister who didn't agree with the official church rules of his time. He was part of an important group called the Westminster Assembly and was later forced to leave his job as a minister in 1662 because of his beliefs.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Ford was born in Brixton, Devon, England. He started studying at Magdalen Hall, Oxford in 1619. He earned his first degree in 1624 and a master's degree in 1627. After finishing his studies, he became a tutor at the university for several years.

Ford held strong Puritan beliefs. Puritans were people who wanted to make the Church of England simpler and remove things they thought were too fancy or traditional. His views were noticed by William Laud, a powerful archbishop who disagreed with Puritans.

Conflict at Oxford

In 1631, a conflict arose at Oxford University. The president of Magdalen College, Oxford moved the communion table in the chapel, making it look more like an altar. This was a big deal to Puritans, who believed the table should be simple.

Thomas Ford preached a sermon at St Mary's Church, Oxford where he spoke against these changes. He questioned the idea of treating the Eucharist (the special bread and wine in church services) as a sacrifice and setting up altars.

His plain speaking made the supporters of Archbishop Laud very angry. The university's vice-chancellor, William Smyth, demanded a copy of Ford's sermon. Ford offered to give it if the request followed the university's rules. Because he didn't immediately obey, the vice-chancellor tried to arrest him and searched his study.

The conflict grew, and Archbishop Laud got involved. Ford was asked to take an oath about his sermon, but he refused because the questions weren't written down. He eventually gave a copy of his sermon. However, he was still ordered to be arrested for not obeying earlier. Ford appealed this decision to other university groups, who mostly found him innocent.

Laud then took the case to the King and his council. In August 1632, the King himself questioned Ford. In the end, Ford was told to leave the university within four days. Many students gathered to see him off as he left Oxford.

Life After Oxford

After leaving Oxford, Thomas Ford was invited to be a preacher in Plymouth. However, Archbishop Laud again interfered. He sent letters from the King, forbidding the town from hiring Ford.

Ford then went abroad. He became a chaplain (a minister for soldiers) in an English army serving under Gustavus Adolphus, a famous Swedish king. He traveled in Germany and stayed in places like Stode and Elbing. He was even invited to be a minister for English merchants in Hamburg, but he decided to return home.

In 1637, he became the rector (the main minister) of Aldwinkle All Saints in Northamptonshire. He held this position for ten years.

English Civil War and Later Years

In 1640, Ford was chosen to represent the clergy (church leaders) of the Anglican Diocese of Peterborough in a special meeting that created a controversial oath.

When the First English Civil War began, Ford moved to London. He became the minister of St Faith under St Paul's. In 1644, he joined the Westminster Assembly, a very important group of religious leaders who met to reshape the Church of England.

Later, Ford settled in Exeter, where he continued his ministry. He preached in Exeter Cathedral. In 1649, he was briefly forced out of his church by a military leader, John Desborough, because he refused to sign a loyalty pledge to the new government. He was later appointed minister of St. Lawrence in Exeter.

The Act of Uniformity 1662 made it illegal for ministers like Ford to preach publicly if they didn't follow strict new rules. This forced him to stop preaching in public. A year later, he had to move to Exmouth, about nine miles from Exeter, where he lived quietly.

When a new law called the Declaration of Indulgence (1672) allowed more religious freedom, Ford returned to Exeter. However, he was in poor health. He died in December 1674, at 76 years old, and was buried in St. Lawrence's Church in Exeter.

Writings

Thomas Ford wrote several books and sermons:

• Singing of Psalmes the duty of Christians under the New Testament (1659): This book was about why Christians should sing psalms.
• The Sinner condemned of himself (1668): This book argued that people are responsible for their own downfall.
• Scripture's Self-Evidence, proving it to be the only Rule of Faith: This work stated that the Bible is the only guide for faith.

He also preached two sermons that were published: one before the House of Commons in 1645 and another before the House of Lords in 1646.