William Bradshaw (Puritan) facts for kids
William Bradshaw (1571–1618) was an English Puritan leader. He was born in Market Bosworth, a town in England.
He went to school in Ashby-de-la-Zouch. There, he met important people like Anthony Gilby and Arthur Hildersham, who would later support him. He also studied at Emmanuel College, Cambridge and became a Fellow at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge in 1599. He left Cambridge in 1601. William Bradshaw was friends with Thomas Gataker, and they even wrote a book together.
Who Was William Bradshaw?
William Bradshaw was a key figure among the Puritans. Puritans were a group of people in the 16th and 17th centuries who wanted to make the Church of England simpler and more "pure." They believed the church still had too many Catholic traditions. Bradshaw was known for arguing strongly for Puritan ideas.
What He Wrote
William Bradshaw wrote several important books and papers. These writings helped explain and spread Puritan beliefs.
- English Puritanisme: This book was first published in 1605. It explained the main ideas of the strictest Puritans in England. Another important Puritan, William Ames, wrote an introduction for it in 1610.
- Twelve general arguments: Also published in 1605, this work argued against certain church practices. Bradshaw believed these practices, called "ceremonies," were wrong for ministers to follow.
He wrote many other works, but most of them were published without his name on them.
His Main Beliefs
William Bradshaw had strong ideas about how churches should be run.
- Local Church Control: He believed that each church group, called a congregation, should control itself. He thought they should not be controlled by outside church leaders or courts.
- Power to the People: Bradshaw thought that church members should choose their pastors and elders. These leaders would then have power, but the members would still have the final say on important decisions, like removing someone from the church (called "excommunication").
- No Church Leaders in Government: He believed that church leaders should not also hold jobs in the government.
- Against Ceremonies: He strongly disagreed with many traditional church ceremonies and rituals.
Bradshaw was a Puritan, but he was not a "separatist." This means he did not want to completely break away from the Church of England. He believed the king had the right to lead the church in his country. He thought people should obey the king, even if they disagreed, but only by not actively fighting against him.
