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Christian Unity (the book) - The Maranatha Community

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CHAPTER 7CHRISTIAN UNITY AND THE EVANGELICAL REVIVAL IN BRITAINTowards <strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong> 17 th Century <strong>the</strong> phenomenon of Religious Societiesappeared in English religious life. <strong>The</strong>se societies were to have an importantrole later in <strong>the</strong> spread of <strong>the</strong> Evangelical Revival, and helped to create a bondbetween spiritually like-minded people. <strong>The</strong>y drew not only serious Anglicanstoge<strong>the</strong>r in worship and prayer and good works, but in some cases broughtDissenters and Anglicans toge<strong>the</strong>r.Reacting against what many <strong>Christian</strong>s saw as growing unbelief and immoralityin society, little cells of earnest Anglican men met to improve <strong>the</strong>ir spirituallives, <strong>the</strong>ir fervour, <strong>the</strong>ir faith and <strong>the</strong>ir piety. London had about a hundred of<strong>the</strong>se groups by <strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong> 17 th Century. A contemporary account of <strong>the</strong>irrise and growth in 1678 was written by Dr Josiah Woodward in 1698.Frank Baker writes, ‘<strong>The</strong>se societies… were intended solely for spirituallyminded churchmen, though <strong>the</strong>y did succeed in winning some Dissenters backto <strong>the</strong> Anglican fold.’ 67In Germany similar groups, ‘collegia pietatis’, had grown up in <strong>the</strong> late 17 thCentury, inspired by <strong>the</strong> Lu<strong>the</strong>ran <strong>the</strong>ologian Dr Philipp Jakob Spener (1635-1705). (Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf was his godson.) A group began to meettwice a week in Spener’s home to stir up ‘heart religion’ among clergy andlaity. In 1675 he wrote Pia Desideria, from which <strong>the</strong> Pietist movement took itsideals.<strong>The</strong> principles of <strong>Christian</strong> living outlined in Pia Desideria, though notdeliberately copied as such, were similar to those of <strong>the</strong> English Evangelicals of<strong>the</strong> early 18 th Century Revival: serious attention to Bible study; encouragementof <strong>the</strong> laity in stirring up faith; a renewal of fervent preaching; and aninvolvement in <strong>the</strong> practical, social effects of <strong>the</strong> Gospel. <strong>The</strong>re was no desireto form a new church, but to revive believers’ faith and encourage personalconversion to Christ.67Baker, F, <strong>The</strong> People Called Methodists Ch 7, 3 Polity. A History of <strong>the</strong> Methodist Churchin Great Britain, Vol 1, ed Rupert Davies and Garson Rupp, Epworth Press, London, 1965, p215.Page 106

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