[A Practical Discourse Concerning God’s Decrees]

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Edward Bagshaw (1629–1671) was an English Nonconformist theologian and controversialist, remembered for his radical advocacy of religious liberty during the turbulent decades following the English Civil War. Born to Edward Bagshawe, a lawyer and politician, Bagshaw was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, where he became a Fellow and engaged in spirited debate with contemporaries such as John Locke. Bagshaw’s early career saw him teaching at Westminster School, but after a dispute with the headmaster, Richard Busby, he was dismissed. Ordained in 1659 by Ralph Brownrigg, Bagshaw briefly served as vicar of Ambrosden before being ejected for his refusal to conform to the restored Church of England. Throughout his life, Bagshaw aligned himself with the Independents and radical sects, earning the criticism of Richard Baxter, who labeled him an “Anabaptist, Fifth Monarchy man, and a Separatist.” Bagshaw became a prolific pamphleteer, engaging in bitter literary and theological battles against church authorities, most notably George Morley, and later against Baxter himself, championing the cause of liberty of conscience and full toleration for Dissenters. His outspokenness led to periods of imprisonment, including a notable stint in the Tower of London. Despite persecution, Bagshaw continued to write, publishing a biography of Vavasor Powell and defending the separatist cause to the end of his life. He died while on parole from Newgate Prison and was buried in Bunhill Fields, the resting place of many Nonconformist figures. Bagshaw’s legacy endures as that of a principled, if divisive, advocate for religious freedom.

Edward Bagshaw (1629–1671) was an English Nonconformist theologian and controversialist, remembered for his radical advocacy of religious liberty during the turbulent decades following the English Civil War. Born to Edward Bagshawe, a lawyer and politician, Bagshaw was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, where he became a Fellow and engaged in spirited debate with contemporaries such as John Locke. Bagshaw’s early career saw him teaching at Westminster School, but after a dispute with the headmaster, Richard Busby, he was dismissed. Ordained in 1659 by Ralph Brownrigg, Bagshaw briefly served as vicar of Ambrosden before being ejected for his refusal to conform to the restored Church of England. Throughout his life, Bagshaw aligned himself with the Independents and radical sects, earning the criticism of Richard Baxter, who labeled him an “Anabaptist, Fifth Monarchy man, and a Separatist.” Bagshaw became a prolific pamphleteer, engaging in bitter literary and theological battles against church authorities, most notably George Morley, and later against Baxter himself, championing the cause of liberty of conscience and full toleration for Dissenters. His outspokenness led to periods of imprisonment, including a notable stint in the Tower of London. Despite persecution, Bagshaw continued to write, publishing a biography of Vavasor Powell and defending the separatist cause to the end of his life. He died while on parole from Newgate Prison and was buried in Bunhill Fields, the resting place of many Nonconformist figures. Bagshaw’s legacy endures as that of a principled, if divisive, advocate for religious freedom.

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A PRACTICAL DISCOURSE CONCERNING GOD’S DECREES

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In Two Parts

The First concerning man's unfitness to dispute against the Decrees of God: out of Rom. 9.20.

The Second tending to Assert and Clear God's Absolute Election of a Limited and certain Number unto Eternal Life: out of Acts 13.48.

By EDWARD BAGSHAWE St. of Ch. Ch.

OXFORD, Printed by Hen. Hall Printer to the UNIVERSITY for Tho. Robinson, 1659.

DEDICATION

TO THE HONOURABLE MY Lord BRADSHAWE Lord Chief Justice of Chester

My Noble Lord,

A Late Author in his several Treatises wherein he endeavours to defend (I will not say the Arminian Tenets, because he is unwilling to have them so styled, but, which is all one) Free-will and Conditional election, whether because he was touched with compunction for his former errors, as he thinks them; or else to make his present opinions more taking and plausible (as if he had not fell into them by chance, but got them after much and serious study) I find that he frequently doth usher them in, by professing that he was once a Calvinist (for that it seems must be the Name of Obloquy to those, who, according to Scripture (of which Calvin was the best Interpreter, that God hath yet vouchsafed his Church) do maintain Absolute Predestination) but he was frighted into his wits (for so he is pleased to play upon himself) by considering the Horrible consequences of Absolute Reprobation.