Edmund Gurney (divine)
Encyclopedia
Edmund Gurney or Gurnay was an English clergyman, divine and anti-Catholic writer.
, by his wife Ellen, daughter of John Blennerhasset of Barsham, Suffolk
. He matriculated at Queens' College, Cambridge
, on 30 October 1594, and graduated B.A. in 1600. He was elected Norfolk fellow of Corpus Christi College
in 1601, proceeded M.A. in 1602, and B.D. in 1609. In 1607 he was suspended from his fellowship for not being in orders, but was reinstated by the vice-chancellor.
In 1614 he left Cambridge, on being presented to the rectory of Edgefield
, Norfolk
, which he held till 1620, when he received that of Harpley, Norfolk. Gurney was inclined to puritanism, as appears from his writings. On one occasion he was cited to appear before the bishop for not using a surplice
, and on being told he was expected to always wear it, ‘came home, and rode a journey with it on.’ He further made his citation the occasion for publishing his tract vindicating the Second Commandment. Thomas Fuller
, who was personally acquainted with him, says: ‘He was an excellent scholar, could be humourous, and would be serious as he was himself disposed. His humours were never prophane towards God or injurious towards his neighbours.’ Gurney died in 1648, and was buried at St. Peter's Mancroft, Norwich
, on 14 May in that year. His successor at Harpley was instituted on the following day. It is therefore plain that Gurney conformed to the covenant, and that the Dr. Gurney whom Walker mentions as a sequestered clergyman living in 1650 was another person. Gurney was married, and apparently had a son called Protestant (d. 1624—monument at Harpley). His wife's name was Ellen.
Life
Gurney was son of Henry Gurney of West Barsham and Ellingham, NorfolkEllingham, Norfolk
Ellingham is a civil parish in Norfolk, England. It covers an area of and had a population of 532 in 238 households as of the 2001 census. It lies approximately from Bungay and from Beccles....
, by his wife Ellen, daughter of John Blennerhasset of Barsham, Suffolk
Barsham, Suffolk
Barsham is a village and civil parish in the Waveney district of Suffolk, England. It is about two miles west of Beccles in the district of Waveney, and is on the edge of The Broads...
. He matriculated at Queens' College, Cambridge
Queens' College, Cambridge
Queens' College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou , and refounded in 1465 by Elizabeth Woodville...
, on 30 October 1594, and graduated B.A. in 1600. He was elected Norfolk fellow of Corpus Christi College
Corpus Christi College
Corpus Christi College can refer to the following colleges:*Corpus Christi College, Cambridge*Corpus Christi College, Oxford*Corpus Christi College *Corpus Christi College, Melbourne...
in 1601, proceeded M.A. in 1602, and B.D. in 1609. In 1607 he was suspended from his fellowship for not being in orders, but was reinstated by the vice-chancellor.
In 1614 he left Cambridge, on being presented to the rectory of Edgefield
Edgefield
Edgefield may refer to:* Edgefield, Norfolk, United KingdomIn the United States:* Edgefield, Louisiana* Edgefield, South Carolina* Edgefield County, South Carolina...
, Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
, which he held till 1620, when he received that of Harpley, Norfolk. Gurney was inclined to puritanism, as appears from his writings. On one occasion he was cited to appear before the bishop for not using a surplice
Surplice
A surplice is a liturgical vestment of the Western Christian Church...
, and on being told he was expected to always wear it, ‘came home, and rode a journey with it on.’ He further made his citation the occasion for publishing his tract vindicating the Second Commandment. Thomas Fuller
Thomas Fuller
Thomas Fuller was an English churchman and historian. He is now remembered for his writings, particularly his Worthies of England, published after his death...
, who was personally acquainted with him, says: ‘He was an excellent scholar, could be humourous, and would be serious as he was himself disposed. His humours were never prophane towards God or injurious towards his neighbours.’ Gurney died in 1648, and was buried at St. Peter's Mancroft, Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
, on 14 May in that year. His successor at Harpley was instituted on the following day. It is therefore plain that Gurney conformed to the covenant, and that the Dr. Gurney whom Walker mentions as a sequestered clergyman living in 1650 was another person. Gurney was married, and apparently had a son called Protestant (d. 1624—monument at Harpley). His wife's name was Ellen.
Works
- Corpus Christi, Cambridge, 1619, 12mo. This is a treatise against Transubstantiation, in the form of a homily on Matt. xxvi. 26.
- The Romish Chain, London, 1624.
- The Demonstration of Antichrist, London, 1631, 18mo.
- Toward the Vindication of Second Commandment, Cambridge, 1639, 24mo, a homily on Exod. xxxiv. 14, answering eight arguments commonly alleged in favour of image worship. A continuation of the preceding appeared in 1641, and was republished in 1661 as Gurnay Redivivus, or an Appendix unto the Homily against Images in Churches, London, 24mo.