William Burton (clergyman)
Encyclopedia
William Burton was an English clergyman, known for his writings, an insider's view of the Puritan
ascendancy at Norwich
, and as an eye-witness to heresy
executions.
(year unknown, but thought to have lived to past 70). He was educated at Winchester School and New College, Oxford
, of which, after graduating B.A., he was admitted perpetual fellow on 5 April 1563. He left the university in 1565.
He was minister at Norwich for five years, taken to be the period 1584–9. But he seems to have been in Norwich or the immediate neighbourhood at least as early as 1576, perhaps as assistant in the free school. His name appears in 1583 among the Norfolk divines (over sixty in number) who scrupled subscription to John Whitgift
's three articles. He left an account of Norwich during his time. The leaders of the Puritans were John More
, vicar of St. Andrew's (died 1592), and Thomas Roberts, rector of St. Clements (died 1576). For many years there was daily preaching, attended by the magistrates and over twenty of the city clergy, besides those of the cathedral. It was the custom each day for one or other of the magistrates to keep open house for the clergy, whose advice was sought in the city council.
He saw the burning at Norwich, on 14 January 1589, of Francis Ket as an Arian
. Burton testified to the apparent godliness of Ket's life and conversation, but is certain of his damnation. He also reports on the executions of Matthew Hamont
(died 1579), John Lewes (died 1583) and Peter Cole (died 1587), all likewise burned. Burton took a Puritan line in rejecting ceremonies, but was firm against the Brownist
separatists.
He left Norwich after troubles which befell him about some matters of his ministry. In later years it was reported that the civic authorities had driven him away; his enemies wrote to Norwich for copies of records which they expected would tell against him; but it seems that the mayor and council had done their best to retain him. On leaving Norwich he found a friend in Henry Wentworth, 3rd Baron Wentworth, who took him into his house, gave him books, and was the means of his resuming work as minister. Richard Fletcher
, Bishop of Bristol
, gave him some appointment in Bristol
. Complaints were made about his teaching, and he published his ‘Catechism,’ 1591, which is a workmanlike presentation of Calvinism
. In it he argues against bowing at the name of Jesus, and describes the right way of solemnising Christmas. He became vicar of St. Giles, Reading, on 25 November 1591. At some unknown date (after 1608) he came to London. He died intestate in the parish of St Sepulchre-without-Newgate
. His wife, Dorothy, survived him; his son Daniel administered to his effects on 17 May 1616.
enumerates eight subsequent collections of sermons and seven treatises, including ‘An Abstract of the Doctrine of the Sabbath,’ 1606. The little volume of sermons entitled ‘Dauids Evidence’ was reprinted in 1596, and in 1602.
Burton translated seven dialogues of Erasmus, published to prove ‘how little cause the papists haue to boast of Erasmus, as a man of their side.’ This was issued in 1606.
Puritan
The Puritans were a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritanism in this sense was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558, as an activist movement within the Church of England...
ascendancy at 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...
, and as an eye-witness to heresy
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
executions.
Life
He was born at WinchesterWinchester
Winchester is a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of...
(year unknown, but thought to have lived to past 70). He was educated at Winchester School and New College, Oxford
New College, Oxford
New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always...
, of which, after graduating B.A., he was admitted perpetual fellow on 5 April 1563. He left the university in 1565.
He was minister at Norwich for five years, taken to be the period 1584–9. But he seems to have been in Norwich or the immediate neighbourhood at least as early as 1576, perhaps as assistant in the free school. His name appears in 1583 among the Norfolk divines (over sixty in number) who scrupled subscription to John Whitgift
John Whitgift
John Whitgift was the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1583 to his death. Noted for his hospitality, he was somewhat ostentatious in his habits, sometimes visiting Canterbury and other towns attended by a retinue of 800 horsemen...
's three articles. He left an account of Norwich during his time. The leaders of the Puritans were John More
John More (Puritan)
John More was an English clergyman, known as the 'Apostle of Norwich.' Tending to nonconformity, he was treated leniently by the church authorities.-Life:...
, vicar of St. Andrew's (died 1592), and Thomas Roberts, rector of St. Clements (died 1576). For many years there was daily preaching, attended by the magistrates and over twenty of the city clergy, besides those of the cathedral. It was the custom each day for one or other of the magistrates to keep open house for the clergy, whose advice was sought in the city council.
He saw the burning at Norwich, on 14 January 1589, of Francis Ket as an Arian
Arianism
Arianism is the theological teaching attributed to Arius , a Christian presbyter from Alexandria, Egypt, concerning the relationship of the entities of the Trinity and the precise nature of the Son of God as being a subordinate entity to God the Father...
. Burton testified to the apparent godliness of Ket's life and conversation, but is certain of his damnation. He also reports on the executions of Matthew Hamont
Matthew Hamont
Matthew Hamont was a Norfolk plowright, accused of heresy, who was burnt at the stake in Norwich Castle by the Church of England.The Bishop of Norwich, Edmund Freke, accused Hamont of denying Christ to be our Saviour.-Life:...
(died 1579), John Lewes (died 1583) and Peter Cole (died 1587), all likewise burned. Burton took a Puritan line in rejecting ceremonies, but was firm against the Brownist
Brownist
The Brownists were English Dissenters and followers of Robert Browne who was born at Tolethorpe Hall in Rutland, England in about 1550.-Origins:...
separatists.
He left Norwich after troubles which befell him about some matters of his ministry. In later years it was reported that the civic authorities had driven him away; his enemies wrote to Norwich for copies of records which they expected would tell against him; but it seems that the mayor and council had done their best to retain him. On leaving Norwich he found a friend in Henry Wentworth, 3rd Baron Wentworth, who took him into his house, gave him books, and was the means of his resuming work as minister. Richard Fletcher
Richard Fletcher (bishop)
Richard Fletcher was a Church of England priest and bishop. He was successively bishop of Worcester in 1593–1594 and bishop of London in 1595–1596....
, Bishop of Bristol
Bishop of Bristol
The Bishop of Bristol heads the Church of England Diocese of Bristol in the Province of Canterbury, in England.The present diocese covers parts of the counties of Somerset and Gloucestershire together with a small area of Wiltshire...
, gave him some appointment in Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
. Complaints were made about his teaching, and he published his ‘Catechism,’ 1591, which is a workmanlike presentation of Calvinism
Calvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
. In it he argues against bowing at the name of Jesus, and describes the right way of solemnising Christmas. He became vicar of St. Giles, Reading, on 25 November 1591. At some unknown date (after 1608) he came to London. He died intestate in the parish of St Sepulchre-without-Newgate
St Sepulchre-without-Newgate
St Sepulchre-without-Newgate, also known as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre , is an Anglican church in the City of London. It is located on Holborn Viaduct, almost opposite the Old Bailey...
. His wife, Dorothy, survived him; his son Daniel administered to his effects on 17 May 1616.
Works
He calls his ‘Catechism,’ 1591, his ‘first fruites.’ Of Burton's publications, the earliest written was a single sermon preached at Norwich on 21 December 1589 from Jer. iii. 14, but it was probably not published till later. He subsequently published several sets of sermons which had been delivered in Bristol. Anthony WoodAnthony Wood
Anthony Wood or Anthony à Wood was an English antiquary.-Early life:Anthony Wood was the fourth son of Thomas Wood , BCL of Oxford, where Anthony was born...
enumerates eight subsequent collections of sermons and seven treatises, including ‘An Abstract of the Doctrine of the Sabbath,’ 1606. The little volume of sermons entitled ‘Dauids Evidence’ was reprinted in 1596, and in 1602.
Burton translated seven dialogues of Erasmus, published to prove ‘how little cause the papists haue to boast of Erasmus, as a man of their side.’ This was issued in 1606.