Edward Reyner
Encyclopedia
Edward Reyner (1600–c.1668) was an English nonconforming clergyman, known as a devotional writer.
, near Leeds. He attended the monthly religious exercises at Leeds, Pudsey
, and Halifax
, and heard numerous sermons. After graduating B.A. in 1620 from St. John's College, Cambridge (M.A. 1624), he taught in a school at Aserby, Lincolnshire
, and afterwards took charge of the Countess of Warwick's school at Market Rasen
. At the close of four years Lady Warwick gave him a lectureship which she supported at Welton
. From there he was invited to Lincoln
, where he remained nearly forty years. He was appointed lecturer at St. Benedict's on 13 August 1626, and on 26 February 1627 was presented by the king to the rectory of St. Peter at Arches, to which the vicarage of St. Benedict's was attached.
Despite Reyner's refusal to conform to all the ceremonies, his eloquence drew to his church the chancellor of the cathedral and other officials. He preached during the visitations of Bishop John Williams, and was collated to the prebend of St. Botolph's at Lincoln on 10 September 1635. In 1639 he declined the offer of the pastorate of the English congregation at Arnhem
, Holland. In the same year orders were sent him from the ecclesiastical court to certify quarterly, or as often as required, of his conformity to the common prayer.
Reyner left Lincoln during the royalist occupation of the First English Civil War
. For a time he preached at Yarmouth
on Sundays. But he soon settled at Norwich
, and gave two week-day lectures at St. Andrew's Church in that city (1643–1645). He returned to Lincoln on 29 October 1645 on receipt of a call under the seal of the corporation, and of an order from the Westminster Assembly
. He preached regularly at St. Peter's in the morning, and at the cathedral in the afternoon, adopting the congregationalist system. His sermons were chiefly directed against antinomianism
and anabaptism. During the siege of Newark
Reyner preached to the parliamentary army on the fast day appointed for 27 March 1646, and the sermon was printed. He did not take the 'engagement'
but agreed to the Savoy confession of faith.
He was ejected from his benefice in 1662, but appears to have remained at Lincoln. By his wife Elizabeth he had two sons: John (born 1624), a fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, whence he was ejected at the Restoration, and Joseph.
Life
He was born in the parish of MorleyMorley
- Places :United Kingdom* Morley, County Durham, England* Morley, Derbyshire, England* Morley, West Yorkshire, England* Morley Saint Botolph, Norfolk, England* Morley Saint Peter, Norfolk, EnglandUnited States* Morley, Iowa* Morley, Michigan...
, near Leeds. He attended the monthly religious exercises at Leeds, Pudsey
Pudsey
Pudsey is a market town in West Yorkshire, England. Once an independent town, it was incorporated into the metropolitan borough of the City of Leeds in 1974, and is located midway between Bradford and Leeds city centres. It has a population of 32,391....
, and Halifax
Halifax, West Yorkshire
Halifax is a minster town, within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale in West Yorkshire, England. It has an urban area population of 82,056 in the 2001 Census. It is well-known as a centre of England's woollen manufacture from the 15th century onward, originally dealing through the Halifax Piece...
, and heard numerous sermons. After graduating B.A. in 1620 from St. John's College, Cambridge (M.A. 1624), he taught in a school at Aserby, Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
, and afterwards took charge of the Countess of Warwick's school at Market Rasen
Market Rasen
Market Rasen is a town and civil parish within the West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England. It lies on the River Rase northeast of Lincoln, east of Gainsborough and southwest of Grimsby. According to the 2001 census, it has a population of 3,200....
. At the close of four years Lady Warwick gave him a lectureship which she supported at Welton
Welton
Welton may refer to:England*Welton, Cumbria*Welton, East Riding of Yorkshire*Welton, Lincolnshire**Once the centre of Welton Rural District*Welton, Northamptonshire*Welton, Somerset*Welton le Marsh in Lincolnshire*Welton le Wold in Lincolnshire...
. From there he was invited to Lincoln
Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Lincoln is a cathedral city and county town of Lincolnshire, England.The non-metropolitan district of Lincoln has a population of 85,595; the 2001 census gave the entire area of Lincoln a population of 120,779....
, where he remained nearly forty years. He was appointed lecturer at St. Benedict's on 13 August 1626, and on 26 February 1627 was presented by the king to the rectory of St. Peter at Arches, to which the vicarage of St. Benedict's was attached.
Despite Reyner's refusal to conform to all the ceremonies, his eloquence drew to his church the chancellor of the cathedral and other officials. He preached during the visitations of Bishop John Williams, and was collated to the prebend of St. Botolph's at Lincoln on 10 September 1635. In 1639 he declined the offer of the pastorate of the English congregation at Arnhem
Arnhem
Arnhem is a city and municipality, situated in the eastern part of the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of Gelderland and located near the river Nederrijn as well as near the St. Jansbeek, which was the source of the city's development. Arnhem has 146,095 residents as one of the...
, Holland. In the same year orders were sent him from the ecclesiastical court to certify quarterly, or as often as required, of his conformity to the common prayer.
Reyner left Lincoln during the royalist occupation of the First English Civil War
First English Civil War
The First English Civil War began the series of three wars known as the English Civil War . "The English Civil War" was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations that took place between Parliamentarians and Royalists from 1642 until 1651, and includes the Second English Civil War and...
. For a time he preached at Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth, often known to locals as Yarmouth, is a coastal town in Norfolk, England. It is at the mouth of the River Yare, east of Norwich.It has been a seaside resort since 1760, and is the gateway from the Norfolk Broads to the sea...
on Sundays. But he soon settled 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 gave two week-day lectures at St. Andrew's Church in that city (1643–1645). He returned to Lincoln on 29 October 1645 on receipt of a call under the seal of the corporation, and of an order from the Westminster Assembly
Westminster Assembly
The Westminster Assembly of Divines was appointed by the Long Parliament to restructure the Church of England. It also included representatives of religious leaders from Scotland...
. He preached regularly at St. Peter's in the morning, and at the cathedral in the afternoon, adopting the congregationalist system. His sermons were chiefly directed against antinomianism
Antinomianism
Antinomianism is defined as holding that, under the gospel dispensation of grace, moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation....
and anabaptism. During the siege of Newark
Newark-on-Trent
Newark-on-Trent is a market town in Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands region of England. It stands on the River Trent, the A1 , and the East Coast Main Line railway. The origins of the town are possibly Roman as it lies on an important Roman road, the Fosse Way...
Reyner preached to the parliamentary army on the fast day appointed for 27 March 1646, and the sermon was printed. He did not take the 'engagement'
Engagement controversy
The Engagement Controversy was a debate in England from 1649-1652 regarding loyalty to the new regime after the execution of Charles I. During this period hundreds of pamphlets were published in England supporting 'engagement' to the new regime or denying the right of English citizens to shift...
but agreed to the Savoy confession of faith.
He was ejected from his benefice in 1662, but appears to have remained at Lincoln. By his wife Elizabeth he had two sons: John (born 1624), a fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, whence he was ejected at the Restoration, and Joseph.
Works
Reyner wrote:- 'Precepts for Christian Practice,' with a preface by Edmund CalamyEdmund Calamy the ElderEdmund Calamy was an English Presbyterian church leader and divine. Known as "the elder", he was the first of four generations of nonconformist ministers bearing the same name.-Early life:...
, and a note by Dr. Thomas MantonThomas MantonThomas Manton was an English Puritan clergyman.-Life:Thomas Manton was baptized March 31, 1620 at Lydeard St Lawrence, Somerset, a remote southwestern portion of England. His grammar school education was possibly at Blundell's School, in Tiverton, Devon...
, London, 8th edit. 1655; 11th edit. 1658; answered by Martin MasonMartin MasonMartin Mason was an early English Quaker, often imprisoned for his beliefs, and a prolific writer of controversial tracts.-Life:...
in 'The Proud Pharisee reproved,' 1655. - 'Rules for the Government of the Tongue: together with Directions in six Particular Cases,' London.
- 'Considerations concerning Marriage, with a Resolution of this Case of Conscience, whether a Man may lawfully marry his Wife's Sister,' London, 1657, reprinted with 'Precepts,' 11th edit. London, 1657: the original manuscript, sent to London to the author's friend, Simeon AsheSimeon AsheSimeon Ashe or Ash was an English nonconformist clergyman, a member of the Westminster Assembly and chaplain to the Parliamentary leader Edward Montagu, 2nd Earl of Manchester.-Life:He was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge...
, was lost in May 1657; the work was rewritten a month or two later. - 'A Treatise of the Necessity of Humane Learning for a Gospel-preacher, shewing . . . the benefit of learning in all ages,' London, 1663.
- 'The Being and Wellbeing of a Christian. In three Treatises: setting forth the Properties of the Righteous, the Excellency of Grace, the Nature and Sweetness of Fellowship with Christ,' London, 1669, published posthumously. The last two were edited with introduction by his son John.