Robert Bolton
Encyclopedia
Robert Bolton was an English clergyman and academic, noted as a preacher.
, the sixth son of Adam Bolton of Backhouse
. He attended what is now Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn
, where his father was a founding governor, and was described as ‘the best scholler in the schoole’. At age 18, he was admitted in 1592 to Lincoln College, Oxford
, where John Randall was. He was a gifted student, but the next year his father's death caused him financial problems. Richard Brett
supported him. He transferred to Brasenose College where there was a Lancashire fellowship available, and proceeded B.A. there on 2 December 1596; and was chosen in 1602 as a fellow of the college, taking his M.A. on 30 July. He was not particularly religious at this period, and was unimpressed with the preaching of William Perkins; Bolton said he thought Perkins was a "a barren empty fellow".
On James I's visit to the university in 1605, he was appointed to hold a disputation in the royal presence on natural philosophy, and his majesty was loud and frank in laudation of Bolton. He was also appointed lecturer in logic and moral and natural philosophy. A school friend named Anderton made a plan with Bolton to travel to a Catholic seminary in Flanders
, but this fell through. Under the influence of Thomas Peacock of Brasenose he then proceeded B.D. in 1609, having decided to become a clergyman in the church of England. In 1610, now aged 37, he was presented by Sir Augustine Nicolls, a judge and occasional preacher, to the rectory of Broughton, Northamptonshire
. Bolton died, after a lingering sickness of a quartan ague, on Saturday, 17 December 1631, being then in his sixtieth year. He was buried 19 December in the chancel of his own church St. Andrew's, Broughton, where there is a monument. His funeral sermon was preached by the eminent Nicholas Estwick, B.D., and was published.. Edward Bagshawe wrote his life.
commented that he could write and dispute in Greek as in English or Latin. Some describe him as the greatest classical scholar of his time. James Darling
, founder of the Metropolitan Library in London, England in 1840, wrote:
In his well known book, General directions for a Comfortable Walking with God, Bolton discusses subjects like Idleness, Government of the Tongue, Recreations, Visitations, Sleep, and Marriage.
In The Saints Sure and Perpetual Guide, Bolton argued against separation.
Life
He was born on Whit Sunday in Blackburn, LancashireLancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, the sixth son of Adam Bolton of Backhouse
Backhouse
Backhouse may refer to:*Outhouse, frequently called backhouse in Canada*Backhouse , people with the surname Backhouse...
. He attended what is now Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School is a co-educational independent school in Blackburn, Lancashire, founded in 1509 as a boys' school. The term "school" is usually used to collectively refer to the following:...
, where his father was a founding governor, and was described as ‘the best scholler in the schoole’. At age 18, he was admitted in 1592 to Lincoln College, Oxford
Lincoln College, Oxford
Lincoln College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. It is situated on Turl Street in central Oxford, backing onto Brasenose College and adjacent to Exeter College...
, where John Randall was. He was a gifted student, but the next year his father's death caused him financial problems. Richard Brett
Richard Brett
Richard Brett was an English clergyman and academic. During the translation of the King James Version of the Bible, Brett served in the "First Oxford Company", responsible for the later books of the Old Testament-Life:...
supported him. He transferred to Brasenose College where there was a Lancashire fellowship available, and proceeded B.A. there on 2 December 1596; and was chosen in 1602 as a fellow of the college, taking his M.A. on 30 July. He was not particularly religious at this period, and was unimpressed with the preaching of William Perkins; Bolton said he thought Perkins was a "a barren empty fellow".
On James I's visit to the university in 1605, he was appointed to hold a disputation in the royal presence on natural philosophy, and his majesty was loud and frank in laudation of Bolton. He was also appointed lecturer in logic and moral and natural philosophy. A school friend named Anderton made a plan with Bolton to travel to a Catholic seminary in Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
, but this fell through. Under the influence of Thomas Peacock of Brasenose he then proceeded B.D. in 1609, having decided to become a clergyman in the church of England. In 1610, now aged 37, he was presented by Sir Augustine Nicolls, a judge and occasional preacher, to the rectory of Broughton, Northamptonshire
Broughton, Northamptonshire
Broughton is a large village and civil parish in the borough of Kettering, in Northamptonshire, England. Its population in 2001 was 2,047 people. The village is located around 2 miles south-west of Kettering, next to the A43 road .Broughton has a long history, being referred to as "Burtone" in the...
. Bolton died, after a lingering sickness of a quartan ague, on Saturday, 17 December 1631, being then in his sixtieth year. He was buried 19 December in the chancel of his own church St. Andrew's, Broughton, where there is a monument. His funeral sermon was preached by the eminent Nicholas Estwick, B.D., and was published.. Edward Bagshawe wrote his life.
Writings
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...
commented that he could write and dispute in Greek as in English or Latin. Some describe him as the greatest classical scholar of his time. James Darling
James Darling (publisher)
-Life:He was born in Edinburgh in 1797, and in 1809 was apprenticed to the publisher Adam Black. Having completed his term he came to London in 1818 and entered the establishment of Ogle, Duncan, & Cochran, 295 High Holborn, who carried on a trade in theological books...
, founder of the Metropolitan Library in London, England in 1840, wrote:
- "He was one of the best scholars of his time, a zealous and successful preacher, and particularly skilled in resolving the doubts of timid Christians. His style is florid and often truly magnificent."
In his well known book, General directions for a Comfortable Walking with God, Bolton discusses subjects like Idleness, Government of the Tongue, Recreations, Visitations, Sleep, and Marriage.
In The Saints Sure and Perpetual Guide, Bolton argued against separation.
Selected publications
- The Saints Sure and Perpetual Guide, Robert Bolton, 1634
- The Carnal Professor: Discovering the Woeful Slavery of a Man Guided By the Flesh - Sermons & Christ Set Forth, Robert Bolton and Thomas GoodwinThomas GoodwinThomas Goodwin , known as 'the Elder', was an English Puritan theologian and preacher, and an important leader of religious Independents. He served as chaplain to Oliver Cromwell, and was imposed by Parliament as President of Magdalen College, Oxford in 1650...
, originally published 1634, reprinted by Soli Deo Gloria Pubns Morgan, PA, (1997) ISBN 1877611476 - The carnall professor. Discovering the wofull slavery of a man guided by the flesh. Distinguishing a true spirituall Christian that walkes close with God, from all formalists in religion, rotten hearted hypocrites, and empty powerlesse professors whatsoever. By that faithfull servant of Christ, Robert Bolton B.D. late preacher in Northampton Shire., Robert Bolton, London : Printed [by Miles Flesher] for R. Dawlman, at the Brazen Serpent in Pauls Church-yard, 1634.
- General Directions for a Comfortable Walking with God, Robert Bolton, Soli Deo Gloria Publications, Morgan, PA, 1991 (1995 printing) ISBN 1877611263
- A Discourse About the State of True Happinesse. Delivered in Certaine Sermons in Oxford, and at Pauls Crosse., Robert Bolton, Batchelour in Divinitie, and Minister of Gods Word at Broughton in Northampton Shire. The sixth Edition, corrected and amended, with a Table thereunto annexed. At London, Imprinted by Iohn Legatt, for Edmund Weaver, and are to be sold at his Shop at the great North doore of Pauls Church. 1636.
- The Saints Self-Enriching Examination, Robert Bolton
- The Foure Last Things: Death, Judgment, Hell, Heaven, Robert Bolton, 1633, Soli Deo Gloria Pubns Morgan, PA, (1997) ISBN 1877611891
- A Treatise on Comforting Afflicted Consciences, Robert Bolton, Soli Deo Gloria Ministries, Morgan, PA (1991) ISBN 1877611255
- A cordial for Christians in the time of affliction, Robert Bolton, London, 1640
- Heart Surgery, Robert Bolton, Zoar Publications, ISBN 0904435024