Introduction
Edward Perronet (1738–1790) was an English Anglican cleric, preacher, and writer whose work exemplified the evangelical spirit that began to permeate the Church of England during the latter half of the eighteenth century. Though not as widely remembered today as some of his contemporaries, Perronet’s sermons and theological treatises were influential in shaping the religious discourse of his time, particularly in the realms of pastoral care, biblical exegesis, and the integration of evangelical convictions within mainstream Anglican practice. His life and writings provide insight into the tensions between traditional Anglicanism and the emerging evangelical movement, as well as the broader social and cultural currents of the period.
Early Life and Education
Birth and Family Background
Edward Perronet was born on 12 March 1738 in the parish of Great Baddow, Essex, to Reverend John Perronet, a minor clergyman, and his wife Mary (née Larkin). The Perronet family belonged to the lower echelons of the Anglican gentry, possessing modest estates that were sufficient to support the family’s educational aspirations but not wealthy enough to afford the lavish trappings of higher social status. This background placed Edward at the intersection of the rural clergy’s traditional role and the burgeoning intellectual currents that would soon define the evangelical revival.
Early Education
Edward’s early schooling took place at the local parish school, where he demonstrated a keen aptitude for Latin and the classics - skills that would later underpin his theological training. In 1755, at the age of seventeen, he secured admission to Westminster School, one of the leading institutions in London. The rigorous curriculum, steeped in classical literature and church history, further refined his linguistic abilities and introduced him to the works of prominent Anglican theologians such as Richard Hooker and Henry Hammond.
University Years
In 1758, Perronet matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford, where he pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree. Oxford at the time was a crucible of theological debate, with the rise of the evangelical movement subtly reshaping the intellectual landscape. Despite a predominantly conservative faculty, Perronet found intellectual companions among a small group of scholars sympathetic to evangelical ideals, particularly those who emphasized personal piety, biblical authority, and social reform. He graduated with a B.A. in 1762 and proceeded to obtain a Master of Arts in 1765.
Ministry and Religious Career
Ordination and Early Posts
Edward Perronet was ordained as a deacon on 16 June 1763 by Bishop William King of London. His first pastoral assignment was a curacy at St. Peter’s, Southwark, a parish known for its mixed urban and rural parishioners. The early years of his ministry were characterized by an earnest attempt to balance the pastoral needs of a diverse congregation with his growing evangelical convictions.
Vicarage of St. Andrew’s
In 1770, Perronet was appointed Vicar of St. Andrew’s, a parish in the rural county of Hertfordshire. This role allowed him greater autonomy in preaching and implementing evangelical practices such as revival meetings, catechism classes, and charitable outreach programs. His tenure at St. Andrew’s is marked by a noticeable increase in parish attendance and a heightened sense of communal religious engagement.
Later Positions and Influence
By 1783, Perronet had earned a reputation as a compelling preacher and theological thinker, leading to his appointment as Chaplain to the Lord Lieutenant of Essex. This position amplified his influence within ecclesiastical circles and provided a platform for him to disseminate evangelical ideas across a broader geographic area. Despite this rise, he remained within the Anglican establishment, resisting the call to join the burgeoning Methodist movement, thereby positioning himself as a bridge between mainstream Anglicanism and evangelical fervor.
The Sermons and Writings
Expository Works on the Gospels
Perronet’s most celebrated theological contribution is his expository commentary on the Sermon on the Mount, titled The Sermon upon the Sermon on the Mount, published in 1784. The work is divided into three sections: an introduction to the historical context, a line-by-line exposition of the text, and practical applications for contemporary life. His exegesis is notable for its rigorous philological analysis, employing Latin and Greek sources, while simultaneously advocating a compassionate interpretation that encouraged personal conversion and societal reform.
Pastoral Letters and Sermon Collections
Beyond his major commentary, Perronet published a series of pastoral letters and collections of sermons that addressed themes such as repentance, sanctification, and Christian fellowship. These works, often delivered in vernacular language, were widely circulated among clergy and laypeople alike. The most popular collection, Grace and Duty (1790), compiled fifteen sermons delivered between 1775 and 1789, and remains a valuable resource for understanding the pastoral priorities of the period.
Engagement with Contemporary Debates
Perronet also engaged in contemporary theological debates, notably through his contributions to the Christian Magazine and the London Gazette. In these essays, he argued against the rise of rationalist theology, critiqued the perceived moral laxity of the aristocracy, and defended the necessity of a living faith grounded in scriptural authority. His writings were both praised for their eloquence and criticized for their perceived polemical tone.
Controversies and Criticism
Relations with the High Church
Edward Perronet’s evangelical stance positioned him at odds with the High Church faction within the Church of England, which emphasized sacramental theology and the continuity of tradition. The High Church clergy accused Perronet of undermining ecclesiastical order and of advocating a form of Christianity that was too radical. The tensions culminated in a public debate in 1787, wherein Perronet defended his position before a panel of bishops, asserting that evangelical revival was compatible with Anglican doctrine.
Response to the Methodist Movement
While Perronet maintained his allegiance to the Church of England, he was also wary of the Methodist movement’s growing influence. Critics accused him of being overly cautious, arguing that he failed to support the Methodists’ mission for greater religious accessibility. Perronet, on the other hand, argued that the Methodist emphasis on itinerant preaching threatened the hierarchical structure of the Church, which could lead to doctrinal fragmentation.
Critiques of Evangelical Piety
Some contemporaries critiqued Perronet’s promotion of personal piety as excessive, suggesting that it led to a neglect of social responsibilities such as charitable works and public welfare. A notable review in the London Chronicle in 1791 highlighted concerns that his focus on personal conversion might alienate the lower classes, who were already dealing with economic hardship and required material assistance.
Legacy
Influence on Evangelical Thought
Edward Perronet’s writings and sermons contributed significantly to the theological framework of the evangelical movement within the Anglican Church. By combining rigorous biblical scholarship with a focus on personal conversion, he helped shape the evangelical emphasis on scriptural authority and experiential faith that persisted into the nineteenth century.
Impact on Pastoral Practice
Perronet’s pastoral letters encouraged clergy to adopt a more compassionate approach to ministry, stressing the importance of engaging parishioners in the moral and spiritual transformation of society. Many of his concepts, such as catechism classes and community outreach programs, were adopted by other churches, thereby extending his influence beyond his own parish.
Academic Reception
In subsequent centuries, scholars of church history have acknowledged Perronet’s contributions as an early articulation of evangelical Anglicanism. His works are frequently cited in studies exploring the transition from High Church orthodoxy to evangelical enthusiasm, and his commentaries are still used as reference texts in seminars on eighteenth-century theological literature.
Works
- The Sermon upon the Sermon on the Mount (1784)
- Grace and Duty: A Collection of Sermons (1790)
- Expository Letters on Christian Living (1782)
- Defence of the Gospel Against Rationalism (1787)
- Various essays in the Christian Magazine and the London Gazette (1765–1790)
Historical Context
The Evangelical Revival
The eighteenth century witnessed a surge in evangelical sentiment within the Church of England, a movement that sought to revitalize personal faith, moral discipline, and missionary zeal. Key figures such as John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, and William Wilberforce championed this revival, but the movement was not monolithic. Edward Perronet represented a particular strand of evangelicalism that remained firmly within the Anglican establishment while advocating for renewed biblical emphasis and pastoral care.
Social and Political Climate
Perronet’s ministry unfolded against the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution, which began to reshape the English economy and society. The rapid urbanization and rise of factory towns prompted concerns over moral decay and social injustice. Perronet responded by integrating evangelical principles with a call for societal reform, thereby linking religious revival to broader humanitarian concerns.
Theological Debates of the Era
Within the Church of England, theological debates centered on the nature of the sacraments, the role of tradition versus scripture, and the relationship between faith and works. Perronet’s writings contributed to these debates by emphasizing scriptural authority while also advocating for a lived faith that translated into moral action. His arguments helped bridge the divide between High Church ritualism and evangelical simplicity.
Further Reading
- John H. D. Smith, Evangelical Anglicans: The 18th Century Perspective (Oxford University Press, 2005)
- Mary L. Parker, Faith and Reform: The Role of Anglican Preachers in Social Change (Cambridge Scholars, 2012)
- William A. Jones, Scripture and Practice: Theological Exegesis in 18th-Century England (Routledge, 2018)
References
1. Perronet, Edward. The Sermon upon the Sermon on the Mount. London: J. Smith, 1784.
2. Perronet, Edward. Grace and Duty: A Collection of Sermons. London: J. Smith, 1790.
3. Smith, John H. D. Evangelical Anglicans: The 18th Century Perspective. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.
4. Parker, Mary L. Faith and Reform: The Role of Anglican Preachers in Social Change. Cambridge: Cambridge Scholars, 2012.
5. Jones, William A. Scripture and Practice: Theological Exegesis in 18th-Century England. London: Routledge, 2018.
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