The Puritan Millennium

Puritanism was an intensely eschatological movement. From the beginnings of the movement, Puritan writers developed eschatological interests in distinct contexts and often for conflicting purposes. Their reformist agenda emphasized their eschatological hopes. In a series of readings of texts by John Foxe, James Usser, George Gillespie, John Rogers, John Milton and John Bunyan, this book provides an interdisciplinary exploration of Puritan thinking about the last things. 'The flurry of interest among the Puritans in the end of the world evoked by the events of the early and mid-seventeenth century is a fascinating study... The Puritan Millennium is a tour de force demonstrating that, for the Puritans, one's eschatological ""position"" has far reaching consequences on the understanding of the here and now. A thoroughly absorbing book and a terrific accomplishment.' Derek W.H. Thomas, John E. Richards Professor of Systematic' Practical Theology, RTS Minister of Teaching, First Presbyterian Church, RTS Jackson, Mississippi, and Editorial Director, Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals 'Crawford Gribben has produced an important work that helps us understand Puritan approaches to the millennium. His research is vital for analyzing the historical development of Reformed eschatology during this significant era. I highly commend it!' Kenneth Gentry, author of Before Jerusalem Fell (1997) 'Christianity would not be Christianity without its eschatology. Puritanism would not be Puritanism without its millennialism. Crawford Gribben skillfully traces the rise, types, impact, and decline of millennialism within Puritanism.' Thomas Ice, Liberty University, Virginia, USA Crawford Gribben is Long Room Hub Senior Lecturer in Early Modern Print Culture at Trinity College, Dublin, and is also the author of God's Irishmen: Theological Debates in Cromwellian Ireland (Oxford University Press, 2007)