Richard Bernard (1568–1641) was an English Puritan clergyman and writer.
Contents
Life
Bernard was born in Epworth and received his education at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he matriculated in 1592, obtained his BA in 1595, and an MA in 1598. His university education was paid for by Frances and Isabel Darcy, who were supporters of Puritans and radical English Protestants generally. He was married in 1601 and had six children. From 1612 to 1641 he lived in Somerset and preached in Batcombe.
Bernard was a Calvinist Puritan, but a moderate one. Bernard advocated a joyful approach to life, instead of the more serious and pious disposition that was encouraged at the time. Bernard wrote:
there is a kind of smiling and joyful laughter…which may stand…with the best man's piety.
He flirted with nonconformity to the Anglican Church when he was first preaching. He lost his job over his dissent in Worksop, on 15 March 1605. He established his Separatist church in 1606 with about 100 members, but then returned to his parish post in Worksop in 1607. He still refused to make the Sign of the Cross during baptisms, however. This led to him being brought before church courts again in 1608 and 1611.
When he was at Worksop he associated with the well-known Puritans William Brewster (1567–1644), a passenger on the Mayflower, and John Robinson (1575–1625), pastor and organiser of the Mayflower voyage.
Bernard wrote an influential handbook for ministers entitled The Faithfull Shepheard and his practice, which was published in 1607 and 1621. His most popular book was The Isle of Man (1627) which went through 16 printings by 1683. He led his generation in his advocacy for the imprisoned, the poor, and the Jews, the latter argument was made in an essay titled "The Great Mysterie of God's Mercie yet to Come." within the book, The Seaven Golden Candlestickes.
He frequently wrote against separation from the Church of England, which put him in conflict with Robinson and the New England churches.
His daughter Mary married Roger Williams, co-founder of the state of Rhode Island, in 1629. Roger and Mary Williams emigrated to the New World in 1631.
His predecessor at Batcombe was Philip Bisse; he was succeeded as preacher there by the Puritan theologian Richard Alleine.
Published work
A Large Catechisme Following The Order of the Common Authorized Catechisme Published for the Use of his Christian friends and welwillers, the inhabitants of Worsopp, Gainsborough, and Epworth 1602, 1607, 1612
The Faithfull Shepheard- The Shepheards Faithfulnesse: Wherein Is For The Matter Largely, But For The maner, in few words, set forth the excellencie and necessitie of the ministerie; a ministers properties and dutie; his entrance into this function and charge; etc, 1607
Christian Advertisements And Counsels Of Peace Also Disswasions From The Separatists Schisme, Commonly called Brownisme, 1608 (Also The Separatists Schisme? – no copies exist)
The Faithfull Shepheard Amended And Enlarged: With The Shepeards Practise In Preaching Annexed Thereto, 1609
The Sinners Safetie, If Heere Hee Looke For Assurance, 1609
Contemplative Pictures With Wholesome Precepts. The First Part: Of God. Of The Diuell. Of Goodnesse. Of badnesse. Of heaven: of Hell, 1610
Plain evidences: The Church of England apostolical, the separation schismatical, 1610
Josuahs Godly Resolution In Conference With Caleb, Touching Household Gouernement For Well Ordering A Family: A twofold catechisme: one short, the other more large; both for instruction. In the end, certaine rules, for guiding to a holy conversation, 1612, 1629
Two Twinnes: Or Two Parts Of One Portion Of Scripture. I. Is Of Catechising. II. Of The Ministers Maintenance, 1613
A Weekes Worke, And A Worke For Every Weeke, 1616, 1628, 1650? (A Weekes Worke Containing Rules And Directions How To Walke In The Wayes Of Godliness Both To God And to Men)