The English Church in the Eighteenth Century

"The English Church in the Eighteenth Century" by Charles J. Abbey and John H. Overton is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This work provides a detailed exploration of the English Church's condition, challenges, and religious movements during the 1700s, examining significant figures, relevant controversies, and the broader societal impacts on the Church. The opening of the book sets the stage by reflecting on the resurgence of interest in the religious life of the 18th century, in contrast to previous perceptions of the era as dull and unremarkable. It notes the lethargy that had settled over the Church following the Restoration and how significant theological disputes, particularly the Deistical controversy, began to take prominence. The authors introduce the era's complex interplay between Church and State, the rise of sects like Methodism, and the need for renewal within the Church, indicating a period ripe for change. Through the lens of major events and figures, they highlight the Church's struggles with faith and reason, underscoring the dichotomy between spiritual vigor and institutional inertia that characterized the time.