The English Civil Wars of 1642-8 began as the last of Europe's wars of religion and ended as the first modern revolution. Parliamentarians had been fighting for the chance to finish England's Reformation, but the experience of war convinced some of them that thr mere reshaping of the establishment was not enough. To be true to their religious vision, something more searching and profound was needed. This restless spirit manifested itself in various sects and fellowships, united by a loathing of complacency and hypocrisy, which both supported and helped to undermine the republican experiment.

The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website: http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/the-republic-of-king-jesus

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