The Great Debt America Owes To The British (and even their crown)

 The Great Debt America Owes To The British (and even their crown)

As America just celebrated her 250th birthday, a lot of people have been reflecting on the events surrounding 1776; and how one people became two, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  (Though, back then, few souls had much hope that it would "hold.") . . .

 

But we Americans should seriously consider what we owe the British, our national "distant cousins," (now).  We should think of this in both "positive" and "negative" terms--but we should always remember that the Sovereign God works out all of His purposes for His own glory, and His church's good.

 

First of all, because of the British crown's persecution of "dissenting" Christians, many of them left their native land--some first for the Netherlands, and then, in some cases, for the New World.  Therefore, without the crown's persecution, the Pilgrims would likely never have arrived on these shores (in 1620).

 

Secondly, the British provided the early colonists with outstanding theological literature, in the form of the Puritan writings.  Again, the crown kind of served our purposes, by losing the Civil War to Cromwell; and by the fact that the government--with no crown at that time--called for the Westminster Assembly.  Also, during this time, (and earlier and later), many great Puritan pastors were raised up who wrote wonderful sermons, books, and treatises (which we still possess today).

 

Next, consider how Puritan New England was theologically sustained and nourished by these writings and authors.  The greatest thinker/theologian/philosopher to ever be born on this continent, Jonathan Edwards, was a thoroughgoing adherent of the Reformed Puritan tradition; and he greatly appreciated the works of those men.  We should remember that Edwards was never an "American."  He lived his entire life as a subject--and mostly a happy one--of the British Empire.

 

Also, largely because of the brutal treatment the British crown meted out to the Scots Presbyterians, many of them came here to America.  They would be an extremely important factor in the Revolutionary War; and probably no other people group on these shores was more desirous of "liberty" than they were--especially as it would be expressed in independence from Great Britain.  During the War, the British were particularly hard on the American Presbyterians; and they often made sure that they would burn down their church buildings, etc.  Bottom line: it was not a pretty sight.

 

But again, had the British not been so cruel to the Scots Presbyterians, would there have been enough fervor for a Revolution at all--particularly given how hard (and "impossible") it all seemed to be?

 

Finally, on a positive note, was it not George Whitefield who was largely (under and via God's grace) used by Him to fuel the First Great Awakening?  And who was George Whitefield?  A British citizen.  And even in his case, had the crown's religious establishment not made life so uncomfortable for Whitefield, would he have made so many trips across the Atlantic, to preach the gospel in the Colonies?

 

Britain, in many ways, was such a great empire in its day; and all of their greatness was directly related to Christ's church and gospel.  These days, it is sad to hear about what is happening (or not happening) in Great Britain.  There may be more minarets in London, than there are legitimate church buildings.  Some of the crimes the Muslims are reported to be committing there are unspeakable; (and who knows?, they may be getting away with it [at least in this world]).

 

May America not fare in this way; but may we be blessed by the True and Triune God with another fresh visitation of His Spirit's reviving power in Christ's holy church.  And may we share the blessing of Jesus and His gospel with the entire world.

 

Rev. Mark J. Henninger

Treatise #118

9 July 2026

 

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