The Great Ejection of 1662 stands as a defining moment in the history of Protestant Christianity. It was a time when ministers, compelled by a steadfast commitment to the Scriptures, chose to leave their positions rather than conform to practices that conflicted with the literal and historical truth of God’s word. This article examines the circumstances surrounding that pivotal event and demonstrates how the principles embodied in that decision continue to define Protestant convictions today.
The Historical Context and the Spirit of Reform
In the decades preceding 1662, the religious landscape of England was marked by an ongoing struggle between adherence to the word of God and the imposition of human authority. The reformation of the church had established that the Scriptures were the ultimate guide for faith and practice. The call of Jesus, “And Peter said, ‘We must obey God rather than men’” (Acts 5:29), resonated powerfully with those who recognized that any deviation from the biblical mandate undermined the authority of the divine revelation.
During the mid-17th century C.E., the Church of England had gradually incorporated ceremonies and practices that many believed to be inconsistent with the clear teachings of the Bible. The insistence on liturgical uniformity, imposed by governmental decree, threatened to obscure the simple and unadorned message that had been passed down by the apostles. Ministers who had witnessed firsthand the power of the resurrection and the truth of the gospel were unwilling to compromise. Their decision to separate from an institution that did not uphold the literal standards of Scripture became a rallying cry for those who cherished doctrinal purity.
The period was characterized by a vigorous debate about the nature of church authority and the role of government in regulating religious practice. The clear and explicit instruction of the Bible—“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16)—served as a beacon for those who sought to align every aspect of their religious practice with divine truth. This unwavering commitment to the word of God provided the basis for a reformed conscience that could not tolerate any deviation from biblical truth.
The Moment of Decision: The Ejection and Its Immediate Consequences
The passing of the Act of Uniformity in 1662 marked a watershed moment. Faced with the requirement to conform to a prescribed form of worship that compromised essential biblical principles, many ministers chose to forfeit their positions rather than compromise their witness. Their decision was not made lightly; it was rooted in a deep conviction that the Scriptures were infallible and that human traditions could never supersede the clear commands of God.
This decisive act of separation was not an act of rebellion against governmental authority for its own sake but a manifestation of a profound commitment to the teachings of the apostles. As they left their parishes, these ministers affirmed that their loyalty belonged first to the word of God. Their actions echoed the sentiment found in the Scriptures: “Now if we obey human ordinances, shall we be free from obeying God?” (Romans 13:8). They recognized that a clear line must be drawn between divine command and human imposition, and their ejection was a testament to the primacy of biblical authority.
The immediate consequence of this decision was a fragmentation of the established church, as communities split between those willing to conform and those determined to preserve the apostolic teaching. Yet, amid the disunity, the ejected ministers laid the foundation for independent congregations that would continue to uphold the truth of the Scriptures. Their firm stance demonstrated that the pursuit of truth required sacrifice and that adherence to the objective historical record of the Bible was paramount. Their courage and fidelity became a powerful example for all who cherished doctrinal integrity.
The Reaffirmation of Biblical Authority
The ministers who faced ejection in 1662 did so with the clear conviction that the Bible was the ultimate standard of truth. Their unwavering position reaffirmed that every aspect of religious practice must be measured against the objective and literal words of Scripture. The call of the apostles to “search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life” (John 5:39) was not merely an invitation but a command to continually return to the source of all divine revelation.
Their refusal to compromise on matters of faith underscored the conviction that the Scriptures, inspired by Jehovah, were unchangeable and final in matters of doctrine. The clear testimony of the Bible was preserved through the eyewitness accounts of those who had seen the resurrected Christ, and it served as the guiding light for those who would not tolerate the encroachment of human traditions that conflicted with that truth. This commitment to biblical authority is the same commitment expressed when the early church declared, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10). The ministers of 1662 embodied the understanding that true freedom and righteousness are found only in adherence to God’s unaltered word.
The Great Ejection thus became a powerful affirmation of the principle that the Scriptures must always be the primary authority in matters of faith. It was a declaration that human institutions, no matter how influential, must never be allowed to override the truth revealed by Jehovah. In an era when religious practice was being reshaped by governmental decrees, the courage of these ministers set a precedent for all believers to follow, a precedent that has continued to influence Protestant convictions ever since.
The Role of Conscience and the Call to Obedience
The decision to leave the established church was fundamentally a matter of conscience—a response to the divine mandate to obey Jehovah rather than human decrees. The ejected ministers understood that true obedience is measured by one’s commitment to the objective truth found in the Scriptures. Their resolve echoes the words of the apostle Paul, who declared, “But we must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). This was not a call to civil disobedience for its own sake but a commitment to follow the clear and uncompromised teachings of the Bible.
Conscience, in this context, was shaped by the unchanging standards of God’s word. The ministers recognized that any attempt to modify or dilute the truth was an affront to the divine revelation that had been entrusted to them. Their decision was based on the understanding that life’s difficulties and governmental pressures could never override the superior authority of Scripture. As it is written, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105), and in their own lives, these ministers followed that light without compromise.
Their act of separation served as a reminder to all believers that the pursuit of truth demands a willingness to stand firm in one’s convictions, even when faced with severe opposition. The clear and direct teaching of the Bible provided the foundation for this moral and spiritual courage, ensuring that the course of true Christian belief would remain unaltered. By choosing to obey Jehovah rather than yielding to human pressures, they modeled a form of religious integrity that continues to inspire those who hold fast to the Scriptures.
Organizational Reforms and the Birth of Independent Congregations
In the wake of the ejection, those who had been compelled to leave the established church did not simply fade into obscurity. Instead, they gathered to form independent congregations dedicated to maintaining the purity of the gospel. These new assemblies were characterized by a return to the principles of congregational governance and an emphasis on the direct teaching of Scripture. The organizational reforms that followed the ejection reflected the belief that the church must be guided solely by the objective revelation found in God’s word, rather than by man-made decrees.
The formation of these independent congregations was driven by a desire to return to the simplicity and clarity of the apostolic teaching. In these new communities, the Bible was read, studied, and taught without the encumbrance of liturgical innovations that had obscured its meaning. As the Scriptures declare, “But as for me, I will look unto Jehovah; I will wait for the God of my salvation” (Micah 7:7). This waiting was not passive; it was an active, deliberate commitment to pursue the truth as it had been handed down by the apostles.
These congregations operated on the basis of mutual accountability and the shared conviction that each believer was responsible for upholding the truth. The absence of centralized human authority did not lead to chaos but rather fostered a spirit of cooperation and diligence in the study of Scripture. Their gatherings were marked by rigorous exegesis and a collective commitment to preserving the historical facts of the gospel. The emphasis on reading and obeying the Bible ensured that the churches remained anchored in the objective and literal revelation of God’s word, just as the apostolic witness had instructed.
In a time when external pressures threatened to distort the message of the gospel, the independent congregations became sanctuaries of biblical truth. They provided a haven for believers who were determined to resist any compromise with man-made traditions. The organizational reforms that emerged from the ejection underscored the conviction that the church must be governed by principles derived solely from the Scriptures, a conviction that continues to define Protestant thought to this day.
The Influence on Protestant Theological Convictions
The Great Ejection of 1662 was not merely an administrative or institutional event; it was a theological statement that resonated deeply with the core convictions of Protestant Christianity. The ministers who were ejected did so because they held that any deviation from the clear, literal word of God was unacceptable. Their actions affirmed that the truth of the gospel is measured solely by the objective testimony of the Scriptures, not by the fluctuating customs of human institutions.
This conviction is reflected in the unwavering adherence to the Bible as the final authority in all matters of faith. The clear directive that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16) provided the benchmark against which all teachings were measured. The ejected ministers rejected any notion that human traditions could ever take precedence over the eternal truths revealed by Jehovah.
Their steadfast commitment contributed to the development of a theological framework that emphasized personal responsibility, the authority of the Bible, and the necessity of maintaining doctrinal purity. The emphasis on the historical and literal interpretation of Scripture ensured that every teaching was anchored in the verifiable events of first-century Palestine. The clarity of the apostolic witness, as preserved in the written and oral records, left no room for compromise on essential matters of faith. In doing so, the ejected ministers helped shape a Protestant conviction that values clear biblical teaching over any human innovation.
The theological positions that emerged from this period have continued to influence the contours of Protestant belief. By prioritizing the direct and unmediated reading of the Scriptures, the church reaffirmed that the gospel is not subject to human alteration. The call to “search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life” (John 5:39) remains a central tenet of a faith that holds the Bible as the ultimate guide for life and doctrine. The doctrinal clarity achieved in the wake of the ejection has provided a lasting foundation for a belief system that remains true to the objective historical record of divine revelation.
A Biblical Perspective on Religious Freedom and Conscience
The Great Ejection of 1662 underscored a fundamental biblical principle: true religious freedom is found in the obedience to Jehovah’s word rather than in the dictates of human authority. The ministers who left the established church did so not in defiance of governmental power but in fidelity to the Scriptures. Their actions affirmed that each believer must exercise the freedom of conscience given by Jehovah, choosing to follow the clear and unaltered instructions found in the Bible.
The Scriptures consistently emphasize the importance of obeying the divine command. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105) speaks to the guiding function of the Bible in every aspect of life. In the midst of governmental edicts and imposed rituals, the commitment to biblical truth provided the assurance that no man-made ordinance could ever replace the authority of the inspired word. The ministers of 1662 demonstrated that life’s difficulties, no matter how severe, must be met with an unwavering commitment to obey Jehovah first and foremost.
Their choice to separate from an institution that had deviated from biblical standards was an expression of religious freedom as defined by the objective truth of the Scriptures. It was a call for every believer to examine their own conscience in light of the unchanging revelation of God. The freedom to follow Jehovah without compromise is a right that is enshrined in the clear teachings of the Bible, as evidenced by the call to “be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). This call to perfection is not achieved through human effort alone but by a complete and faithful adherence to the word of God.
The example of the ejected ministers has served as a constant reminder that the true measure of religious liberty lies in the willingness to stand by the objective standards of Scripture. Their lives reflect the truth that no earthly authority can compel a believer to abandon the divine truth, a truth that is as relevant today as it was in the days of the apostles.
The Enduring Commitment to Biblical Purity
The decisions made in 1662 were driven by an uncompromising desire to preserve the integrity of the gospel. The ejected ministers understood that the truth of God’s word must remain pure and unaltered by human intervention. Their actions resonate with the clear declaration of the Scriptures, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10). This truth, grounded in the historical reality of the gospel, has continued to shape Protestant convictions by affirming that every aspect of faith must be based on the objective and literal revelation found in the Bible.
In the years that followed the ejection, independent congregations thrived as communities committed to the direct teaching and study of Scripture. The clear focus on biblical purity ensured that every teaching, every decision, and every act of worship was measured against the unchanging word of Jehovah. This unwavering commitment was not a temporary measure but a lasting principle that has guided the church through life’s difficulties over the centuries.
The ministers who were ejected in 1662 set an example of fidelity that has inspired subsequent generations to hold fast to the clear and direct teachings of the Bible. Their steadfastness is a testament to the enduring power of the Scriptures to guide, correct, and transform lives. The commitment to biblical purity that emerged from that decisive moment continues to define Protestant convictions, ensuring that every believer remains anchored in the historical truth of the gospel.
The Call for Ongoing Faithfulness to the Word of God
The Great Ejection of 1662 serves as a perpetual call to every believer to measure all teachings, practices, and governmental decrees against the unaltered word of God. The decision of the ejected ministers was rooted in the understanding that the Bible, with its clear and historical account of salvation, must always take precedence over human traditions. Their courageous stand reminds us that true faith is not determined by the shifting norms of society but by a steadfast commitment to Jehovah’s word.
Every generation of believers is called to examine its practices in light of the Scriptures. The clear directive to “search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life” (John 5:39) remains a challenge to maintain unwavering fidelity to the objective truth revealed by the apostles. This call to ongoing faithfulness is the foundation upon which the convictions of Protestant Christianity are built. It is a call that demands courage, discernment, and a deep love for the clear revelation that has been passed down through the ages.
The events of 1662 are not merely a historical footnote but a living testimony to the principle that the authority of God’s word is supreme. The ejection was a moment when the church chose to honor the divine revelation rather than submit to human innovation. This decision continues to inspire believers to prioritize the clear and unchanging message of the Scriptures in every facet of their lives. As the Bible reminds us, “Thy word is truth” (John 17:17), and it is upon this truth that the foundations of Protestant conviction are securely built.
Conclusion
The Great Ejection of 1662 was a seminal event that reshaped Protestant convictions by reaffirming the primacy of the Bible as the sole and ultimate authority in matters of faith. The ministers who chose to leave the established church did so with unwavering resolve, guided by the clear teachings of the Scriptures and the example of the apostles. Their actions established a standard of religious integrity that continues to define Protestant belief—a standard rooted in the objective, historical truth of God’s word.
Their decision to obey Jehovah rather than conform to human decrees remains a powerful reminder that the pursuit of truth requires sacrifice and steadfast fidelity to the divine revelation. Independent congregations that arose in the wake of the ejection have preserved the clear and literal teaching of the Bible, ensuring that every aspect of worship and doctrine is measured against the eternal truths handed down from the apostles. As every believer reads, studies, and applies the Scriptures, the clear call to “search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life” (John 5:39) continues to guide the church in every generation.
The events of 1662 illustrate that the essence of Protestant conviction lies in a rigorous and unwavering commitment to biblical purity, a commitment that has withstood the pressures of human innovation and governmental authority. The ministers of that era serve as an enduring example of what it means to prioritize the clear, unmediated word of Jehovah over all else. Their resolute stand reminds all believers that true religious freedom and moral integrity are found only in the obedience to God’s word, a truth that has shaped Protestant thought from the days of the apostles to the present day.
About the Author
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Discover what the Bible and historical texts reveal about death, the soul, and immortality. Uncover surprising insights.
RECOMMENDED READING FOR CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS AND EVANGELISM
THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS: for Pastors, Teachers, and Believers
CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS: Answering the Tough Questions: Evidence and Reason in Defense of the Faith
REASON MEETS FAITH: Addressing and Refuting Atheism's Challenges to Christianity
BATTLE PLANS: A Game Plan for Answering Objections to the Christian Faith
CREATION AND COSMOS A Journey Through Creation, Science, and the Origins of Life
ANSWERING THE CRITICS: Defending God's Word Against Modern Skepticism
IS THE BIBLE REALLY THE WORD OF GOD?: Is Christianity the One True Faith?
DEFENDING OLD TESTAMENT AUTHORSHIP: The Word of God Is Authentic and True
YOUR GUIDE FOR DEFENDING THE BIBLE: Self-Education of the Bible Made Easy
THE BIBLE ON TRIAL: Examining the Evidence for Being Inspired, Inerrant, Authentic, and True
THE HISTORICAL JESUS: The Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ
THE HISTORICAL ADAM & EVE: Reconciling Faith and Fact in Genesis
UNSHAKABLE BELIEFS: Strategies for Strengthening and Defending Your Faith
BIBLICAL CRITICISM: What are Some Outstanding Weaknesses of Modern Historical Criticism?
THE CHRISTIAN APOLOGIST: Always Being Prepared to Make a Defense
THE EVANGELISM HANDBOOK: How All Christians Can Effectively Share God’s Word in Their Community
Comments