Vavasor Powell (1617–70) was a Welsh Puritan and Fifth Monarchist during the English Civil Wars and Commonwealth. He was imprisoned for his role in a plot to depose King Charles II.
Born in Knucklas, Radnorshire, Wales, Vavasor Powell was educated at Jesus College-Oxford, where he adopted radical Puritan views under Walter Cradock’s influence. During the Civil Wars, he left eastern Wales and went to London but returned to Wales in 1646 as a missionary at Parliament’s request.
Powell gained prominence through sermons before the Mayor of London (1649) and the House of Commons (1650.) He served as an adviser for a parliamentary commission to improve gospel propagation in Wales and replaced incompetent Welsh ministers with Puritan evangelists.
Although influential in the Barebones Parliament (1653,) Powell later denounced Oliver Cromwell, leading to imprisonment and interrogation. After returning to Wales, he continued his criticisms, was arrested at the Restoration, and spent the last years of his life imprisoned, dying in London’s Fleet Prison in 1669.
Powell authored eleven books and several hymns, including God the Father Glorified (1649,) Common Prayer Book on Divine Service (1660,) and The Golden Sayings, Sentences, and Experiences of Mr. Vavasor Powell (1675.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Vavasor Powell
A saint is to put forth his faith in prayer, and afterwards follow his prayer with faith.
—Vavasor Powell
Topics: Prayer, Faith
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