The Language of Providence in the Lives of Joseph Stennett and Gilbert Burnet

Abstract

This dissertation presents Joseph Stennett and Gilbert Burnet as two preachers of providence during and after the Glorious Revolution, arguing that Joseph Stennett used the doctrine of providence in manner consistent with his self-professed Baptist convictions while Gilbert Burnet did not use of the doctrine of providence in a manner consistent with his self-professed, pre-1688 Anglican convictions—particularly the doctrine of passive obedience. Chapter 2 frames the whole of the dissertation by surveying the prevalence of providentialist language among English Protestants in the aftermath of the Glorious Revolution. Chapter 3 examines Stennett’s consistent understanding and use of providentialist language by the witness of his extant works. Chapters 4 and 5 examine Burnet’s inconsistent use of providentialist rhetoric in light of his published convictions concerning passive obedience. Chapter 6 provides a brief concluding comparison of Stennett and Burnet’s use of providentialist language, and chapter 6 presents Stennett as a model worthy of emulation.