Robert Bolton

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Robert Bolton (1572-December 16, 1631) was a puritan preacher, author, classical scholar & philosopher. He was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, where he attended what is now Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn & was described as ‘the best scholler in the schoole’^[1]. At age 18, he was admitted to Lincoln College and then Brasenose College, Oxford University. He was a gifted student and was chosen in 1602 as a fellow of the college. He was not particularly religious, and liked to play cards and go to plays. He cursed a lot and often broke the Sabbath. His associates were often among the more profane members of the college and he was disdainful of the pious. When he heard the famous puritan preacher William Perkins lecturing, Bolton said he thought Perkins was a "a barren empty fellow".

After the death of his father plunged him into penury, Bolton became more adept at summarizing the content of books borrowed from friends (books he could no longer afford); this led to his mastery of the classical languages, leading Anthony Wood to comment that he could write better in Greek than English or even Latin^[2]. Some describe him as the greatest classical scholar of his time^[3]. After his appointment as a fellow of Brasenose in 1602, as a lecturer in Logic and Moral & Natural Philosophy, he was sufficiently highly regarded to be asked to hold a dispute on Natural Philosophy before James I in 1605, when the King visited the University.

When he was 35, Thomas Peacock started to instruct him about the nature of sin, and Bolton became very disturbed. Bolton lost his appetite for months. At the end of struggling with his conscience, Bolton resolved to enter the ministry. Sir Augustine Nicols, a judge and occasional preacher, arranged a position for Bolton preaching at Broughton in Northamptonshire in 1609 where he remained until his death from illness late in the year of 1631.^[4]

In his well known book, General directions for a Comfortable Walking with God, Bolton discusses subjects like Idleness, Government of the Tongue, Recreations, Visitations, Sleep, and Marriage.

In The Saints Sure and Perpetual Guide, Bolton argued against separation.

James Darling, founder of the Metropolitan Library in London, England in 1840, wrote:

"He was one of the best scholars of his time, a zealous and successful preacher, and particularly skilled in resolving the doubts of timid Christians. His style is florid and often truly magnificent."^[5]

[edit] Selected publications

The Saints Sure and Perpetual Guide, Robert Bolton, 1634
The Carnal Professor: Discovering the Woeful Slavery of a Man Guided By the Flesh - Sermons & Christ Set Forth, Robert Bolton and Thomas Goodwin, originally published 1634, reprinted by Soli Deo Gloria Pubns Morgan, PA, (1997) ISBN 1877611476
The carnall professor. Discovering the wofull slavery of a man guided by the flesh. Distinguishing a true spirituall Christian that walkes close with God, from all formalists in religion, rotten hearted hypocrites, and empty powerlesse professors whatsoever. By that faithfull servant of Christ, Robert Bolton B.D. late preacher in Northampton Shire., Robert Bolton, London : Printed [by Miles Flesher] for R. Dawlman, at the Brazen Serpent in Pauls Church-yard, 1634.
General Directions for a Comfortable Walking with God, Robert Bolton, Soli Deo Gloria Publications, Morgan, PA, 1991 (1995 printing) ISBN 1877611263
A Discourse About the State of True Happinesse. Delivered in Certaine Sermons in Oxford, and at Pauls Crosse., Robert Bolton, Batchelour in Divinitie, and Minister of Gods Word at Broughton in Northampton Shire. The sixth Edition, corrected and amended, with a Table thereunto annexed. At London, Imprinted by Iohn Legatt, for Edmund Weaver, and are to be sold at his Shop at the great North doore of Pauls Church. 1636.
The Saints Self-Enriching Examination, Robert Bolton
The Foure Last Things: Death, Judgment, Hell, Heaven, Robert Bolton, 1633, Soli Deo Gloria Pubns Morgan, PA, (1997) ISBN 1877611891
A Treatise on Comforting Afflicted Consciences, Robert Bolton, Soli Deo Gloria Ministries, Morgan, PA (1991) ISBN 1877611255
A cordial for Christians in the time of affliction, Robert Bolton, London, 1640
Heart Surgery, Robert Bolton, Zoar Publications, ISBN 0904435024