Today marks the 351st anniversary of the Great Ejection. If you’re not familiar with this event of church history, it was one of the most important days in the English speaking church because over 2,500 pastors forsook their livelihood in order to follow God rather than the requirements of the official church in England. The ejection was caused by the Act of Uniformity, which required conformance to The Common Book of Prayer. This act was one of four associated with the Clarendon Code implemented to keep pastors from their congregations. The pastors who were forced to leave their church included:
- Richard Baxter
- John Flavel
- Thomas Brooks
- Thomas Watson
- Thomas Manton
The event is worth pausing to reflect upon and to consider what situation would be significant enough for you to quit your job to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).