Worship has always been affected by its surrounding culture. This book examines the changing perspectives in and discussions on worship styles and practices from the Restoration to the death of Wesley, in England and Scotland. Moving beyond the text, Spinks grounds the discussion within the changing cultural and intellectual framework of the perio
'An impressively researched and important contribution to the history of liturgy in the age of reason.' Professor William Gibson, Director of the Oxford Centre for Church History and Methodism, Oxford Brookes University. 'Bryan Spinks is a world renowned scholar of history, significance and theology of Christian worship. Here is a much needed study which fills an important gap between the Reformation and the recent revisions. Spinks weaves into his narrative both the big issues and what things were like on the ground. This is another welcome feature of a valuable study that will stand us all in good stead for many years to come.' The Rt Revd Dr Kenneth Stevenson, Bishop of Portsmouth, UK 'With its judicious use of period sources - theological writings, ritual texts, hymns, and first-hand descriptions - along with analysis of the social, political, and intellectual contexts, Liturgy in the Age of Reason provides new lenses for examining and interpreting the liturgical upheaval that characterized England and Scotland during the 17th and 18th centuries.' Professor Karen B. Westerfield Tucker, Boston University, USA 'Spinks work serves as a valuable corrective to earlier assumptions regarding worship in this period...We can only hope that Spinks will continue to develop his studies...' Studia Historicae Ecclesiasticae '... an extremely important contribution that deserves to be widely read and studied.' Worship '... a handsomely produced study.' Archives, the Journal of the British Records Association '... Spinks has provided the standard reading for the history of liturgy in England and Scotland's enlightened age!' Doxology 'Spinks is to be congratulated for opening up a number of key aspects relating to the religious life of post-Reformation Britain.' Catholic Historical Review 'This is truly a monumental work...' Church Service Society Record 'This book is a product of immense learning and will become a standard work
