GEMMS IDGEMMS-PERSON-000226
NameJohn Burgess (Burges)
TitleMr.
Gendermale
DenominationChurch of England
Livedb. ca. 1562-03-25 - d. 1635-08-31 (old)
Linked Manuscripts
Linked SermonsSermon on 2 Peter 2:15 -- preacher (autograph: no)Sermon on 2 Peter 2:15-16 -- preacher (autograph: no)Sermon on 2 Peter 2:17 -- preacher (autograph: no)Sermon on 2 Peter 2:17-19 -- preacher (autograph: no)Sermon on Psalms 122:8-9 -- preacher (autograph: uncertain)Sermon on Psalms 122:8-9 -- preacher (autograph: no)Sermon on Psalms 122:8-9 -- preacher (autograph: no)Sermon on Psalms 122:8-9 -- preacher (autograph: no)Sermon on Psalms 122:8-9 -- preacher (autograph: no)
Linked Reports
Associated PlacesSt Peter Hungate -- ParishSutton Coldfield -- ParishIsleworth -- Place of BusinessLeiden University -- Place of StudySt John's College -- Place of StudyIpswich -- PostLichfield Cathedral -- PostWaddesdon -- Post
Source of DataRichard Snoddy; Hannah Wood
Biographical Sources ConsultedODNB (Article: 3977); ACAD (Venn) (ID: BRGS583J)
Other NoteJohn Burgess (Burges) was born in Peterborough, Northamptonshire to John Burges (fl. 1561-89) and his wife Ales (d. 1588). He attended Peterborough grammar school before matriculating at St John’s College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1584 and M.A. in 1587. He married Ursula, daughter of justice of the peace William Pecke, in 1589, by which time he was incumbent of the poor living of St Peter Hungate. In a clash with his congregation over his wearing of the surplice, Burgess was deprived in 1590. He was chosen as town preacher of Ipswich, Suffolk in 1592 and elected for life in January 1602; nevertheless, he was replaced by July of the same year. By October 1601 Burgess had been made vicar of the third part of Waddeson; although he appears to have been preaching unlicensed during this time, he was known as a famous preacher and tolerated by the bishop of Lincoln. The situation changed in June of 1604, when Burgess was invited by Dr. James Monatagu, dean of the Chapel Royal, to preach before the king at Greenwich. Insulted by the implications of Burgess’s brazen sermon on the controversy over ceremonies, James I had Burgess imprisoned. He was discharged by the privy council, but his stance against ceremonies resulted in his deprivation in 1605. In 1611 Burgess left for the United Provinces, where he matriculated at Leiden University and graduated M.D. the same year. He was incorporated M.D. at Cambridge in 1612 and began practising in London; however, the king, who continued to be displeased with Burgess, objected to him having taken his degree at Cambridge without subscribing. An ensuing investigation resulted in Burgess being banned from practising within 10 miles of London. He moved to Isleworth, Middlesex, where he set up a thriving practice. Burgess continued to preach through the 1610s, and through the intervention of Lady Scudamore he received the rectory of Sutton Coldfield in 1617. He was collated to the Wellington prebend in Lichfield Cathedral in 1625 and was promoted to the Hunsacre prebend in 1631, perhaps on account of the the publication of his work “An Answer Rejoyned to … ‘A Reply to Dr Mortons Generall Defence of Three Nocent Ceremonies” (c.1627), which was applauded by Charles I. He published one more work, “The Lawfulness of Kneeling at the Lords Supper” (1631) before he died in 1635. He was buried in the chancel of Holy Trinity Church in Sutton Coldfield. Burgess was predeceased by his first wife Ursula, second wife Sara (d.1627), third wife Dorothie (d.1630), daughter Abigail (d.1627), and infant daughter (d.1630). He was the father of at least 11 children.
GEMMS record createdDecember 14, 2015
GEMMS record last editedAugust 04, 2021