Vavasor Powell

Vavasor Powell: from Knucklas to Bunhill Fields

'I would not neglect, for the printing of a thousand books, the preaching of a sermon.' (Vavasor Powell: a Welsh Puritan Preacher) 

Powell was an open-air preacher. On mountain sides, at fairs, in market places, in fields and woods he drew vast numbers, especially of the poor, who hung on his words, sometimes for hours on end. His portable pulpit, which he carried on his back, has been preserved and is kept safely at Bwlc-y-Sarnau chapel. This lightweight wooden structure is testimony to the man's tenacity in his desire to spread the gospel through the small towns and villages of Mid-Wales.

A prominent figure in Welsh non-conformist history during the 17th century, Powell left an indelible mark as a Puritan preacher, an advocate for religious freedom, and a resilient individual amidst the turbulent times of political and religious upheavals. He was bold in his belief that the Church of Christ was not to be controlled by Parliament or King; a position that lead to his imprisonment on more than one occasion.

His life, beliefs and written contributions significantly impacted the religious landscape of Wales and continue still to resonate in discussions on religious liberty and dissent.

Vavasor Powell was born in 1617, in a large house on the side of Castle Hill, Knucklas (the house was demolished many years ago). He died 27th October 1670, in Fleet Prison, London. His body was taken from the Fleet to be buried in Bunhill Fields; he now rests alongside John Owen, Thomas Goodwin, John Bunyan, Isaac Watts, John Gill, Joseph Hart and numbers of our most 'worthy' Puritans and Non-Conformists. Powell had been put in Fleet Prison for refusing to stop, what was considered to be, seditious preaching.

He was raised in a period of religious ferment and societal transformation. His upbringing was steeped in the Calvinistic tradition, influenced by the fervent Puritanism of the time. As a young man, he demonstrated a strong religious zeal and an unyielding commitment to his faith. His convictions were further shaped by encounters with influential religious leaders and exposure to varying theological perspectives. Perhaps the greatest influences that shaped his thoughts and convictions were the reading of Puritan books, notably the works of Richard Sibbes.

Powell's education and early years in the clergy provided him with a deep understanding of religious doctrines and scriptural interpretations. He became associated with the Puritan movement, which sought to reform the Church of England, advocating for simplicity in worship and a direct adherence to biblical teachings.

Powell's ministry was characterised by his fervour for preaching and spreading the Gospel. He travelled extensively throughout Wales, delivering impassioned sermons that attracted large congregations and outdoor crowds. His preaching style was direct, compelling and rooted in his unwavering commitment to biblical principles. He emphasised the need for personal conversion, moral righteousness and a genuine relationship with God. One of Powell's most significant contributions was his unwavering advocacy for religious liberty and freedom of conscience. He vehemently opposed religious persecution and the imposition of religious conformity. At a time when dissenting views were often met with harsh reprisals, Powell fearlessly defended the rights of individuals to worship according to their conscience, irrespective of established norms or state-mandated religious practices.

Powell's outspoken nature and refusal to compromise his beliefs, led to numerous confrontations with authorities. He faced persecution and imprisonment for his non-conformist views. Despite the adversity he encountered, Powell remained steadfast in his convictions, continuing to preach and write even from within the confines of prison. His time in prison did not dampen his commitment to the faith or his advocacy for religious freedom. Instead, it solidified his resolve and contributed to his reputation as a resolute defender of liberty and an unwavering proponent of religious dissent.

Powell's literary contributions, including sermons and religious treatises, were instrumental in disseminating his ideas and shaping the theological discourse of his time. His writings reflected his deep theological insights, his commitment to the principles of the Reformation, and his passionate defence of religious freedom.

To read Vavasor Powell's account of his conversion and ministry is to read an autobiography similar to that of Christian, in John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. This comparison also introduces an attractive detail of one renowned Puritan assisting another. During one period of imprisonment Powell complied a Bible concordance, A New and Useful Concordance.

John Bunyan owned a copy of this Concordance and used it while he himself was in prison, writing The Pilgrim's Progress. Bunyan's own copy of the Concordance has been preserved. Its title page brings together the names of three of the greatest of the Puritans: the name of the book's complier, Vavasor Powell; the name of John Owen, who wrote a lengthy recommendation of the Concordance; and, the signature of John Bunyan, who owned the book.

Here, in Powell's own words, are some of his recollections.

I may say through Gods grace (and that experimentally) that God was pleased to own me, a poor, nothing creature in the work of his Gospel in Wales, both to call, gather, and edify I hope, many souls there, yet not I, but the grace of God in me, and with me: and among many other experiences of Gods goodness, these following are some.

About the year 1647 the Island of Anglesey in North Wales, being then un-reduced, the Parliament Forces went to reduce it, and their chief Officers sent for me to Preach unto that brigade of Soldiers, and as I marched with them unto the place, either the night immediately before, or the night before that, it was revealed unto me in my sleep, that I should be wounded, and two of my friends cut (and the very fingers were pointed out) which accordingly came to pass, yet when I was in extreme danger between several enemies who fell upon me, receiving that and some other wounds: there being no likelihood to escape, I heard a voice as I apprehended speaking audibly to me, I have chosen thee to preach the Gospel, to which I answered, O Lord then bring me off; and immediately God guided my horse (though he was very wild, and not well commanded) to go backward out of the Barricade that I had entered at, and so I was indeed miraculously preserved, although a good man a Captain who came to relieve me was killed close to me, and as far as I could perceive the same Bullet that was shot at me took him in the neck and killed him. Many other remarkable circumstances there are in this deliverance which I here omit.

Several other times also I have been delivered from perils by water, by Thieves, by Enemies purposely lying in wait for me, who yet had no power to hurt me, the Lord converted some, and graciously prevented and terrified others from their purpose. But I must not forget the favour of the Lord in answering prayer, of which the most remarkable instances are these.

One day going to the Town of Knucklas where I was born, from Kington to Lanfairwaterdine I met with two gentlemen Kinsmen of mine from their drunkenness who called upon me to come to them, and without any the least provoking word, or carriage, they fell both upon me, and one of them with a Crab-tree Cudgel wounded.

One time coming from Preaching I lost my way, and being out till it was far in the night in a Wood or Forrest, among Lakes, Bryars and Thorns, I went up and down while I was quite weary, but by looking up to the Lord, I was presently directed into my way. The like experience I had another time, when another Preacher and myself had lost our way in a very dark night, and had tired ourselves in searching to and fro to no purpose, at last calling to mind how God had formerly heard in that case when I sought unto him, we called upon the Lord, who immediately pointed out our way, and it seemed as clear to us as if it had been day light.

One Mistress Watkins of the Parish of Lanniggn in the County of Brecon, a gracious Gentlewoman, having kept her chamber and bed as was reported for two years, and not gone from home for the space of four years, hearing that I was come into those parts sent for me to come and visit her, she having it seems some faith, that if I prayed for her she should be healed, that the next morning she went between two and three miles on foot to hear me preach.

Another time one Elizabeth Morris of new Radnor, (a Religious Maid) having the Falling sickness or Convulsion Fits, which took her many times in one day, one night being at Family-Duty in a Brothers house in Town, whilst I was speaking she fell into one of her Fits, but Prayer being made for her she recovered before the prayer was ended, and for many years had no more fits, and I think hath not been troubled at all since.

Another time, there was a mighty wet Harvest, which continued several weeks, insomuch that much Hay and Corn was spoiled, but divers Christians that were dissatisfied with that Government, having met several days to seek advice about it, came at last to draw up a Paper or Testimony against it: And the day being come when we intended to subscribe it. After spending some time further to seek the Lord, it being a great rain, so that it did beat in through the glass windows into the room where we met, one that was close to the window, being to conclude the duty, earnestly begged of God that if he did approve of the work we were about, and would have us to proceed therein, he would be pleased to grant us a sign of fair weather presently, and before Prayer was ended, the Lord shut up the windows of Heaven, and the Sun did shine gloriously, and some if not all of us did observe that for divers weeks together afterwards we had exceeding fair weather, and so had two mercies given us at once.

The Paper we drew up was called a 'Word for God', or a Testimony on truths behalf from several Churches, and divers hundreds of Christians in Wales, (and some few adjacent) against wickedness in high places, with a brief Letter to the Lord Gen. Cromwell, and both presented to his hands, and afterward published in Print.

These few things of many which I have observed in myself, concerning the Lords gracious and wonderful dealing with me, I have set down, not as boasting or seeking praise to myself, but to keep a memorial of the Lords benefits, and to stir up others, into whose hands these few notes may come, to have confidence in the power and goodness of God who is the Saviour of all men, but especially of them that believe in him.