As for why I picked up this book, it was mostly to get a better sense of why the folks who hit the beach at "Plymouth Rock" in 1620 left the Seven Provinces of the Netherlands, when I was always left with the impression that was a viable option. Such was not actually the case, but before one gets to that point the author takes you through the trauma of the reign of Mary Tudor, and how that went a long way towards aborting any relatively clean transition to a national protestant church in England, leaving opinion shattered, particularly since the Church of England was seen as backward on so many theological issues from the perspective of continental theological thought. At the very least the people who became the "Pilgrims" were left permanently allergic to any form of state church, and ultimately broke with predestination and infant baptism, on the way to becoming the denomination that we recognize as Baptist. While I certainly credit the author as knowing his history, he does spend a lot of time in the weeds before he meanders to his destination; even Tomkins seems to weary of people who seemed deeply attracted to the "narcissism of small differences." ( )

An analysis of the history of Protestant separatism starting from the reign of Catholic Queen Mary through Protestants Elizabeth and James.

Although clearly well-researched, I found the author's writing style tedious. The development of separatism in contrast to the Anglican Church is complex enough. By adding unnecessary detail in terms of names, places and neverending theological arguments, this book becomes tiresome.

While an interesting subject, a more concise and effective writing style would have made for a much better book. ( )