Book Review: The Wonder-Working Providences of Sion’s Savior in New England, by Edward Johnson

The Wonder-Working Providences of Sion’s Savior in New England, by Edward Johnson, published as Johnson’s Wonder-Working Providences, edited by J. Franklin Jameson in 1906, reprinted by Alpha Editions, 2020.

The original by Edward Johnson was written contemporaneously from the years 1617-1651, beginning with the circumstances and preparations the Puritans made to emigrate to New England. Johnson did not settle in New England until 1637, but gives account of events the whole period. He describes the towns and churches in New England individually, giving dates and names of the leaders and pastors. The historical narrative covers multiple dimensions. This includes the relationship with the people in England who came and those who stayed behind; interactions with other nearby settlements; interactions with the Native American tribes; settlement of various towns and the establishment of churches and pastors in them; and theological controversies. Part I concludes with a brief mention of their response to the English civil war (which ran from 1642-1651).

Johnson spends several chapters discussing the religious and theological controversy that caused great turmoil in 1636-37, which is not easily summarized. The main issue revolved around the call to holiness being deemed Pharisaical legalism by proponents of free grace, a viewpoint known as antinomianism, and how much tolerance government should have of varying beliefs and practices of those calling themselves Christian. Puritans have a reputation for being self-righteous, holier-than-thou religious zealots. As Johnson attempts to explain, in the context of heresies that resulted in expelling specific peoples, they were trying to protect a traditional and reasonable interpretation and application of the Scriptures. As nearly as I can explain it, this was that Christians are saved by faith in Christ, not by works, but that once saved, they need to act like God’s children. One of the heresies they rejected was the antinomian approach, espoused by Anna Hutchinson and others, which holds that since we are saved by grace, there is no law that applies to us and we can live as we please. This is taking Ephesians 2:8-9 completely out of context, ignoring Ephesians 2:10, Romans 13:10,  Matthew 5:17-19, and Luke 10:25-28. An opposite heresy was put forth in 1650 by William Pynchon, to the effect that Jesus did not save us, and that we earn salvation by keeping the law. This was published in his book The Meritorious Price of our Redemption, the first book burned in Boston. The enforcement of moral standards by civil government is a controversy that persists to this day.

There is a short account of the Puritans efforts to extend their influence to Virginia, which failed. Since Virginians were loyal to the Church of England, nonconformists (i.e.,  Puritans) were forced out of Virginia by 1650. This was linked to the English civil war. Johnson’s penultimate chapter deals with the evangelization of native Americans. Unlike Israel being commanded by God to annihilate the Canaanites, the Puritans saw Jesus’ Great Commission as a command to evangelize.

Johnson’s book requires perseverance. The writing style is sometimes hard to read, as spelling was not Johnson’s strength. Johnson also injects verses of poetry as he (mostly) lauds the accomplishments and people he describes. I would say that he was not a great poet. The notes by J. Franklin Jameson are helpful to clarify meanings and correct factual errors (usually about how many people were in a given community or a specific activity), to clarify the meaning of ambiguous misspelled words, and the names and circumstances that Johnson describes. His notes explaining the theological controversies are helpful but somewhat confusing on core issues. 

The clear message is that the author saw every event and circumstance through the lens of faith. Ultimately, in every situation, Jesus was the ultimate arbiter. Jesus caused His people to live out His life in theirs. And therefore, Jesus is thanked and worshipped.