---
title: 'A Tribute to the Puritans by John H. Bocock'
type: post
author: 'R. Andrew Myers'
date: 2021-07-08
url: https://confessional.org/blog/2021-a-tribute-to-the-puritans-by-john-h-bocock
---

# A Tribute to the Puritans by John H. Bocock

Following up on a recent [tribute to John Flavel’s influence upon American Presbyterians](/blog/2021-the-impact-of-john-flavel), today we highlight [John Holmes Bocock’s](/authors/john-holmes-bocock) poem *The Old Non-Conformists*. It is a reminder of how the 17th century Puritan divines of England left their mark on 19th century American Presbyterians.

> Busy from house to house, with constant toil,
> Those reverend shepherds of our mother isle
> Are feeding hungry souls with bread of life,
> And speaking words of peace in days of strife.
> 
> In England’s ancient ministers they are preaching
> The gospel pure as pearly dew from heaven;
> The law of love to men of hatred teaching,
> Whose perfect pattern by the Lord was given.
> 
> Young \[Joseph\] ALLEINE, with his Master’s spirit warm,
> In Taunton sounds his earnest, king “Alarm:”
> St. Dunstan hears the silver-tongued “\[William\] BATES,”
> While the great “Harmony” of heaven he states.
> 
> Bold \[Richard\] BAXTER lifts his voice in Cromwell’s host;
> To men of England, although now distrest
> By din of war, in civil tempest toss’d,
> He shows in heaven an “Everlasting Rest.”
> 
> Lo! where, in Bedford jail, in lofty dream,
> Genius on \[John\] BUNYAN pours her brightest beam;
> And learned \[Stephen\] CHARNOCK, with a sage’s ken,
> The “Attributes” of God displays to men.
> 
> Good \[John\] FLAVEL, with a spirit rich in “grace,”
> Stands by the “fountain” of man’s “life” eterne;
> While \[John\] HOWE, with thoughts magnificent, does trace
> Splendors that in the “Living Temple” burn.