Robert Govett

Robert Govett (14 February 1813, in Staines, Middlesex – 20 February 1901, in Norwich, Norfolk) was a British theologian and independent pastor of Surrey Chapel, Norwich.

Robert Govett (1813–1901)

Govett wrote many books and brochures. His best known work is The Apocalypse: Expounded by Scripture (1861–65), which he wrote under a pen name. Wilbur M. Smith said about it: "One of the profoundest expositions of the book of Revelation that I know of is the work of Robert Govett. My own opinion is that he brings to his interpretation a more thorough knowledge of the Scriptures in their bearing on the last book of the Bible than any other writer of his generation."

Early life and education

He was the eldest son of Robert Govett senior, vicar of Staines in Surrey (died in 1858), and his wife Sarah Romaine, of whose eight sons five were ordained in the Church of England. William Romaine (1714–1795) the evangelical was Sarah's grandfather, and Robert senior took on Romaine as a surname in 1827. Thomas Romaine Govett, John Clement Govett, Henry Govett and Decimus Storry Govett were his clerical brothers: William Govett Romaine, father of Gabrielle Enthoven, was another brother, and in the family of 11 he had three sisters.[1][2]

Govett matriculated at Worcester College, Oxford on 20 October 1830, aged 17. He graduated BA in 1834, and received his MA in 1837. He became a Fellow of Worcester in 1835, holding the position until 1844.[3] In 1836 he was ordained deacon in the Church of England, and in 1837 he was ordained priest.[4]

Ministry and doctrine

Govett started his first curacy in Bexley, Kent. His second curacy was St Stephen's Church, Norwich (1841). It has been suggested that his move to Norwich was mediated by connections with the local Bignold family: for example his evangelical friend Edward Bickersteth had married into the Bignolds, as had his brother Thomas Romaine Govett.[5]

The members of his church loved the way he preached (vigorously and clearly), and many of the elite in Norwich and its surroundings were attracted to his congregation. Govett was known for his analytical powers. As Dr. Cyril J. Barber (The Minister's Library) put it: "Few men could equal Govett for originality of thought. He also possessed a well-ordered, disciplined mind. He could trace a theme through Scripture with unerring logic."

By 1843, in Norwich, Govett was having serious doubts about Anglican doctrine. He revealed some of those in correspondence with Bickersteth; who recommended Richard Hooker on issues related to Anglican church polity. When Govett seemed to be favouring premillenarian views, Bickersteth felt he had to make a reproach.[6]

Having witnessed an immersion baptism at St Mary's Baptist Chapel, Govett became convinced of the Scriptural integrity of full immersion baptism and of the error of infant baptism. A few days later he himself was baptized at St Mary's by William Brock. In 1844 his licence as curate of St Stephen's was revoked by the Bishop of Norwich, when Govett informed him that he could no longer conduct with a clear conscience the service of infant baptism.

It was not until 1878 that Govett formally left the Church of England, but he did not immediately know how he would sustain himself. His family was not at all happy with his decision, and he was also ostracized by many who held to the more traditional teachings of the Church of England. But he was willing to pay the cost.

Govett then started an independent work, known as "Bazaar Chapel", at the Victoria Rooms in Norwich, where he ministered to a growing number of people. He was influenced by the Plymouth Brethren, and liked the writings of John Nelson Darby and other Brethren, but he remained the sole leader of the church, and kept his independent attitude towards Scripture exegesis.

Later year and legacy

In 1854 Govett opened Surrey Chapel, Norwich, which had room for 1500 people. He stayed on as pastor until his death on 20 February 1901. When he died the church had about 200 members. He was unmarried.

David Morrieson Panton was his successor. Well-known members of his congregation were Evan Hopkins and Margaret Barber. Welsh evangelist Jessie Penn-Lewis — co-worker of Welsh Revivalist Evan Roberts — knew Robert Govett too. Margaret Barber became known as the spiritual mentor of Watchman Nee.

Teaching

Govett wrote many tracts on baptism and these were much approved by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, who was also appreciative of other materials that Govett published. Spurgeon once said about Govett: "Mr. Govett wrote a hundred years before his time, and the day will come when his works will be treasured as sifted gold." Govett became increasingly taken up with eschatology, and he was of the opinion that before the Great Tribulation there would be a selective or partial rapture, and that only the raptured saints (the firstfruits) are worthy to reign with Christ during the Millennium. He seems to have been one of the first, if not the first, to present a clear view of the judgment seat of Christ and its purpose in relation to the Millennial Kingdom. Thus, it is a point of emphasis throughout most of his writings. Through Scripture, he clearly delineates between eternal life, the free gift that God gives to those who accept the payment His Son made, and the prize, the reward of the Millennial Reign, which one can attain to by producing the good works or fruits that emanate from a walk of faith. The latter of the two is held out to all the saints by the Almighty, but it is only given to those who have submitted to the work of the Holy Spirit toward personal sanctification.

There are two characteristics within his writings that are predominant: One was his ability to take the multi-facets of the types, shadows, and symbols of the Word and overlay them so as to compare them against each other – an approach he used to confirm whether his understanding of them was in line with the reasons and purpose God had given them. For instance, if the underlying symbolism conflicted with what appeared to be the literal meaning of a portion of Scripture, he would set about to resolve the conflict. Thus, his writings are rich in the types and shadows of the Old Testament, which he felt must be learned if one is to expect a proper understanding of their fulfillment in the New Testament. The other, is the ability he developed to enter into the prophetic sense of the Word.

There is an early letter to Govett from Spurgeon,[7] in which Spurgeon writes from Clapham on 20 October 1860, and requests some of Govett's tracts on baptism, "to disseminate a great truth which is far too much kept in the background". On the bottom corner of his letter is a note that reads: "I am informed that you wisely eschew the Title of Rev. - hence my addressing you as Mr." There are further letters from Spurgeon, the last dating from 1886.

List of selected writings

References
  1. Seip, David E. (2018). A Victorian Dissenter: Robert Govett and the Doctrine of Millennial Reward. Wipf and Stock Publishers. pp. 71–2. ISBN 9781498243834.
  2. Milne, Lynn. "Romaine, William Govett". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/24037. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  3. Foster, Joseph (1888–1892). "Govett, Robert" . Alumni Oxonienses: the Members of the University of Oxford, 1715–1886. Oxford: Parker and Co – via Wikisource.
  4. Seip, David E. (2018). A Victorian Dissenter: Robert Govett and the Doctrine of Millennial Reward. Wipf and Stock Publishers. pp. 74–5. ISBN 9781498243834.
  5. Seip, David E. (2018). A Victorian Dissenter: Robert Govett and the Doctrine of Millennial Reward. Wipf and Stock Publishers. pp. 76–7. ISBN 9781532618345.
  6. Seip, David E. (2018). A Victorian Dissenter: Robert Govett and the Doctrine of Millennial Reward. Wipf and Stock Publishers. pp. 78–80. ISBN 9781532618345.
  7. Norfolk Record Office under reference number FC 76/59 - collection of pastoral letters

Further reading
  • Poole-Connor, E J: "Evangelical Unity" (The Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, London 1941), pp. 152–155.
  • Dalby, W J: 'Memoir of Robert Govett MA' [appended to a republication of Govett's 'Galatians'] August 1930.
  • Surrey Chapel - 'Book of Remembrance, 1854-1954' [a Centenary History] (1954).
  • Clark, R E D: 'Robert Govett', "The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church" (Paternoster Press, London 1974), page 426.
  • Codling, Rosamunde: '150 Years at Surrey Chapel, Norwich, 1854-2004: The Anniversary of the opening of the first Surrey Chapel building' (2004).
  • The works of Robert Govett, all published by Schoettle Publishing.
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