ABSTRACT
The Protestant Reformation prompted a radical change within the church and society, far beyond the limited purview of the sixteenth century. Its intention was fixated upon the redemption of the church, but its gospel went on to liberate all of society with a message of freedom and empowerment in the centuries to come. Robert Browne was born around 1550 in Tolethorp, Rutlandshire to a good family with some standing in the community. He studied at Corpus Christi College in Cambridge during the 1570s, where Thomas Cartwright had engendered much commotion over his criticisms of the Church of England. Browne and Harrison represent the radical fringe of a movement, which seeks to overturn the Weltanschauung of ancient and medieval times. Sectarian groups also served as a source of inspiration in the movement toward democracy. Among the more noticeable areas of influence is included the doctrine of covenant - an important feature of the Reformed theology in general.
