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The Puritan revolt against the Church of England (C 0f E) made steady progress during the first half of the17th century.

Richard, born In Rowton, Shropshire, who came to faith when he was about 15 years old, became an English nonconformist leader and theologian

He made his reputation in the late 1630’s by his ministry in Kidderminster, where he began a long and prolific career as a theological writer.

He became one of the most influential leaders of the nonconformist movement and as a result spent 2 terms in prison ( the second time after a ‘trial’ before the notorious Chief Justice Jeffrey when he was aged 69). (Read Legal Troubles).

He regarded all forms of church government as secondary to religious practice,.

He never went to university, instead he was placed under a few local clergymen in Ludlow.

In 1638 he was offered the headship of the Endowed School at Dudley. He had a great desire to lead men to Christ.

In April 1641, aged 26, following a sermon, he was unanimously elected minister of St Mary and All Saints Church, Kidderminster. He stayed for 19 years. During that time he accomplished many reforms.he united the various ministries into an association irrespective of their differences. The Reformed Pastor, which he published, dealt with general ministerial efforts he promoted.

In 1647 while recovering from a debilitating illness he wrote* *The Saints’ Everlasting Rest *(1650).

During the English Civil War (1645-7) -he reluctantly became a chaplain to Cromwell’s ‘roundheads’ and wrote his Aphorisms of Justification(1649) which excited great controversy(1650).

In 1650 he received a letter with 265 signatures asking him to return to Kidderminster. He returned there as a lecturer. He worked with the vicar preaching the gospel and acting as pastor to the flock.

In 1662 following the Act of Uniformity and refusing the appointment of Bishop of Hereford, he was expelled from the C of E.

From 1662 until the indulgence in 1687 he was constantly disturbed by persecution. Placed in prison for keeping a convenicle ( a secret or unlawful religIous meeting, typically nonconformist).

From 1687 until his death in 1691 his life passed peacefully.He died worn out by several bouts of illness and persecution. His funeral was attended by both churchmen and dissenters.

During his lifetime he wrote 168 or so separate works. ( Read Theology)
He also was a prodigious hymn writer.

His sensitive conscience led him into conflict with almost all the contending parties in state and church but he was also one of the most influential leaders of the nonconformist movement in the 17th century.

Sources
Wikipedia
70 Great Christians by Geoffrey Hanks