John Saltmarsh (clergyman)

John Saltmarsh (born Yorkshire, d. 1647) was a radical English religious and controversial writer and preacher. He is considered one of the Seekers [ [http://www.exlibris.org/nonconform/engdis/seekers.html English Dissenters: Seekers ] ] . William Haller called him "that strange genius, part poet and part whirling dervish" ["The Rise of Puritanism", p. 79.] . In his time he was a renowned prophet [Keith Thomas, "Religion and the Decline of Magic", note on p. 164, and p. 177/] .

Life

He studied at Magdalene College, Cambridge. He became a parish priest at Heslerton in 1635, then Brasted in 1645 ["Concise Dictionary of National Biography"] .

He was a chaplain in the army of Thomas Fairfax. From his deathbed, he rode from Ilford to Windsor to admonish Fairfax on backsliding [Christopher Hill, "The World Turned Upside Down", p. 70.] .

Views

He argued strongly for religious toleration and liberty of conscience [Nigel Smith, "Literature and Revolution in England, 1640-1660" (1994) p 123.] . He considered that heaven on earth was possible. Samuel Rutherford accused Saltmarsh of antinomianism [Hill, "Liberty Against the Law", p. 217, quoting "Free Grace".] . Peter Toon writes [ [http://www.anglicanbooksrevitalized.us/Peter_Toons_Books_Online/History/hypercal1.htm HyperCal1 ] ]

He believed in universal salvation, and agreed with John Bunyan on the lack of necessity for baptism [Hill, "A Turbulent, Seditious and Factious People: John Bunyan and his Church", p. 293.] . He also regarded observance of Sunday as the Sabbath as not required [Hill, "Society and Puritanism", p. 205.] .

A controversy with Thomas Fuller brought forth his pamphlet "Examinations". Fuller

Works

*"Poemata sacra" (1636)
*"Holy Discoveries and Flames" (1640)
*"Examinations, or, A discovery of some dangerous positions" (1643) [ [http://www.worldcatlibraries.org/wcpa/top3mset/12067274 Examinations, or, A discovery of some dangerous positions delivered in A sermon of reformation preached in the church of the Savoy last fast day July 26 by Tho. Fuller, B.D. and since printed [WorldCat.org ] ]
*"A Peace but No Pacification" (1643)
*"Free Grace" (1645)
*"Dawnings of Light" (1645)
*"Groanes for Liberty" (1646) [ [http://www.ulib.iupui.edu/special/digproj/rarebooks/js.html] shows title page.]
*"Reasons for Unitie, Peace, and Love" (1646)
*"An End of One Controversie" (1646)
*"The Smoke in the Temple" (1646)
*"Sparkles of Glory" (1647)
*"A Letter from the Army" (1647) [ [http://www.ulib.iupui.edu/special/digproj/rarebooks/js2.html] shows title page.]
*"Some Drops of the Viall" (1648)

Notes

External links

*de icon [http://bautz.de/bbkl/s/s1/saltmarsh_j.shtml BBK page]
*worldcat id|lccn-n85-13523