Jacob Barnet affair
The Jacob Barnet affair occurred in 1612 when a
Background
Throughout the
In 1609, the French
Oxford
Barnet's personal qualities, as well as his erudition, meant that he was liked and respected by scholars at the university. While at Oxford, he decided to be baptised as a Christian, and told Casaubon of his decision; Casaubon told the
Barnet, however, did not attend the ceremony, having decided against converting; he left Oxford on foot.[2] According to the 17th-century Oxford antiquarian Anthony Wood, Arthur Lake, the Warden of New College, Oxford, sent pursuers after Barnet on foot and on horseback; Lake was one of the "learned Doctors" of the university whom Wood said had been "deceived" by Barnet's "tricks".[2] Barnet was apprehended and taken back to Oxford, where he refused to be baptised. He was then detained in the unpleasant conditions of the Bocardo Prison.[1][3] In the meantime, William Twisse, who was to preach at the service, changed his sermon to address Barnet's change of heart, demonstrating (according to Wood) "God's just judgment upon that perverse nation and people, whom he had given up to a reprobate sense even to this very day."[3]
Aftermath
Casaubon was appalled by the treatment of Barnet and considered it a "violation of Christian ethics".
References
- ^ a b c d e f Anthony Grafton. "A Sketch Map of a Lost Continent: The Republic of Letters". Retrieved 28 April 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Marcus Roberts. "The strange story of Jacob Barnet". Retrieved 28 April 2010.
- ^ a b Anthony à Wood, John Gutch (2006). The history and antiquities of the University of Oxford, Volume 2, Part 1. p. 316.