John Kettlewell
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John Kettlewell (10 March 1653 – 12 April 1695) was an English clergyman,
Life
He was the second son of John Kettlewell, a merchant at
He was ordained deacon by
Through the Glorious Revolution he preached strongly against rebellion; he adhered consistently to this principle, and was deprived of his vicarage in 1690. He moved to London, and spent the remainder of his life, occupied in the composition of devotional books and controversial tracts. Shortly before his death he proposed to Bishop
Kettlewell had married at Whitchurch, near Reading, on 4 October 1685, Jane, daughter of Anthony Lybb of Hardwick House in the parish of Whitchurch; they had no children.[4] His papers were entrusted by his widow to Robert Nelson, who published some of them.
Works
His first book, 'The Measures of Christian Obedience,' a summary of Christian morals as involved in obedience to the laws of the Gospel, was written between Christmas 1677 and Easter 1678, but was not published until 1681, when, at Hickes's suggestion, Kettlewell dedicated it to
Kettlewell's works are:
- 'Measures of Christian Obedience,' 1681;[5] 2nd edit. 1683-1684, 3rd 1696, 4th 1700, 5th 1709 (with portrait), 6th 1714.
- 'Help and Exhortation to Worthy Communicating,' 1683; eight editions up to 1717, the fourth printed at Cambridge in 1701.
- 'A Discourse explaining the Nature of Edification,' in a visitation sermon at Coventry, 1684.
- 'A Funeral Sermon for the Lady Frances Digby,' 1684.
- 'The Religious Loyalist;' a visitation sermon at Coleshill. 1686.
- 'Sermon on Occasion of the Death of Simon, Lord Digby,' 1686.
- 'The Practical Believer; or the Articles of the Apostles' Creed drawn out to form a true Christian's Heart and Practice,' two parts [anon., with initials J. K.], 1688; published by William Allen, D.D., fol. 1703; 3rd edit., with a preface by Robert Nelson, and additions, 1712-13; translated into Welsh by Richard ap Robert, 1708.
- 'Of Christian Prudence, or Religious Wisdom, not degenerating into Irreligious Craftiness in Trying Times' [anon., with initials J. K.], 1691.
- 'Christianity, a Doctrine of the Cross; or Passive Obedience under any pretended Invasion of Legal Rights and Liberties' [anon.]. 1691; 1695, with the author's name.
- 'The Duty of Allegiance settled upon its True Grounds ... in Answer to a late Book of Dr. Will. Sherlock, entituled The Case of the Allegiance due to Sovereign Powers' [anon.], 1691.
- 'Of Christian Communion, to be kept on in the Unity of Christ's Church . . . and of the Obligations both of faithful Pastors to administer Orthodox and Holy Offices, and of faithful People to Communicate in the same,' three parts [anon.], 1693; reissued in 1695 with a general title of 'Four several Tracts of the Rev. John Kettlewell,' without specification of any others.
- 'A Companion for the Persecuted; or an Office for those who Suffer for Righteousness,' 1694.
- 'A Companion for the Penitent and for Persons troubled in Mind,' 1694;[6] it was reissued in 1696, together with the 'Companion for the Persecuted' dated 1693.
- 'Death made Comfortable, or the Way to Die well,' 1695; with an office for the sick 1702, and 3rd edit. 1723.
- 'Declaration and Profession made by [him] at the receiving of the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, 23 March 1694;' reprinted in his 'Life.'
- 'Five Discourses on so many important Points of Practical Religion,' with a preface giving some account of his life (by Robert Nelson), 1696; 2nd edit., with four sermons, two parts, 1708.
- 'An Office for Prisoners for Crimes, together with another for Prisoners for Debt' (with a preface by Robert Nelson), 1697.
- 'Two Select Discourses on Faith, and the Objects Thereof, the Articles of the Apostles Creed. The First On Faith, Shewing the Nature and Difference of that Faith which is Justifying, and of That Which Is Not. The Second, The Practical Believer: Or, the Articles of the Apostles Creed, Drawn Out To Form a True Christian's Heart and Practice. Two Treatises Upon the Covenant of Grace, The First, A Discourse of the Nature, Ends, and Difference of the Two Covenants. The Second Catechetical Lectures Upon the Preliminary Questions and Answers of the Church-Catechism (Four Books In One)', 1703, with William Allen and Thomas Bray[7]
Published by Printed by J. Brudenell for Willian Haws, 1703
- 'The Great Evil and Danger of Profaneness and Prodigality' (published by Nelson), 1705.
- 'Works,' 2 vols, fol. 1719, with 'Life' prefixed; the several tracts have title-pages dated 1718.
- 'The True Church of England Man's Companion' (a manual of devotion compiled from his works), 1749.
A treatise on the new oaths was left by him in manuscript, but never printed.
Notes
- J. P. Kenyon, Revolution Principles: The Politics of Party 1689-1720 (1990), p. 28.
- ^ Andrew Pyle (editor), Dictionary of Seventeenth Century British Philosophers (2000), article on Kettlewell, pp. 487-8.
- ^ Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Ken, Thomas dated September 23, 2004
- ^ A Puritan's Mind website, John Kettlewell (1653-1695); An Anglican Preacher and Devotional Writer
- ^ University of Colorado website, Library Catalog section, Measures of Christian Obedience
- ^ ABE Books website, A Companion for the Penitent
- ^ ABE Books website, Two Select Discourses on Faith ...
References
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Kettlewell, John". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.