Samuel Mather (Independent minister)
Samuel Mather (1626–1671) was an Independent minister. Born in England, he went with his family while still young to
Biography
Samuel Mather was the eldest son of
Having already become a preacher, Mather returned to England, and in 1650 was made one of the chaplains of Magdalen College, Oxford, under the presidency of Thomas Goodwin, the Independent. He is said to have been incorporated M.A.; of this there is no record in the register. He frequently preached at St. Mary's.[1]
In 1653 Mather resigned his chaplaincy, having been appointed to attend the parliamentary commissioners who journeyed to Scotland to proclaim and implement the Tender of Union. He was at Leith, for two years, exercising his ministry, but without regular charge.[1][2]
Returning to England, Mather is said to have been
At the
Works
He published:[1]
- A Wholesome Caveat for a Time of Liberty, &c., 1652, 4to.
- A Defence of the Protestant Religion, &c., Dublin, 1671, 4to.
Posthumous (both published by his brother Nathaniel):[1]
- An Irenicum: or an Essay for Union among Reformers, &c., 1680, 4to.
- The Figures or Types of the Old Testament, &c., Dublin, 1683, 4to
He wrote also a "Discourse" against Valentine Greatrakes, the miraculous conformist, but it was not allowed to be printed.[1][5]
Family
Mather married a sister of Sir John Stephens.[1] They had four or five children but all but one, Catherine, died while still minors.[6]
Notes
- ^ Timothy "Taylor was a Presbyterian and became an Independent. He was chaplain to Venables and occupied the former rector's residence of Carrickfergus. He was one of the examiners for ministers appointed in 1655 and from 1668 to 1681 he ministered in New Row, Dublin" (Ohlmeyer 2002, p. 208 footnote 37).
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Gordon 1894, p. 31.
- ^ Calamy 1713, p. 415.
- ^ Greaves 1998, p. 4.
- ^ Horden 2004.
- ^ Calamy 1713, p. 417.
- ^ Bremer 2004.
References
- Bremer, Francis J. (2004). "Mather, Samuel (1626–1671)". doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/18326. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- Greaves, Richard L (1998), Dublin's Merchant-Quaker: Anthony Sharp and the Community of Friends, 1643 – 1707, Stanford University Press, p. 4, ISBN 9780804734523
- Horden, John (2004). "Thomas Jenner (b. 1606/7)". doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/14752. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- Ohlmeyer, Jane H., ed. (2002), Ireland from Independence to Occupation, 1641–1660 (illustrated, reprint ed.), Cambridge University Press, p. 208, ISBN 9780521522755
- Attribution
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Gordon, Alexander (1894). "Mather, Samuel". In Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 37. London: Smith, Elder & Co. p. 31. Endnotes:
- Wood's Athenæ Oxon. (Bliss), iii. 941 sq.;
- Cotton Mather's Magnalia Christi Americana, 1702, iv. 136, 143;
- Calamy, Edmund (1713), An account of the ministers, lecturers, masters, and fellows of colleges and schoolmasters: who were ejected or silenced after the Restoration in 1660, by or before, the Act of Uniformity. ..., London: Printed for J. Lawrence, pp. 415–417
- Armstrong's Appendix to Martineau's Ordination Service, 1829, pp. 79 sq.;
- Bloxam's Registers of Magd. Coll. Oxford, 1857, ii. 134 sq.;
- Catalogue of Dublin Graduates, 1869.