Socinian controversy
The Socinian controversy in the Church of England (sometimes called the First Socinian controversy to distinguish it from a debate around 1800 mainly affecting Protestant nonconformists; and also called the Trinitarian controversy[1]) was a theological argument on christology carried out by English theologians for around a decade from 1687. Positions that had remained largely dormant since the death in 1662 of John Biddle, an early Unitarian, were revived and discussed, in pamphlet literature (much of it anonymous).
This controversy was part of a larger debate after the
Detailed history
The
These two publications prompted
Sherlock's doctrine, as preached at Oxford by Joseph Bingham, was condemned by the hebdomadal council (25 November 1695), as ‘falsa, impia et hæretica’ (false, impious and heretical). Sherlock defended himself in an ‘Examination’ (1696) of the decree.[3]
On 3 February 1696 William III addressed to the hierarchy ‘Directions,’ drawn up by Thomas Tenison, prohibiting the use of ‘all new terms’ relating to the Trinity. In his ‘Present State of the Socinian Controversy’ (1698, but most of it printed 1696) Sherlock in practical terms gave up on the positions that had been impugned.[3]
Literature related to the argument was still voluminous, however, in the period up to 1704. One notable reader and student of the debate was John Locke.[4]
Timeline of publications
Year | Author | Publication | Position | Replies |
---|---|---|---|---|
1690 | Arthur Bury | The Naked Gospel | Latitudinarian | William Nicholls, An Answer to an Heretical Book, called the Naked Gospel, 1691;[5] Thomas Long, An Answer to a Socinian Treatise called 'The Naked Gospel", 1691.[6] |
1690 | William Sherlock[3] | A vindication of the doctrine of the holy and ever blessed Trinity, and the incarnation of the Son of God: Occasioned by the Brief notes on the creed of St. Athanasius, and the Brief history of the Unitarians, or Socinians, and containing an answer to both[7] | Trinitarian Anglican | Robert South (anonymous) Animadversions on Dr Sherlock's Book, entitled a Vindication of the Holy and Ever Blessed Trinity, 1693; Remarks upon a Book Lately Published by Dr. William Sherlock, 1695. |
1690 | John Wallis | The Doctrine of the Blessed Trinity, briefly explained in a letter to a friend[8] | Trinitarian Presbyterian | |
1691 | Daniel Whitby | Tractatus de vera Christi Deitate adversus Arii et Socini hæreses[9] | Latitudinarian | |
1691 | William Freke | The Arrian's Vindication of Himself[10] | Arian | John Wallis, A Fourth Letter, Concerning the Sacred Trinity, 1691. |
1693 | Stephen Nye, anonymously | Considerations on the Explications of the Doctrine of the Trinity, By Dr. Wallis, Dr. Sherlock, Dr. South, Dr. Cudworth, and Mr. Hooker; as also on the Account given by those that say, the Trinity is an Unconceivable and Inexplicable Mystery | Sabellian[11] | |
1693 | Edward Fowler | Twenty-eight Propositions, by which the Doctrine of the Trinity is endeavoured to be explained (anonymous), and subsequent defences.[12] | Latitudinarian | Matthew Tindal, Reflections on the 28 Propositions, 1695.[13] |
1693 | Francis Fullwood[14] | The Socinian Controversie | Trinitarian Anglican (ex non-juror) | |
1693 | Jonathan Edwards | A Preservative Against Socinianism (appeared in parts from this year) | Argued that Socinus had founded a new non-Christian religion.[15] | |
1694 | George Bull | Judicium Ecclesiae Catholicae[16] | Athanasian | Gilbert Clerke and Samuel Crellius, Tractatus Tres, 1695.[17] |
1695 | Charles Leslie | The Charge of Socinianism against Dr. Tillotson Considered[18] | Church of Ireland non-juror | |
1695 | John Smith | A designed End to the Socinian Controversy: or a rational and plain Discourse that no other person but the Father of Christ is God Most High | Unitarian | |
1696 | John Edwards | Socinianism Unmask'd, followed by The Socinian Creed, (1697) | Calvinist[21] | John Locke, Vindication of his Essay of the Reasonableness of Christianity; Samuel Bold, Discourse on the true Knowledge of Christ Jesus, 1697.[22] |
1702 | Thomas Emlyn | An Humble Inquiry into the Scripture Account of Jesus Christ (anonymous) | Unitarian[23] |
References
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/25381. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- ^ William Gibson, The Church of England 1688–1832: Unity and Accord (2001), p. 15.
- ^ a b c d e Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. .
- ^ John Marshall, John Locke: resistance, religion and responsibility (1994) p. 418. Google Books.
- ^ Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. .
- ^ Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. .
- ISBN 9780598938589– via Google Books.
- ^ "Record not found | National Library of Australia". Archived from the original on 16 October 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
- ^ Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. .
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/10158. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.). The first edition of this text is available at Wikisource: . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/20418. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- ^ Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. .
- ^ Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. .
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/67192. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- ^ Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. .
- ^ Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. .
- ^ Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. .
- ^ The charge of Socinianism against Dr. Tillotson considered: In examination of some sermons he has lately published on purpose to clear himself from that imputation, by way of a dialogue betwixt F. A friend of Dr. T's and C. A Catholick Christian: To which is added some reflections upon the second of Dr. Burnet's four discourses, concerning the divinity and death of Christ, printed 1694: To which is likewise annexed, A supplement upon occasion of a history of religion, lately published, supposed to be wrote by Sir R-- H--d [Robert Howard]: Wherein likewise Charles Blount's Great Diana is considered, and both compar'd with Dr. Tillotson's sermons. 1695.
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/11462. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- ^ A divine antidote against a devilish poyson, or, A scriptural answer to an anti-scriptural and heretical pamphlet entituled a designed end to the Socinian controversie, written by John Smith. Printed for Richard Sare and Jos. Hindmarsh. 1696.
- ^ Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. .
- ^ Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. .
- ^ Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. .
External links
- §7. The spread of Arianism and the First Socinian Controversy. XVI. The Literature of Dissent. Vol. 10. The Age of Johnson. The Cambridge History of English and American Literature: An Encyclopedia in Eighteen Volumes. 1907–21
- Chapter 4: Historia monotheistica (Normalized)
- Attribution
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Sherlock, William (1641?-1707)". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.