Edward Bagshaw (theologian)
Encyclopedia
Edward Bagshaw the younger (1629–1671) was an English Nonconformist minister and theologian, known as a controversialist. His sympathies were with the fringe Independent sects of the Commonwealth period, and after the English Restoration
of 1660 his life was embattled. Richard Baxter
criticized Bagshaw as "an Anabaptist
, Fifth Monarchy man, and a Separatist".
was a lawyer and politician. Henry Bagshaw (1632–1709) was his brother.
He was educated at Christ Church, Oxford
, where John Locke
was also, when Bagshaw was a Student (i.e. Fellow of the college). Locke’s Two Tracts on Government, representing more orthodox views of the time, were intended as replies to Bagshaw’s views on religious toleration
, published as The Great Question Concerning Things Indifferent in 1659.
A position teaching at Westminster School
in 1656 ended badly when he quarreled with headmaster Richard Busby
. He was ordained in 1659 by Ralph Brownrigg
, and became vicar at Ambrosden
, but was soon ejected for non-conformity.
A large and acrimonious pamphlet literature grew up around Bagshaw, some of it generated by his hostility to George Morley
, the Restoration bishop of Worcester
(translated in 1662 to Winchester), and Dean of Christ Church from 1660. He was chaplain to Arthur Annesley, 1st Earl of Anglesey
in 1661. He then spent a time imprisoned in the Tower of London
, from early 1663. He was attacked in print by Roger L'Estrange
.
In the last year of his life he published a biography of Vavasor Powell
. To the end he was also arguing out the separatist case against Richard Baxter, who hoped to keep dissenters (apart from the extremes) within the Church of England
. Bagshaw hit out at Baxter's lukewarm position on dissent. In 1672, Baxter was still accusing Bagshaw of tricky polemics, in trying to draw discussion of the position of honest Nonconformist dissenters onto the touchy grounds of full toleration, politics and war.
He died while on parole from Newgate Prison
, and was buried in Bunhill Fields
.
English Restoration
The Restoration of the English monarchy began in 1660 when the English, Scottish and Irish monarchies were all restored under Charles II after the Interregnum that followed the Wars of the Three Kingdoms...
of 1660 his life was embattled. Richard Baxter
Richard Baxter
Richard Baxter was an English Puritan church leader, poet, hymn-writer, theologian, and controversialist. Dean Stanley called him "the chief of English Protestant Schoolmen". After some false starts, he made his reputation by his ministry at Kidderminster, and at around the same time began a long...
criticized Bagshaw as "an Anabaptist
Anabaptist
Anabaptists are Protestant Christians of the Radical Reformation of 16th-century Europe, and their direct descendants, particularly the Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites....
, Fifth Monarchy man, and a Separatist".
Life
His father Edward BagshaweEdward Bagshawe (MP)
Edward Bagshaw the elder was an English author and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1640 to 1644. He supported the Royalist cause in the English Civil War....
was a lawyer and politician. Henry Bagshaw (1632–1709) was his brother.
He was educated at Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
, where John Locke
John Locke
John Locke FRS , widely known as the Father of Liberalism, was an English philosopher and physician regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers. Considered one of the first of the British empiricists, following the tradition of Francis Bacon, he is equally important to social...
was also, when Bagshaw was a Student (i.e. Fellow of the college). Locke’s Two Tracts on Government, representing more orthodox views of the time, were intended as replies to Bagshaw’s views on religious toleration
Religious toleration
Toleration is "the practice of deliberately allowing or permitting a thing of which one disapproves. One can meaningfully speak of tolerating, ie of allowing or permitting, only if one is in a position to disallow”. It has also been defined as "to bear or endure" or "to nourish, sustain or preserve"...
, published as The Great Question Concerning Things Indifferent in 1659.
A position teaching at Westminster School
Westminster School
The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
in 1656 ended badly when he quarreled with headmaster Richard Busby
Richard Busby
The Rev. Dr. Richard Busby was an English Anglican priest who served as head master of Westminster School for more than fifty-five years.-Life:...
. He was ordained in 1659 by Ralph Brownrigg
Ralph Brownrigg
Ralph Brownrigg or Brownrig was bishop of Exeter from 1642 to 1659. He spent that time largely in exile from his see, which he perhaps never visited. He did find a position there for Seth Ward. He was both a Royalist in politics, and a Calvinist in religion, an unusual combination of the period...
, and became vicar at Ambrosden
Ambrosden
Ambrosden is a village and civil parish in Cherwell, Oxfordshire, England, southwest of Bicester to which it is linked by the A41 road, and from Oxford. The 2001 Census recorded a parish population of 1,749 people. The parish is bounded by the River Ray to the south, its tributary the River Bure...
, but was soon ejected for non-conformity.
A large and acrimonious pamphlet literature grew up around Bagshaw, some of it generated by his hostility to George Morley
George Morley
George Morley D.D. was an English bishop.-Life:He was born in London, England, and educated at Westminster school and the University of Oxford. In 1640, he was presented to the sinecure living of Hartfield, Sussex, and in the following year he was made canon of Christ Church, Oxford and exchanged...
, the Restoration bishop of Worcester
Bishop of Worcester
The Bishop of Worcester is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Worcester in the Province of Canterbury, England. He is the head of the Diocese of Worcester in the Province of Canterbury...
(translated in 1662 to Winchester), and Dean of Christ Church from 1660. He was chaplain to Arthur Annesley, 1st Earl of Anglesey
Arthur Annesley, 1st Earl of Anglesey
Arthur Annesley, 1st Earl of Anglesey PC was an Anglo-Irish royalist statesman. After short periods as President of the Council of State and Treasurer of the Navy, he served as Lord Privy Seal between 1673 and 1682 for Charles II...
in 1661. He then spent a time imprisoned in the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
, from early 1663. He was attacked in print by Roger L'Estrange
Roger L'Estrange
Sir Roger L'Estrange was an English pamphleteer and author, and staunch defender of royalist claims. L'Estrange was involved in political controversy throughout his life...
.
In the last year of his life he published a biography of Vavasor Powell
Vavasor Powell
Vavasor Powell was a Welsh Nonconformist Puritan preacher, evangelist, church leader and writer.-Life:He was born in Knucklas, Radnorshire and was educated at Jesus College, Oxford...
. To the end he was also arguing out the separatist case against Richard Baxter, who hoped to keep dissenters (apart from the extremes) within the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
. Bagshaw hit out at Baxter's lukewarm position on dissent. In 1672, Baxter was still accusing Bagshaw of tricky polemics, in trying to draw discussion of the position of honest Nonconformist dissenters onto the touchy grounds of full toleration, politics and war.
He died while on parole from Newgate Prison
Newgate Prison
Newgate Prison was a prison in London, at the corner of Newgate Street and Old Bailey just inside the City of London. It was originally located at the site of a gate in the Roman London Wall. The gate/prison was rebuilt in the 12th century, and demolished in 1777...
, and was buried in Bunhill Fields
Bunhill Fields
Bunhill Fields is a cemetery in the London Borough of Islington, north of the City of London, and managed by the City of London Corporation. It is about 4 hectares in extent, although historically was much larger....
.