Gangraena
Encyclopedia
Gangraena is a book by Thomas Edwards
, published in 1646. A notorious work of "heresiography", i.e. the description in detail of heresy
, it appeared the year after Ephraim Pagitt's Heresiography. These two books attempted to catalogue the fissiparous Protestant congregations of the time, in England particularly, into recognised sects or beliefs. Pagitt worked with 40 to 50 categories, Edwards went further with around three times as many, compiling a list of the practices of the Independents and more extreme radicals:
Hanserd Knollys
was accused of being an Anabaptist
. Heresy
is foregrounded, and the analogy suggested that heresy is to the soul as witchcraft
to the body. Edwards was an unsparing writer and Gangraena is described as "monumentally vituperative". The title itself refers to 2 Timothy 2:17, and "canker" in the King James translation.
It is not really a unified work, called a "complex, ramshackle text" by Nicholas Tyacke. It appeared in three volumes, with information added from correspondents, and Richard Baxter
in particular was also a contributor. Scholarly opinions on it are now mixed, having in the past been somewhat dismissive of the work as paranoid and probably counter-productive in the way of providing and circulating a menu of "heretical" options. Some scholars now see it as made more coherent by its inferences from and to the diabolical element, and more readable casually for the audience of the times, than it has in the past been allowed credit.
, John Lilburne
, John Saltmarsh
and William Walwyn
.
Thomas Edwards (Heresiographer)
Thomas Edwards was an English Puritan clergyman. He was a very influential preacher in London of the 1640s, and also one of the most ferocious polemical writers of the time, arguing from a conservative Presbyterian point of view against the Independents.-Life:He graduated M.A. from Queens'...
, published in 1646. A notorious work of "heresiography", i.e. the description in detail of heresy
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
, it appeared the year after Ephraim Pagitt's Heresiography. These two books attempted to catalogue the fissiparous Protestant congregations of the time, in England particularly, into recognised sects or beliefs. Pagitt worked with 40 to 50 categories, Edwards went further with around three times as many, compiling a list of the practices of the Independents and more extreme radicals:
Nature of Gangraena
Gangraena is generally described as an alarmist work, deducing a collapse of national polity from the ramification of different religious creeds. Typically, the BaptistBaptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
Hanserd Knollys
Hanserd Knollys
-Life:He was born at Cawkwell, Lincolnshire, about 1599. He was educated privately under a tutor, was for a short time at Great Grimsby grammar school, and afterwards matriculated at St Catharine's College, Cambridge in 1627 or 1629. Leaving the university, he became master of the grammar school at...
was accused of being 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....
. Heresy
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
is foregrounded, and the analogy suggested that heresy is to the soul as witchcraft
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
to the body. Edwards was an unsparing writer and Gangraena is described as "monumentally vituperative". The title itself refers to 2 Timothy 2:17, and "canker" in the King James translation.
It is not really a unified work, called a "complex, ramshackle text" by Nicholas Tyacke. It appeared in three volumes, with information added from correspondents, and 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...
in particular was also a contributor. Scholarly opinions on it are now mixed, having in the past been somewhat dismissive of the work as paranoid and probably counter-productive in the way of providing and circulating a menu of "heretical" options. Some scholars now see it as made more coherent by its inferences from and to the diabolical element, and more readable casually for the audience of the times, than it has in the past been allowed credit.
Reception
It provoked over 30 pamphlet responses in the period 1646-7, mostly hostile. Among them were works by Jeremiah Burroughes, John GoodwinJohn Goodwin (preacher)
John Goodwin was an English preacher, theologian and prolific author of significant books.-Early life:Goodwin was born in Norfolk and educated at Queens' College, Cambridge, where he graduated M.A. and obtained a fellowship on 10 November 1617. He left the university and married, took orders and...
, John Lilburne
John Lilburne
John Lilburne , also known as Freeborn John, was an English political Leveller before, during and after English Civil Wars 1642-1650. He coined the term "freeborn rights", defining them as rights with which every human being is born, as opposed to rights bestowed by government or human law...
, John Saltmarsh
John Saltmarsh (clergyman)
John Saltmarsh was a radical English religious and controversial writer and preacher. He is considered one of the Seekers. William Haller called him that strange genius, part poet and part whirling dervish. In his time he was a renowned prophet.-Life:He studied at Magdalene College, Cambridge...
and William Walwyn
William Walwyn
William Walwyn was an English pamphleteer, a Leveller and a medical practitioner.Walwyn was a silkman in London who took the parliamentary side in the English Civil War. He advocated religious toleration and emerged as a leader of the Levellers in 1647 which led to his imprisonment in 1649...
.
Further reading
- Gangraena and the struggle for the English revolution by Ann Hughes ISBN 0-19-925192-4