Nathaniel Holmes
Encyclopedia
Nathaniel Holmes or HomesAlso Nathanael. (1599–1678) was an English Independent theologian and preacher. He has been described as a “Puritan writer of great ability".
in 1620; and with an M.A. from Magdalen Hall, Oxford in 1623. He later founded an Independent church, with Henry Burton
; he was rector of St Mary Staining
, Oat Lane, Aldersgate
, in London to 1662. In 1644 his Gospell-Musick defended and promoted psalm-singing, and reprinted the preface to the Bay Psalm Book
.
A convinced millenarian, he preached to the House of Commons
in 1641, under the influence of Thomas Brightman
. In 1650, in another sermon to the Commons after the battle of Dunbar
, he cited the Book of Daniel
and Book of Revelation
. He has been considered a follower of Johann Heinrich Alsted
.
He with Henry Jessey
corresponded with Menasseh ben Israel
, about the official return of Jews to England, and the supposed Lost Tribes found in North America. This interest was prompted by John Dury
’s interest, and was shared with others His philo-Semitism has been noted, for example, by Werner Sombart
.
was against the permissive line of William Ames
. He was against political "levelling". He defended infant baptism
, and attacked Thomas Goodwin
on salvation by works.
He wrote against witchcraft
, proposing an influential three-fold scheme of possession, and astrology
, regretting its prevalence.
Life
He graduated with a B.A. from Exeter College, OxfordExeter College, Oxford
Exeter College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England and the fourth oldest college of the University. The main entrance is on the east side of Turl Street...
in 1620; and with an M.A. from Magdalen Hall, Oxford in 1623. He later founded an Independent church, with Henry Burton
Henry Burton (Puritan)
Henry Burton , was an English puritan. Along with John Bastwick and William Prynne, Burton's ears were cut off in 1637 for writing pamphlets attacking the views of Archbishop Laud.-Early life:...
; he was rector of St Mary Staining
St Mary Staining
St Mary Staining is a lost church in Oat Lane,, northeast of St Pauls Cathedral in the City of London. The first reference to it is to "Ecclesia de Staningehage" in 1189, probably deriving from a family from Staines holding land in the area of the church. It was destroyed in the Great Fire of...
, Oat Lane, Aldersgate
Aldersgate
Aldersgate was a gate in the London Wall in the City of London, which has given its name to a ward and Aldersgate Street, a road leading north from the site of the gate, towards Clerkenwell in the London Borough of Islington.-History:...
, in London to 1662. In 1644 his Gospell-Musick defended and promoted psalm-singing, and reprinted the preface to the Bay Psalm Book
Bay Psalm Book
The Bay Psalm Book was the first book, that is still in existence, printed in British North America.The book is a Psalter, first printed in 1640 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Psalms in it are metrical translations into English...
.
A convinced millenarian, he preached to the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
in 1641, under the influence of Thomas Brightman
Thomas Brightman
Thomas Brightman was an English clergyman and biblical commentator. His exegesis of the Book of Revelation, published posthumously, proved influential. According to William M...
. In 1650, in another sermon to the Commons after the battle of Dunbar
Battle of Dunbar (1650)
The Battle of Dunbar was a battle of the Third English Civil War. The English Parliamentarian forces under Oliver Cromwell defeated a Scottish army commanded by David Leslie which was loyal to King Charles II, who had been proclaimed King of Scots on 5 February 1649.-Background:The English...
, he cited the Book of Daniel
Book of Daniel
The Book of Daniel is a book in the Hebrew Bible. The book tells of how Daniel, and his Judean companions, were inducted into Babylon during Jewish exile, and how their positions elevated in the court of Nebuchadnezzar. The court tales span events that occur during the reigns of Nebuchadnezzar,...
and Book of Revelation
Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament. The title came into usage from the first word of the book in Koine Greek: apokalupsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation"...
. He has been considered a follower of Johann Heinrich Alsted
Johann Heinrich Alsted
Johann Heinrich Alsted was a German Calvinist minister and academic, known for his varied interests: in Ramism and Lullism, pedagogy and encyclopedias, theology and millennarianism.-Life:...
.
He with Henry Jessey
Henry Jessey
Henry Jessey or Jacie was one of many English Dissenters. He was a founding member of the Puritan religious sect, the Jacobites. Jessey was considered a Hebrew and a rabbinical scholar.-Life:...
corresponded with Menasseh ben Israel
Menasseh Ben Israel
Manoel Dias Soeiro , better known by his Hebrew name Menasseh Ben Israel , was a Portuguese rabbi, kabbalist, scholar, writer, diplomat, printer and publisher, founder of the first Hebrew printing press in Amsterdam in...
, about the official return of Jews to England, and the supposed Lost Tribes found in North America. This interest was prompted by John Dury
John Dury
John Dury was a Scottish Calvinist minister and a significant intellectual of the English Civil War period. He made efforts to re-unite the Calvinist and Lutheran wings of Protestantism, hoping to succeed when he moved to Kassel in 1661, but he did not accomplish this...
’s interest, and was shared with others His philo-Semitism has been noted, for example, by Werner Sombart
Werner Sombart
Werner Sombart was a German economist and sociologist, the head of the “Youngest Historical School” and one of the leading Continental European social scientists during the first quarter of the 20th century....
.
Views
His 1640 work on usuryUsury
Usury Originally, when the charging of interest was still banned by Christian churches, usury simply meant the charging of interest at any rate . In countries where the charging of interest became acceptable, the term came to be used for interest above the rate allowed by law...
was against the permissive line of William Ames
William Ames
William Ames was an English Protestant divine, philosopher, and controversialist...
. He was against political "levelling". He defended infant baptism
Infant baptism
Infant baptism is the practice of baptising infants or young children. In theological discussions, the practice is sometimes referred to as paedobaptism or pedobaptism from the Greek pais meaning "child." The practice is sometimes contrasted with what is called "believer's baptism", or...
, and attacked Thomas Goodwin
Thomas Goodwin
Thomas Goodwin , known as 'the Elder', was an English Puritan theologian and preacher, and an important leader of religious Independents. He served as chaplain to Oliver Cromwell, and was imposed by Parliament as President of Magdalen College, Oxford in 1650...
on salvation by works.
He wrote against 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...
, proposing an influential three-fold scheme of possession, and astrology
Astrology
Astrology consists of a number of belief systems which hold that there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in the human world...
, regretting its prevalence.
Works
- Usury is Injury (1640),
- Gospell Musick (1644)
- Daemonologie and Theologie (1650)
- The Resurrection Revealed, or The Dawning of the Day Star
- Some Glimpses of Israel's Call Approaching
- Revelation Revealed (1653)
- Commentary on Canticles