Stephen Nye
Encyclopedia
Stephen Nye was an English clergyman, known as a theological writer and for his Unitarian
views.
in 1665. He became rector of Little Hormead
, Hertfordshire
in 1679. Thomas Firmin
was a close associate.
Although the term “Unitarian” was already known in England from the Latin Library of the Polish Brethren called Unitarians published in Amsterdam (1665-1668), and had been used in print before by Henry Hedworth
(1673), Nye's book gave the term wider currency in English among antitrinitarian believers, and set off the Unitarian controversy. Nye distinguished Unitarian views from those of Arius
(Arian
views) and Fausto Sozzini (Socinian views). He called William Sherlock
a tritheist, Robert South
a Socinian, and John Wallis a Sabellian. He faced much opposition from orthodox Anglicans, but had an ally in William Freke
. Thomas Tenison
, Archbishop of Canterbury
from 1695, discouraged those who wanted to continue the debate.
Nye wrote also on natural religion
; he corresponded with Henry Hedworth
and published some of those letters.
Unitarianism
Unitarianism is a Christian theological movement, named for its understanding of God as one person, in direct contrast to Trinitarianism which defines God as three persons coexisting consubstantially as one in being....
views.
Life
Son of John Nye, he graduated B.A. at Magdalene College, CambridgeMagdalene College, Cambridge
Magdalene College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1428 as a Benedictine hostel, in time coming to be known as Buckingham College, before being refounded in 1542 as the College of St Mary Magdalene...
in 1665. He became rector of Little Hormead
Little Hormead
Little Hormead is a small settlement in the county of Hertfordshire. It is a few miles away from the small town of Buntingford and near the village of Great Hormead.-External Links:*...
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
in 1679. Thomas Firmin
Thomas Firmin
Thomas Firmin was an English businessman and philanthropist, and Unitarian publisher.-Early life:Firmin was born to Puritan parents, Henry and Prudence Firmin in Ipswich. Henry Firmin was a parishioner of Samuel Ward, the Puritan incumbent of St. Mary-le-Tower, by whom in 1635 he was accused of...
was a close associate.
Works
Nye wrote Brief History of the Unitarians also called Socinians (published anonymously in 1687, expanded 1691).Although the term “Unitarian” was already known in England from the Latin Library of the Polish Brethren called Unitarians published in Amsterdam (1665-1668), and had been used in print before by Henry Hedworth
Henry Hedworth
Henry Hedworth of Huntingdon was a Unitarian writer.Henry Hedworth is chiefly notable for being the first person in the English language to introduce Latin term Unitarian into print in England 1673, fourteen years before Stephen Nye of Hertfordshire became the first to use the word on a title...
(1673), Nye's book gave the term wider currency in English among antitrinitarian believers, and set off the Unitarian controversy. Nye distinguished Unitarian views from those of Arius
Arius
Arius was a Christian presbyter in Alexandria, Egypt of Libyan origins. His teachings about the nature of the Godhead, which emphasized the Father's divinity over the Son , and his opposition to the Athanasian or Trinitarian Christology, made him a controversial figure in the First Council of...
(Arian
Arian
Arian may refer to:* Arius, a Christian presbyter in the 3rd and 4th century* a given name in different cultures: Aria, Aryan or Arian...
views) and Fausto Sozzini (Socinian views). He called William Sherlock
William Sherlock
Not to be confused with William Sherlock William Sherlock was an English church leader.-Life:He was born at Southwark, and was educated at St. Saviour's School and Eton, and then at Peterhouse, Cambridge. In 1669 he became rector of St George's, Botolph Lane, London, and in 1681 he was appointed a...
a tritheist, Robert South
Robert South
Robert South was an English churchman, known for his combative preaching.-Early life:He was the son of Robert South, a London merchant, and Elizabeth Berry...
a Socinian, and John Wallis a Sabellian. He faced much opposition from orthodox Anglicans, but had an ally in William Freke
William Freke
William Freke was an English mystical writer, of Wadham College, Oxford and barrister of the Temple.Freke first comes to attention as a Socinian Unitarian who suffered at the hands of Parliament in 1694 for his anti-Trinitarian beliefs, and later recanted...
. Thomas Tenison
Thomas Tenison
Thomas Tenison was an English church leader, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1694 until his death. During his primacy, he crowned two British monarchs.-Life:...
, Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
from 1695, discouraged those who wanted to continue the debate.
Nye wrote also on natural religion
Natural religion
Natural religion might have the following meanings:* In the modern study of religion it is used to refer to the notion that there is a spontaneous religious apprehension of the world common to all human beings, see:**Urreligion**origin of religion...
; he corresponded with Henry Hedworth
Henry Hedworth
Henry Hedworth of Huntingdon was a Unitarian writer.Henry Hedworth is chiefly notable for being the first person in the English language to introduce Latin term Unitarian into print in England 1673, fourteen years before Stephen Nye of Hertfordshire became the first to use the word on a title...
and published some of those letters.