Nathaniel Holmes or Homes [note 1] (1599–1678) was an English Independent theologian and preacher. He has been described as a “Puritan writer of great ability". [1]
He graduated with a B.A. from Exeter College, Oxford in 1620; and with an M.A. from Magdalen Hall, Oxford in 1623. He later founded an Independent church, with Henry Burton; [2] 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. [3]
A convinced millenarian, he preached to the House of Commons in 1641, under the influence of Thomas Brightman. [4] In 1650, in another sermon to the Commons after the battle of Dunbar, he cited the Book of Daniel and Book of Revelation. [5] He has been considered a follower of Johann Heinrich Alsted. [6]
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. [7] This interest was prompted by John Dury’s interest, [8] and was shared with others. [9] His philo-Semitism has been noted, for example, by Werner Sombart. [10]
His 1640 work on usury was against the permissive line of William Ames. [11] He was against political "levelling". [12] He defended infant baptism, and attacked John Goodwin on salvation by works. [13]
He wrote against witchcraft, [14] proposing an influential three-fold scheme of possession, [15] and astrology, regretting its prevalence. [16]
Nathaniel Holmes or Homes [note 1] (1599–1678) was an English Independent theologian and preacher. He has been described as a “Puritan writer of great ability". [1]
He graduated with a B.A. from Exeter College, Oxford in 1620; and with an M.A. from Magdalen Hall, Oxford in 1623. He later founded an Independent church, with Henry Burton; [2] 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. [3]
A convinced millenarian, he preached to the House of Commons in 1641, under the influence of Thomas Brightman. [4] In 1650, in another sermon to the Commons after the battle of Dunbar, he cited the Book of Daniel and Book of Revelation. [5] He has been considered a follower of Johann Heinrich Alsted. [6]
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. [7] This interest was prompted by John Dury’s interest, [8] and was shared with others. [9] His philo-Semitism has been noted, for example, by Werner Sombart. [10]
His 1640 work on usury was against the permissive line of William Ames. [11] He was against political "levelling". [12] He defended infant baptism, and attacked John Goodwin on salvation by works. [13]
He wrote against witchcraft, [14] proposing an influential three-fold scheme of possession, [15] and astrology, regretting its prevalence. [16]