John Saltmarsh (clergyman)

John Saltmarsh (born Yorkshire, died 1647) was a radical English religious and controversial writer and preacher. He is considered one of the SeekersEnglish Dissenters: Seekers. William Haller called him that strange genius, part poet and part whirling dervishThe Rise of Puritanism, p. 79.. In his time he was a renowned prophetKeith Thomas, Religion and the Decline of Magic, note on p. 164, and p. 177/.
==Life==
He studied at Magdalene College, Cambridge. He became a parish priest at Heslerton in 1635, then Brasted in 1645Concise Dictionary of National Biography.
He was a chaplain in the army of Thomas Fairfax. From his deathbed, he rode from Ilford to Windsor to admonish Fairfax on backslidingChristopher Hill, The World Turned Upside Down, p. 70..
==Views==
He argued strongly for religious toleration and liberty of conscienceNigel Smith, Literature and Revolution in England, 1640-1660 (1994) p 123.. He considered that heaven on earth was possible. Samuel Rutherford accused Saltmarsh of antinomianismHill, Liberty Against the Law, p. 217, quoting Free Grace.. Peter Toon writesHyperCal1
He believed in universal salvation, and agreed with John Bunyan on the lack of necessity for baptismHill, A Turbulent, Seditious and Factious People: John Bunyan and his Church, p. 293.. He also regarded observance of Sunday as the Sabbath as not requiredHill, Society and Puritanism, p. 205.. 
A controversy with Thomas Fuller brought forth his pamphlet Examinations. Fuller
==Works==
*Poemata sacra (1636) 
*Holy Discoveries and Flames (1640) 
*Examinations, or, A discovery of some dangerous positions (1643)Examinations, or, A discovery of some dangerous positions delivered in A sermon of reformation preached in the church of the Savoy last fast day July 26 by Tho. Fuller, B.D. and since printed [WorldCat.org]
*A Peace but No Pacification (1643) 
*Free Grace (1645) 
*Dawnings of Light (1645)
*Groanes for Liberty (1646) shows title page.
*Reasons for Unitie, Peace, and Love (1646) 
*An End of One Controversie (1646)
*The Smoke in the Temple (1646)
*Sparkles of Glory (1647)
*A Letter from the Army (1647) shows title page.
*Some Drops of the Viall (1648)
==Notes==
==External links==
* BBK page
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Category:1647 deaths
Category:English religious writers
Category:English political writers
Category:English poets
Category:English theologians
Category:English Christian Universalists