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Mysticism in Early Modern England
Language:
English
Published/Copyright:
2019
About this book
Mysticism in Early Modern England traces how mysticism featured in polemical and religious discourse in seventeenth-century England and explores how it came to be viewed as a source of sectarianism, radicalism, and, most significantly, religious enthusiasm.
Mysticism in Early Modern England examines a vital juncture in the history of Christian mysticism. Exploring both Catholic and Protestant views across the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, the book argues for a re-evaluation of the cross-denominational appeal of mystical spirituality. It traces the mysticism of figures such as the Benedictine Augustine Baker, the Familist preacher John Everard, the millenarian Jane Lead, and the CambridgePlatonist writers Henry More and John Worthington. At the same time, it explores the arguments of a number of early modern critics including Meric Casaubon and Edward Stillingfleet, who viewed mysticism with suspicion and ridicule, a product of melancholy and madness incompatible with learned theological and doctrinal discussions. The book contends that the early modern period ultimately saw the association of mysticism with sectarianism, radicalism and religious enthusiasm, resulting in a negative connotation that lasted well into the twentieth century. It also explores connections between England and the Continent, suggesting that parallel and interconnected criticisms of mysticism occurred in France, Italy and Germany over the period. In analysing this significant change in attitude towards mysticism, the book suggests that recent scholarly attempts to 'return' mysticism to modern religious institutionsand mainstream histories of religion can be viewed as a direct response to the rejection of mysticism in the early modern period.
LIAM PETER TEMPLE gained his PhD from Northumbria University, Newcastle.
Mysticism in Early Modern England examines a vital juncture in the history of Christian mysticism. Exploring both Catholic and Protestant views across the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, the book argues for a re-evaluation of the cross-denominational appeal of mystical spirituality. It traces the mysticism of figures such as the Benedictine Augustine Baker, the Familist preacher John Everard, the millenarian Jane Lead, and the CambridgePlatonist writers Henry More and John Worthington. At the same time, it explores the arguments of a number of early modern critics including Meric Casaubon and Edward Stillingfleet, who viewed mysticism with suspicion and ridicule, a product of melancholy and madness incompatible with learned theological and doctrinal discussions. The book contends that the early modern period ultimately saw the association of mysticism with sectarianism, radicalism and religious enthusiasm, resulting in a negative connotation that lasted well into the twentieth century. It also explores connections between England and the Continent, suggesting that parallel and interconnected criticisms of mysticism occurred in France, Italy and Germany over the period. In analysing this significant change in attitude towards mysticism, the book suggests that recent scholarly attempts to 'return' mysticism to modern religious institutionsand mainstream histories of religion can be viewed as a direct response to the rejection of mysticism in the early modern period.
LIAM PETER TEMPLE gained his PhD from Northumbria University, Newcastle.
Topics
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Frontmatter
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Contents
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Illustrations
viii -
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Acknowledgements
ix -
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Introduction
1 -
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1 English Benedictine Mysticism, 1605–1655
19 -
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2 Mysticism and Heterodoxy in Revolutionary England, 1625–1655
45 -
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3 Mysticism, Melancholy and Pagano-Papism, 1630–1670
77 -
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4 Rationality and Mysticism in the Restoration, 1660–1690
109 -
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5 Mysticism and the Philadelphian Moment, 1650–1705
139 -
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Conclusion
171 -
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Bibliography
177 -
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Index
215
Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
February 19, 2024
eBook ISBN:
9781787445017
Original publisher:
Boydell Press
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook ISBN:
9781787445017
Keywords for this book
Mysticism; Early Modern England; Christian mysticism; Catholic; Protestant; seventeenth century; religious discourse; sectarianism; radicalism; religious enthusiasm
Audience(s) for this book
For an expert adult audience, including professional development and academic research
