Hezekiah Woodward
Encyclopedia
Hezekiah Woodward was an English nonconformist minister and educator, also involved in the pamphlet wars of the 1640s. He was a Comenian in educational theory, and an associate of Samuel Hartlib
. He was one of those articulating the Puritan
argument against the celebration of Christmas
.
, as authors in “the frequent printing of scandalous Books by divers”. He was officially examined about his writings at the end of December 1644, being released after two days, and having acknowledged authorship of some work or works, thought to have included the anonymous As You Were. Milton either was not pulled in, or was quickly allowed to go.
Then, at Bray, Berkshire
, he was an Independent minister, but was ejected in 1662, after the English Restoration
of 1660. Subsequently he was in Uxbridge
, one of the founders of the Old Meeting Congregational Church there.
, a major writer on the Presbyterian side. Woodward supported Katherine Chidley
against Edwards.
As You Were: or a reducing (1644) was published anonymously, and in support of John Goodwin
. It was a reply to Faces About, attributed to George Gillespie
. Gillespie hit back in Wholesome Severity, from the Presbyterian side.
On education, he advanced the argument that the current grammar schools lacked provision for the most elementary schooling, to the detriment of the quality of the latter. His A Light to Grammar (1641) makes the case for education based on stimulation; A Gate to Science favoured realism and intelligibility in textbooks.
Parents, in his view, delegated too much of a child's upbringing to teachers. He wrote about his own schooling, in A Childes Patrimony (1640), and Portion (1649).
. His daughter Sarah married Daniel Henchman (c.1627-1685), a founder of Worcester, Massachusetts
.
Samuel Hartlib
Samuel Hartlib was a German-British polymath. An active promoter and expert writer in many fields, he was interested in science, medicine, agriculture, politics, and education. He settled in England, where he married and died...
. He was one of those articulating the Puritan
Puritan
The Puritans were a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritanism in this sense was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558, as an activist movement within the Church of England...
argument against the celebration of Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
.
Life
In the early 1640s he was a preacher at Aldermanbury in London. At this period he was linked with John MiltonJohn Milton
John Milton was an English poet, polemicist, a scholarly man of letters, and a civil servant for the Commonwealth of England under Oliver Cromwell...
, as authors in “the frequent printing of scandalous Books by divers”. He was officially examined about his writings at the end of December 1644, being released after two days, and having acknowledged authorship of some work or works, thought to have included the anonymous As You Were. Milton either was not pulled in, or was quickly allowed to go.
Then, at Bray, Berkshire
Bray, Berkshire
Bray, sometimes known as Bray on Thames, is a village and civil parish in the English county of Berkshire. It stands on the banks of the River Thames, just south-east of Maidenhead. It is famous as the village mentioned in the song The Vicar of Bray...
, he was an Independent minister, but was ejected in 1662, after the English Restoration
English Restoration
The Restoration of the English monarchy began in 1660 when the English, Scottish and Irish monarchies were all restored under Charles II after the Interregnum that followed the Wars of the Three Kingdoms...
of 1660. Subsequently he was in Uxbridge
Uxbridge
Uxbridge is a large town located in north west London, England and is the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Hillingdon. It forms part of the ceremonial county of Greater London. It is located west-northwest of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres...
, one of the founders of the Old Meeting Congregational Church there.
Writings
He engaged Thomas EdwardsThomas Edwards (Heresiographer)
Thomas Edwards was an English Puritan clergyman. He was a very influential preacher in London of the 1640s, and also one of the most ferocious polemical writers of the time, arguing from a conservative Presbyterian point of view against the Independents.-Life:He graduated M.A. from Queens'...
, a major writer on the Presbyterian side. Woodward supported Katherine Chidley
Katherine Chidley
Katherine Chidley was a religious controversialist & Leveller.Her origins and background are unknown but by the late 1640s she had emerged as the leader of Leveller women....
against Edwards.
As You Were: or a reducing (1644) was published anonymously, and in support of John Goodwin
John Goodwin
John Goodwin may refer to:*John Goodwin , English preacher and religious writer*John B. Goodwin, Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia in the late 1880s...
. It was a reply to Faces About, attributed to George Gillespie
George Gillespie
George Gillespie was a Scottish theologian.-Life:He was born at Kirkcaldy, where his father, John Gillespie, was parish minister, and studied at St. Andrews University as a "presbytery bursar". On graduating he became domestic chaplain to John Gordon, 1st Viscount Kenmure , and afterwards to John...
. Gillespie hit back in Wholesome Severity, from the Presbyterian side.
On education, he advanced the argument that the current grammar schools lacked provision for the most elementary schooling, to the detriment of the quality of the latter. His A Light to Grammar (1641) makes the case for education based on stimulation; A Gate to Science favoured realism and intelligibility in textbooks.
Parents, in his view, delegated too much of a child's upbringing to teachers. He wrote about his own schooling, in A Childes Patrimony (1640), and Portion (1649).
Family
His daughter Frances married John OxenbridgeJohn Oxenbridge
John Oxenbridge was an English Nonconformist divine, who emigrated to New England.-Life:He was born at Daventry, Northamptonshire, and was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and Magdalen Hall, Oxford .As tutor of Magdalen Hall he drew up a new code of articles referring to the government of...
. His daughter Sarah married Daniel Henchman (c.1627-1685), a founder of Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
.