Laurence Clarkson
Encyclopedia
Laurence Clarkson sometimes called Claxton, was an English
theologian
and accused heretic
. He was the most outspoken and notorious of the loose collection of radical Protestants
known as the Ranters.
Clarkson's ideas are set out in a 1650 tract sponsored by the wealthy Leveller military man, William Rainborowe
, called A Single Eye. Clarkson opposed the idea of sin
, considering it to be "invented by the ruling class to keep the poor in order." He felt that only the intention of an act, and nothing at all about its content, mattered to God, so that no specific morality could be prescribed on religious bases. He considered the danger of sin to be in the mind: "till acted that so called Sin, thou art not delivered from the power of sin, but ready upon all Alarums to tremble and fear the reproach of thy body." The only commandment
he felt worthwhile was "Thou shalt not kill"; most of the others he confessed to having broken, and even adultery was acceptable under certain circumstances. In fact, Clarkson was known in the period for his sexual promiscuity, for which he was repudiated by the Digger Gerrard Winstanley
. Clarkson considered himself to be the truest of the radical religious thinkers of the period to the Protestant ideal of separating religion from money, and accused Winstanley of taking tithe
s.
Some time before 1660 Clarkson left the Ranters and joined the Muggletonian
s (apparently to the consternation of some of the current members). Clarkson claimed to be the chief follower and disciple of John Reeve
, of whom Lodowicke Muggleton
was himself an acolyte, and claims in his book The Lost Sheep Found (1660) to be "the true and only bishop now living." A protracted struggle for control followed between Clarkson and Muggleton, which Clarkson lost.
J.C. Davis, who has in general expressed considerable doubt about some of the more peculiar doctrines ascribed to the Ranters, considers Clarkson to be genuine, if alone:
Though considerable controversy has followed from Davis's dismissal of the canonical account of the Ranters, that controversy has not been over the content of Clarkson's ideas, which are by and large agreed on by all parties to the debate, but merely the extent of their influence.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
theologian
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
and accused heretic
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
. He was the most outspoken and notorious of the loose collection of radical Protestants
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
known as the Ranters.
Clarkson's ideas are set out in a 1650 tract sponsored by the wealthy Leveller military man, William Rainborowe
William Rainborowe
William Rainsborowe , or Rainsborough, Rainborough, Rainborowe or Rainbow, was a Leveller and an officer in the English Navy and New Model Army in England during the English Civil War and the Interregnum...
, called A Single Eye. Clarkson opposed the idea of sin
Sin
In religion, sin is the violation or deviation of an eternal divine law or standard. The term sin may also refer to the state of having committed such a violation. Christians believe the moral code of conduct is decreed by God In religion, sin (also called peccancy) is the violation or deviation...
, considering it to be "invented by the ruling class to keep the poor in order." He felt that only the intention of an act, and nothing at all about its content, mattered to God, so that no specific morality could be prescribed on religious bases. He considered the danger of sin to be in the mind: "till acted that so called Sin, thou art not delivered from the power of sin, but ready upon all Alarums to tremble and fear the reproach of thy body." The only commandment
Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments, also known as the Decalogue , are a set of biblical principles relating to ethics and worship, which play a fundamental role in Judaism and most forms of Christianity. They include instructions to worship only God and to keep the Sabbath, and prohibitions against idolatry,...
he felt worthwhile was "Thou shalt not kill"; most of the others he confessed to having broken, and even adultery was acceptable under certain circumstances. In fact, Clarkson was known in the period for his sexual promiscuity, for which he was repudiated by the Digger Gerrard Winstanley
Gerrard Winstanley
Gerrard Winstanley was an English Protestant religious reformer and political activist during the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell...
. Clarkson considered himself to be the truest of the radical religious thinkers of the period to the Protestant ideal of separating religion from money, and accused Winstanley of taking tithe
Tithe
A tithe is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Today, tithes are normally voluntary and paid in cash, cheques, or stocks, whereas historically tithes were required and paid in kind, such as agricultural products...
s.
Some time before 1660 Clarkson left the Ranters and joined the Muggletonian
Muggletonian
The Muggletonians, named after Lodowicke Muggleton, were a small Protestant Christian movement which began in 1651 when two London tailors announced they were the last prophets foretold in the biblical Book of Revelation. The group grew out of the Ranters and in opposition to the Quakers...
s (apparently to the consternation of some of the current members). Clarkson claimed to be the chief follower and disciple of John Reeve
John Reeve
John Reeve was an English plebeian prophet who believed the voice of God had instructed him to found a Third Commission in preparation for the last days of earth. This commission was third in succession to the Mosaic Law and the gospel of Christ Jesus.He and his followers came to be known as...
, of whom Lodowicke Muggleton
Lodowicke Muggleton
Lodowicke Muggleton was an English plebeian religious thinker, who gave his name to Muggletonianism. He spent his working life as a journeyman tailor in the City of London and was imprisoned twice for his beliefs. He held opinions hostile to all forms of philosophical reason...
was himself an acolyte, and claims in his book The Lost Sheep Found (1660) to be "the true and only bishop now living." A protracted struggle for control followed between Clarkson and Muggleton, which Clarkson lost.
J.C. Davis, who has in general expressed considerable doubt about some of the more peculiar doctrines ascribed to the Ranters, considers Clarkson to be genuine, if alone:
- I have conceded that Laurence Clarkson in 1650 came closest to the Ranter stereotype, while arguing that he was an isolated individual leniently dealt with by authorities, and that his so-called autobiography of 1660, The Lost Sheep Found, is no valid source for the events of 1649-50.
Though considerable controversy has followed from Davis's dismissal of the canonical account of the Ranters, that controversy has not been over the content of Clarkson's ideas, which are by and large agreed on by all parties to the debate, but merely the extent of their influence.
Major surviving works
- Truth released from prison to its former liberty, 1646.
- A Generall Charge or, Impeachment of High-treason, in the Name of Justice Equity, Against the Communality of England, 1647.
- A Single Eye, All Light, No Darkness; or Light and Darkness One, 1650.
- The Quakers Downfal, with All Other Dispensations their Inside Turn’d Outward, 1659.
- The Right Devil Discovered: in his Descent, Form, Education, Qualification, Place and Nature of Torment, 1659.
- The Lost Sheep Found, or, The Prodigal Returned to his Fathers House, After Many a Sad and Weary Journey Through Many Religious Countreys, 1660.
- A Paradisical Dialogue Betwixt Faith and Reason: Disputing the High Mysterious Secrets of Eternity, the Like Never Extant in our Revelation, 1660.
- A modern edition containing the last four works mentioned above is The Onely True Bishop: The Muggletonian Works of Laurence Clarkson London: Muggletonian Press (2009) ISBN 978-1-907466-02-1
- works believed lost include
- The Pilgrimage of Saints, by church cast out, in Christ found, seeking truth, 1646.
- A wonder of wonders, 1661.