Summary

The Seekers were more of a religious society rather than an organized religious sect per se. The Seekers developed in the late 1620's. They rejected all forms of religion and rituals. When all forms of religion are being questions, no religion was less stressful.

The early roots of the English Seekers may lie with the family Legatt: Walter, Thomas, and Bartholomew Legate, all early separatists. They were active in and around London ca. 1590's-1612.

They preached the corruption of all the established Churches, and the need to establish a new true Church with a new group of Apostles. The Legatt considered themselves the new Apostles of God's new uncorrupted Church. The Legates were charged with holding Antinomian and Anabaptists beliefs.

Sometimes called the Legatine-Arians, or English Seekers, the Legate's did not prosper long. Walter drowned; Thomas died while being held for heresy in Newgate Prison; and, Bartholomew Legate (d. 1612) was burned at the stake for heresy in 1612. Edward Wrightman (d.1612) was convicted of heresy and burned at the stake with Bartholomew Legate for holding similar views. They were probably the last two public burnings at the stake in England for heresy.

Information on the early Seekers between 1620-1640 is rather vague. Seekers tended to remain in the background and maintained a low profile. We are aware of some Seekers centers being established. From an organizational point of view the Seekers may have existed as local chapters or assemblies.

The Seekers saw the Roman Church as having corrupted itself and all other churches in the process. Since all churches were corrupt, only a new "true" Church established by Christ and His new Apostles could possess HIS grace and perform true miracles.

In anticipation of this seminal event, the Seekers would hold meetings rather than religious services. Members would wait in silence for the Lord to come and reveal Himself to them. They have often been referred to as "Waiters".

Seekers respected all religions, but accepts none as authoritative.This did not keep the Seekers from expressing their own view and opinions in writing on other theological views of other religious sects of the period. Seekers embraced a broad spectrum of ideas and positions.

Individuals such as John Saltmarsh (d.1647), and William Walwyn (1600-1680) were identified as Seekers. John Saltmarsh's work: The Smoke in the Temple (1646) is a statement of Seekers views and principles by a prominent Seeker.

William Erbery (1604-1654)

William Erbery (1604-1654) (or, Erbury) was considered one of the preeminent Seekers of his day. He is credited with converting Oliver Cromwells' daughter to a Seeker.

Seekers anticipated many of the later views of Quakerism and other sects. The Quakers would seem to have embraced many of the Seekers tenets. Large numbers of Seekers were converted to Quakerism. Seekers groups paid their respects at the funeral of George Fox (1624-1691). English Seekers continued into the 18th century.

The term "Seeker" also came into general use as a title of distinction to describe certain selected individuals who embodied certain characteristics of mind. Individuals given that appellation included: William Walwyn (1600-80), Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), and John Milton (1608-74).

A SELECT SEEKERS BIBLIOGRAPHY

Primary Sources

[Anon.] A Catholick answer to the Seekers request in a letter directed to the seeker, proving the real presence, by the Scripture only (1687) [EEb 1641-1700 : 1730:11]

[Anon.] Poor Robin turn'd seeker, or, The Seekers ballad to the tune of 49 (1674) [Wing P2874A]

Barbon[e], Praisegod. A Discourse tending to prove the Baptisme (1642)

Baxter, Richard, 1615-91. A Key for Catholics (1659)

Brayne, John.The rules of dispute, practiced by Christ and his Apostles, for deciding the controversies of that age, ... (1653) [Wing (2nd ed.) B4331] [ESTCR207261]

______. The new earth, or, The true Magna Carta of the past, ages, and of the ages or world to come, called The Jews commonweal. (1653) [Wing (2nd ed., 1994) B4330] [ESTCR207239]

Clarkson, Laurence. The Pilgrimage of Grace, by church cast out, in Christ found, seeking truth (1646)

Erbery (Erbury), William 1604-1654. The Testimony (1658)

Howgill, Francis, 1618-1669. Gray Ridge : the book of Francis Howgill, Hayes, W. (comp.) (1942)

Jackson, John, fl. 1651-1657. A Sober Word to a Serious People, or, A moderate discourse respecting as well the seekers, (so called) as the present churches. (1650)

______. [Another ed.] (1651) [Wing (2nd ed.) J78A]

Jessup, Edmond. A Discovery of the Errors of the English Anabaptists (1623)

Killcop, Thomas. Seekers Supplyed (1646)

______. The unlimited authority of Christs disciples cleared, or the present church and ministery vindicated. (1651) [Wing (2nd ed.) K441] [ESTCR209289]

Nelson, Robert, 1565-1715. Transubstantiation contrary to Scripture, or, The Protestants' answer to the Seeker's request (1688)

Saltmarsh, John, d. 1647. Poemata sacra (1636)

______. Holy Discoveries and Flames (1640)

______. A Peace but No Pacification (1643)

______. Free Grace (1645)

______. Dawnings of Light (1645)

______. Groanes for Liberty (1646)

______. Reasons for Unitie, Peace, and Love (1646)

______, The Smoke in the Temple (1646)

______. Sparkles of Glory (1647)

______, A Letter from the Army (1647)

Scantlebury, Thomas, d. 1821. The rights of Protestants asserted, and clerical incroachment detected. In allusion to several recent publications, in defence of an exclusive priesthood, establishment, and tiths, by Daubeny, Church and others. ... (1798)

Shepherd, Samuel. The Joviall Crew, or, The Devill turn'd RANTER (1651)

Smyth, Zeph[aniah], fl. 1646-48. Directions for Seekers & expectants, or a guide to weake Christians in these distracted times. ... (1646)

Walwyn, William, 1600-80. A Whisper in the Eare of Mr. Thomas Edwards (1646)

Webster, John, The Testimony of William Erbery (1658)

Williams, John, 1636?-1709. The Protestant's answer to the Catholick letter to the seeker, or, A Vindication of the Protestant's amswer to the seeker's request (1688)

Wormall, Henry. The prisoners' defence supported, or, An answer to the charges and allegations of George Markham, vicar of Carlton, in Yorkshire, contained in his book entitles, "More truth for the seekers" (1798)

Secondary Sources

Acheson, R. J., "Happy Seeker, Happy Finder: The Seeker", in Radical Puritans in England 1550-1660 (1995 pap.)

Jones, R. M., Mysticism and democracy in the English commonwealth; being the William Belden Nobel lectures delivered in Harvard University, 1930-1931 (1965, 1932)

McGregor, J. F., "Seekers and Ranters", in Radical Religion in the English Revolution, McGregor, J. F. and Reay, B (eds.) (1984)

Vogel, D., Religious seekers and the advent of Mormonism (1988)