Calamy, Edmund
, an eminent nonconformist divine in the seventeenth century, was the sou of a citizen
| of London, and born there in February 1600. July 4, 1616,
he was admitted of Pembroke-hall 5 in the university of
Cambridge. In 1619, he took, the degree of bachelor of
arts and in 1632, that of bachelor of divinity. He shewed
himself very early no friend, to the Arminian party, which
was the reason that he could not obtain a fellowship in
that society, even when he seemed to be entitled to it
from his standing, as well as from his learning and unblemished character. At last, however, he so far conquered
all prejudices, that he was elected Tanquam Socius of that
hall, which entitled him to wear the cap, and take pupils,
but he had no share in the government of the house. Dr.
Felton, the pious and learned bishop of Ely, had so great a
regard to his diligence in study, and unaffected zeal for
religion, that he made him his chaplain, and paid him,
during his residence in his family, uncommon marks of respect. His lordship gave him likewise, as a farther mark of
his favour, the vicarage of St. Mary’s in Swaffham- Prior, in
Cambridgeshire, in which capacity he did much good,
though he diid not reside on his cure by reason of its small
distance from the episcopal place. But after the death of
the bishop in 1626, Mr. Calamy being chosen one of- th$;
lecturers of St. Edmund’s-Bury, in Suffolk, he resigned
his vicarage, and applied himself wholly to the discharge
of his function at Bury. He continued there ten years,
and, as some writers say, was during the greatest part of
that time a strict conformist. Others, and indeed himself, say the contrary. The truth seems to be, that he
was unwilling to oppose ceremonies, or to create a disturbance in the church about them, so long as this might, in,
his opinion, be avoided with a safe conscience; but when
bishop Wren’s articles, and the reading of the book of
sports, came to be insisted on, he thought himself obliged
to alter his conduct, and not only avoid conforming for
the future, but also to apologize publicly for his former
behaviour. He caine now to be considered as an active
nonconformist, and being in great favour with the earl of
Essex, he presented him to the living of Rochford in Essex,
a rectory of considerable value, and yet it proved a fatal
present to Mr. Calamy; for, removing from one of the
best and wholesomest airs in England, that of St. Edmund’sbury, into the hundreds of Essex, he contracted such an
illness as broke his constitution, and left behind it a dizziness in his head, which he complained of as long as he
Jived. Upon the death of Dr. Stoughton, he was chosen
| minister of St. Mary Aldermanbury, which brought him tip
to London, 1639. The controversy concerning churchgovernment was tlu n at its greatest height, in which Mr.
Calainy had a very large share. In the month of July
1639, he was incorporated of the university of Oxford,
which, however, did not take him off from the party in
which he was engaged. In 1640 he was concerned in
writing that famous book, called Smectymnuus, which
himself says, gave the first deadly blow to episcopacy, and
therefore we find frequent references to it in all the defences and apologies for nonconformity which have been
since published. In 1641 he was appointed by the house
of lords a member of the sub-committee for religion, which
consisted of very eminent divines, whose conduct, however, has been differently censured. He made a great figure in the assembly of divines, though he is not mentioned in Fuller’s catalogue, and distinguised himself both
by his learning and moderation. He likewise preached
several times before the house of commons, for which his
memory has been very severely treated. He was at the
same time one of the Cornhill lecturers, and no man had
a greater interest in the city of London, in consequence
of his ministerial abilities. He preached constantly in his
own parish church for twenty years to a numerous audience, composed of the most eminent citizens, and even
persons of great quality. He steadily and strenuously opposed the sectaries, and gave many pregnant instances of
his dislike to those violences which were committed afterwards, on the king’s being brought from the Isle of Wight,
He opposed the beheading of his sovereign king Charles I.
with constancy ^ncl courage. Under the usurpation of
Cromwell he was passive, and lived as privately as he
could; yet he gave no reason to suspect that he was at all
a well-wisher to that government. When the times afforded a favourable opportunity, he neglected not promoting the return of king Charles II. and actually preached
before the house of commons on the day they voted that
great question, which, however, has not hindered some
from suggesting their suspicions of his loyally. After this
step was taken, he, Mr. Ash, and other eminent divines
were sent over to compliment the king in Holland, by
whom they were extremely well received. When his majesty was restored, Mr. Calainy retained still a considerable
share in his favour, and in June 1660, was appointed one
| of his chaplains in ordinary, and was offered the bishopric, of Coventry and Litchfield, which he refused. When
the convocation came to be chosen, he and Mr. Baxter
were elected, May 2, 1661, for London; but the bishop
of that diocese having the power of chusing two out of
four, or four out of six, elected within a certain circuit,
Dr. Sheldon, who was then bishop, was so kind as to excuse both of them; which, perhaps, was owing to the
share they had in the Savoy conference. After the miscarrying of that design, Mr. Calamy made use of all his
interest to procure the passing of an act agreeable to the
king’s declaration at Breda: but when this was frustrated,
and the act of uniformity passed, he took a resolution of
submitting to ejection, and accordingly preached his farewel sermon at Aldermanbury, August 17, 1662. He made,
however, a last effort three days afterwards, by presenting
a petition to his majesty to continue in the exercise of his
ministerial office. This petition was signed by many of
the London clergy, and Dr. Man ton and Dr. Bates assisted
at the presenting it, when Mr; Calamy made a long and
moving speech; but neither it nor the petition had any
good effect, though the king expressed himself in favour
of toleration. He remained, however, in his parish, and
came constantly to church, though another was in the
pulpit, which proved an occasion of much t;rouble to him
for on December 28, 1662, the expected preacher not
coming in time, some of the principal persons in the parish
prevailed upon Mr. Calamy to supply his place, which,
with some importunity, he did; but delivered himself with
such freedom, that he was soon after, by the lord mayor’s
warrant, committed to Newgate for his sermon. But the
case itself being thought hard, and some doubt arising how
far the commitment was legal, his majesty in a few days
discharged him. He lived to see London in ashes, the
sight of which broke his heart. He was driven through the
ruins in a coach to Enfield, and was so shocked at the dismal appearance, that he could never wear off the impression, but kept his chamber ever after, and died October
29, 1666, within two naonths after this accident happened.
He was, though a very learned man, yet a plain and practical preacher, and one who was not afraid to speak his
sentiments freely of and to the greatest; men.*
He was
| twice married. By his first wife he had a son and daughter;
and by his second seven children, some of whom we shall
have occasion to mention in succeeding articles.
Beisides the pieces already mentioned, Mr. Calamy published several single sermons preached on different occasions, and five sermons entitled “The Godly Man’s Ark,
or a city of refuge in the day of his distress,” the eighth
edition of which was printed at London, 1683, in 12mo.
He had a hand in drawing up the “Vindication of the Presbyterian Government and Ministry,” London, 1650; and
the “Jns Divinum Ministerii Evangelic! Anglicani,” printed
in 1654. Since his death, there was a treatise of Meditation printed in a clandestine way, not by his son, nor from
his manuscript, but from some imperfect notes taken by
an auditor. 1
This text has been generated using commercial OCR software,
and there are still many problems; it is slowly getting better
over time.
The text was scanned and OCRd several times, and
a majority version of each line of text was chosen.
Please don't reuse the content
(e.g. do not post to wikipedia)
without asking liam
at fromoldbooks dot org first (mention the colour of your socks in the subject line of the mail),
because I am still working on fixing errors.
Thanks!
Works found by this author (or others with similar names) in the Early English Books Online Collection:
The souls looking-glasse lively representing its estate before God: with a treatise of conscience; wherein the definitions and distinctions thereof are unfolded, and severall cases resolved: by that reverend and faithfull minister of the Word, William Fenner, B.D. sometimes fellow of Pembroke-hall in Cambridge, and late parson of Rochford in Essex. (1640) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
Englands looking-glasse presented in a sermon preached before the Honorable House of Commons at their late solemne fast, December 22, 1641 / by Edmund Calamy ... (1642) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
An ansvver to the articles against Master Calamy, Master Martiall, Master Burton, Master Peters, Master Moleigne, Master Case, M. Sedgwicke, M. Evans, &c. and many other painfull divines who were impeached of high treason by His Majesty : first answering particularly the articles themselves, then shewing the mis-information of His Majestie by the bishops, concerning the same : expressing the great care and vigilancy of those theologians which they have and doe daily undertake with great zeale for the rooting out of popery the confounding of Rome and for the erecting the pious truth and sincerity of the holy gospel of Christ. (1642) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
Gods free mercy to England presented as a pretious and powerfull motive to humiliation : in a sermon preached before the honourable House of Commons at their late solemne fast, Feb. 23, 1641 / by Edmvnd Calamy ... (1642) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
The noble-mans patterne of true and reall thankfulnesse presented in a sermon preached before the Right Honourable House of Lords, at their late solemne day of Thanksgiving, June 15, 1643 : for the discovery of a dangerous, desperate and bloody designe tending to the utter subversion of the Parliament and of the famous city of London / by Edmund Calamy ... (1643) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
The door of truth opened: or, A brief and true narrative of the occasion how Mr Henry Burton came to shut himself out of the church-doors of Aldermanbury: published in answer to a paper, called, Truth shut out of doors: for the vindication of the minister and people of Aldermanbury, who are in this paper most wrongfully and unjustly charged; and also for the undeceiving of the underwriters, and of all those that are misinformed about this businesse. In the name, and with the consent of the whole church of Aldermanburie. (1645) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
An indictment against England because of her selfe-murdering divisions: together vvith an exhortation to an England-preserving vnity and concord. Presented in a sermon preached before the Right Honourable House of Lords in the Abby church at Westminster; at the late solemne fast, December 25. 1644. By Edmund Calamy, B.D. and pastour of Aldermanbury in London. (1645) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
Foure speeches delivered in Guild-Hall on Friday the sixth of October, 1643. At a common-hall, vpon occasion of desiring the assistance of our brethren of Scotland in this warre. / Viz. the [brace] 1. by Mr. Solicitor. 2. by Mr. Edmund Calamy. 3. by Mr. Jeremiah Burroughes. 4. by Mr. Obadiah Sedgewick. Published according to order. (1646) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
The great danger of covenant-refusing, and covenant-breaking. Presented in a sermon preached before the Right Honourable Thomas Adams Lord Mayor, and the Right Worshipfull the sheriffes, and the aldermen his brethren, and the rest of the Common-councell of the famous City of London, Jan. 14. 1645. Upon which day the solemne League and Covenant was renued by them and their officers with prayer and fasting at Michael Basinshaw, London. / By Edmund Calamy, B.D. and pastor of Aldermanbury London.Great danger of covenant-breaking, &c. (1646) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
A just and necessary apology against an unjust invective published by Mr. Henry Burton in a late book of his entituled, Truth still truth, though shut out of doors by Edmund Calamy ... (1646) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
Two solemne covenants made between God and man: viz. [brace] the covenant of workes, and the covenant of grace. [brace] Clearly laid open, distinguished, and vindicated from many dangerous opinions; the right knowledge of which [sic] will be very profitable to all those that have escaped the first, and are confirmed in the second at the Sacrament. January 15. 1646. Imprimatur. John Downame. (1647) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
Clavis Bibliorum The key of the Bible, unlocking the richest treasury of the Holy Scriptures : whereby the 1 order, 2 names, 3 times, 4 penmen, 5 occasion, 6 scope, and 7 principall parts, containing the subject-matter of every book of Old and New Testament, are familiarly and briefly opened : for the help of the weakest capacity in the understanding of the whole Bible / by Francis Roberts ... (1648) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
The saints rest: or Their happy sleep in death. As it was delivered in a sermon at Aldermanbury London, Aug 24. 1651. By Edmund Calamy B.D. (1651) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
A sermon preached by Mr. Edmund Calamy at Aldermanbury, London, Aug. 24, 1651 being a funeral sermon for Mr. Love on the Sabbath-day following after he was executed ... also four excellent doctrines and proposition to the Presbyterians and others to be by them practiced and meditated upon both morning and evening. (1651) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
Englands antidote against the plague of civill warre presented in a sermon before the Honourable House of Commons on their late extraordinary solemn fast, October 22, 1644 / by Edmund Calamy ... (1652) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
Jus divinum ministerii evangelici. Or The divine right of the Gospel-ministry: divided into two parts. The first part containing a justification of the Gospel-ministry in general. The necessity of ordination thereunto by imposition of hands. The unlawfulnesse of private mens assuming to themselves either the office or work of the ministry without a lawfull call and ordination. The second part containing a justification of the present ministers of England, both such as were ordained during the prevalency of episcopacy from the foul aspersion of anti-christianism: and those who have been ordained since its abolition, from the unjust imputation of novelty: proving that a bishop and presbyter are all one in Scripture; and that ordination by presbyters is most agreeable to the Scripture-patern. Together with an appendix, wherein the judgement and practice of antiquity about the whole matter of episcopacy, and especially about the ordination of ministers, is briefly discussed. Published by the Provincial Assembly of London. (1654) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
The doctrine of the bodies fragility: with a divine project, discovering how to make these vile bodies of ours glorious by getting gracious souls. Represented in a sermon preached at Martins Ludgate at the funerall of that worthy and reverend minister of Jesus Christ, Dr. Samuel Bolton, Master of Christ College in Cambridge, who died the 15 of Octob. 1654. and was buried the 19 day of the same month. / By that painfull and pious minister of Gods Word Mr. Edmund Calamy, B.D. (1654) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
Smectymnuus redivivus Being an answer to a book, entituled, An humble remonstrance. In which, the original of liturgy episcopacy is discussed, and quæries propounded concerning both. The parity of bishops and presbyters in scripture demonstrated. The occasion of the imparity in antiquity discovered. The disparity of the ancient and our moderne bishops manifested. The antiquity of ruling elders in the church vindicated. The prelaticall church bounded. (1654) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
A treatise of effectual calling and election In XVI. sermons, on 2 Peter 1.10. Wherein a Christian may discern, whether yet he be effectually called and elected. And what course he ought to take that he may attain the assurance thereof. Preached by that faithfull servant of Christ, Mr. Christopher Love, late minister of Laurence Jury, London. (1655) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
The saints transfiguration, or, The body of vilenesse changed into a body of glory a sermon preached at Martins Ludgate, October 19, 1654, at the funerall of that reverend and faithfull minister of Jesus Christ, Dr. Samuel Bolton, late master of Christs College in Cambridg : with a short account of his death / by Edmund Calamy ... ; to which are annexed verses upon his death, composed by divers of his friends and acquaintance. (1655) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
The monster of sinful self-seeking, anatomizd together with a description of the heavenly and blessed selfe-seeking : in a sermon preached at Pauls the 10. of December, 1654 / by Edm. Calamy, B.D. ... (1655) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
A plain and easie calculation of the name, mark, and number of the name of the beast ... humbly presented to the studious observers of Scripture-prophecies, God's works, and the times / by Nathaniel Stephens ... ; whereunto is prefixed, a commendatory epistle, written by Mr. Edm. Calamy. (1656) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
The godly mans ark or, City of refuge, in the day of his distresse. Discovered in divers sermons, the first of which was preached at the funerall of Mistresse Elizabeth Moore. The other four were afterwards preached, and are all of them now made publick, for the supportation and consolation of the saints of God in the hour of tribulation. Hereunto are annexed Mris. Moores evidences for Heaven, composed and collected by her in the time of her health, for her comfort in the time of sickness. / By Ed. Calamy, B.D. and pastor of the church at Aldermanbury. (1657) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
The city remembrancer. Or, A sermon preached to the native-citizens, of London, at their solemn assembly in Pauls on Tuesday, the 23 of June, A.D. MDCLVII. / By Edm. Calamy B.D. and pastor of the church at Aldermanbury. (1657) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
A Serious advice to the citizens of London by some ministers of the Gospel in the said city upon occasion of the horrid murder and dreadful death of Nathaniel Butler, an high malefactor. (1657) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
Evidence for heaven containing infallible signs and reall demonstrations of our union with Christ and assurance of salvation : with an appendix of laying down certain rules to be observed for preserving our assurance once obtained / published by Ed. Calamy ... (1657) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
A patterne for all, especially for noble and honourable persons, to teach them how to die nobly and honourably. Delivered in a sermon preached at the solemne interment of the corps of the Right Honourable Robert Earle of Warwick. Who aged 70 years 11. months, died April 19. And was honorably buried, May 1. 1658. at Felsted in Essex. By Edmund Calamy B.D. and pastor of the church at Aldermanbury. (1658) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
The Godly mans ark, or, City of refuge, in the day of his distresse discovered in divers sermons, the first of which was preached at the funerall of Mistresse Elizabeth Moore : the other four were afterwards preached, and are all of them now made publick, for the supportation and consolation of the saints of God in the hour of tribulation : hereunto are annexed Mris. [sic] Moores evidences for heaven, composed and collected by her in the time of her health, for her comfort in the time of sickness / by Ed. Calamy ... (1658) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
The righteous mans death lamented. A sermon preached at St. Austins, London, Aug.23. 1662 at the funeral of that eminent servant of Jesus Christ, Mr. Simeon Ash late minister of the gospel there. By Edmund Calamy, B.D. (1662) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
Eli trembling for fear of the ark a sermon preached at St. Mary Aldermanbury, December 28, 1662 / by Edmund Calamy ... upon the preaching of which he was committed prisoner to the gaol of Newgate, Jan. 6, 1662 ; together with the mittimus and manner of his imprisonment, annexed hereunto. (1662) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
The fixed saint held forth in a farwell sermon preached at Mary-Aldermanbury, London, August 17, 1662 / Mr. Edmond Calamy. (1662) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
The happinesse of those who sleep in Jesus, or, The benefit that comes to the dead bodies of the saints even while they are in the grave, sleeping in Jesus delivered in a sermon preached at the funeral of ... Lady Anne Waller, at the new church in Westminst[er], Oct. 31, 1661 : together with the testimony then given unto her / by Edm. Calamy ... (1662) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
An Exact collection of farewel sermons preached by the late London-ministers viz. Mr. Calamy, Mr. Watson, Mr. Jacomb, Mr. Case, Mr. Sclater, Mr. Baxter, Mr. Jenkin, Dr. Manton, Mr. Lye, Mr. Collins : to which is added their prayers before and after sermon as also Mr. Calamy's sermon for which he was imprisoned in Newgate : his sermon at Mr. Ashe's funeral and Dr. Horton's and Mr. Nalton's funeral. (1662) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
A Compleat collection of farewel sermons preached by Mr. Calamy, Dr. Manton, Mr. Caryl ... [et al.] ; together with Mr. Ash his funeral sermon, Mr. Nalton's funeral sermon, Mr. Lye's rehearsal ... with their several prayers. (1663) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
Evangelium armatum, A specimen, or short collection of several doctrines and positions destructive to our government, both civil and ecclesiastical preached and vented by the known leaders and abetters of the pretended reformation such as Mr. Calamy, Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Case, Mr. Baxter, Mr. Caryll, Mr. Marshall, and others, &c. (1663) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
The Royal remembrancer, or, A Healing letter with arguments and reasons, to the Presbyterians and nonconformists : seasonably offered, from divers learned and conforming persons, to the view of Mr. Calamy, Mr. Jenkins, and others. (1663) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
A sermon preached at Aldermanberry Church, Dec. 28, 1662 in the fore-noon by Edm. Calamy. (1663) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
Master Edmund Calamies leading case (1663) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
Saints memorials, or, Words fitly spoken, like apples of gold in pictures of silver being a collection of divine sentences / written and delivered by those late reverend and eminent ministers of the gospel, Mr. Edmund Calamy, Mr. Joseph Caryl, Mr. Ralph Venning, Mr. James Janeway. (1674) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.
The art of divine meditation, or, A discourse of the nature, necessity, and excellency thereof with motives to, and rules for the better performance of that most important Christian duty : in several sermons on Gen. 24:63 / by Edmund Calamy ... (1680) by Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.