Christopher Ness facts for kids
Christopher Ness (1621–1705) was an English minister and writer. He wrote many books, often about how events in the world might be connected to the stars. However, he didn't believe in predicting the future using astrology, which was called "judicial astrology."
Contents
About Christopher Ness
Early Life and Education
Christopher Ness was born on December 26, 1621, in a place called North Cave in Yorkshire, England. His father, Thomas Ness, was a farmer. Christopher went to school in North Cave and later studied at St John's College, Cambridge, starting in 1638. He earned his first degree in 1642 and then his master's degree.
Becoming a Preacher
When Christopher Ness was 23, he went back to Yorkshire. He became a preacher for a group called the Independents. He preached first at South Cliffe Chapel and then at Beverley, where he also taught at a school.
In 1651, he became a preacher in Cottingham, East Riding of Yorkshire. Later, in 1656, he moved to Leeds to preach. By 1660, he was a lecturer there, working with the local vicar, John Lake. However, they had different ideas about religious teachings.
Challenges and Later Life
In 1662, a new law called the Uniformity Act 1662 meant that Christopher Ness, like many other ministers, had to leave his official church job because he didn't follow the new rules. After this, he became a schoolmaster and preached privately in places like Clayton, Morley, and Hunslet.
In 1672, he opened a new meeting-house in Hunslet for his congregation. He faced difficulties because of his beliefs and was even told he couldn't be part of the church four times. Around 1674 or 1675, he had to move to London to avoid being arrested for his preaching. In London, he continued to preach to a private group in Salisbury Court. In 1684, he had to hide again because there was a warrant for his arrest. This was because he had published a tribute to a friend who was also a nonconformist minister.
Christopher Ness passed away on his 84th birthday, December 26, 1705. He was buried in Bunhill Fields burial ground in London.
Christopher Ness's Books
Christopher Ness wrote many books during his life. Some of his most important works include:
- A History and Mystery of the Old and New Testaments (1696): This book explored stories and hidden meanings in the Bible.
- A Protestant Antidote against the Poison of Popery: This book was written to defend Protestant beliefs.
- The Crown and Glory of a Christian: This book likely discussed what it means to be a good Christian.
- A Christian's Walk and Work on Earth until he attain to Heaven (1678–9): This book guided Christians on how to live their lives.
- A Church History from Adam, and a Scripture Prophecy to the End of the World: This book covered the history of the church from the very beginning and looked at prophecies in the Bible.
- An Antidote against Arminianism (1700): This was a shorter book that became very popular among a group of Christians called Calvinists. It explained ideas like predestination, which is the belief that God has already decided certain things. This book was reprinted many times, even up to 1847.
He also wrote a book about Pope Innocent XI called The Devil's Patriarck (1683), which sold out very quickly.
