David Clarkson (minister) facts for kids
David Clarkson (1622 – 14 June 1686) was an English minister who lived a long time ago. He was known as an "ejected minister" because he was forced to leave his church job during a difficult time in England's history. He became an important leader for a group of churches that were independent from the main Church of England.
Early Life and Education
David Clarkson was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, in 1622. His father was Robert Clarkson.
He went to Clare Hall, Cambridge, a famous university. He became a fellow there in 1645, which meant he was a senior member of the college. While at Cambridge, he taught students, and one of his most famous students was John Tillotson, who later became a very important religious leader in England.
A Minister's Career
Clarkson became a minister at a church in Mortlake, Surrey. However, in 1662, a new law called the Uniformity Act 1662 was passed. This law made it very difficult for ministers like Clarkson who didn't fully agree with the Church of England's rules. Because of this law, he was "ejected," meaning he lost his position as a minister in the official church.
For about twenty years after this, Clarkson had to move around quietly. In 1682, he became a leader (or "pastor") at an independent church in London, working alongside another famous minister named John Owen. When Owen passed away the next year, Clarkson took over as the main pastor of the church.
He died quite suddenly on 14 June 1686. His funeral sermon, which is a speech given at a funeral, was delivered by William Bates, another well-known minister.
His Writings
David Clarkson was also a writer. He published several books and sermons during his lifetime and even after he passed away. These writings often discussed important religious ideas and sometimes debated with other religious thinkers of his time.
Some of his published works include:
- The Practical Divinity of the Papists proved destructive to Christianity (1672)
- No Evidence for Diocesan Churches or any Bishops without the Choice or Consent of the People in the Primitive Times (1681) – This book argued that early churches didn't have bishops chosen without the people's agreement.
- Diocesan Churches not yet discovered in the Primitive Times (1682) – This book continued his arguments from the previous one.
After he died, more of his writings were published, such as:
- A Discourse of the Saving Grace of God (1688)
- Primitive Episcopacy (1688)
- A Discourse concerning Liturgies (1689)
- Sermons and Discourses on several Divine Subjects (1696) – These were collections of his sermons.
He also contributed sermons to collections by other ministers, like Samuel Annesley and Nathaniel Vincent.
Family Life
David Clarkson was married to Lady Elizabeth Holcroft. Her father was Sir Henry Holcroft.
David and Elizabeth had several children, including:
- Cornelia Clarkson
- Lettice Clarkson
- Matthew Clarkson (1665–1702), who later became the Secretary of New York.
David Clarkson passed away on June 14, 1686.
