Laurence Clarkson facts for kids

Laurence Clarkson (1615–1667), also known as Claxton, was born in Preston, Lancashire, England. He was a religious thinker whose ideas were quite different from the usual beliefs of his time. He was one of the most well-known members of a group of radical Protestants called the Ranters.

According to a writer named Charles William Sutton, Clarkson's name was spelled differently over time. It was "Clarkson" in his earlier writings and "Claxton" later on. The name "Clarkson" is still common in the Preston area today.

Who Was Laurence Clarkson?

His Early Life and Ideas

Laurence Clarkson's ideas were shared in a book he wrote in 1650 called A Single Eye. A wealthy military man, William Rainborowe, helped support this book.

Clarkson had some very unique beliefs. He thought that the idea of "sin" was sometimes used to control people, especially the poor. He believed that what truly mattered to God was the intention behind an action, not the action itself. This meant he felt that no specific rules about right or wrong could be based on religion alone.

He also believed that the real danger of sin was in your mind. He wrote that until you actually did something considered a "sin," you weren't truly free from its power. Clarkson saw himself as someone who truly followed the idea of separating religion from money. He even accused other religious thinkers of taking money from people, which he disagreed with.

Joining New Groups

Before 1660, Clarkson left the Ranters. He then joined another religious group called the Muggletonians. This move seemed to surprise some of the people already in that group.

Clarkson claimed to be the main follower of John Reeve, who was also a leader in the Muggletonian group. In his 1660 book, The Lost Sheep Found, Clarkson even said he was "the true and only bishop now living." This led to a disagreement over who should lead the group between Clarkson and another leader, Lodowicke Muggleton. Clarkson eventually lost this struggle for control.

What Others Thought of Him

A historian named J. C. Davis has studied the Ranters. He has often doubted some of the more unusual stories told about them. However, Davis believed that Laurence Clarkson's ideas were genuine, even if he was a bit of an isolated figure.

Davis thought that Clarkson's 1660 book, The Lost Sheep Found, might not be a completely accurate record of events from earlier years. While there has been debate about how widespread the Ranters' influence was, most people agree on what Clarkson's ideas were.

Laurence Clarkson passed away in 1667. He was in prison at the time because he owed money.

His Writings

Important Books

Laurence Clarkson wrote several books that are still available today:

• 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 collection of his last four works is called The Onely True Bishop: The Muggletonian Works of Laurence Clarkson (2009). ISBN: 978-1-907466-02-1

Lost Works

Some of Clarkson's writings are believed to be lost. These include:

• The Pilgrimage of Saints, by church cast out, in Christ found, seeking truth, 1646.
• A wonder of wonders, 1661.