Nathanael Ball facts for kids
Nathanael Ball (born 1623, died 1681) was an English clergyman, which means he was a religious leader. He helped Brian Walton create a very special Bible called the London Polyglot. This Bible was important because it showed the text in many different languages.
Early Life and Education
Nathanael Ball was born in 1623 in Pitminster, a village near Taunton Dean in Somerset, England. He went to Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood, which was a good school. After that, he studied at King's College, Cambridge. He was known there for being a very smart student.
He was also able to speak French very well. While at university, he became good friends with John Tillotson, who later became a very important church leader. After finishing his studies and earning his degrees, Nathanael Ball became a clergyman.
Career and Family
Nathanael Ball started his work as a minister in Barley, Hertfordshire. This church position had recently been taken from another clergyman, Herbert Thorndike.
While in Barley, Nathanael Ball married the daughter of a local clergyman named Parr. They had a large family with ten sons and three daughters.
Around 1658 or 1659, Herbert Thorndike got his church position back. This meant Nathanael Ball had to leave. For a while, he stayed in the same area. Then, he moved to Royston, Hertfordshire to work as a minister.
Challenges and Later Years
In 1662, a new law called the Act of Uniformity 1662 was passed. This law made it harder for clergymen to follow their beliefs if they didn't agree with the official church. Because of this law, Nathanael Ball decided to leave his job as a minister.
Even though he resigned, he didn't leave Royston right away. He continued to preach in the area whenever he could. Later, he moved to Little Chishill. His wife's brother, Robert Parr, became the rector (head minister) of that church.
While living in Chishill, Nathanael Ball continued to share his religious messages. He traveled to nearby towns like Epping and Cambridge to preach.
In 1668, he took part in public discussions with George Whitehead, a leader of the Quaker religious group. These discussions were about different religious ideas.
In 1672, Nathanael Ball received a special permission to be a "general presbyterian teacher." This meant he could preach in any allowed place. His own house was even given permission to be a meeting place for his religious group.
Nathanael Ball lived in a small house and often faced difficulties because he didn't follow the official church rules. He died on September 8, 1681, when he was 58 years old.
Writings and Legacy
Nathanael Ball left his handwritten notes and papers to Thomas Gouge, another clergyman. Sadly, Thomas Gouge died only a few weeks after Nathanael Ball.
His writings then went to John Faldo, another minister who had also been forced to leave his church. John Faldo published one of Nathanael Ball's books called Spiritual Bonndage and Freedom in 1683. This book was based on several sermons he had preached.
Nathanael Ball also wrote another book called Christ the Hope of Glory, which was published in 1692. Unfortunately, many of his other important writings, including his notes on the Bible and his letters, were lost.
