John Eedes (1609-1667)
A Puritan, Gospel Preacher and powerful writer on the doctrine of justification by faith alone.“The law condemns for sin, the Gospel for impenitence and unbelief.
It is the great thing that is written, that we are saved and justified by faith in Christ’s blood.”
His Works:
Justification by Faith Alone by John Eedes – eBook
Buy the Print Books HERE
He published, “The Orthodox Doctrine concerning Justification by Faith asserted and vindicated, wherein the Book of Mr. William Eyre…is examined; and also the Doctrine of Mr. Baxter… discussed,” 4to, London, 1654. In dedicating it to his friend, Edward Dodington, Eedes states that he had written another and more elaborate treatise on justification, besides “other things, both practical and polemical, which I have in readinesse for the presse.”
Biography of John Eedes (1609-1667):
Information on John Eedes (1609-1667) is scarce; however, the following is the best compilation of information found on him from both history books and current biographies.
Little is known about John Eedes (1609-1667), though what is known is somewhat shocking, especially surrounding his death. He was a puritan divine and preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, a thoughtful scholar and theologian, and was concerned about hos the fundamental doctrine of justification by faith alone was understood in his day. He was the son of Nicholas Eedes, born at Salisbury, Wiltshire, and entered at Oriel College, Oxford, in 1626, where he earned his B.A. on June 3, 1630. He afterwards became a minister in the isle of Shepie, where being ejected in the time of the rebellion suffered greatly by imprisonment in Ely House. He was also the rector of Warden, Kent, in 1640, and vicar of Eastchurch, Kent, until ejected, at the time of the rebellion. Mr. Wood says that he also suffered “other miseries” which are not recorded. On his release he took the curacy of Broad Chalk, Wiltshire, which he held “with much ado” for about two years, and was then made vicar of Hale, Hampshire. After the Restoration he continued at Hale, but this is where he met with his providential demise. He was murdered in his house by thieves in 1667, and was buried in the church.