The Making of Abiezer Coppe

Abstract

This article seeks to uncover the origins of the 'Ranters ' by examining Abiezer Coppe's early life and social network. It suggests that Coppe's background, experiences and milieu -particularly his Baptist phase and the associations he made during this period -are crucial to appreciate the genesis of the ' Ranters '. As such it should be regarded as a further contribution towards the growing consensus that the origins of 'radicalism ' in the English Revolution are to be located in the religion of the 'hotter sort ' of Protestants lower down the social scale.' Some said He is a good man ; others said, Nay but he is mad, and hath a devil. He is a wine-bibber, a glutton and a drunkard ; a friend of publicans and harlots. But wisdom is justified of her children. '

“The thick and black clouds of Obloquie”: Modality and Point of View in Abiezer Coppe’s ‘A Remonstrance’

“…was one of the most notorious English radical preachers during the Interregnum (for detailed information on Coppe and his writings see Hill 1972, 1982, Hopton 1987, Smith 1989, Corns 1992, McDowell 1997, 2003, 2012, Hessayon 2004, 2011, Pick 2009). He is usually considered the quintessential Ranter, though some historians even deny the existence of such a movement or claim it was invented in sensationalist pamphlets by Puritan moralists.…”