Between Known Men and Visible Saints

Several recent books and articles have discussed the activities of Henry Hart and his free-willers, of Joan Bocher and her circle, and of the esoteric Family of Love. Between Known Men and Visible Saints adds important new information about the activities and origins of these groups. It also gives a full account of other radical leaders, such as John Champneys, who twice went into print to argue the case for radical Christianity, and Robert Cooche, who openly advocated believers' baptism, and denied original sin. This study gives a thorough exposition of the ideas of the various radicals: free will, entire sanctification, biblicism, anti-intellectualism,dissident Christologies, the denial of original sin and eternal hell-fire. By drawing out the actual nature of their beliefs and demands, Between Known Men and Visible Saints goes beyond telling the story of the mid-century radicals: it actually allows them to speak for themselves.