Obadiah Sedgwick (1600 – 28 February 1658) was an English Puritan clergyman, preacher, and theological author active during the early‑mid‑17th century. He is noted for his strong Calvinist positions, his participation in the Westminster Assembly, and a corpus of polemical and devotional writings.
Early life and education
- Born in 1600, probably in London; exact birthplace is not recorded in contemporary sources.
- Matriculated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, in 1616. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1620 and a Master of Arts in 1624.
Clerical career
- Ordained in the Church of England in 1628.
- Appointed minister of St Giles, Cripplegate, London, in 1637. His Puritan preaching led to conflicts with ecclesiastical authorities, and he was suspended from the living in 1642.
- Served as a lecturer and preacher at several London churches, including St Mary Aldermanbury, during the English Civil War.
- In 1643 he was made a chaplain to the Parliamentary forces, delivering sermons to troops and civil authorities.
- Elected as a member of the Westminster Assembly of Divines (1643–1653), contributing to the drafting of the Westminster Confession of Faith.
Publications
Sedgwick authored numerous theological works, many of which were printed in the 1640s–1650s. Notable titles include:
- The Righteousnesse of the Mind (1642) – a treatise on moral introspection and sanctification.
- The Mystery of Godliness (1645) – a devotional work emphasizing personal piety.
- The Great Comfort of Churchmen (1653) – a defense of Puritan ecclesiology.
- The Causes of the Great Dearth (1655) – a prophetic interpretation of contemporary crises.
His writings were widely circulated among Puritan circles and often reprinted in later 17th‑century collections.
Later life and death
Sedgwick continued preaching and publishing until his death in London on 28 February 1658. He was interred at St Mary, Whitechapel.
Legacy
Obadiah Sedgwick is remembered as a representative figure of the English Puritan movement, particularly for his involvement in the Westminster Assembly and his extensive devotional literature, which contributed to the theological discourse of the Commonwealth period.
