Thomas Lambe
Encyclopedia
Commonly referred to as the "soapboiler" – Thomas Lambe (also spelt Lamb) was the leader of one of the first Baptist
Churches in England and a highly influential figure in the earliest years of the Baptist movement both in terms of practice and belief.
From 1629-1639 he was frequently in trouble with the Archdeacon’s Court in Colchester
for preaching outside of the bounds of the Church of England
during the time that the Archbishop of Canterbury
, William Laud
was seeking to impose uniformity upon the churches in England. This was to continue throughout his ministry as he was frequently arrested and imprisoned.
His Separatist views developed into distinctly Baptist beliefs and practices during the 1630s and by 1640 was leading a congregation of Baptist Christians meeting at Bell Alley in Coleman Street, London (along with Samuel Oates and Henry Denne
). He was soon arrested and imprisoned for four months and was released on bail June 25, 1640 , with the injunction "not to preach, baptize or frequent any conventicle."
The meetings in Coleman Street were open to the public and reported as being lively: “Many used to resort to this church and meeting, the house, yards full, especially young youths & wenches flock hither and all of them preach universal redemption. In their church meetings and exercises there is such a confusion & noise as if it were a play.” This church was successful and was described by Robert Baillie
in an anti-Baptist tract of 1647 as “Mr Lamb’s (sic) congregation, the greatest as they say, and most fruitful of all their societies without comparison.”
He travelled extensively across England preaching, baptising and planting churches
, for example in Gloucestershire in December 1641 where he preached at Cranham and “subverted many. And shortly after, in extreme cold, and frosty time, in the night season, diverse men and women were rebaptised in the Severn by Gloucester.”
; and his irenical approach to the authorities and some of his fellow Baptists.
The date of his death is unknown – but probably in the 1660s.
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
Churches in England and a highly influential figure in the earliest years of the Baptist movement both in terms of practice and belief.
Life and ministry
His exact birth date is unknown, but it was in the early years of the seventeenth century. Records of his activities exist from 1629 onwards, at which time he was living in St Giles in Colchester with his wife and eight children.From 1629-1639 he was frequently in trouble with the Archdeacon’s Court in Colchester
Colchester
Colchester is an historic town and the largest settlement within the borough of Colchester in Essex, England.At the time of the census in 2001, it had a population of 104,390. However, the population is rapidly increasing, and has been named as one of Britain's fastest growing towns. As the...
for preaching outside of the bounds of the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
during the time that the Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
, William Laud
William Laud
William Laud was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1633 to 1645. One of the High Church Caroline divines, he opposed radical forms of Puritanism...
was seeking to impose uniformity upon the churches in England. This was to continue throughout his ministry as he was frequently arrested and imprisoned.
His Separatist views developed into distinctly Baptist beliefs and practices during the 1630s and by 1640 was leading a congregation of Baptist Christians meeting at Bell Alley in Coleman Street, London (along with Samuel Oates and Henry Denne
Henry Denne
Henry Denne was an English Anglican clergyman and controversialist, later a prominent Baptist.-Life:He is identified as the son of David Denne of Kent, educated at Latton, Essex under his uncle, Thomas Denne. He matriculated as a sizar at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge in 1621, graduating B.A....
). He was soon arrested and imprisoned for four months and was released on bail June 25, 1640 , with the injunction "not to preach, baptize or frequent any conventicle."
The meetings in Coleman Street were open to the public and reported as being lively: “Many used to resort to this church and meeting, the house, yards full, especially young youths & wenches flock hither and all of them preach universal redemption. In their church meetings and exercises there is such a confusion & noise as if it were a play.” This church was successful and was described by Robert Baillie
Robert Baillie
Robert Baillie was a Scottish divine and historical writer.-Life:Baillie was born at Glasgow, the son of Baillie of Jerviston...
in an anti-Baptist tract of 1647 as “Mr Lamb’s (sic) congregation, the greatest as they say, and most fruitful of all their societies without comparison.”
He travelled extensively across England preaching, baptising and planting churches
Church planting
Church planting is a process that results in a new Christian church being established. It should be distinguished from church development, where a new service, new worship centre or fresh expression is created that is integrated into an already established congregation...
, for example in Gloucestershire in December 1641 where he preached at Cranham and “subverted many. And shortly after, in extreme cold, and frosty time, in the night season, diverse men and women were rebaptised in the Severn by Gloucester.”
Writings
He published a number of books including most significantly: Fountaine of Free Grace Opened and A Treatise on Particular Predestination (1642) – in which he seemed to walk in some middle ground between the General Baptists (believing that Christ died for everyone) and the Particular Baptists (believing that Christ died for the elect). His ministry had a number of other distinctive features in comparison with some other seventeenth century Baptist leaders: freedom for women to preach in his meetings; meetings open to the public; support for the LevellersLevellers
The Levellers were a political movement during the English Civil Wars which emphasised popular sovereignty, extended suffrage, equality before the law, and religious tolerance, all of which were expressed in the manifesto "Agreement of the People". They came to prominence at the end of the First...
; and his irenical approach to the authorities and some of his fellow Baptists.
The date of his death is unknown – but probably in the 1660s.