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A Collection of Ranter Writings: Spiritual Liberty and Sexual Freedom in the English Revolution
The Ranters - like the Levellers and the Diggers - were a group of religious libertarians who flourished during the English Civil War (1642–1651), a period of social and religious turmoil which saw, in the words of Christopher Hill, "the world turned upside down."
This particular collection is the most notable attempt to anthologize the key Ranter writings - bringing together some remarkable, visionary and unforgettable texts. The subjects range from the limits to pleasure and divine right, to social justice and collective action. As literature they are also remarkable, and have inspired generations of English-language writers and thinkers.
As an example of radical theology, the Ranters have intrigued and captivated generations of scholars and philosophers. This collection will be of great interest to historians, philosophers and all those trying to understand past radical traditions.
This particular collection is the most notable attempt to anthologize the key Ranter writings - bringing together some remarkable, visionary and unforgettable texts. The subjects range from the limits to pleasure and divine right, to social justice and collective action. As literature they are also remarkable, and have inspired generations of English-language writers and thinkers.
As an example of radical theology, the Ranters have intrigued and captivated generations of scholars and philosophers. This collection will be of great interest to historians, philosophers and all those trying to understand past radical traditions.
280 pages, Hardcover
First published September 10, 2013
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May 7, 2020
Simply put, this book contains some of the most divine prose I've ever had the pleasure of reading. The Ranters espoused a uniquely ecstatic monism or pantheism, but never without humour and humility — and always with a fabulously affected vulgarity.
I must say, Abiezer Coppe stands head and shoulders above Laurence Clarkson and Joseph Salmon (though I love Clarkson's regretful reminiscences of his early Ranter days). In Some Sweet Sips, of Some Spirituall Wine, Coppe feeds us on mind bending gnomic phrases: 'I am what I am, and what I am in I am, that I am. So I am in the Spirit' (this inevitably leads me to binge on Gloria Gaynor). In his Fiery Flying Roll, metaphysical revelations lead to song: 'There was variety and distinction, as if there had been severall hearts, and yet most strangely and unexpressibly complicated or folded up in unity. I clearely saw distinction, diversity, variety, and as clearly saw all swallowed up into unity. And it hath been my song many times since, within and without, unity, universality, universality, unity, Eternall Majesty, &c'. I love him!
A Justification of the Mad Crew (anonymous) is probably the greatest Ranter gem, however: 'This man and wife, though made up of many thousands, ly with one another every night, the bed is large enough to hold them all; it is not such a bed that you have heard to be at Ware, where twenty can ly in it, but a sweet bed made of Roses and Spices, large enough, where millions of millions can all stretch themselve on it, and yet it is but one stretching, one stretched, one loving, and one loved: the same kissing, and the same kissed'.
Words and ideas from across this book will stay with me <3
I must say, Abiezer Coppe stands head and shoulders above Laurence Clarkson and Joseph Salmon (though I love Clarkson's regretful reminiscences of his early Ranter days). In Some Sweet Sips, of Some Spirituall Wine, Coppe feeds us on mind bending gnomic phrases: 'I am what I am, and what I am in I am, that I am. So I am in the Spirit' (this inevitably leads me to binge on Gloria Gaynor). In his Fiery Flying Roll, metaphysical revelations lead to song: 'There was variety and distinction, as if there had been severall hearts, and yet most strangely and unexpressibly complicated or folded up in unity. I clearely saw distinction, diversity, variety, and as clearly saw all swallowed up into unity. And it hath been my song many times since, within and without, unity, universality, universality, unity, Eternall Majesty, &c'. I love him!
A Justification of the Mad Crew (anonymous) is probably the greatest Ranter gem, however: 'This man and wife, though made up of many thousands, ly with one another every night, the bed is large enough to hold them all; it is not such a bed that you have heard to be at Ware, where twenty can ly in it, but a sweet bed made of Roses and Spices, large enough, where millions of millions can all stretch themselve on it, and yet it is but one stretching, one stretched, one loving, and one loved: the same kissing, and the same kissed'.
Words and ideas from across this book will stay with me <3
Displaying 1 of 1 review