John Saltmarsh (born East Riding, Yorkshire, died 1647) was an English religious radical, "One of the most gentle tongued of controversialists",[1] writer and preacher.
In July 1643 Saltmarsh heard Royalist churchman Thomas Fuller preach at The Savoy and responded to Fuller's views on ecclesiastical reform by publishing Examinations, or, A discovery of some dangerous positions delivered in A sermon of reformation preached in the church of the Savoy last fast day July 26 by Tho.
Whilst at Brasted Saltmarsh refused his annual stipend, believing tithes unchristian, a matter he would raise in his pamphlet dispute with fellow clergyman John Ley in 1646.
[9] Saltmarsh appears to have shared ideological views with William Dell, also a Chaplain in Fairfax's Army,[10] the two clergymen are reported as having preached together on at least one occasion.
During a period of intensified preaching and print propaganda, when political debate entered the public sphere and protestations of correctitude were the norm, often widening the divide rather than bridging it with insight.
John Saltmarsh noted the “intemperacy, and unnaturall heats” and begins addressing the division directly, “I saw so many plunged in the controversys of our times, that it had been good some of them were well out, or had never come in, for the disputes which before warmed us, have now set us all on flame”.
Saltmarsh outlines the importance of “free” and “peaceably bold” discussion, seeing the soul as “more at liberty for debating” than when limitations are placed upon expression.
[12] Immediately after George Joyce seized King Charles I in 1647 Saltmarsh published a "Letter from the Army" defending Fairfax and the Army's actions, he also refuted having become involved in political matters "I never made state-business any Pulpit work, I never yet preached anything but Christ[13] Saltmarsh was not present at the Putney Debates in October 1647 but wrote to the Council of War on October 28th exhorting them to righteous conclusion.
Fuller publicly and, for him, pretty sharply rebuked Milton's anonymous tractate Of Reformation ... in England; was in his turn sharply taken to task by a Yorkshire puritan divine, John Saltmarsh; and was actually stopped (i. e. arrested) for a time by the Commons' orders, when proceeding to Oxford with a safe conduct from the Lords.