John Eaton {1575-1641}
Brief Biographical Sketch
John Eaton was born in Kent, in the year 1575, and educated in Trinity College, Oxford. For several years after he left the University, he preached in various places; was curate at Katherine-Colemar, near Aldgate, London; and in 1625, became vicar of Wickham-Market in Suffolk, where he continued to the end of his days. It is said that he was a person of a peculiar mold, very paradoxical in his opinions, and reckoned a great ‘Antinomian,’ for which he was more than once cast into prison. His writings, which contain his peculiar sentiments, were, "The Discovery of a most Dangerous Dead Faith;" 1641, "Abraham's Steps of Faith;" 1641, and "The Honey-combe of Free Justification by Christ Alone," 1642. For the publication of a former edition of the last book, he was imprisoned in the Gatehouse, Westminster. Indeed, he was for several years questioned and censured by the high commission, for maintaining that God does not see sin in those who are justified. He was in perils often, in London, Norwich, and Wickham. Nevertheless, he is represented as a faithful servant of Jesus Christ; and, by the blessing of the Lord upon his labors, was instrumental in begetting many children to God. Archdeacon Echard admits, that by means of his zeal, his exemplary patience, and his great piety, he was exceedingly admired in the neighborhood where he lived, and highly valued for many years after his death; - he was, upon the whole, "a pattern of faith, holiness, and cheerfulness in his sufferings, to future generations." He died in the year 1641, and in the sixty-sixth year of his age. Benjamin Brook “Lives of the Puritans” 1813. MPJ