Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Carkeet, Samuel

1367506Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 09 — Carkeet, Samuel1887Alexander Gordon ‎

CARKEET, SAMUEL (d. 1746), presbyterian minister, was ordained 19 July 1710, the same day as James Strong, afterwards of Ilminster. He was settled in the larger of two presbyterian congregations at Totnes. Accused of Arianism when the Exeter controversy broke out, he preached a vigorous sermon at Exeter, 7 May 1719, at the young men's lecture, repudiating all personal taint of Arianism, but maintaining that christian worth is independent of speculative opinions. Few contributions to the non-subscription side are more blunt and trenchant in their language. Arguing against any unscriptural test, he says: 'Either the Holy Ghost spoke as plain as he could, or as plain as God thought proper for a rule to the churches. If he spake as plain as he could, they are no plausible contenders for his Divinity (which, I believe, is generally acknowledg'd among Christians) who fancy they can speak plainer. If he spake only as plain as God thought proper, they certainly invade his prerogative who pretend to make the matter plainer, and urge it upon men's consciences.' Carkeet removed to Bodmin after 1729 ), and died there on 17 June 1746. His sermon was puplished with the title, 'Gospel Worthiness stated: in a Sermon [Matt. x. 11] preached in Exon., &c., 1719, 8vo. He published also 'An Essay on the Conversion of St. Paul, as implying a change of his Moral Character,' 1741, 8vo (against Henry Grove's view that the change was simply one of opinion).

[Manuscript List of Ministers in Records of Exeter Assembly; James's Presbyterian Chapels and Charities. 1867, p. 656 (where he is called Carkat); sermon cited above.]

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