I am not the least surprised to learn that the Ranters were an “antinomian sect”. I see that their oponents would insult them by refering to them as “high proffessors“, makes sense to me.
They really knew how to name a sect back then: Ranters, Quakers, Shakers, Manifestarians, Muggletonians, Levellers, Diggers, Seekers, and of course the Puritans. Ah, America’s roots.
Today’s cults all seem to try and parasite or hide behind on some other relegion’s brandname.
It’s a wonderful thing, group forming!
I am very interested in the Ranters, their religion, lifestyle and politics. They are the subject of my ongoing research and publications and I am always interested to communicate with anyone who may have any information on them, no matter how obscure, as it may be a key to further research insights for me.
WRT Ranters:
Have your read *Treason Against God*, Leonard W. Levy (1981)? Chapt. 8, “Antinomianism Running Amok,” is mostly about Ranters. In fact, it’s the only (possibly unintentionally) entertaining chapter in the book.
Fred – That sounds like fun, thanks! I’ve got interlibrary loan on the case :). – ben