Obadiah Sedgwick

(1600-1658)

 

"Obadiah Sedgwick was born in Marlborough, Wiltshire, in 1600. In 1616 he was sent to Queen's College, Oxford, but received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Magdalen Hall.

"In 1639, he became preacher at Coggleshall in Essex. Upon the commencement of the civil wars, he went to London and was often called upon to preach before the Parliament. In 1643, he was appointed one of the licensers of the press for books of Divinity, and was chosen one of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster.

"In 1646, Sedgwick became preacher at St. Paul's, Covent Garden, where his following was very great. He is said to have been instrumental in the conversion of many souls. He was a very zealous laborer in the Lord's vineyard, and exceedingly active in promoting the work of reformation in the church and the state.

"Finding his health declining, he resigned his pastorate and retired to Marlborough, where he died in January, 1658. He was succeeded by the famous Thomas Manton, originally thought to be his son-in-law. He was esteemed as a learned Divine and an orthodox and admired preacher."