Edward Sparke

Edward Sparke (died 1692) was an English clergyman and devotional writer.

Life

A native of Kent, he was educated at Clare Hall, Cambridge, graduating B.A. 1630, M.A. 1633, and B.D. 1640. He was incorporated at Oxford on 12 July 1653.[1]

He was presented to the rectory of St Martin, Ironmonger Lane, London, 28 September 1639, but was ejected from his living and his church sequestered about 1645. In 1650 he was vicar of Isle of Grain, Kent. At the English Restoration of 1660 he regained his rectory, but resigned it before 5 June 1661. He became minister of St James's, Clerkenwell, resigned it in 1666, and on 23 January 1666 was instituted to the vicarage of Tottenham. He was also vicar of Walthamstow, December 1662 to May 1666, and was chaplain to Charles II.

Works

Sparke wrote: ‘Scintillula Altaris, or a Pious Reflection on Primitive Devotion: as to the Feasts and Fasts of the Christian Church orthodoxally Revived’ (London, 1652). The second edition, published in 1660, was entitled ‘Θυσιατήριον vel scintilla altaris.’ The book was esteemed, and six editions appeared between 1663 and 1700. The later editions contain an engraved portrait. He also edited Josias Shute's Sarah and Hagar.

References

• "Sparke, Edward" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.

Notes

1. "Sparke, Edward (SPRK626E)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.

Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Sparke, Edward". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.