Francis Cheynell[1] (1608–1665) was a prominent English religious controversialist, of Presbyterian views, and President of St John's College, Oxford 1648 to 1650, imposed by the Parliamentary regime.
He acted as Visitor to the University of Oxford, from 1647.[7] He was also Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity at Oxford University until deposed at the Restoration.
Heresy hunter
He has been characterized as ‘One of the foremost heresiographers of the 1640s’.[8] He attacked, under the name of Socinianism, early non-Trinitarian thinkers, tending to Unitarianism.[9] He was very much an alarmist in tone, and at times perhaps afflicted by mental illness.[10]
The Man of Honor described. Sermon to the House of Lords, 1645
Truth triumphing over errour and heresie. Or, A relation of a publike disputation at Oxford in S. Maries Church on Munday last, Jan. 11. 1646: between Master Cheynell, a member of the Assembly and Master Erbury, the Seeker and Socinian (1646)[20]
An account given to the Parliament by the ministers sent by them to Oxford (1647)[21]
The sworne confederacy between the convocation at Oxford, and the tower of London (1647)
The Divine Trinunity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (1650)[3]
A Plot for the good of Posterity.
Divers Letters to Dr. Jasp. Mayne, concerning false Prophets.
A copy of some Letters which passed at Oxford between him and Dr. Hammond
A Discussion of Mr. Fry's Tenets lately condemned in Parliament, and Socinianism proved to be an Unchristian Doctrine.
^Dr. Francis Cheynell is now chiefly known by his very extraordinary conduct when he attended the last hours and the burial of Chillingworth; and other comments at [1]. From: 'Guibon Goddard's Journal: September 1654', Diary of Thomas Burton esq, volume 1: July 1653 - April 1657 (1828), pp. XVII-XLIV. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=36727. Date accessed: 13 July 2007.