Thomas White and the Blackloists

This book looks at the remarkable life and writings of Thomas White (alias Blacklo), and his followers the Blackloists. It analyzes their interest in natural philosophy and offers a fresh interpretation of the role played by the 'new' science in the intellectual history of early modern Britain. It also explores White and the Blackloists's theological positions, showing how they tried to construct a philosophically grounded Catholic theology. Finally it looks at how these philosophies came to shape White's unorthodox political views, which allowed him to support religious Independents, and later Cromwell's Protectorate. The full text of White’s treatise The Grounds of Obedience and Government is explored and also presented as an appendix to the volume.