Select Page

Thomas Taylor (1576-1632)

An Elizabethan Puritan of eminent skill.
 
Today, many Christians are turning back to the puritans to, “walk in the old paths,” of God’s word, and to continue to proclaim old truth that glorifies Jesus Christ. There is no new theology. In our electronic age, more and more people are looking to add electronic books (ePubs, mobi and PDF formats) to their library – books from the Reformers and Puritans – in order to become a “digital puritan” themselves. Take a moment to visit Puritan Publications (click the banner below) to find the biggest selection of rare puritan works updated in modern English in both print form and in multiple electronic forms. There are new books published every month. All proceeds go to support A Puritan’s Mind.

Christians must deny thier own corrupt will, which is contrary to God’s will, and only seek how it may please itself. And until this is denied, you may well say, “Thy will be done,” but it shall be by others, not by yourself.

Thomas Taylor

His Works:

1. Coninghs-bad vervattende vele soete ende troostelicke aenmerckinghen over den doop Christi (Amsteldam : Ian Kuypen, 1658) PDF Google Books
2. Christi Streit und Uberwindung oder L[oe]we auß dem Stam[m]en Juda : Welcher den brülenden Löwen in seinen dreyen Höllischen und fewrigen Versuchungen überwunden und nidergelegt / Anfenglich in Englischer Sprache beschrieben Durch den Hochgelehrten/ Herren Thomas Thaylor, … Predigern deß Göttlichen Worts zu Londen/ Nunmehr … in das Teutsche übersetzet (Bern : Sonnleitner, 1676) dilibri PDF from dilibri
3. Christus relevatus. Id est vetus testamentum expositum sive Tractatus de Typis ac Figuris, ceu Umbris servatoris nostri Jesu Christi (Franeker : Leonardi Strik, 1700) PDF Google Books
4. Christus revelatus: sive tractatus de typis insignioribus V.T. Jesvm Christvm Salvatorem (Geneva : Johan. Hermann Widerhold, 1665) PDF Google Books
5. La mappe romaine: contenant cinq traitez représentez en ceste figure, le tout extrait de l’anglois (Geneve, 1623) PDF Google Books
6. The theatre of Gods judgements, 4th ed. (London: S.I. & M.H., 1648) / added author(s): Thomas Beard PDF Google Books
7. The valew of true valour, or, The probation and approbation of a right military man. A sermon (A. Mathewes for T. Iones, 1629) PDF Google Books

 

Biography of Thomas Taylor (1576-1632):

Thomas Taylor, D.D.—This excellent divine was born at Richmond in Yorkshire, in the year 1576, and educated in Christ’s college, Cambridge, where he was chosen fellow. He was the son of pious and worthy parents. His father was recorder of the town, and particularly kind and liberal to the ministers silenced for nonconformity, and the persecuted exiles from Scotland. Our divine had several brothers in the ministry. While at the university, his unwearied diligence and high attainments in good literature were manifest to all. He was, therefore, chosen fellow and Hebrew lecturer of the college. He at first , much opposed the puritans, as that sect which was every where spoken against; but afterwards espoused their cause, and became a sufferer with the rest of his brethren. He was for some time silenced, and threatened to be degraded, for a sermon which he preached in St. Mary’s church, Cambridge, from Canticles, v. 7. ” The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my vail from me.” That on which he chiefly insisted, and which gave offence to the ruling ecclesiastics, was, ” that in every age, some of those who ought to have been promoters of the church’s welfare, have been its persecutors.” How long he remained under the unjust censure, we have not been able to learn. In the year 1606, he was again silenced by Bishop Harsnet, for nonconformity. He was afterwards violently opposed and harassed by Bishop Wren, who [* Noble’s Memoir! of the Home of Cromwell, Voi. i. p. 93—95, 109. Wit. 1787. t Biog. Hilt. vol. li. p. 196.] used his utmost endeavours to hinder him from taking his doctor’s degree. He was willing to endure any sufferings himself, rather than that the truth and cause of God should suffer.* He was afterwards convened before the high commission, as a notorious delinquent, only for generously uniting with his brethren in promoting a private contribution for the poor afflicted ministers of the Palatinate, even after public collections failed: but it does not appear what further molestation he endured.t

Dr. Taylor, upon leaving the university, settled first.’ at Watford in Hertfordshire, then at Heading in Berkshire, and afterwards, in 1635, he became pastor of Aldermanbury, London. At each of these places his labours were made a blessing to many souls. During his abode at Reading, a generation of young preachers was raised up under his ministry, who afterwards became bright ornaments in the church of God.f He preached at Paul’s cross before Queen Elizabeth, and afterwards before King James. He spent thirty years in his beloved work, and continued faithful and laborious to the end. As the true servant of Christ, he was desirous to spend and be spent for the glory of God and the good of souls. With all sincerity and purity, and all zeal and meekness, he watched over the flock of Christ. His sermons were judicious, substantial, and ‘\dmirably well delivered. He was an avowed enemy to popery, arminianism, and antinomianism; against the last of which he published a work, entitled, ” The Use of the Law.” Though envy opposed him, real worth always admired him.

This worthy divine, when in the prospect of death, was desirous to have done more service for Christ; yet he was willing to obey the summons. Having finished the work which the Lord gave him to do, he was ready to depart, and to be with Christ. During his last sickness, he experienced much joy and peace in believing, and enjoyed a triumphant confidence in Christ as his gracious conqueror of death, and hell, and sin. ” Oh!” said he, ” we serve a good Lord, who covers all imperfections, and gives great wages for little work, and in mercy hath provided for me some of the greatest.” Having languished a short time under his complaint, he died in the beginning of the year [Life of Taylor prefixed to his “Works.” Edit. 1653. + Huntley Prelatei Usurpation, p. 164.] [J Newcourt Repert. Eccl. vol. 1. p. 918.—Clark’s Lives annexed to Martyrologie, p. 126.] 1633, aged fifty-fire years, and his remains were interred in St. Mary’s church, Aldermanbury. He was an indefatigable student, an excellent preacher, and eminently faithful, and additional comfort in being useful in the Lokis work. The welfare of his people lay near his heart . He was not so much concerned to gather tithes into his barn, as souls to Jesus Christ. He who was a guide to others, did not wander out of the way himself. He preached and practised righteousness. His life was particularly exemplary, his enemies being judges. His piety, his charity, and his moderation, were manifest to all.* Mr. Leigh calls him ” a solid and judicious divine.”+ Fuller, who has classed him among the fellows and learned writers of Christ’s college, Cambridge, says, ” he was exceedingly charitable, most strict in bis conversation, a grave divine, a painful preacher, and a profitable writer.”} Wood says, ” he was excellent in following and opening an allegory; and that he was highly esteemed by the London ministers, as well as by the people of his charge.” On account of his profound knowledge of the scriptures, he was commonly styled, ” the illuminated doctor.”^ He was, says Dr. Williams, ” a sound and sensible divine, and a very useful preacher; one who had penetrating views of the human eart, and of the oracles of God.”

Offsite Banner Ad:

Help Support APM

Search the Site

Reformed Theology at A Puritan's Mind