Thomas Taylor (1576-1632)

• [1629]   The valevv of true valour, or, The probation and approbation of a right military man Discouered in a sermon preached Iuly 25. before the worthy gentlemen of the military company. By Thomas Taylor Doctor of Divinitie, and pastor of St. Mary Aldermanbury, London.
• [1624]   Tvvo sermons the one A heavenly voice, calling all Gods people out of Romish Babylon. The other An everlasting record of the utter ruine of Romish Amalek. By Thomas Taylor, preacher of the Word at Redding in Berkshire.
• [1641]   A treatise of contentment leading a Christian with much patience through all afflicted conditions by sundry rules of heavenly wisedome : whereunto is annexed first, A treatise of the improvement of time, secondly, The holy warre, in a visitation sermon / by T.T.
• [1633]   Three treatises The pearle of the gospell, The pilgrims profession: and A glasse for gentlewomen to dress themselues by. To which is added A short introduction to the worthy receiuing of the Lords supper. By Thomas Taylor, Doctor of Diuinity, and late preacher of Aldermanbury Church in London.
• [1642]   The second part of the theatre of Gods ivdgments collected out of the writings of sundry ancient and moderne authors / by Thomas Taylor.
• [1630]   The progresse of saints to full holinesse described in sundry apostolicall aphorismes, or short precepts tending to sanctification, with a sweete and divine prayer to attaine the practise of those holy precepts / by Thomas Taylor …
• [1631]   Regula vitæ the rule of the law vnder the Gospel. Containing a discovery of the pestiferous sect of libertines, antinomians, and sonnes of Belial, lately sprung up both to destroy the law, and disturbe the faith of the Gospell: wherein is manifestly proved, that God seeth sinne in iustified persons. By Thomas Taylor Dr. of Divinity, and pastour of S. Mary Aldermanbury, London.
• [1628]   The practise of repentance laid downe in sundry directions, together with the helpes, lets, signes and motiues. In an easie method, according to the table prefixed. As it was preached in Aldermanbury by Thomas Taylor.
• [1635]   The principles of Christian practice Containing the institution of a Christian man, in twelve heads of doctrine: which are set downe in the next side. By Thomas Taylor D.D. and late pastor of Aldermanbury London. Perfected by himselfe before his decease.
• [1653]   Peter his repentance shewing, among other things, these two points for edification I. what weakenes remaines in Gods owne children, especially in times of triall and danger, and to, what little cause they have to trust their hearts, or be confident of themselves, but get to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. II. what is the power of Gods grace and covenant, for renewing His children by repentance, and so, what encouragement they have to return after every fall, and goe on in their course of watchfulnesse, humiliation, prayer, and magnifying of Jesus Christ / by Dr. Thomas Taylor.
• [1621]   The parable of the sovver and of the seed Declaring in foure seuerall grounds, among other things: 1. How farre an hypocrite may goe in the way towards heauen, and wherein the sound Christian goeth beyond him. And 2. In the last and best ground, largely discourseth of a good heart, describing it by very many signes of it, digested into a familiar method: which of it selfe is an entire treatise. And also, 3. From the constant fruit of the good ground, iustifieth the doctrine of the perseuerance of saints: oppugneth the fifth article of the late Arminians; and shortly and plainly answereth their most colourable arguments and euasions. By Thomas Taylor, late fellow of Christs Colledge in Cambridge, and preacher of the Word of God, at Reding in Bark-shire.
• [1620]   A mappe of Rome liuely exhibiting her mercilesse meeknesse, and cruell mercies to the Church of God: preached in fiue sermons, on occasion of the Gunpowder Treason, by T.T. and now published by W.I. minister. 1. The Romish furnace. 2. The Romish Edom. 3. The Romish fowler. 4. The Romish conception. To which is added, 5. The English gratulation.
• [1653]   Moses and Aaron, or, The types and shadovvs of our Saviour in the Old Testament opened and explained / by T. Taylor …
• [1629]   A man in Christ, or A new creature To which is added a treatise, containing meditations from the creatures. By Thomas Taylor, Dr. in Diuinity.
• [1620]   The Kings bath Affording many sweet and comfortable obseruations from the baptisme of Christ. Gathered by Thomas Taylor, preacher of the word of God at Redding in Barkshire.
• [1625]   A good husband and a good wife layd open in a sermon, preached by Mr Thomas Taylor … ; and published by Iohn Sedguuicke.
• [1617]   Dauids learning, or The vvay to true happinesse in a commentarie vpon the 32. Psalme. Preached and now published by T.T. late fellow of Christs Colledge in Cambridge. To which is prefixed the table of method of the whole Psalme, and annexed an alphabeticall table of the chiefe matters in the commentarie.
• [1631]   Circumspect walking describing the seuerall rules, as so many seuerall steps in the way of wisedome. Gathered into this short manuell, by Tho. Taylor, preacher of Gods word at Aldermanbury Church in London.
• [1612]   A commentarie vpon the Epistle of S. Paul written to Titus. Preached in Cambridge by Thomas Taylor, and now published for the further vse of the Church of God. With three short tables in the end for the easier finding of 1. doctrines, 2. obseruations, 3. questions contained in the same
• [1635]   Christ revealed: or The Old Testament explained A treatise of the types and shadowes of our Saviour contained throughout the whole Scripture: all opened and made usefull for the benefit of Gods Church. By Thomas Tailor D.D. late preacher at Aldermanbury. Perfected by himselfe before his death.
• [1633]   Christs victorie over the Dragon: or Satans downfall shewing the glorious conquests of our Saviour for his poore Church, against the greatest persecutors. In a plaine and pithy exposition of the twelfth chapter of S. Iohns Revelation. Delivered in sundry lectures by that late faithfull servant of God, Thomas Taylor Doctor in Divinitie, and pastor of Aldermanbury London. Perfected and finished a little before his death.
• [1618]   Christs combate and conquest: or, The lyon of the tribe of Iudah vanquishing the roaring lyon, assaulting him in three most fierce and hellish temptations. Expounded, and now (at the request of sundry persons) published for the common good, by Tho. Taylor, preacher of the word of God, at Reeding in Barkeshire
• [1609]   The beavvties of Beth-el Containing: sundry reasons why euery Christian ought to account one day in the courtes of God, better then a thousand besides. Preached in Cambridge, and now published especially for the benefite of those that were the hearers.

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.”