Henry Mason (priest) facts for kids

Henry Mason (born around 1573, died August 1647) was an English clergyman, which means he was a church leader, and a writer who wrote about religious topics.

Life of Henry Mason

Henry Mason was born in Wigan, Lancashire, England, around 1573. He was the younger brother of Francis Mason, who was an important church official called an archdeacon.

In 1592, Henry started studying at Brasenose College, Oxford, which is a famous university. He worked there as a 'servitor,' meaning he helped out in exchange for his education. He later earned his first degree (B.A.) in 1594 and a master's degree (M.A.) in 1603 from Corpus Christi College.

Before getting his master's degree, Henry became a priest. In 1602, he became a chaplain at Corpus Christi College, helping with religious services. He earned another degree (B.D.) in 1610. The next year, he became the vicar of Hillingdon, but he left that role in 1612. He then became the rector (head priest) of St. Matthew's, Friday Street in London.

John King, who was the Bishop of London, chose Henry Mason to be his chaplain. In 1613, Henry was also given the role of rector at St. Andrew Undershaft with St. Mary Axe in London. In 1616, he became a 'prebendary' at St. Paul's Cathedral in Willesden. A prebendary is a type of church official who receives income from a cathedral.

Henry Mason left his prebendary role in 1637, but he stayed as rector of St. Andrew until 1641. When a religious group called the Presbyterians became very influential, he decided to leave his church position. He moved back to his hometown of Wigan.

Henry Mason passed away in Wigan in August 1647 and was buried in the churchyard there. During his life, he was very generous to Wigan. In 1632 and 1639, he gave £240 (a large sum at the time) to help the poor people of the town. He also donated his personal library (collection of books) to the local grammar school and made other gifts to the town.

Theology

Henry Mason followed a set of religious beliefs known as Arminianism.

Works

Henry Mason wrote several books and religious texts. Some of his known writings include:

• 'The New Art of Lying, covered by Jesuits under the vaile of Equivocation, discovered and disproved,' published in 1624 and again in 1634.
• 'Christian Humiliation, or a Treatise of Fasting,' published in 1625 and 1627.
• 'Epicure's Fast, or a Short Discourse discovering the Licenciousnesse of the Roman Church in her Religious Fasts,' published in 1626 and 1628.
• 'Tribunal of the Conscience,' first published in 1626, with new editions in 1627 and 1634.
• 'The Cure of Cares,' published in 1627 and 1628, with a third edition in 1634.
• 'Contentment in God's Gifts,' published in 1630 and 1634.

Some of his letters can be found in the Works of Dr. Thomas Jackson and Joseph Mede. Some of his other writings also appear in Samuel Hoard's God's Love to Mankind, which was published in 1653. He also left a large book of his religious writings in manuscript form to Gilbert Sheldon.