Henry Tozer (priest) facts for kids

Henry Tozer (1602–1650) was an English priest and a smart scholar. He was a Puritan who supported the king, even though Puritans often disagreed with the king's church. He was chosen to be part of an important meeting called the Westminster Assembly, but he never actually attended.

Henry Tozer's Life Story

Henry Tozer was born in a place called North Tawton in Devon, England. He began studying at Exeter College, Oxford in 1621. He worked hard and earned his first university degree in 1623, and then a master's degree in 1626.

He became a priest and started teaching at St Martin's Church in Oxford in 1632. In 1636, he earned another special degree in theology. Henry Tozer was a Puritan, which meant he had strong beliefs about how the church should be run. In 1643, he was chosen to join the Westminster Assembly, a big meeting of religious leaders. However, he chose not to go. He also turned down an even higher degree, a Doctor of Divinity, in 1646.

Tozer was put in charge of a church in Yarnton in 1644, but he wasn't often there. Instead, he spent most of his time at Exeter College, Oxford. He was like a manager for the college when the main leader, George Hakewill, was away.

In 1647, people from Parliament, who were checking on the university, questioned him. They didn't like that he kept using the Book of Common Prayer (a traditional church book) and that he didn't support Parliament. In 1648, he was even put in prison for a few days because he wouldn't give up the college's important books.

On May 26, 1648, he was removed from his position at the college. A few days later, soldiers even forced him out of St. Martin's Church because he prayed for the king. But later that year, the decision was changed. Henry Tozer was allowed to travel for three years and even keep his room at Exeter College.

Tozer then moved to Holland. He became a minister for English merchants living in Rotterdam. He passed away there on September 11, 1650, and was buried in the English church in Rotterdam.

Books Written by Henry Tozer

Henry Tozer wrote several books that were published in Oxford. These books often gave advice on how to live a good, religious life.

• Directions for a Godly Life: This book was first published in 1628 and was very popular. It was reprinted many times, even up to 1706!
• A Christian Amendment: Published in 1633.
• Christus: sive Dicta Facta Christi: Published in 1634.
• Christian Wisdome: Published in 1639.