John Tillotson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Most Reverend and Right Honourable John Tillotson |
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| Archbishop of Canterbury | |
Portrait by Godfrey Kneller
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| Church | Church of England |
| Diocese | Canterbury |
| Enthroned | April 1691 |
| Reign ended | 22 November 1694 |
| Predecessor | William Sancroft |
| Successor | Thomas Tenison |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 31 May 1691 by Peter Mews |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 1630 Sowerby, Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 22 November 1694 (aged 64) |
| Nationality | English |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Alma mater | Clare College, Cambridge |
John Tillotson (born October 1630, died November 1694) was a very important religious leader in England. He served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1691 to 1694. This was the highest position in the Church of England.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John Tillotson was born in October 1630 in Sowerby, Yorkshire, England. His father was a cloth maker and a Puritan. Puritans were a group of Protestants who wanted to make the Church of England simpler.
Tillotson went to Colne Grammar School. Later, in 1647, he began studying at Clare College, Cambridge. He finished his studies in 1650 and became a fellow of his college in 1651.
Becoming a Minister
Around 1661, Tillotson became a minister. He was ordained by a Scottish bishop named Thomas Sydserf. For a short time, he was connected with the Presbyterians. This was a group of Protestants who believed in a different church structure.
However, after a law called the Act of Uniformity 1662 was passed, he joined the Church of England. Soon after, he became a curate in Cheshunt and then a rector in Kedington. A curate is a junior minister, and a rector is a senior minister in charge of a parish.
Tillotson's Preaching Style
Tillotson spent a lot of time studying the Bible and writings from early Christian leaders. This helped shape his way of preaching. He focused on practical lessons about how to live a good life. He talked about personal morals rather than complex religious ideas.
His preaching style was clear and easy to understand. This was common in the late 1600s. People at that time liked how reason and logic were used in Protestant teachings. Tillotson was also known for being tolerant towards Catholics. He believed that Catholics were "like other men," even if he disagreed with some of their beliefs.
He was a latitudinarian, which meant he believed in a broad approach to religious practice. He also adopted Arminianism, a view that emphasized free will in salvation.
Important Roles and Influence
In 1664, Tillotson became a preacher at Lincoln's Inn, a famous legal society. In the same year, he married Elizabeth French, who was a niece of Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell was a very important political and military leader in England.
Tillotson used his skills to argue against atheism (not believing in God) and Catholicism. He wrote a sermon called "The Wisdom of being Religious" in 1663. In 1666, he wrote a pamphlet called "Rule of Faith" to respond to another religious book. He also earned a special degree called D.D. (Doctor of Divinity) in 1666.
Rising Through the Church
Tillotson continued to rise in the Church of England. In 1670, he became a prebendary, and in 1672, he became the dean of Canterbury. A dean is a senior priest in charge of a cathedral. In 1672, he also became a member of the Royal Society, a famous group for scientists.
He was a close friend of John Wilkins, another important religious figure. Tillotson helped edit some of Wilkins's writings after his death.
Tillotson was a trusted advisor to important people. He was friends with Lady Russell and helped her influence Princess Anne. This influence helped William of Orange become king. William and Mary trusted Tillotson a lot. In 1689, he became the king's Clerk of the Closet, a personal advisor.
Archbishop of Canterbury
Tillotson played a key role in trying to bring different Protestant groups together. He advised the king to set up a special church group to help Dissenters. Dissenters were Protestants who did not agree with the Church of England.
In 1689, he was chosen to oversee the Canterbury province while the current Archbishop, William Sancroft, was suspended. He also became the Dean of St Paul's. Soon after, he was chosen to replace Sancroft as the Archbishop of Canterbury. He accepted this very important role with great hesitation in April 1691.
As Archbishop, Tillotson tried to fix problems in the Church of England. One problem was that some priests did not live in the areas they were supposed to serve. These changes made some people unhappy, especially the Jacobites. Jacobites were people who supported the old royal family. They criticized Tillotson until he died.
John Tillotson passed away on November 22, 1694. His wife received a large sum of money for his handwritten sermons. Many of his sermons and writings were published after his death. Today, there is a statue of Tillotson in St. Peter's church in his hometown of Sowerby. An avenue there is also named after him.
He is buried in the church of St Lawrence Jewry in London.
Works
- A Discourse Against Transubstantiation
- A Persuasive to Frequent Communion in the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
- Ten Volume Set of the Works of John Tillotson
