Thomas Brett (nonjuror) facts for kids

Thomas Brett (born 1667, died 1743) was an English church leader and writer. He was known as a "nonjuror." This meant he refused to swear loyalty to the new king, King George I, because he believed the previous king was still the rightful ruler. Because of this, he lost his official church job.

About Thomas Brett's Life

Thomas Brett was born in Sandwich, Kent. His family came from Wye, Kent. He went to grammar school in Wye. Later, he studied at Queens' College, Cambridge and then Corpus Christi College at Cambridge University. He earned a law degree in 1690.

Becoming a Priest

In 1690, Thomas became a deacon, which is the first step to becoming a priest. After working in Folkestone for a year, he became a priest and a lecturer in Islington. At first, he supported the Whig political ideas, but he later changed to Tory and High Church views. High Church means he believed in more traditional ways of worship and church structure.

When his father passed away, Thomas moved back to Spring Grove in Wye. He worked as a curate (a church assistant) in Great Chart. He married Bridget Toke there. He later became a rector (the main priest) in Betteshanger and then Ruckinge.

Refusing the Oaths

When King George I became king, people in official positions had to swear an oath of loyalty to him. Thomas Brett refused to do this. Because he would not take the oath, he had to give up his church jobs. He then joined the "nonjurors," who were a group of clergy who refused the oath. George Hickes, a nonjuring bishop, welcomed him.

After this, Thomas Brett held church services in his own house. This was against the law at the time, and he was sometimes reported to the authorities. However, he usually only received a warning.

Becoming a Nonjuring Bishop

In 1716, Thomas Brett was made a bishop by other nonjuring bishops. He even took part in talks with a Greek archbishop who was visiting London. These talks were about trying to find common ground between their churches, but they eventually stopped in 1725.

The nonjurors later had a disagreement among themselves about how church services should be done. Thomas Brett supported changing some parts of the church service to be more like older traditions from the time of King Edward VI. He wrote books to explain his views on these changes.

Thomas Brett lived a quiet life at home and passed away on March 5, 1743. He had twelve children.

Thomas Brett's Writings

Thomas Brett wrote many books and papers about church matters and history. Here are some of his important works:

• Church Government: In 1701, he wrote An Account of Church-Government and Governours. This book argued that the way the Church of England was run was very similar to the early Christian church.
• Baptism: He wrote a letter in 1711 supporting the idea that only ordained priests should perform baptisms, not regular church members. This led to a debate with another writer, Joseph Bingham.
• Sermons: He published collections of his sermons, including one in 1711 about the forgiveness of sins.
• Lutheran Principles: In 1714, he wrote a Review of Lutheran Principles, discussing the ideas of the Lutheran Church.
• Church and State: He wrote The Independency of the Church upon the State in 1717. This book argued that the church should have its own spiritual power separate from the government.
• Bishops' Authority: In 1718, he wrote The Divine Right of Episcopacy, which supported the idea that bishops have a special authority from God.
• Holy Scripture: He wrote Tradition necessary to explain and interpret the Holy Scriptures in 1718. This book discussed how church traditions help understand the Bible.
• Communion: In 1720, he wrote The Necessity of discerning Christ's Body in the Holy Communion, about the meaning of the Holy Communion service.
• Liturgies: He put together a Collection of the Principal Liturgies used by the Christian Church in 1720. This book showed different ways Christian churches performed their services.
• Trinity: He wrote Discourses concerning the ever blessed Trinity in 1720, about the Christian belief in God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• History: He also wrote a Chronological Essay on the Sacred History in 1729 and a General History of the World in 1732.

Thomas Brett also wrote other shorter pieces, including notes for an edition of the famous poem Hudibras.