JT
Jeremy Taylor
132quotes
Jeremy Taylor: The 17th-Century Anglican Divine and Author
Full Name and Common Aliases
Jeremy Taylor was born as Jeremy Trelawney-Taylor on August 15, 1613. He is also commonly referred to as the "water-drinking priest."
Birth and Death Dates
Taylor was born on August 15, 1613, in Cambridge, England, and died on December 13, 1667.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Taylor was an English Anglican divine, theologian, and author. He served as a chaplain to King Charles II and held various ecclesiastical positions throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Jeremy Taylor was born into a family of modest means in Cambridge, England. His father, Thomas Trelawney-Taylor, was a clergyman who later became a Dean at Exeter Cathedral. Taylor's early life was marked by a strong faith and a deep love for learning. He attended the University of Cambridge, where he studied theology and philosophy.
Major Accomplishments
Taylor's academic achievements were impressive. He earned his Bachelor's degree in 1632 and his Master's degree in 1634 from the University of Cambridge. He was ordained as an Anglican priest in 1635 and quickly rose through the ranks to become a chaplain to King Charles I. Taylor's theological expertise and eloquence made him a sought-after preacher and writer.
Notable Works or Actions
Taylor's literary output is substantial, with over 100 books and pamphlets attributed to him. Some of his notable works include:
"Ductorium Purgatorius" (1659): A spiritual guide for the dying.
"The Whole Works of Jeremy Taylor" (1822-1831): A comprehensive collection of his writings, published posthumously.
Taylor was also a strong advocate for the rights of the poor and the marginalized. He wrote extensively on issues such as poverty, inequality, and social justice.
Impact and Legacy
Jeremy Taylor's impact on Anglican theology and literature is still felt today. His writings continue to inspire scholars and theologians with their depth, nuance, and spiritual richness. Taylor's commitment to social justice and his advocacy for the poor have made him a revered figure in the history of Christian thought.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Taylor's quotes are widely quoted due to their insight into the human condition, spirituality, and social responsibility. His writings offer practical advice on how to live a virtuous life, cultivate spiritual growth, and navigate life's challenges with faith and resilience.
Quotes by Jeremy Taylor
Jeremy Taylor's insights on:
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Observe thyself as thy greatest enemy would do, so shalt thou be thy greatest friend.
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The labor and sweat of our brows are so far from being a curse, that without it, our very bead would not be so great a blessing—If it were not for labor, men could neither eat so much, nor relish be pleasantly, nor sleep so soundly, nor be so healthful, so useful, so strong, so patient, so noble, not so untempted.
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Right intention is to the actions of a man what the soul is to the body or the root to the tree.
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The private and personal blessings we enjoy—the blessings of immunity, safeguard, liberty and integrity—deserve the thanksgiving of a whole life.
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Every degree of recession from the state of grace Christ first put us in is a recession from our hopes.
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If these little sparks of holy fire which I have thus heaped up together do not give life to your prepared and already enkindled spirit, yet they will sometimes help to entertain a thought, to actuate a passion, to employ and hallow a fancy.
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Avoid idleness, and fill up all the spaces of thy time with severe and useful employment: for lust easily creeps in at those emptinesses where the soul is unemployed and the body is at ease; no easy, healthful, idle person was ever chaste if he could.
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On him that takes revenge, revenge shall be taken, and by a real evil he shall dearly pay for the goods that are but airy and fantastical; it is like a rolling stone, which, when a man hath forced up a hill, will return upon him with a greater violence, and break those bones whose sinews gave it motion.
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