Jeremy Taylor Author
- Gender: Male
- Citizenship: England
- Born: Aug 15, 1613
- Died: Aug 13, 1667
Jeremy Taylor was a cleric in the Church of England who achieved fame as an author during the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell. He is sometimes known as the "Shakespeare of Divines" for his poetic style of expression and was often presented as a model of prose writing. He is remembered in the Church of England's calendar of saints with a Lesser Festival on 13 August.
Taylor was under the patronage of William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury. He went on to become chaplain in ordinary to King Charles I as a result of Laud's sponsorship. This made him politically suspect when Laud was tried for treason and executed in 1645 by the Puritan parliament during the English Civil War. After the parliamentary victory over the King, he was briefly imprisoned several times.
Eventually, he was allowed to live quietly in Wales, where he became the private chaplain of the Earl of Carbery. At the Restoration, his political star was on the rise, and he was made Bishop of Down and Connor in Ireland. He also became vice-chancellor of the University of Dublin.
A celibate, like the fly in the heart of an apple, dwells in a perpetual sweetness, but sits alone, and is confined and dies in singularity.
being alone
He that loves not his wife and children feeds a lioness at home, and broods a nest of sorrows.
home & marriage
The best theology is rather a divine life than a divine knowledge.
knowledge
Marriage is the mother of the world. It preserves kingdoms, and fills cities and churches, and heaven itself.
marriage
To be proud of learning is the greatest ignorance.
learning
Secrecy is the chastity of friendship.
friendship
Love is friendship set on fire.
friendship & love
A religion without mystery must be a religion without God.
religion