John Tillotson: a reappraisal

Abstract

John Tillotson (1630-94) was fellow of Clare, lecturer at St Lawrence Jewry, preacher at Lincoln's Inn, dean first of Canterbury and briefly of St Paul's, and archbishop of Canterbury (1691-4).This thesis seeks to review the career of a much-neglected and misrepresented clergyman, who lived and held office during the most turbulent phase of English history. The last attempt at a full-length biography was published in the eighteenth century. The judgements of Tillotson's enemies have often been uncritically repeated, and he has often been depicted as an enemy of the true Church of England and condemned as a Socinian and a rationalist, who preached nothing but morality. Reworking of old material and introducing new enables a more just appraisal to be made. The thesis describes and explains his rise from a humble background in Yorkshire to the see of Canterbury. The nature and content of his pamphleteering against atheism and Roman Catholicism is summarised. His part in the comprehension schemes of the period is discussed. The professionalism with which he approached his duties is revealed. Tillotson's involvement in political life is explained. Aspects of his pastoral work and personal life are described. From the large corpus of his printed sermons, the theological content of his preaching is examined. Tillotson emerges as a sincere, generous and tolerant Christian. He was a conscientious and hardworking clergyman. He was a convinced and campaigning, but never bigoted or a strident, protestant. His preaching reveals a concern for Christian commitment to, and growth of maturity in, the faith, which can be justified through reason. He was orthodox in theology and preached on all the main doctrines of the creed as well as stressing the ethical implications of faith.