John Colet
John Colet | |
---|---|
Born | January 1467 London, England |
Died | 16 September 1519 London, England | (aged 52)
Alma mater | Magdalen College, Oxford |
Era | Renaissance philosophy |
Region | Western philosophy |
School | Renaissance humanism |
Main interests | Theology |
John Colet (January 1467 – 16 September 1519) was an English
Colet was an English scholar,
Childhood and education
The eldest son of Sir
]Time abroad
During his time abroad he became acquainted with Budaeus (
Holding office
Since 1494, Colet had been
Around 1508, having inherited his father's wealth, Colet formed his plan for the re-foundation of
The celebrated grammarian
Colet was rector of the guild of Jesus at
Sermons
Colet had many distinguished sermons. One is the beginning of the Convocation of the clergy of
A Christian humanist
Colet's writings are reflective and added to the tradition of Christian humanism. He studied
In his writings, Colet refers to
Erasmus said of Colet, "When I listen to Colet it seems to me that I am listening to Plato himself."[3] Erasmus likely portrayed Colet to show that one could be highly critical of the Church while still a loyal priest. His depiction of Colet was partly a depiction of himself.[citation needed]
Studied over time
Colet has been studied frequently over time and has experienced resurgences in popularity.
Colet died in 1519 of the "sweating sickness." His monument was erected on the south aisle of the choir at the cathedral church of Saint Paul but destroyed in the Great Fire of London.[4]
Other works
In addition to his sermons Colet's works include some scriptural commentary and works entitled Daily Devotions and Monition to a Godly Life. Together with Lilye, Erasmus, and Wolsey, Colet produced materials forming the basis of the authorised Latin Grammar, used for centuries in the English schools. A number of letters from Colet to Erasmus also survive.
Lasting influence of Colet
To this day, Colet's achievement is celebrated by
The John Colet School in Wendover, Buckinghamshire is named after him, as well as Colet Gardens, a road in the London suburb of Hammersmith, W6, and John Colet School in Sydney, Australia.
Colet's convocation sermon (1512)
In the introductory paragraph, Colet concludes by stating that his presence is due to the need for the Council to consider a Church reformation. First, Colet criticises the living style of the priests. Colet explains that the priests should set an example for others as be a beacon of light, because if they are instead figures of darkness, the Church will be engulfed by darkness. Colet cites four evils, referencing the Apostle, that constitute the corrupt, priestly living: devilish pride, carnal concupiscence, worldly covetousness, and worldly occupations.
First, in regard to pride of life, Colet believes that priests of the day were more consumed by the honour and dignity one could receive by being a part of the priesthood. Service to the Church must be only humble service.
Secondly, many priests take part in the lust for the flesh: feasting and banqueting, vain conversation, sports, plays, hunting, and hawking. They are "drowned in the delights of this world" and "patronize those who cater for their pleasure".
Thirdly, covetousness is the third worldly evil, which is also known as lust. Colet calls this a plague that has overtaken many priests and blinded many. Many take part in the Church only for the hope of riches and promotions. Priests forget that they should be interested in the good they can do more than the amount of riches that they stand to gain. Paul called covetousness the root of all evils. From it, benefices stack up, including pensions and tithes. Colet states that: "every corruption, all the ruin of the Church, all the scandals of the world, come from the covetousness of priests".
The fourth evil arises because priests have become more servants of men than servants of God. According to
Colet then moves on to discuss the needed clergy reform. Paul orders that people must "be reformed into a new mind". People should turn to humility, sobriety, charity, and spiritual occupations. Reform must begin with the priests so that it can spread throughout the Church. Colet disagrees with the creation of new laws; instead he thinks that the old laws must simply be enforced.
Colet believes several things are important: a good, pure, and holy life, approved morals, moderate knowledge of the Scriptures, knowledge of the Sacraments, the fear of God and love of the heavenly life.
Finally, Colet urges people to "return to the God of love and peace; return to Christ, in whom is the true peace of the Spirit which passeth all understanding; return to the true priestly life". "Be ye reformed in the newness of your minds, that ye may know those things which are of God; and the peace of God shall be with you".
Memorial
There was a memorial to him in the south aisle at Old St Paul's Cathedral.[5]
A bronze statue of John Colet with two pupils, made by Hamo Thornycroft in 1902, has a prominent position near the entrance of St Paul's School, London.
See also
Notes
- ^ Encyclopædia Britannica, ed. 1911, vol. 24, pg. 505, Plate IV.
- ISBN 978-0-198-61411-1
- ^ Erasmus to John Fisher, 5 December 1499. Erasmus, The Correspondence, 1: 235. Ed. Beatrice Corrigan et als. Toronto: The University of Toronto Press, 1974.
- ^ Dimock, Arthur (1900). The Cathedral Church of St Paul. London: George Bell & Sons. p. 20.
- Sinclair, W.p93: London; Chapman & Hall, Ltd; 1909
References
- Gleason, John B. John Colet, University of California Press, 1989.
- Olin, John C. The Catholic Reformation, New York: Fordham University, 1992.
- Arnold, Jonathan. "John Colet- Preaching and Reform at St. Paul’s Cathedral, 1505–1519." Reformation and Renaissance Review: Journal of the Society for Reformation Studies 5, no. 2 (2003): 204–209.
- public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Colet, John". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 6 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 681–682. This article incorporates text from a publication now in the
Further reading
- Frederic Seebohm, The Oxford Reformers
- Joseph Hirst Lupton, Life of John Colet (1887)