William Jane
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William Jane (1645–1707) was an English academic and clergyman,
Life
The son of Joseph Jane, he was born at Liskeard, Cornwall, where he was baptised on 22 October 1645. He was educated at Westminster School, elected student of Christ Church, Oxford, in 1660, and graduated B.A. in June 1664, M.A. in 1667, and D.D. in November 1674.[1] After his ordination he was appointed lecturer at Carfax Church, Oxford.
He attracted the notice of
He received the
He was put on a commission of divines who were appointed, at the suggestion of John Tillotson and Gilbert Burnet, to revise the prayer-book, with a view to the comprehension of dissenters, which William III was anxious to promote. In the first session of the commission (21 October 1689) Jane opposed the removal of the Apocrypha from the calendar. In the second session he supported Thomas Sprat, bishop of Rochester, in protesting against the legality and expediency of the commission, and ceased to attend its meetings. The results of the deliberations of the commission were to be laid before convocation, and the Earls of Rochester and Clarendon went to Oxford to devise with Jane a scheme of opposition. When convocation met on 21 November Jane had organised a party, and contested the election of a prolocutor. Tillotson was the candidate of one party, Jane of the other, and Jane was elected by 55 votes to 28. After this the comprehension scheme was allowed to drop.
In Oxford he wrote the decree in 1690 which condemned the Naked Gospel of
Works
The only writings published under Jane's name are four sermons: (1) on the consecration of Henry Compton, London, 1675; (2) on the day of the public fast, before the House of Commons, London, 1679; (3) on the public thanksgiving, before the House of Commons, Oxford, 1691; (4) before the king and queen at Whitehall, Oxford, 1692.
References
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Jane, William". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.