It was a time of massive religious and political upheaval. England was in the throes of a civil war, and Christians were at each other’s throats. Whoever was in charge, whether Protestants or Catholics, could find nothing good in each other and wielded the sword in the name of truth. Enter Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667) into the fray whose book was right for its time. He was not yet thirty-four, exiled to a corner of Wales when he wrote A Discourse in the Liberty of Prophesy. He was a realist about differences among Christians. So long as there is sin in the world, there will be conflicts. He called for agreement on biblical essentials while urging liberty of conscience regarding matters of secondary importance. “It is best to rest with the Apostles Creed,” he advised. He implored readers, “Not to be hasty in calling every misled opinion by the name of heresy. We need not overvalue our differences at the expense of a more compelling unity in Jesus Christ as Lord. We mustn’t treat our fellow Christians as enemies but exhort them as brethren.” His appeal to tolerance was closely aligned with the biblical understanding of forbearance: showing respect to people with whom we disagree. While his writing was considered radical back in the day, it would be treated as commonplace in our time. Tolerance is now the rage and has been elevated to the highest place as a super virtue. The challenge for Jeremy Taylor was making a case for tolerance in the pursuit of truth. Today, our challenge lies in the opposite direction, of not letting go of truth in the practice of tolerance. Lord, help us to hold truth and tolerance together in creative tension. People who still read Jeremy Taylor do so for his timeless devotional writing, Holy Living. His book serves as a how-to manual on prayer. It’s hard to know which prayer to choose. Here’s one:
Jeremy Taylor
Teach me to watch over all my ways, that I may never be surprised by sudden temptations or a careless spirit, nor ever return to folly or vanity. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth and keep the door of my lips, that I offend not in my tongue, neither against piety nor charity. Teach me to think nothing but thee, and what is to thy glory and service: to speak nothing but of thee and thy glories; and to do nothing but what becomes thy servant, whom thy infinite mercy, by the graces of thy Holy Spirit, have sealed up to the day of redemption. Amen.
Jeremy Taylor, The Rules and Exercises of Holy Living, 1650.
Rev. Dr. Peter James served 42 years as the senior of Vienna Presbyterian Church in Vienna, VA — 21 years in the 20th century and 21 years in the 21st century. He retired in 2021 and now serves as Pastor-in-Residence at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Even as a pastor, prayer came slowly to Pete. Read Pete’s story.