Matthew Kellison
Encyclopedia
Matthew Kellison was an English Roman Catholic theologian and controversialist, and a reforming president of the English College, Douai
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. In 1581 he entered the English College of Douai, then temporarily at Rheims, and in September 1582 he was sent with six of his fellow-students to the English College at Rome. In August 1587 he received orders, probably those of sub-deacon, and in September 1589, the year of his advancement to the priesthood, was sent back to Rheims to succeed William Giffard
as professor of scholastic theology. He moved to Douai with the other professors and students of the college in 1593, and matriculated in the university there on 1 April 1594. Afterwards he returned to Rheims, and having taken the degree of D.D., he was appointed in 1601 regius professor, and on 30 January 1606 magnificus rector or chancellor of the university. When Arras College
was founded at Paris in 1611 to associate scholars for the purpose of writing controversial works, Kellison was one of the five first admitted. He frequently visited the college.
During the disputes at Douai College, in consequence of the subservience of the president, Thomas Worthington
, to the Jesuits, the cardinal-protector summoned Worthington to Rome, and appointed Kellison as provisional head. Kellison arrived at Douai on 10 June 1613, and in November he was installed as the fourth president of the college. He resigned his preferments at Rheims, despite the inducement to remain held out by the Duke of Guise.
At Douai he appointed professors, obtained the discharge of the Jesuit confessor, and withdrew the scholars from Jesuit schools to be taught in the College. Within a few years he had expelled Edward Weston
and Thomas Singleton, leading supporters of the Jesuits within Douai. His reforms made him enemies, but the nuncios at Brussels and Paris supported him. The English secular clergy three times without result recommended him to be their bishop, in 1608, 1614, and 1622. After presiding over Douai College for 27 years he died there, on 21 January 1642.
English College, Douai
The English College, Douai was a Catholic seminary associated with the University of Douai . It was established in about 1561, and was suppressed in 1793...
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Life
Born about 1560 at Harrowden, Northamptonshire, he was son of a servant and tenant of William Vaux, 3rd Baron Vaux of HarrowdenWilliam Vaux, 3rd Baron Vaux of Harrowden
William Vaux, 3rd Baron Vaux of Harrowden was an English peer, the son of Thomas Vaux, 2nd Baron Vaux of Harrowden. He succeeded his father as Baron Vaux of Harrowden in October 1556....
. In 1581 he entered the English College of Douai, then temporarily at Rheims, and in September 1582 he was sent with six of his fellow-students to the English College at Rome. In August 1587 he received orders, probably those of sub-deacon, and in September 1589, the year of his advancement to the priesthood, was sent back to Rheims to succeed William Giffard
William Giffard
William Giffard was the Lord Chancellor of England of William II and Henry I, from 1093 to 1101.Giffard was the brother of Walter Giffard earl of Buckingham. He also held the office of Dean of Rouen prior to his election as bishop. On 3 August 1100 he became bishop of Winchester by nomination of...
as professor of scholastic theology. He moved to Douai with the other professors and students of the college in 1593, and matriculated in the university there on 1 April 1594. Afterwards he returned to Rheims, and having taken the degree of D.D., he was appointed in 1601 regius professor, and on 30 January 1606 magnificus rector or chancellor of the university. When Arras College
Arras College
Arras College was a Catholic foundation in Paris, a house of higher studies associated with the University of Paris, set up in 1611. It was intended for English priests, and had a function as a House of Writers, or apologetical college...
was founded at Paris in 1611 to associate scholars for the purpose of writing controversial works, Kellison was one of the five first admitted. He frequently visited the college.
During the disputes at Douai College, in consequence of the subservience of the president, Thomas Worthington
Thomas Worthington (Douai)
Thomas Worthington, D.D. was an English Catholic priest and third President of Douai College.-Life:...
, to the Jesuits, the cardinal-protector summoned Worthington to Rome, and appointed Kellison as provisional head. Kellison arrived at Douai on 10 June 1613, and in November he was installed as the fourth president of the college. He resigned his preferments at Rheims, despite the inducement to remain held out by the Duke of Guise.
At Douai he appointed professors, obtained the discharge of the Jesuit confessor, and withdrew the scholars from Jesuit schools to be taught in the College. Within a few years he had expelled Edward Weston
Edward Weston (priest)
-Life:The son of William Weston, of Lincoln College, Oxford and afterwards a member of Lincoln's Inn, by his wife, daughter of John Story, he was born in London in 1566. Hugh Weston was his great-uncle. Edward matriculated at Lincoln College on 20 March 1579...
and Thomas Singleton, leading supporters of the Jesuits within Douai. His reforms made him enemies, but the nuncios at Brussels and Paris supported him. The English secular clergy three times without result recommended him to be their bishop, in 1608, 1614, and 1622. After presiding over Douai College for 27 years he died there, on 21 January 1642.
Works
His works include:- A Survey of the New Religion. Detecting manie grosse absurdities which it implieth, Douai, 1603, with dedication to James I; 'newly augmented,' Douai, 1605. Matthew SutcliffeMatthew SutcliffeMatthew Sutcliffe was an English clergyman, academic and lawyer. He became Dean of Exeter, and wrote extensively on religious matters as a controversialist. He served as chaplain to His Majesty King James I of England. He was the founder of Chelsea College, a royal centre for the writing of...
, dean of Exeter, published two replies in 1606. - Kellison's Reply to Sutcliffe's Answer ..., in which most points of the Catholike doctrine is explicated, and al is averred and confirmed; and almost al pointes of the New Faith of England disproved, Rheims, 1608.
- Examen Reformationis novae praesertim Calvinianae, in quo Synagoga et Doctrina Calvini, sicut et reliquorum hujus temporis novatorum, tota fece ex suis principis refutatur, Douai, 1616. This work and Kellison's Reply to Sutcliffe were attacked by Francis MasonFrancis Mason (archdeacon)Francis Mason was an English churchman, archdeacon of Norfolk and author of Of the Consecration of the Bishops in the Church of England , a defence of the Church of England and the first serious rebuttal of the Nag's Head Fable put about as denigration of Matthew Parker and Anglican...
, archdeacon of Norfolk, in his 'Vindication of the Church of England,' London, 1613. fol., translated into Latin in 1625. - The Right and Jurisdiction of the Prelate and the Prince, a Treatise of Ecclesiasticall and Regall Authoritie. Compyled by J. E., Student in Divinitie, for the ful Instruction and Appeacement of the Consciences of English Catholikes, concerning the late Oath of Pretended Allegiance, Douai, 1617 and 1621. Here, in a work of political thought, he argued against Thomas PrestonThomas Preston (monk)Thomas Preston was a Benedictine monk.He studied in the English College in Rome and became a Benedictine at Monte Cassino and was sent to England on mission....
, and for the deposing power of the papacy. This was an exposition in plain English of scholastic ideas, where he followed in particular Gabriel VasquezGabriel VásquezGabriel Vasquez was a Spanish Jesuit theologian....
. - The Gagge of the Reformed Gospell. Briefly discovering the errors of our time, with the refutation by expresse textes of their owne approved English Bible, Douai, 1623; republished, under the title of The Touchstone of the Reformed Gospel, 1675; re-edited by Bishop Challoner under the title of The Touchstone of the New Religion, 1734, and frequently reprinted. Long attributed to Kellison, this is now considered to be by the printer John HeighamJohn HeighamJohn Heigham was an English Roman Catholic printer, writer, and translator. He went into exile in Douai and Saint-Omer, where he married and brought up a family...
. A reply by Richard MontaguRichard MontaguRichard Montagu was an English cleric and prelate.-Early life:He was born during Christmastide 1577 at Dorney, Buckinghamshire, where his father Laurence Mountague was vicar, and was educated at Eton. He was elected from Eton to a scholarship at King's College, Cambridge, and admitted on 24...
was called A Gagg for the New Gospel?, 1624. - A Treatise of the Hierarchie and divers Orders of the Church against the Anarchie of Calvin, Douai, 1629. This work, which gave offence to the regular clergyRegular clergyRegular clergy, or just regulars, is applied in the Roman Catholic Church to clerics who follow a "rule" in their life. Strictly, it means those members of religious orders who have made solemn profession. It contrasts with secular clergy.-Terminology and history:The observance of the Rule of St...
, was attacked by the Jesuits John FloydJohn Floyd (Jesuit)John Floyd was an English Jesuit, known as a controversialist. He is known under the pseudonyms Daniel à Jesu, Hermannus Loemelius, and George White John Floyd (1572 – September 15, 1649) was an English Jesuit, known as a controversialist. He is known under the pseudonyms Daniel à Jesu, Hermannus...
and Edward KnottEdward KnottEdward Knott, real name Matthew Wilson was an English Jesuit controversialist, twice provincial of the Society of Jesus in England.-Life:...
, and gave rise to a protracted controversy. It was written to support Richard SmithFather Richard SmithRichard Smith , , was the second Bishop over England, Wales and Scotland after Catholicism was banned in England in 1559. He followed Father William Bishop who died in 1624.-Early life:Richard Smith was born in Lincolnshire, England...
, and adopted some Gallican ideas. - A brief and necessary Instruction for the Catholicks of England, touching their Pastor, 1631, answered by Floyd.