Thomas Barlow (bishop)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Barlow was an English academic and clergyman, who became Provost of The Queen's College, Oxford
and Bishop of Lincoln
. He was considered, in his own times and by Edmund Venables writing in the Dictionary of National Biography
, to have been a trimmer, a reputation mixed in with his academic and other writings on casuistry
. His views were in fact Calvinist and strongly anti-Catholic, and he was one of the last English bishops to identify the Pope as the Antichrist
. He worked in the 1660s for the 'comprehension' of nonconformists, but supported the crackdown of the mid-1680s; and declared loyalty to James II of England
on his accession, having strongly supported the Exclusion Bill
which would have denied the Catholic James the succession.
. In his seventeenth year he entered Queen's College, Oxford, as a servitor, rising to be a tabarder, taking his degree of B.A. in 1630, and M.A. in 1633, in which year he was elected fellow of his college. In 1635 he was appointed metaphysical reader to the university, and was regarded as a master of casuistry, logic, and philosophy. One of his pupils was John Owen
.
At Oxford he associated with Robert Sanderson
, and particularly Robert Boyle
, who made Oxford his chief residence from 1654 to 1668. Barlow was a learned Calvinist who opposed Jeremy Taylor
and George Bull
, and with Thomas Tully
was one of the guardians in Interregnum Oxford of acceptable orthodoxy. On the death of John Rouse
, Barlow was elected to the librarianship of the Bodleian on 6 April 1642, a post which he held until he succeeded to the Lady Margaret professorship in 1660. He favoured scholars (Anthony à Wood, Anthony Horneck
whom he had appointed as chaplain in Queen's, Thomas Fuller
) and was hospitable to Christopher Davenport
. He spoke of infant baptism
in a letter written to John Tombes
, which later affected his prospect of preferment.
He retained his fellowship in 1648, with support from John Selden
and his former pupil John Owen. He contributed anonymously a tract on the parliamentary visitation of Oxford of 1648. He became Provost of his college in 1657. In 1658 he brought tactful support to Sanderson on behalf of Boyle.
, Barlow was one of the commissioners for restoring the members of the university who had been ejected in 1648, and for the expulsion of the intruders. On behalf of John Owen, molested for preaching in his own house, he mediated with Edward Hyde
, the lord chancellor. Henry Wilkinson
was removed as Lady Margaret professor of divinity and Barlow took his place, on 25 September 1660. A few days before, on 1 September, he had taken his degree of D.D., one of a batch of loyalists created doctors by royal mandate. In 1661, on the death of Barton Holiday, Barlow was appointed archdeacon of Oxford; but there was delay caused a dispute between him and Thomas Lamplugh
, ultimately decided in Barlow's favour, and he was not installed till 13 June 1664. Barlow is accused by Wood of underhand meddling in the election of Thomas Clayton to the wardenship of Merton College in 1661.
At this period Barlow, at the request of Robert Boyle, wrote an elaborate treatise on 'Toleration in Matters of Religion.' What he wrote was, however, not published till after his death (in his 'Cases of Conscience,' 1692). Barlow's reasoning is based rather on expediency than on principle. He is careful to show that the toleration in religion he advocates does not extend to atheists, papists, or quakers. At an earlier period, on the Jews making application to Cromwell for readmission into England, Barlow, 'at the request of a person of quality,' had composed a tract on the 'Toleration of the Jews in a Christian State,' published in the same collection of 'Cases of Conscience.' Barlow was, on the other hand, one of the group of Oxford grandees, with John Fell
, Obadiah Walker
, and Thomas Pierce
, who were hostile to the Royal Society
. He was a declared enemy of the 'new philosophy' (as propounded by leading members of the Society), and he revealed his confessional reasons when he stigmatised it as 'impious if not plainly atheistic, set on foot and carried on by the arts of Rome,' designing thereby to ruin the Protestant faith by disabling men to defend the truth, and noting the Catholic background of Descartes, Gassendi
, Mersenne and Du Hamel
. His Directions to a young Divine for his Study of Divinity belong to this period. They contain a catalogue of theological works classified according to subjects, with remarks on their value and character.
When pro-vice-chancellor in 1673 he called in question William Richards, chaplain of All Souls College, for Arminian doctrine in a sermon at St. Mary's. On the publication of George Bull's Harmonia Apostolica, Barlow pronounced a severe censure on his doctrine. During this period Barlow wrote much, but published little. Mr. Cottington's Divorce Case, on which Barlow's reputation as an ecclesiastical lawyer and casuistical divine mainly rests, was written in 1671.
Barlow took a prominent part in the two abortive schemes of comprehension which were set on foot in October 1667, and February 1668. The 'Comprehensive Bill,' as it was styled, was based on the Declaration of Breda
; it was drawn up by Sir Robert Atkyns and Sir Matthew Hale, and revised and endorsed by Barlow and his friend John Wilkins
. The introduction of the bill was frustrated by a declaration of the House of Commons, and the whole plan was finally dropped. Barlow had some part in the release of John Bunyan
from Bedford gaol in 1677.
In 1675, he became bishop of Lincoln, through the good offices of the two secretaries of state, Sir Joseph Williamson and Henry Coventry
, both graduates of Queen's College, the latter having been his pupil; Gilbert Sheldon
was opposed. Barlow's consecration (27 June) did not take place in the customary Lambeth chapel, but in the chapel attached to the palace of the Bishop of Ely (then Peter Gunning
) in Holborn
, and George Morley
of Winchester was the consecrating prelate. Barlow resided mostly at Buckden Palace, near Huntingdon
, and was charged with never having entered his cathedral. The Bishop's Palace at Lincoln
had still not been repaired from damage done in the English Civil War
, but George Savile, 1st Marquess of Halifax
remonstrated with Barlow on the subject in 1684.
Barlow told his friend Sir Peter Pett that the real ground of hostility was not his absence from Lincoln, but his continuing hostility to Catholicism. In 1678, when Titus Oates
forwarded his theory of a Popish Plot
, Barlow had publicly declared his bitter enmity to the papists, and to their supposed leader, James, Duke of York. On the introduction of the bill enforcing a test against popery which excluded Roman Catholic peers from the House of Lords, Gunning of Ely having defended the church of Rome from the charge of idolatry, Barlow answered him vehemently. In 1680, while the Popish Plot panic was still at its height, he republished, under the title of Brutum Fulmen, of the papal bull
s of Pius V and Paul III
pronouncing the excommunication and deposition of Queen Elizabeth and of Henry VIII, with inflammatory comments, and learned proofs that 'the pope is the great Antichrist, the man of sin, and the son of perdition.' In 1682 appeared Barlow's answer to the inquiry 'whether the Turk or pope be the greater Antichrist,' giving the palm to the latter, and in 1684 his letter to the Earl of Anglesey
proving that 'the pope is Antichrist'.
When in 1684 Henry Viscount St John was convicted of killing Sir William Estcourt in a brawl, and Charles II used the royal prerogative
for his pardon, Bishop Barlow published an elaborate tract, 1684-5, in support of the regal power to dispense with the penal laws. This tract was succeeded by 'a case of conscience,' proving that kings and supreme powers have the authority to dispense with the positive precept condemning murderers to death. In the same year (1684) when the persecutions against the nonconformists increased in violence, the quarter sessions of Bedford having published 'a sharp order,' enforcing strict conformity, Barlow issued a letter to the clergy of his diocese, requiring them to publish the order in their churches. A 'free answer' was written to this letter by John Howe.
became king, Barlow was one of the first to declare his loyal affection for his new sovereign. When James issued his first declaration for liberty of conscience, he was one of the four bishops who, sent up an address of thanks to the sovereign; he caused it to be signed by six hundred of his clergy, issuing a letter in defence of his conduct. James Gardiner
, then sub-dean, was a strong whig and refused to sign the address. On the appearance of the second declaration, of 1688, Barlow addressed to his clergy an equivocal letter (29 May 1688).
came to the throne and demanded a new oath with hostility toward Rome. Barlow voted among the bishops that James had abdicated, and took the oaths to his successors; and was reportedly ready to replace non-juror
s in his diocese. He died at Buckden aged 84, 8 October 1691, and was buried in the chancel of the parish church, by his own desire occupying the same grave as his predecessor William Barlow
, a monument on the north wall commemorating both in an epitaph of his own composition.
The Queen's College, Oxford
The Queen's College, founded 1341, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Queen's is centrally situated on the High Street, and is renowned for its 18th-century architecture...
and Bishop of Lincoln
Bishop of Lincoln
The Bishop of Lincoln is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Lincoln in the Province of Canterbury.The present diocese covers the county of Lincolnshire and the unitary authority areas of North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire. The Bishop's seat is located in the Cathedral...
. He was considered, in his own times and by Edmund Venables writing in the Dictionary of National Biography
Dictionary of National Biography
The Dictionary of National Biography is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history, published from 1885...
, to have been a trimmer, a reputation mixed in with his academic and other writings on casuistry
Casuistry
In applied ethics, casuistry is case-based reasoning. Casuistry is used in juridical and ethical discussions of law and ethics, and often is a critique of principle- or rule-based reasoning...
. His views were in fact Calvinist and strongly anti-Catholic, and he was one of the last English bishops to identify the Pope as the Antichrist
Antichrist
The term or title antichrist, in Christian theology, refers to a leader who fulfills Biblical prophecies concerning an adversary of Christ, while resembling him in a deceptive manner...
. He worked in the 1660s for the 'comprehension' of nonconformists, but supported the crackdown of the mid-1680s; and declared loyalty to James II of England
James II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
on his accession, having strongly supported the Exclusion Bill
Exclusion Bill
The Exclusion Crisis ran from 1678 through 1681 in the reign of Charles II of England. The Exclusion Bill sought to exclude the king's brother and heir presumptive, James, Duke of York, from the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland because he was Roman Catholic...
which would have denied the Catholic James the succession.
Early life
He was the son of Richard Barlow of Long-gill in the parish of Orton, Westmoreland, and was educated at the grammar school at ApplebyAppleby
-Europe:* Appleby, North Lincolnshire, a village in England* Appleby Magna, a village and parish in Leicestershire, England** Appleby Parva, a village in the parish of Appleby Magna* Appleby-in-Westmorland, a town in Cumbria, England...
. In his seventeenth year he entered Queen's College, Oxford, as a servitor, rising to be a tabarder, taking his degree of B.A. in 1630, and M.A. in 1633, in which year he was elected fellow of his college. In 1635 he was appointed metaphysical reader to the university, and was regarded as a master of casuistry, logic, and philosophy. One of his pupils was John Owen
John Owen (theologian)
John Owen was an English Nonconformist church leader, theologian, and academic administrator at the University of Oxford.-Early life:...
.
At Oxford he associated with Robert Sanderson
Robert Sanderson
Robert Sanderson was an English theologian and casuist.He was born in Sheffield in Yorkshire and grew up at Gilthwaite Hall, near Rotherham. He was educated at Lincoln College, Oxford. Entering the Church, he rose to be Bishop of Lincoln.His work on logic, Logicae Artis Compendium , was long a...
, and particularly Robert Boyle
Robert Boyle
Robert Boyle FRS was a 17th century natural philosopher, chemist, physicist, and inventor, also noted for his writings in theology. He has been variously described as English, Irish, or Anglo-Irish, his father having come to Ireland from England during the time of the English plantations of...
, who made Oxford his chief residence from 1654 to 1668. Barlow was a learned Calvinist who opposed Jeremy Taylor
Jeremy Taylor
Jeremy Taylor was a clergyman in the Church of England who achieved fame as an author during the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell. He is sometimes known as the "Shakespeare of Divines" for his poetic style of expression and was often presented as a model of prose writing...
and George Bull
George Bull
George Bull was an English theologian and Bishop of St David's.-Life:He was born, 25 March 1634, in the parish of St. Cuthbert, Wells, and educated in the grammar school at Wells, and then at Blundell's School in Tiverton under Samuel Butler. Before he was fourteen years old he went into...
, and with Thomas Tully
Thomas Tully
Thomas Tully was an English clergyman of Calvinist views.-Life:The son of George Tully of Carlisle, he was born in St. Mary's parish there on 22 July 1620. He was educated in the parish free school under John Winter, and afterwards at Barton Kirk in Westmorland. He matriculated at The Queen's...
was one of the guardians in Interregnum Oxford of acceptable orthodoxy. On the death of John Rouse
John Rouse
John Rouse was an English librarian, second librarian of the Bodleian in Oxford, and a friend of John Milton.-Life:...
, Barlow was elected to the librarianship of the Bodleian on 6 April 1642, a post which he held until he succeeded to the Lady Margaret professorship in 1660. He favoured scholars (Anthony à Wood, Anthony Horneck
Anthony Horneck
Anthony Horneck was a German Protestant clergyman and scholar who made his career in England. He became an influential evangelical figure in London from the later 1670s, in partnership with Richard Smithies, curate of St Giles Cripplegate....
whom he had appointed as chaplain in Queen's, Thomas Fuller
Thomas Fuller
Thomas Fuller was an English churchman and historian. He is now remembered for his writings, particularly his Worthies of England, published after his death...
) and was hospitable to Christopher Davenport
Christopher Davenport
Christopher Davenport, also known as Franciscus a Sancta Clara , was an English Catholic theologian, a Franciscan Recollect, and royal chaplain.-Life:...
. He spoke of infant baptism
Infant baptism
Infant baptism is the practice of baptising infants or young children. In theological discussions, the practice is sometimes referred to as paedobaptism or pedobaptism from the Greek pais meaning "child." The practice is sometimes contrasted with what is called "believer's baptism", or...
in a letter written to John Tombes
John Tombes
-Early life:He was born at Bewdley, Worcestershire, in 1602 or 1603. He matriculated at Magdalen Hall, Oxford, on 23 January 1618, aged 15. His tutor there was William Pemble; among his college friends was John Geree. He graduated B.A. on 12 June 1621...
, which later affected his prospect of preferment.
He retained his fellowship in 1648, with support from John Selden
John Selden
John Selden was an English jurist and a scholar of England's ancient laws and constitution and scholar of Jewish law...
and his former pupil John Owen. He contributed anonymously a tract on the parliamentary visitation of Oxford of 1648. He became Provost of his college in 1657. In 1658 he brought tactful support to Sanderson on behalf of Boyle.
Under Charles II
On the RestorationEnglish Restoration
The Restoration of the English monarchy began in 1660 when the English, Scottish and Irish monarchies were all restored under Charles II after the Interregnum that followed the Wars of the Three Kingdoms...
, Barlow was one of the commissioners for restoring the members of the university who had been ejected in 1648, and for the expulsion of the intruders. On behalf of John Owen, molested for preaching in his own house, he mediated with Edward Hyde
Edward Hyde
Edward Hyde may refer to:* Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon , English historian and statesman* Edward Hyde , British MP* Edward Hyde, 3rd Earl of Clarendon , Governor of New York and New Jersey* Edward Hyde Edward Hyde may refer to:* Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon (1609–1674), English...
, the lord chancellor. Henry Wilkinson
Henry Wilkinson (canon)
Henry Wilkinson was an English clergyman, in the Commonwealth period a canon of Christ Church, Oxford, Lady Margaret professor of divinity, and member of the Westminster Assembly. Later he was a nonconformist preacher.-Life:...
was removed as Lady Margaret professor of divinity and Barlow took his place, on 25 September 1660. A few days before, on 1 September, he had taken his degree of D.D., one of a batch of loyalists created doctors by royal mandate. In 1661, on the death of Barton Holiday, Barlow was appointed archdeacon of Oxford; but there was delay caused a dispute between him and Thomas Lamplugh
Thomas Lamplugh
Thomas Lamplugh was an English churchman who ended up being Archbishop of YorkHe was the son of Christopher Lamplugh of Little Riston, Yorkshire and his wife Anne, daughter and coheir of Thomas Roper of Octon in the East Riding of Yorkshire...
, ultimately decided in Barlow's favour, and he was not installed till 13 June 1664. Barlow is accused by Wood of underhand meddling in the election of Thomas Clayton to the wardenship of Merton College in 1661.
At this period Barlow, at the request of Robert Boyle, wrote an elaborate treatise on 'Toleration in Matters of Religion.' What he wrote was, however, not published till after his death (in his 'Cases of Conscience,' 1692). Barlow's reasoning is based rather on expediency than on principle. He is careful to show that the toleration in religion he advocates does not extend to atheists, papists, or quakers. At an earlier period, on the Jews making application to Cromwell for readmission into England, Barlow, 'at the request of a person of quality,' had composed a tract on the 'Toleration of the Jews in a Christian State,' published in the same collection of 'Cases of Conscience.' Barlow was, on the other hand, one of the group of Oxford grandees, with John Fell
John Fell (clergyman)
John Fell was an English churchman and influential academic. He served as Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, and later concomitantly as Bishop of Oxford.-Education:...
, Obadiah Walker
Obadiah Walker
Obadiah Walker was an English academic and Master of University College, Oxford from 1676 to 1688.-Life:Walker was born at Darfield near Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and was educated at University College, Oxford, becoming a fellow and tutor of this College and a prominent figure in University circles...
, and Thomas Pierce
Thomas Pierce
Thomas Pierce or Peirse was an English churchman and controversialist, a high-handed President of Magdalen College, Oxford and Dean of Salisbury.-Early life:...
, who were hostile to the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
. He was a declared enemy of the 'new philosophy' (as propounded by leading members of the Society), and he revealed his confessional reasons when he stigmatised it as 'impious if not plainly atheistic, set on foot and carried on by the arts of Rome,' designing thereby to ruin the Protestant faith by disabling men to defend the truth, and noting the Catholic background of Descartes, Gassendi
Gassendi
* Pierre Gassendi was a French philosopher, scientist and mathematician* Gassendi is a large crater on the Moon named after him...
, Mersenne and Du Hamel
Jean-Baptiste du Hamel
Jean-Baptiste Du Hamel, Duhamel or du Hamel was a notable French cleric and natural philosopher of the late seventeenth century, and the first secretary of the Academie Royale des Sciences...
. His Directions to a young Divine for his Study of Divinity belong to this period. They contain a catalogue of theological works classified according to subjects, with remarks on their value and character.
When pro-vice-chancellor in 1673 he called in question William Richards, chaplain of All Souls College, for Arminian doctrine in a sermon at St. Mary's. On the publication of George Bull's Harmonia Apostolica, Barlow pronounced a severe censure on his doctrine. During this period Barlow wrote much, but published little. Mr. Cottington's Divorce Case, on which Barlow's reputation as an ecclesiastical lawyer and casuistical divine mainly rests, was written in 1671.
Barlow took a prominent part in the two abortive schemes of comprehension which were set on foot in October 1667, and February 1668. The 'Comprehensive Bill,' as it was styled, was based on the Declaration of Breda
Declaration of Breda
The Declaration of Breda was a proclamation by Charles II of England in which he promised a general pardon for crimes committed during the English Civil War and the Interregnum for all those who recognised Charles as the lawful king; the retention by the current owners of property purchased during...
; it was drawn up by Sir Robert Atkyns and Sir Matthew Hale, and revised and endorsed by Barlow and his friend John Wilkins
John Wilkins
John Wilkins FRS was an English clergyman, natural philosopher and author, as well as a founder of the Invisible College and one of the founders of the Royal Society, and Bishop of Chester from 1668 until his death....
. The introduction of the bill was frustrated by a declaration of the House of Commons, and the whole plan was finally dropped. Barlow had some part in the release of John Bunyan
John Bunyan
John Bunyan was an English Christian writer and preacher, famous for writing The Pilgrim's Progress. Though he was a Reformed Baptist, in the Church of England he is remembered with a Lesser Festival on 30 August, and on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church on 29 August.-Life:In 1628,...
from Bedford gaol in 1677.
In 1675, he became bishop of Lincoln, through the good offices of the two secretaries of state, Sir Joseph Williamson and Henry Coventry
Henry Coventry
The Honourable Henry Coventry was an English politician, who was Secretary of State for the Northern Department between 1672 and 1674 and the Southern Department between 1674 and 1680.-Origins and education:...
, both graduates of Queen's College, the latter having been his pupil; Gilbert Sheldon
Gilbert Sheldon
Gilbert Sheldon was an English Archbishop of Canterbury.-Early life:He was born in Stanton, Staffordshire in the parish of Ellastone, on 19 July 1598, the youngest son of Roger Sheldon; his father worked for Gilbert Talbot, 7th Earl of Shrewsbury. He was educated at Trinity College, Oxford; he...
was opposed. Barlow's consecration (27 June) did not take place in the customary Lambeth chapel, but in the chapel attached to the palace of the Bishop of Ely (then Peter Gunning
Peter Gunning
Peter Gunning was an English Royalist church leader, Bishop of Chichester and later of Ely.-Life:He was born at Hoo St Werburgh, in Kent, and educated at The King's School, Canterbury, and Clare College, Cambridge, where he became a fellow in 1633. Having taken orders, he advocated the Royalist...
) in Holborn
Holborn
Holborn is an area of Central London. Holborn is also the name of the area's principal east-west street, running as High Holborn from St Giles's High Street to Gray's Inn Road and then on to Holborn Viaduct...
, and George Morley
George Morley
George Morley D.D. was an English bishop.-Life:He was born in London, England, and educated at Westminster school and the University of Oxford. In 1640, he was presented to the sinecure living of Hartfield, Sussex, and in the following year he was made canon of Christ Church, Oxford and exchanged...
of Winchester was the consecrating prelate. Barlow resided mostly at Buckden Palace, near Huntingdon
Huntingdon
Huntingdon is a market town in Cambridgeshire, England. The town was chartered by King John in 1205. It is the traditional county town of Huntingdonshire, and is currently the seat of the Huntingdonshire district council. It is known as the birthplace in 1599 of Oliver Cromwell.-History:Huntingdon...
, and was charged with never having entered his cathedral. The Bishop's Palace at Lincoln
Lincoln Medieval Bishop's Palace
Lincoln Medieval Bishop's Palace is an historic visitor's attraction in the city of Lincoln, Lincolnshire. When it was first built, in the late 12th century, it was one of the grandest residential structures in England and the administrative center of the vast Diocese of Lincoln, which stretched...
had still not been repaired from damage done in the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
, but George Savile, 1st Marquess of Halifax
George Savile, 1st Marquess of Halifax
George Savile, 1st Marquess of Halifax PC was an English statesman, writer, and politician.-Family and early life, 1633–1667:...
remonstrated with Barlow on the subject in 1684.
Barlow told his friend Sir Peter Pett that the real ground of hostility was not his absence from Lincoln, but his continuing hostility to Catholicism. In 1678, when Titus Oates
Titus Oates
Titus Oates was an English perjurer who fabricated the "Popish Plot", a supposed Catholic conspiracy to kill King Charles II.-Early life:...
forwarded his theory of a Popish Plot
Popish Plot
The Popish Plot was a fictitious conspiracy concocted by Titus Oates that gripped England, Wales and Scotland in Anti-Catholic hysteria between 1678 and 1681. Oates alleged that there existed an extensive Catholic conspiracy to assassinate Charles II, accusations that led to the execution of at...
, Barlow had publicly declared his bitter enmity to the papists, and to their supposed leader, James, Duke of York. On the introduction of the bill enforcing a test against popery which excluded Roman Catholic peers from the House of Lords, Gunning of Ely having defended the church of Rome from the charge of idolatry, Barlow answered him vehemently. In 1680, while the Popish Plot panic was still at its height, he republished, under the title of Brutum Fulmen, of the papal bull
Papal bull
A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a Pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the bulla that was appended to the end in order to authenticate it....
s of Pius V and Paul III
Pope Paul III
Pope Paul III , born Alessandro Farnese, was Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 1534 to his death in 1549. He came to the papal throne in an era following the sack of Rome in 1527 and rife with uncertainties in the Catholic Church following the Protestant Reformation...
pronouncing the excommunication and deposition of Queen Elizabeth and of Henry VIII, with inflammatory comments, and learned proofs that 'the pope is the great Antichrist, the man of sin, and the son of perdition.' In 1682 appeared Barlow's answer to the inquiry 'whether the Turk or pope be the greater Antichrist,' giving the palm to the latter, and in 1684 his letter to the Earl of Anglesey
Earl of Anglesey
The title of Earl of Anglesey was created twice in the Peerage of England. The first creation came in 1623 when Christopher Villiers was created Earl of Anglesey, in Wales, as well as Baron Villiers. He was the younger brother of George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham and the elder brother of John...
proving that 'the pope is Antichrist'.
When in 1684 Henry Viscount St John was convicted of killing Sir William Estcourt in a brawl, and Charles II used the royal prerogative
Royal Prerogative
The royal prerogative is a body of customary authority, privilege, and immunity, recognized in common law and, sometimes, in civil law jurisdictions possessing a monarchy as belonging to the sovereign alone. It is the means by which some of the executive powers of government, possessed by and...
for his pardon, Bishop Barlow published an elaborate tract, 1684-5, in support of the regal power to dispense with the penal laws. This tract was succeeded by 'a case of conscience,' proving that kings and supreme powers have the authority to dispense with the positive precept condemning murderers to death. In the same year (1684) when the persecutions against the nonconformists increased in violence, the quarter sessions of Bedford having published 'a sharp order,' enforcing strict conformity, Barlow issued a letter to the clergy of his diocese, requiring them to publish the order in their churches. A 'free answer' was written to this letter by John Howe.
Under James II
When the Catholic James IIJames II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
became king, Barlow was one of the first to declare his loyal affection for his new sovereign. When James issued his first declaration for liberty of conscience, he was one of the four bishops who, sent up an address of thanks to the sovereign; he caused it to be signed by six hundred of his clergy, issuing a letter in defence of his conduct. James Gardiner
James Gardiner (bishop)
-Life:He was the son of Adrian Gardiner, apothecary, of Nottingham. He entered Emmanuel College, Cambridge, in 1649, taking the degrees of B.A. 1652-3, M.A. 1656, and D.D. 1669...
, then sub-dean, was a strong whig and refused to sign the address. On the appearance of the second declaration, of 1688, Barlow addressed to his clergy an equivocal letter (29 May 1688).
Under William and Mary
William and MaryWilliam III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
came to the throne and demanded a new oath with hostility toward Rome. Barlow voted among the bishops that James had abdicated, and took the oaths to his successors; and was reportedly ready to replace non-juror
Nonjuring schism
The nonjuring schism was a split in the Church of England in the aftermath of the Glorious Revolution of 1688, over whether William of Orange and his wife Mary could legally be recognised as King and Queen of England....
s in his diocese. He died at Buckden aged 84, 8 October 1691, and was buried in the chancel of the parish church, by his own desire occupying the same grave as his predecessor William Barlow
William Barlow (Bishop of Lincoln)
William Barlow was an Anglican priest and courtier during the reign of James I of England. He served as Bishop of Rochester in 1605 and Bishop of Lincoln in the Anglican Church from 1608 until his death. He had also served the church as Rector of St Dunstan's, Stepney in Middlesex and of...
, a monument on the north wall commemorating both in an epitaph of his own composition.
Works
Thomas Barlow's writings include:- Exercitationes aliquot metaphysicae de Deo (1637);
- Plain reasons why a Protestant of the Church of England should not turn Roman Catholic (1688);
- Cases of Conscience (1692).