|
Great Churchmen (No
3)
Published by Church
Book Room Press
The name of the "judicious" Hooker
has always been held in reverent esteem by English Churchmen.
For many generations he was regarded as practically the official
exponent of correct Anglican teaching, and even to-day some sections
of his celebrated writings are set as subjects for Ordination
candidates.
Born at Heavitree near Exeter in 1553, Hooker was enabled by
reason of his tender years to escape the daggers of the Marian
persecutions, and although Elizabeth's long reign was a specially
critical, colourful, and controversial period, in the main he
passed his forty-seven years peacefully and quietly as a scholar,
a saint, and a very diligent student. As his father, Sir Peter
Carew's steward, lived much in Ireland, young Richard was largely
under the care of his uncle, the Chamberlain of Exeter, who possessed
only very moderate means.
Richard was educated
at Exeter Grammar School and soon gave evidence of his future
brilliant ability. With a serious and very inquiring mind his
progress was so remarkable that his master called him " a
little wonder," although he was of a
modest and retiring disposition. He was so obviously the student
that to prevent him being apprenticed to a trade his uncle bestirred
himself to obtain some financial help so that he could get a
University education. He was successful in securing the practical
sympathy of his old friend Bishop
Jewell, who gave Richard an
annual grant. Hence the lad was able at the age of fifteen to
start his studies at Oxford, and he went to Corpus Christi College
in 1568, first as a chorister and then as a clerk. His tutor
here was the learned Dr. John Reynolds, the future President
of the College and the foremost champion of the Puritans at the
Hampton Court Conference in 1604. Reynolds remained Hooker's
life-long friend,
A very pleasing incident is related of Hooker's association
with Bishop
Jewell. On his way home from Oxford Hooker visited
the bishop, who entertained him to dinner and then dismissed
him with his blessing and much good counsel, but forgot to give
him any money. Jewel immediately had Hooker recalled in order,
as he said, " to lend him a horse," which, he told
him, " had carried him many a mile." He then handed
the young student his walking staff with ten groats, promising
him a further ten when he returned the walking stick ! Shortly
after, however, the good bishop passed to his eternal rest and
Richard was bereft of this influential patron. Dr. Cole, the
President of the College, at once most sympathetically took up
Jewel's mantle and also secured Archbishop Sandys’ interest,
so that Sandys sent his own son to Corpus to be under Hooker
as tutor. A very close life-long friendship was formed between
them, and also with another pupil, George Cranmer, a greatnephew
of the martyred Archbishop. Hooker took his M.A. in 1573, and
at the age of twenty-four was elected Fellow of his College.
His reputation for learning and scholarship was already so high
that even before his ordination, which took place in 1580, he
was made Hebrew lecturer in the University. One of his duties
as a Fellow of Corpus was to take a turn as preacher at St. Paul's
Cross. This he carried out in 1581, an engagement which permanently
affected his future career.
>>Hooker's
Marriage
|
