John Cosin
John Cosin was a significant figure in the English church during the seventeenth century, known for his scholarly contributions and ecclesiastical roles. He was educated at the Free School in Norwich and later became a fellow at Caius College, Cambridge. After taking Holy Orders, Cosin served in various capacities, including as secretary to Bishop Overall and domestic chaplain to Bishop Neile. His notable work, "Collection of Private Devotions," published in 1627, sparked controversy, particularly among Puritans, due to its connections to royal requests.
Cosin's career faced challenges, particularly when he was accused and impeached in 1641, although the charges were ultimately dismissed. Following a period of exile in Paris, he returned to England after the Restoration and was reinstated, becoming Bishop of Durham in 1660. Throughout his life, Cosin was known for his strong religious convictions, displaying an antagonism towards Roman Catholicism while also working to reconcile differences with the Presbyterian church. His progressive views included advocating for divorce in cases of adultery and remarriage for the innocent spouse, setting him apart from many of his contemporaries.
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John Cosin
Churchman
- Born: November 30, 1595
- Birthplace: Norwich, England
- Died: January 15, 1672
- Place of death: Westminster, England
Biography
A prominent figure in the seventeenth century English church, John Cosin attended the Free School in Norwich as a child, after which he was a scholar and then fellow at Caius College in Cambridge. After taking Holy Orders, he was secretary to Bishop Overall of Lichfield and domestic chaplain to Richard Neile, Bishop of Durham, before being named prebendary of Durham in December, 1624, archdeacon of the East Riding of Yorkshire in 1625, and Rector of Brancepeth in 1626.
Along with his religious perspectives and his company of friends, Cosin’s Collection of Private Devotions, published in 1627, purportedly at the request of King Charles I for Queen Henrietta Maria’s maids of honor, earned him the anger of Puritans. He was appointed Master at Camridge University’s Peterhouse in 1634, and rose to vice-chancellor of the university in 1640. However, controversy found John Cosin when he was promoted to dean of Petersborough that same year. A former colleague whom Cosin had prosecuted for criticisms against high church practice brought a petition against Cosin which was ultimately successful, resulting in articles of impeachment in 1641. Though charges were dismissed, Cosin lost the Mastery of Peterhouse in 1642.
After preaching in Paris and serving as minister to members of the exiled royals for some time, Cosin returned to England with the Restoration and was himself restored to his earlier status and posts, rising to Bishop of Durham in December 1660. Cosin was adamant about his religious beliefs, and apparent in his religious writings is his antagonism toward Roman Catholicism, but he befriended French Huguenots and worked strenuously to mend rifts with the Presbyterian church. Among the differences between Cosin’s philosophies and those of his contemporaries was his advocacy of allowing divorce in the cases of adultery and the option of remarriage for the faithful spouse.