English theologian; b. at Lowick (19 m. n.e. of Northampton), Northamptonshire, July 30, 1726; d. at Nayland (14 m. s.s.w. of Ipswich), Suffolk, Jan. 6, 1800. He studied at the Charterhouse and at University College, Oxford (B.A., 1749). Here, largely through the influence of his friend, George Horne, he adopted the views of John Hutchinson (q.v.). After his graduation he was curate for a number of years, first at Finedon, afterward at Wadenhoe, Northamptonshire. In 1764 he was presented to the vicarage of Bethersden, and in 1765 to the rectory of Pluckley, both in Kent. On June 22, 1775, be was elected a fellow of the Royal Society. In 1777 he obtained the perpetual curacy of Nayland, Suffolk, and exchanged Pluckley for Paston, Northamptonshire. Thenceforth he resided at Nayland and came to be known as Jones of Nayland. In 1788 he became chaplain to George Horne (bishop of Norwich). He was the originator, though not the editor, of the British Critic , a theological quarterly, of which the first number appeared in London in May, 1793. In 1798 he was presented by Archbishop Moore to the sinecure rectory of Hollingbourne, Kent. Jones was a man of vast learning and sound piety, and one of the most prominent churchmen of his time. The school represented by him is regarded as forming a link between the non-jurors and the Oxford school. His works, some forty in number, are written from the Hutchinsonian point of view. The best-known are: The Catholic Doctrine of the Trinity (Oxford, 1756; ed. J. L. F. Russell, London, 1866; published by S.P.C.K., 1899); An Essay on the First Principles of Natural Philosophy (Oxford, 1762); Physiological Disquisitions (London, 1781); Lectures on the Figurative Language of the Holy Scripture (1786; new ed., 1863); An Essay on the Church (1787; new ed., 1863); and Memoirs of . . . George Horne (1795). William Stevens collected and edited his Works (12 vols., 1801; reprinted in 6 vols., 1810). Some of his tracts were reprinted under the title, Tracts on the Church (Oxford and London, 1850). From CCEL.
See Jones of Nayland, by Canon Arthur Middleton.
The Theological, Philosophical and Miscellaneous Works of the
Rev. William Jones, M.A. F.R.S. in Twelve Volumes.
To which is prefixed a Short Account of His Life and Writings.
London: F. and C. Rivington, 1801.
Volume I.
Names of Subscribers.
Life of the Author, with some Account of his Writings.
The Catholic Doctrine of the Trinity
A Letter to the Common People, in Answer to Popular Arguments against the Trinity
A Preservative against the Publications of Modern Socinians
Seasonable Cautions against Errors in Doctrine; in a Letter to a young Gentleman at Oxford
A Short Way to Truth: Or the Christian Doctrine of a Trinity in Unity.
Illustrated and Confirmed from an Analogy in the Natural Creation.Volume II.
A full Answer to an Essay on Spirit.
Remarks on the Principles and Spirit of a Work entitled The Confessional.
Volume III.
Zoologica Ethica: A Disquisition concerning the Mosaic Distinction of Animals into clean and unclean
Additional Remarks.
A Dissertation on the Offering up of Isaac by Abraham.
An Enquiry into the Circumstances and moral Intention of the Temptation of Jesus Christ in the Wilderness.
Three Dissertations on Life and Death.
Reflections on the Life, Death, and Burial of the Patriarchs.
A Disquisition concerning the Metaphorical Usage and Application of Sleep in the Scripture.
A Free Enquiry into the Sense and Signification of the spring: as it is described in the Song of Solomon.
An Essay on Confirmation.
Reflexions on the Growth of Heathenism among modern Christians, in a Letter to a Friend at Oxford.
Volume IV.
Letters on the Figurative Language of the Scriptures.
Volume V.
Sermons.
Volume VI.
Sermons.
Volume VII.
Sermons.
An Essay on Man according to the Holy Scripture.
Volume VIII.
An Essay on the First Principles of Natural Philosophy.
Volume IX.
Physiological Disquisitions, or Discourses on the Natural Philosophy of the Elements.
Volume X.
Physiological Disquisitions, concluded.
Six Lectures on Electricity.
Volume XI.
The Book of Nature.
A Key to the Language of Prophecy, with Reference to Texts of the Old and New Testaments.
Letters from a Tutor to His Pupils.
The Churchman's Catechism, or Elements of Instruction on the Nature and Constitution of the Christian Church.
Volume XII.
The Life of Bishop Horne.
A Letter to the Hon. L. K. on the Use of the Hebrew Language.
Considerations on the Religious Worship of the Heathens.
A Letter to Three Converted Jews.
A Letter to the Church of England.
Thoughts on a Church Organ.
The True Christian.
Two Letters to a Predestinarian.
An Address to the British Government on a Subject of present Concern, 1776.
Thoughts on the Resoluions of the Protestant Dissenters, at their Meeting at Stowmarket, in Suffolk, 1790.
A Proposal for a Reformation of Principles, 1792.
A Small Whole-length of Dr. Priestley from his printed Works, 1792.
Resolutions of Common Sense about Common Rights. By Thomas Bull. 1792.
One Pennyworth of Truth from Thomas Bull to his Brother John, 1792.
One Pennyworth more, or a second Letter from Thomas Bull to his Brother John, 1792.
A Letter to John Bull, Esq. from his second Cousin Thomas Bull, 1793.
Fable of the Rats, to the associated Friends of Liberty at the Feathers Tavern, 1771.
The Learning of the Beasts,. A Fable. For the year 1795.
The Candid Review, 1771.
The Moral Character of the Monkey.
Project Canterbury