- Home
- Speakers
- George Herbert
- Jordan (I)
George Herbert
George Herbert (April 3, 1593 – March 1, 1633) was an English preacher, poet, and priest whose ministry and writings shaped Anglican devotional life in the 17th century. Born in Montgomery, Wales, to Richard Herbert, a wealthy landowner and member of Parliament, and Magdalen Newport, a cultured patron of poets like John Donne, he was the fifth of ten children in an artistic, noble family. Educated at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge—where he earned a B.A. in 1613 and an M.A. in 1616—he excelled in Latin, Greek, and music, becoming Public Orator at Cambridge in 1620, a role that brought him favor with King James I and a brief stint in Parliament (1624–1625). Herbert’s preaching career emerged after a shift from secular ambition following King James’s death in 1625. Ordained a deacon in 1626 and a priest in 1630, he served as rector of Fugglestone St Peter and Bemerton, near Salisbury, until his death. His sermons, delivered with heartfelt conviction, reflected his care for parishioners—visiting the sick, aiding the poor, and rebuilding the church with his own funds—earning him the title "Holy Mr. Herbert." His poetry, collected in The Temple (published posthumously in 1633), doubled as sermons in verse, exploring spiritual conflicts and divine love, while his prose work A Priest to the Temple (1652) offered practical guidance for rural clergy. Married to Jane Danvers in 1629, with no children of their own, they adopted three orphaned nieces. Herbert died at age 39 in Bemerton from tuberculosis.
Download
Topic
Sermon Summary
George Herbert emphasizes the importance of sincerity and truth in worship and poetry, questioning the need for elaborate fictions and false beauty. He highlights the essence of genuine verses that serve their purpose without unnecessary adornments, drawing parallels to the simplicity and honesty of shepherds singing. Herbert expresses contentment in praising God directly without the need for extravagant metaphors or artificial embellishments.
Scriptures
Jordan (I)
Who says that fictions only and false hair Become a verse? Is there in truth no beauty? Is all good structure in a winding stair? May no lines pass, except they do their duty Not to a true, but painted chair? Is it no verse, except enchanted groves And sudden arbours shadow coarse-spun lines Must purling streams refresh a lover's loves? Must all be veil'd, while he that reads, divines, Catching the sense at two removes? Shepherds are honest people; let them sing: Riddle who list, for me, and pull for Prime: I envy no man's nightingale or spring; Nor let them punish me with loss of rhyme, Who plainly say, My God, My King.
- Bio
- Summary
- Transcript
- Download
George Herbert (April 3, 1593 – March 1, 1633) was an English preacher, poet, and priest whose ministry and writings shaped Anglican devotional life in the 17th century. Born in Montgomery, Wales, to Richard Herbert, a wealthy landowner and member of Parliament, and Magdalen Newport, a cultured patron of poets like John Donne, he was the fifth of ten children in an artistic, noble family. Educated at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge—where he earned a B.A. in 1613 and an M.A. in 1616—he excelled in Latin, Greek, and music, becoming Public Orator at Cambridge in 1620, a role that brought him favor with King James I and a brief stint in Parliament (1624–1625). Herbert’s preaching career emerged after a shift from secular ambition following King James’s death in 1625. Ordained a deacon in 1626 and a priest in 1630, he served as rector of Fugglestone St Peter and Bemerton, near Salisbury, until his death. His sermons, delivered with heartfelt conviction, reflected his care for parishioners—visiting the sick, aiding the poor, and rebuilding the church with his own funds—earning him the title "Holy Mr. Herbert." His poetry, collected in The Temple (published posthumously in 1633), doubled as sermons in verse, exploring spiritual conflicts and divine love, while his prose work A Priest to the Temple (1652) offered practical guidance for rural clergy. Married to Jane Danvers in 1629, with no children of their own, they adopted three orphaned nieces. Herbert died at age 39 in Bemerton from tuberculosis.