need of Instruction to those of an inferiour rank many of whom were extreamly ignorant by reason that amongst such a great multitude of people there had in former times been so great a scarcity of preaching together with divers other reasons of the like nature which did more then countervail what could be alledged on the other hand his obligations also to those of Dukes-place not being absolute they judged it most fit that he should leave Dukes-place and undertake that charge at Westminster To this their resolution he consented yet with his Proviso that those of Dukes-place should be first provided of an able faithfull Pastor to succeed him being utterly unwilling to leave them destitute And accordingly having prevailed with Master Thomas Young since Doctor in Divinity and Master of Jesus Colledge in Cambridge to succeed him there who was also an eminent Member of the Assembly of Divines a man of great Learning of much Prudence and Piety and of great ability and fidelity in the work of the Ministry he took his leave of them commending them to the grace of God and the pious care of his Successor taking on him the charge of those belonging to the new Church in Westminster and was the first Pastor of that Church He was here also eminently faithfull and laborious in the work of the Ministry in publique praying reading expounding preaching administring the Sacraments and Catechizing with brief and clear expositions and confirmations of the Principles of Religion as had been his usual custom in other places Beside which he was also one of the seven that by appointment of Parliament did carry on that daily morning Lecture at the Abby-Church insomuch that it seems almost a Miracle that so weak a body as his should possibly be able to do so much as constantly he performed continuing oft-times to speak in publique for the space of six or eight hours on a Sabbath day beside much time spent in more private exercises of Prayer Repetitions c. in the Family yet when his Friends have perswaded him to favour himself judging so much pains to be more then his body could endure his answer hath been that his strength would spend of it self though he did nothing and it could not be better spent then in Gods service Yea so far was he from favouring himself in this kind that it was a rule with him which he constantly observed never to favour himself by declining any ministerial exercise which he was requested to perform whether in publique or private if he were possibly able to perform it Neither did he here neglect what had been his constant practice elsewhere to afford private assistance to those of his flock and others as he had opportunity But what time he could gain from the more publique affairs of the Assembly he spent for the most part in such duties not willing to lose an hour which could be imployed in doing good And to this end beside that free accesse that persons of all ranks might have unto him as they had occasion he spent much time in visiting them at their own Families to communicate some spiritual good to them as Directions Consolations and Encouragements in the waies of Godlinesse which made his company both very profitable and much desired Hereby besides others very many considerable Families of the Nobility and Gentry whose practice commonly hath a great influence on others were much quickned and encouraged in the visible practice of Godlinesse and the power of Religion which thereby was much improved And very many of them are ready upon all occasions to professe that it was their great happinesse to be acquainted with him and bewail the want of it as a great losse And he was hereunto the more fitted for that he was naturally of a loving and friendly disposition of a courteous and affable carriage even towards inferiours and those of mean rank especially if he discovered in them signes of grace which he did honour and encourage wherever he met with it Hereby he gained much love and and affection from those with whom he had to do by reason whereof his counsel and advice became so much the more effectual To which we may adde also his birth and education and his frequent conversing with persons of quality to whom he was related and allied by reason whereof he was well qualified with such accomplishments as might render his company acceptable as knowing well how to give due respect to all according as their places and conditions did require and yet to preserve the honour and reverence of his Ministerial authority which by the gravity sobriety and holinesse of his conversation was much secured In that great Ordinance of the Lords Supper which in these broken and distracted times hath been in many places wholly laid aside and in many more too much neglected he took much care and pains how to manage that great businesse so as might be neither displeasing to God â—o justly offensive to good men The difficulty herein hath been not concerning the manner of administration which hath afforded lesse matter of contest but concerning the persons that might be judged fit to be admitted thereunto which to many men hath been attended with so much perplexity that they have apprehended a necessity of a totall intermission and almost an impossibility of administring it in any tolerable manner while on the one hand they durst not promiscuously admit all by reason of the great ignorance of many and the prophanenesse or loosenesse of others and yet on the other hand saw not how they might be able for want of authority to debar any waiting still for the setling of a Government in the Church whereby this great difficulty might in some measure be removed Till at length through the long intermission of this Ordinance those that are prophane and carnal begin to slight and scorn it and those of better principles do too much abate in their affections to it And that remedy which though late began at length to be applyed in beginning to establish the Presbyterian Government hath been yet so much defective in want of power and so much exposed to scorn and reproach which men of prophane or turbulent spirits cast upon it either from principles of prophanenesse or of seperation or from some other bitter root which renders men unwilling to have their lusts errours unlawfull liberties or licentious courses in any kind whatsoever to be checked or contradicted that the matter is now almost grown desperate unlesse God will be pleased in special favour to afford some unexpected remedy Herein this holy man did manifest a great measure of singular Prudence and Piety wisely avoiding both rocks Neither totally omitting the Celebration of the Sacrament nor yet promiscuously admitting all unto it but those only of whose sufficient knowledge he was assured and whose lives so far as he could discern were unblamable and free from scandal And this he did not only of late years
affairs but gave peremptory order that his beloved Mariamne should be put to death for this only reason because another should not enjoy so great a beauty So the Duke would not another should enjoy the great abilities of Doctor Preston but was resolved to break him if he could yet in a civil Court way But the Doctor was too knowing not to see this afar off Prov. 22.3 Quae alii levia faciunt diu patiendo ea sapiens diù cogitando and had accordingly provided a succession of reserves wherein to hide himself The first and surest was his conscience 2 Cor. 1.12 This is our rejoycing the testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God we have had our conversation in the world If a man be wellcome into his conscience he need not fear the stormes and blusters that he meets abroad In te recedas cum cogeris in turba esse When a man is forced to be where he would not as Peter was foretold he should be Joh. 21.18 yet he may in despite of them retire into himself Paul made it his businesse to have his conscience alwaies void of offence Act. 24.16 and so did Dr. Preston for though his actings being many of them above the common size were not alwaies understood and very often mis-interpreted yet he was innocent and upright alwaies in them An undeniable argument whereof was that he never sued for the least preferment as we have said but studied and often consulted how without breaking he might avoid them And though he lived like himself and gave relief to others yet it was ever of his own as very many yet alive can witness And indeed he was a man of very much Communion and sweet Society with God prayed much in private and by himself besides as Tutor with his Pupils and after as Master in his Family Whatever weakness he was in or business did occur kept many private daies of Fasting by himself especially before the Sacraments and Sabbath-daies and accordingly enjoyed a constant clearnesse and assurance of his Justification and interest in the blood of Christ even then when frailties and infirmities did most of all afflict and wound him He never that I know was troubled or perplexed about Adoption though very often about the imperfection of his graces and the unconstancy of Sanctification so as he studied most exactly that Treatise of the Saints Infirmities and there is nothing in all his works that may more properly be called his His next retreat was Lincolns-Inne for now he said the Duke was Chancellour and would endeavour to ingratiate himself and be a Benefactor and had bought Erpenius Manuscripts and did verily intend to found a Library and so it would be easie and in his power to out him of the Colledge and University For there was a resolution in some of the Fellows to petition the Duke without him and to annul the Statute of continuance or Commoration in the Colledge yet he conceived the Lawyers would pretend a kind of freedom and exemption For he saw when that holy blessed Dr. Sibbs was outed both of Fellowship and Lecture in the University yet by the goodnesse and prudence of Sir Henry Yelverton that constant Patron unto godly Ministers a vertue yet running in the veins of his posterity he was received and retained at Grayes-Inne unto his death therefore he would in no sort leave his title unto and interest in Lincolns-Inne but reserved it in his power unto his dying day But he knew Kings had long hands and that the Dukes were nothing shorter and that Lincolns-Inne though a great deal stronger and better built then Grayes-Inne yet would not hold out long in case the Duke should seriously beleagure it therefore he pondered of removing farther off if need were And having weighed all retreats resolved upon Basil in the Switzers Countrey as a place which the longest handed Kings had seldome touched even when it was a receptacle of their greatest enemies and therefore he resolved in case he could not be free in England to settle there and spend the residue of his surviving dayes in writing what he was not suffered to preach or had not published according to his mind He was naturally very affable and courteous unto strangers of any Countrey and by conversing much with them endeavoured to preserve his knowledge in the French and Italian languages But after he had thus resolved upon Basil he was very friendly to all he Germans that were dispersed from several Universities especially from the Palatinate for whom he procured several sorts of entertainments both in the Countrey abroad and in the University for which as he had very many Gratulatory Epistles from particular persons so one of note from the King of Bohemia under his Hand and Seal But he knew that these were but the Foxes earths that might successively be taken and possessed He therefore also thought upon that unum magnum of the Cat or rather of the Holy Ghost Prov. 18.10 the Name of the Lord that is the goodnesse mercy power of the mighty God where he was well assured he should for ever be free enough from Kings and Dukes Yet these did no way retard his industry in using means Obstructions quicked industrious and active minds but damp and clog the dull There is a Statesman of no mean esteem that writes professedly against the use of Cittadels and Forts because it makes the Souldier lesse resolved in engagements And the Spartans were forbidden to wall their City because it would incourage Cowardise But it did not take off Dr. Preston from his duty For finding that his standing at Court was untermined he resolved upon Buttresses to underprop him in the Countrey There was in the Countrey of Northampton a Gentleman of very able parts and clear affections to the publick good no stranger to the Court in former times nor to the Duke of Buckingham with whom the Doctor used to communicate affairs and who was then a Parliament man of much esteem to him the Doctor in a Letter discovers all shews him the hopelesse posture of the Duke how much they both were disappointed in him layes some directions what to do and urgeth activenesse This Letter by a sad misfortune was let fall by him that was intrusted to convey it about Temple-bar and handed from one to one untill it came to Sir Henry Spillers who having viewed and pondered the contents concluded it was a purchase that would ingratiate him unto the Duke and so immediately presents it to him The Duke was troubled to read his faults and face so shrewdly intimated and presaged His temper was exceeding good and he could mannage his affections many times with much serenity and moderation but now he was quite off and could not think of any thing but a revenge I have not known any thing so trouble and afflict the Doctor as this did that the Duke should have his hand against
have some portion of Scripture read amongst them or some other religious Treatise concerning the fundamentals of Religion if not both But especially he was carefull that all his Family should sanctifie the Sabbath-day And therefore would not suffer them to be imployed late the night before about their ordinary employments but caused them to conclude sooner then on other daies that they might not be indisposed for the duties of the day following And on the Sabbath-day it self he was carefull that they should not spend any part of it idly or vainly no not in any unnecessary preparations of diet or the like but only of such and so much as was necessary for their comfortable refreshment that day but would have them spend the whole day as much as might be in the exercises of some of Gods Ordinances publique or private insomuch that if he had known of any dish that had kept any of his Servants from attending on any of Gods Ordinances he would not at all eat of it And for better sanctifying of that day he was carefull not only to perform private duties in his Family as Prayer Reading Singing of Psalms c. but also when he went to the publique Ordinances he would call all his Family together to go along with him that so they might be present at the whole service of God And in the evening of the day he required of all his Servants and the young Gentlemen that sojourned with him an account of such portions of Scripture as had been read in publique and as they recited particular passages thereof he gave brief expositions of them and observations from them pressing them to meditate in private of what they read in publique Beside this great care of his Family joyntly he was also frequent in giving them personall counsell and direction in the waies of God exhorting them also to a daily constancy in the performance of secret duties between God and their own soul so that scarce any Family enjoyed the like measure of helps and encouragements in the waies of holinesse His exact walking in his own secret devotion was also exceedingly remarkable He was a man much in Communion with God Twice every day he was in secret a Suiter at the Throne of grace and oftener as any particular occasion was offered He would very seldome enter upon any businesse either by himself or with others without first seeking of God He did often set daies apart to humble himself in secret by Fasting and Prayer according as either publique or particular occasions did seem to call for it as also in solemn Thanksgivings for mercies received whether publique or private He was a great admirer of the holy Scriptures and much conversant in them Beside what he had read and heard read in his Family he did every day by himself read some part both of the Old and New Testament and constantly write short meditations and observations of what he so read whereof he hath left behind him many hundred sheets written in Characters He was so throughly acquainted with it that it was not easie to name a Chapter or Verse but he would presently tell the Contents of it nor to name any sentence of Scripture but he could presently tell in what Chapter or Verse it was to be found yea scarce any particular case could fall out in practice but that he would be able to shew what particular directions the Word of God afforded for it He was also a great observer of Providence and took special notice how the Providences of God and the Word of God did constantly agree together And from hence was able to give very near conjectures if not evident Predictions in many cases what God was about to do and what good or evil events were likely to come to passe by comparing present actions with such Precedents as he had before observed in the Providences and Word of God in like cases And as he was very carefull to order all his actions according to his constant rule of being subservient to the glory of God and the good of souls so that even his journeys visits discourses and familiar converses with any were not undertaken without a special eye hereunto so did he also keep an exact account of what had passed every night before his going to rest setting down in writing in his usuall Character the passages of that day what actions or discourses he had been employed in what successes or disappointments what mercies or crosses he met withall and what failings he observed in himself all which he surveyed again at the end of every week writing down the chief passages of that week and so from moneth to moneth and year to year By means whereof he was throughly acquainted with his own spiritual condition and did maintain a constant exactnesse and even walking with God which being so uniform might perhaps by some be the lesse observed Like as the Sunnes constant brightnesse produceth lesse admiration then some blazing Starre that appeareth but for a while men usually more admiring things rare then excellent In the year 1632. he was by the University of Cambridge made one of the University-Preachers having proceeded Batchelor of Divinity about two years before A matter of honour and repute rather then of profit or employment Yet also a matter of some advantage in some cases as times then went being in the nature of a general License whereby he was authorized to preach as he should have occasion in any part of England At the beginning of the Parliament he with Doctor Tuckny were chosen Clarks of the Convocation for the Diocesse of Lincoln wherein he might have been of good use in case it had been thought fit to have kept up that kind of Assembly to have acted in concurrence with the Parliament as in former times In the year 1643. he was by authority of Parliament called to be a Member of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster And after some time he was chosen one of the Assessors appointed to assist the Prolocutor in case of absence or in infirmity He was in that Assembly an eminent and very usefull Member exceeding diligent and industrious being very rarely absent and that not but upon urget unavoidable occasions For as he accounted it an honour to be employed by God in so publique a service for the good of his Church so he did conscientiously attend upon that service prefering it before all other more particular employments which though in themselves excellent yet ought in his judgment to give way to this And he was exceeding well fitted for this employment having a clear and ready apprehension and firm and vast memory a solid and steady judgement and a good ability freely to expresse himself In matters of deliberation he manifested much Integrity and Christian wisdome In matters of debate whether about Doctrine or Discipline he discovered a great sagacity in searching out the true sense
the matter meant requiring them to wait upon him to the Schools according to their duty which they did and Dr. Sands took the Chair Mr. Mitch and a rable of unlearned Papists seeing this withdrew and conspired amongst themselves to pull him out of the Chair In the mean time Dr. Sands began his Oration expostulating with the University about their dealings and charging them with great ingratitude towards him affirming that he had said nothing in his Sermon but what he was ready to justifie and that if he were faulty they were as deeply guilty in concealing and consenting to that which he had spoken In the midst of his speech in came Mitch with his associates some laid hands on him to pull him out of the Chair telling him it was not his place others called him traytor c. Dr. Sands seeing that they used violence being of a great courage felt for his dagger to have dispatched some of them as Gods enemies but Dr. Bell and Dr. Blith prayed him for Gods sake to hold his hands and patiently to bear that great wrong to which he assented and so the tumult ending he went on and finished his Oration and having some money of the Universities in his hand he delivered it up together with all other things belonging to the University and then resigned his Office praying to God to substitute a better in his room and to give them better and more thankfull hearts and so he repaired to his own Colledge On the morrow came to him Mr. Germingham and Mr. Tho. Mildmay Mr. Germingham told him that it was the Queens pleasure that by two of the guard he should be conveyed to the Tower together with the Duke Mr. Mildmay told him that he wondered that so learned a man as he should speak so unadvisedly against so good a Prince Dr. Sands answered I shall not be ashamed of bonds but if I could do as Mr. Mildmay can I need not to fear them for you came down in armes against the Queen and now you are in arms for her I cannot thus blow hot and cold with one mouth Presently Dr. Sands his stable was robbed of four excellent Geldings and an Inventory was taken of all his goods and he was set upon a lame jade that halted to the ground whereupon a friend of his desired that he might lend him a Nagg to ride upon As he went out at the end of the Town some Papists assembled to jeer and some of his Friends to mourn for him He was carried through London in scorn and as he entred in at Bishops-gate a base woman threw a stone at him and hit him so full on the breast that he was near falling from his Horse To whom he mildly said Woman I pray God forgive thee As he went through Tower street a woman in her door said to him Fie on thee thou Knave thou Knave thou Traytor thou Heretick At this he smiled whereupon she said Look the desperate Heretick laughs at it Another woman on the other side of the street said Fie neighbour thou art not worthy to be called a woman railing thus upon this Gentleman whom thou knowest not nor yet the cause why he is thus used and turning to the Doctor she said Good Gentleman God be thy comfort and give thee strength to stand in Gods cause even to the death and thus he was carried Prisoner to the Tower where the Yeoman of the Guard took from him his borrowed Nagg and whatsoever else he had and whereas his man brought some linen after him that also was taken from him The first three weeks he was in a very bad prison at the end whereof he was removed to another where was put to him Mr. John Bradford On the day of the Queens Coronation his prison door was left open and there came to him one Mr. Mitchell a special friend of his and said Dr. Sands there is such a stir in the Tower that neither gates doors nor Prisoners are looked after this day therefore take my cloak hat and rapier and get you gon save your self and let me do as I may The Doctor refused his offer saying I know no just cause of my imprisonment and if I should do this I should make my self guilty I will expect Gods good will yet am I much bound to you for your love Mr. Mitchell not prevailing departed Dr. Sands and Mr. Bradford continued in prison twenty nine weeks one Bowler a perverse Papist being their Keeper yet by their affable and loving carriage and converse he began to mislike Popery and to favour the Gospel yea he was so far at last wrought upon that on a Sabbath when others went to Masse he carried up to them a Service-Book a manchet and some wine at which time Dr. Sands administred the Sacrament to Mr. Bradford and him and so Bowler became their son begotten in their bonds When Wyat was up in Arms that room might be made for him and his in the Tower Dr. Cranmer Dr. Ridley and Mr. Bradford were put into one prison and Dr. Sands with nine other godly Ministers were removed to the Marshalsey As they went the people every where prayed God to comfort them and to strengthen them in his truth whereupon the Keeper of the Marshalsey said to Dr. Sands I perceive that the vain people would set you forward to the fire but I hope you will not prefer your own knowledg before the judgment of so many worthy and learned Prelates if so you shall find me as strait a Keeper as one that utterly mislikes your Religion Dr. Sands answered I know my self young and my learning small it s enough to know Christ crucified and he hath learned nothing that sees not the great blasphemy that is in Popery I have read in Scripture of some godly and courteous Keepers God may make you one if not I trust he will give me strength and patience to bear your hard dealing with me The Keeper replied Do you then minde to stand to your Religion Yea said the Doctor by Gods grace I do Truly said the Keeper I love you the better for it I did but try you before and what favour I can shew you you shall be sure of it and I shall think my self happy if I may die at the stake with you and ever after he shewed the Doctor much favour suffering him to walk into the fields alone where sometimes he met with Mr. Bradford who being removed to the Kings Bench found the like favour with his Keeper He also lodged him in the best Chamber and would not suffer irons to be put on him as other Prisoners had and suffered his Wife a beautifull Gentlewoman both in body and soul to resort to him He lodged also Mr. Sanders with him To these two holy men there was much resort and much Money was profered to them but they would receive none Three or four times they celebrated the Sacrament and
of the Queen and State wrote to Master Cartwright earnestly requesting him to undertake the work assuring him also of such aid as should further him in the finishing thereof for which end he sent him one hundred pounds towards the charges of buying Books and procuring Writers which were to be employed by him therein This was Anno 1583. The same year also he was earnestly sollicited by the most learned men of the University of Cambridge by a solemn Epistle with joynt consent written to him to undertake the answer wherein amongst other passages they have these expressions With you we are earnest most Reverend Cartwright that you would set your self against the unhallowed endeavours of these mischievous men either by refuting the whole Book or at least some part thereof It is not for every man Work-man-like to frame Gods Tabernacle but for Bazaleel and Aholiab neither is every one rashly to be thrust forth into the Lords battels but such Captains are to be chosen from amongst Davids Worthies Of which as we acknowledge you to be one by the former battels undergone for the wals of our City the Church we doubt not if you will enter this War which truly you ought to 〈◊〉 according to the Zeal and Piety you bear to your Countrey and Religion but that you fighting for Conscience and Countrey yea even for the very inmost holy place of the Temple will be able to tread underfoot the forces of the Jebusites which set themselves to assault the Tower of David Moreover which may marvellously sharpen the edge of your courage you are not now to fight with a Brother or fellow of the same Religion which maketh the Conflict more faint but with the most inveterate enemies of Jesus Christ c. Then they thus conclude You see to what an honourable fight we invite you Christs business shall be undertaken against Satans Champions We stir you up to fight the battels of our Lord where the Victory is certain which the triumph and applause of the Angels will ensue Our Prayers shall never be wanting unto you Christ without doubt whose cause is defended will be preset with you The Lord Jesus much increase your courage and strength and keep you very long in safety for his Churches good Vale. This was subscribed by Roger Goad William Whittaker Thomas Crook John Ireton William Fulk John Field Nicholas Crane Giles Seintler Richard Gardener William Charke c. But besides these the Reverend Ministers of London and Suffolk did by their several letters earnestly exhort him to this work and Master Cartwright was at last by these importunities drawn to undertake it and neither diligence nor constancy was wanting in him to have carried it on to perfection but he met with such great discouragements and hinderances from Potent Adversaries that he was forced often to lay pen aside yea Arch-Bishop Whitgift sent him a positive command that he should deal no further in it yet afterwards by an Earl and privy Counsellor of great note and some other noble Personages he was at last drawn to take pen in hand again But receiving new discouragements and having such continual employment in the Ministry he lived not to perfect that work Whilst he was at Warwick being silenced by the Bishops he was requested by the Lord Zouch Governour of Gernsey to go with him into that Island with whom he continued some time and in the mean space he substituted one Master Lord a godly and holy Minister then living at Woolstone in his room at the Hospital in Warwick allowing him the greatest part of the profits of the place during his abode there and the rest he caused to be distributed amongst the poor He was far from seeking after great places or great things in the world and for riches he sought them not yea he rejected many opportunities whereby he might have enriched himself His usual manner was when he had good summes of gold sent him to take only one piece lest he should seem to slight his Friends kindnesse and to send back the rest with a thankfull acknowledgement of their love and his acceptance of it professing that for that condition wherein God had set him he was as well furnished as they for their high and great places His manner was not to keep any more money in his purse but what might serve for charitable uses He was very bountifull to poor Schollers He distributed money every Sabbath-day amongst the poor of the Town of Warwick besides what he gave to the Prisoners and upon other occasions both at home and abroad For his Houshold affairs he never troubled himself with them but wholly left them to be ordered and managed by the Prudence of his Wife He was very carefull to regulate and order the businesses of the Hospital for the best advantage of the poor Brethren He continued his diligence and assiduity in his studies even in his old age and his usual manner was to rise at two three and four a clock in the morning at the latest both summer and winter notwithstanding that his bodily infirmities were such that he was forced to study continually kneeling upon his knees He was of a very meek and quiet spirit as appears in those conflicts which he had with Doctor Whitgift and Doctor Sutcliffe wherein he used soft words and hard arguments he could not endure so much as in private to hear his adversaries reproached and if any in his presence used disgracefull speeches of them he would sharply reprove them for it saying That it 's a Christians duty to pray for and not to reproach his adversaries and when Martin Mar-Prelates Book came forth he shewed much dislike of the Satyrical and tart language used therein He was also very humble not enduring to hear any thing spoken in his own commendation or any titles given him which in the least measure savoured of ambition He affected not popularity but avoided it as much as possibly he could Indeed all his ambition was to advance the Kingdom and cause of our Lord Jesus Christ and to promote Gods glory It was the great joy and rejoycing of his heart to hear of the welfare and prosperity of the Churches at home and abroad for this he earnestly and daily prayed and when he heard any ill tydings with Nehemiah he sate down and mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of Heaven so that all that conversed with him might easily discern that nothing did affect him in any degree like the good or ill tydings of the Churches state He was frequent in Prayer every day and in his younger years hath risen many times in the night to seek our private places to pray in And as his labours were very great in the work of the Ministry so it pleased the Lord to make them very successefull for the conversion and confirmation of many and for terrour and restraint
Some years before that right Honourable and thrice Noble Lady Frances Sidney Countesse of Sussex had by her last Will and Testament given order for the erecting and endowing of a Colledge in Cambridge to be furnished with a certain number of Fellows and Scholars under one Master or Head The Colledge was now in building by the provision of the Right Honourable the Earl of Kent and Sir John Harrington instructed by her for the performance of that work and Master James Mountague Sonne to Sir Edward Mountague then living as Fellow-Commoner but Student in Divinity among the Fellows of Christs Colledge was designed for Master With him dealt Master Chaderton in Master Bradshaws behalf To have him set down for a Fellows place there which through his Mediation was from those Noble Trustees without difficulty obtained But because some space of time would runne out ere the building of the Colledge could be consummated and made fit for receipt it was thought good in the interim to dispose of Mr. Bradshaw for some imployment elsewhere untill he might be setled there It fell out God so disposing it that Sir Thomas Leighton Governour of Guernsey wanting one to be imployed about the instruction and education of his children and having requested that worthy servant of Christ Master Cartwright abiding then at Cornet-Castle with him to write unto Master Chaderton to furnish them with one fit for such a charge this Letter of Master Cartwrights arrived with Master Chaderton in that juncture of time wherein he and Master Montague had this businesse in agitation about Master Bradshaw and the matter being by them broken to him who referred himself wholly to what they should advise it was joyntly agreed that Master Bradshaw should be sent or lent rather unto them to undertake that charge and continue in the discharge of it untill the Colledge building were compleated wherein upon return thence he was then to reside Thither therefore long without delay being furnished with Letters of recommendation from those here to them there he addressed himself and through Gods goodnesse arriving safe there was with all kinde and courteous entertainment by them received By this occasion he became throughly known to and inwardly acquainted with Master Cartwright who highly esteemed of him renewed or pursued rather his acquaintance with him after both Master Bradshaws and his own return also into England as may appear by entercourse of Letters yet to be seen written by him to Master Bradshaw while he stayed behind him in Guernsey and from Warwick also after his departure from thence and to his dying day continued expressions of entire affection to him and due respect of him as also both before and after his decease his Children both Sonne and Daughters and those that they were matched unto rnd his Widow also did And indeed such was his demeanure wheresoever he came that he left behind him a gratefull memory of him in the hearts and minds of all well affected that had occasion to take notice of it not unlike therein to musk or civet that leave a sweet sent behind them even for a long time after they be gone in the boxes wherein they were formerly kept the which continued after his departure thence not among the French Ministers alone in that Island but among such also of the old Garrison Souldiers on whom Master Cartwrights Ministry had had some efficacious and gracious work Who as Sir Peter Osburn who had afterward the government of that place hath been heard to relate would be oft talking of one Master Bradshaw that had lived sometime there and speak with much affection of him But for his constant carriage during his abode there his piety industry integrity fidelity in discharge of the trust reposed in him and charge committed to him together with his course of life and conversation otherwise unreproveable as also the love and affection to him earnest desire if it might have been of his continuance with them and loathnesse to leave him with these who were after some time spent among them there then to part with him all these things will by no meanes better appear then by the Letters of that sincere Servant of God and constant Champion of Christ Master Thomas Cartwright of holy memory and the relations concerning him therein contained being written and directed to divers in these parts either neer upon or at Master Bradshaws departure from thence Among others in one to Sir Francis Hastings of September the fifth 1598. wherein he assures him of his diligence in following his studies and of his sharp and ready capacity likely through Gods blessing to bring forth such fruit of learning as he might have good cause to rejoyce over any cost that he had been at with him or should farther bestow that way on him as also of his love to the best things and his conversation in the Family without reproach for ought he could learn having had an eye constantly on him In another to Master Chaderton of December the fifth the time it seems of his departure thence wherein he thankfully acknowledgeth the great benefit they had received by Master Bradshaw procured by him to take so long and painfull a journey to them and his wise and loving care in so good provision for them returning thanks also to him from Sir Thomas Leyghton the Governour and his Honourable Lady for him and withall requesting him that they may once again taste of his accustomed love and care in that kind And in another yet more fully of the same date to Master Mountague in these words The Law commandeth that of things borrowed great care should be had for the well usage and due restoring of them Both which we have endeavoured in Master Bradshaw But the full performance must rest rather in yours and his acceptation then in pay For as touching the former of them his desert of care to profit those committed to his charge and his Behaviour otherwise in the house hath been more then every one is able to esteem and therefore in all respects not so fit to reward For the other unless unwilling parting with him on all hands be against duty you shall we hope in the Lord have him duly restored Out of all doubt with all thankfulness to your Worship by whose kindness both we have enjoyed him some good time sithence you of right might have taken him away and he hath received a supply of recompence for that we were not able to make good unto him And so with hearty thanks and commendations from the Governour and his Honourable Lady and my humble thanks for your love and this fruit I have received thereof by Master Bradshaw I commend you to the gracious keeping and blessing of God in Jesus Christ. Unto this Letter Master Mountague now Master of the Colledge upon Master Bradshaws access thither returneth answer both thanking him for the remitting of him to them so that on no side thanks for him were
all his life-long very apprehensive and sensible of the weightinesse of the Ministers Calling saying That no man should dream of ease in that Function and would often much bewail before the Lord in Prayer his own inconsiderate entrance upon it A Friend being weary of teaching School and acquainting him with his purpose to enter into the Ministry Master Ball told him That he would find it a far heavier task to teach men then boys And a Fellow-Minister telling him of his danger to be silenced by the Bishop he returned this answer him· Having experimentally poysed the weight of the Ministers work he would say unto his Non-conforming Brethren when Prelatical persecution threatned to drive him out of England If we be necessitated to transplant our selves you shall preach and I will teach School And alwaies when other Ministers were in company he would endeavour earnestly to put them upon the performance of family-Family-duties as judging them to be better able then himself Such who knew this mans learning of all kinds and rich ministerial gifts will admire upon the consideration of these passages at the forwardnesse of illiterate Mecanicks in these times to intrude upon the Ministers Office And whereas the blessed Apostle himself cryed out Who is sufficient for these things we may do more then guesse what spirit animateth those men whose practises speak thus Who is insufficient for these things He did lay to heart the want of labourious learning amongst godly Ministers because so many neglected to acquaint themselves throughly with the controversies of the times and he thought that positive Divinity might be best gained by the study of controversie when the main Principles were first well drunk in He would say that a subtill Jesuite would make wilde work in many places of England because neither the people nor their Ministers had sufficient insight into the points of difference betwixt us and the Papists Now what other errors no whit lesse dangerous have for the same reasons been entertained of late years as he foresaw and feared it is too notorious Although he himself was much pleased with sober profitable disputations yet he would shrink with trouble upon the appearance of their audacity who dared to question Fundamentals in Religion or to speak slightly of the matters of God Once observing a man in the heat of conference carried beyond the bounds of modest inquiry after the truth he used these words with holy admiration And whither will the love of arguing carry a man He compared many Professors of late times unto young Travellors who so soon as they are mounted begin to gallop and do out-ride their fellows but they either fall short or come late if not lame home And he called the waies of separation a Labyrinth wherein men tire themselves and grow giddy as in a maze but when all is done there is no way out but that whereby they entred He made it his businesse to raise and maintain high and honourable thoughts of God at all times as himself would alwaies speak of the titles of the Almighty with much gravity and reverence endeavouring to draw forth holy thankfulnesse in all conditions of life Here two or three things shall be touched upon to give a tast of this good mans gracious spirit He with a Neighbour Minister having occasion to meet at a place where they had only bread and cheese to their dinner the Master of the house expressing trouble that he had no better provision for so good unexpected guests Hereupon he said that it would cost a man many years labour to be truly and througly thankfull unto God for one piece of bread and cheese proceeding to discover most divinely the many mercies which were to be acknowledged in that meal and meeting And whereas at that time Rochal was besieged and the inhabitants were in great distresse through want of food he moved a serious consideration how much bread and cheese with peace and fellowship would be valued at Rochel yea he seriously made his demand whether their obligations at the present place and meeting were not much greater because they in their instant enjoyments had not experienced Rochels fears and sorrows At another time a dear Friend relating his great danger by a fall off his horse in a journey and saying that he never had received such a deliverance Master Ball answered Yea an hundred times viz. so often as you have ridden and not fallen because the preventing of perils is to be prized as much as our rescuing out of them At a Marriage-feast where Christian Friends were civilly rejoycing in the good occasion of their meeting the many good blessings provided for their comfort and in their mutual society this speech came from him with much gravity One thought of Jesus Christ reaching the heart is more to be valued then all Creature-contentments whatsoever though they should be enjoyed in their fulnesse for a thausand years without interruption That he might keep Gods servants of the lowest parts alwaies high in his own estimation he would wisely weigh their peculiar serviceablenesse in some kind or other though they were inferiours in sundry excellencies Hereupon when one admiring worthy Master Dods holy conversation said Oh how well would it be if all Ministers were like unto him Master Ball answered The Church would be quite undone if all others were like him For though no man more honoured Master Dod which not many years before his death he witnessed by listening unto his fatherly counsell bare-headed with his hat in his hand yet he knew that other men much inferiour in graces had some special way of advantage to the cause and the people of God He was a zealous opposite to passionate frowardnesse observing the lamentable fruits thereof in many persons and relations and he had an extraordinary dexterity to calm them who were boisterous He would thus advise them Put judgment into Office for Affections are good followers but bad guides Look well to your hearts for Passion is the effect of pride And he would say unto them You had need to get a strong bit and bridle for you ride an unruly horse Observing one bitterly to bewail the death of a dear Friend he said Rather labour to get good by it He was wont to humble passionate Professors who in their heat would speak unadvisedly by this position which he would undertake to prove viz. That a moral heathen who never heard of Christ might possiby by watchfulnesse secure himsel from uttering one froward word all his life long And therefore it was a great shame for Christians to be worse who had more grace and greater helps to suppresse sinne This was one parcell of good counsell which he commonly bestowed in all cases Inform judgment Set Faith on work Be of good courage As he used to be large in his Prayers in behalf of the Church of God according to the peculiar concernments thereof both at
of Scripture a clear judgment and strength of reason as well in the accurate stating of questions for debate as in confirming the truth and dissolving objections against it in all a great measure of Zeal Piety and Prudence All which procured him much reverence and esteem from the rest of his Brethren who judged his presence and assistance a very great help and advantage in that difficult work and bewailed his death as an unspeakable losse His judgment was known to be for the Presbyterian Government the principles whereof he did throughly understand and was well able to defend and was a very great Instrument for the promoting of it Yet in two things he was at first much unsatisfied but by the debates of the Assembly did professe himself to receive satisfaction in both One was concerning the Divine-Right of Ruling Elders wherein he afterwards professed himself to be fully convinced principally by the Authority of those two places 1 Cor. 12.28 where Government is attributed to a distinct rank of Officers inferiour to Teachers and 1 Tim. 5.17 which implyeth that there are other Elders which rule well beside those that labour in the Word and Doctrine The other was whether there ought not to be continued in the Church an Office superiour to that of Presbyters For although he did not approve of the Hierarchical Government as it was of late established and practised amongst us yet since it is confessed that Timothy and Titus as Evangelists did exercise an authority superiour to that of ordinary Presbyters the object of which authority seemed to be of perpetual continuance in the Church it seemed probable to him that the Office also of an Evangelist was no extraordinary Office but ought to be continued in the Church But hereunto he received satisfaction principally from hence that in case the Holy Ghost had intended the continuance of that Office he would withall have described the work and qualification of persons fit for it and taken some course for continuing the succession thereof as is done in that of Elders and Deacons But this being wholly omitted there being no more extant in that kind then concerning the Apostolical Office the power of working miracles c. We are rather to esteem that Office as well as these to be extraordinary and but of a temporary continuance expiring with the persons Being thus called to attend the Assembly at Westminster he was forced to intermit his ordinary residence at Ashwel being able only to exercise such a care of them as might be performed at a distance and by making occasionall journeys thither as he could obtain opportunities so to do But the ordinary exercise of the ministerial work there together with the profits of the place he put over to a godly and able Divine to be performed in his absence reserving notwithstanding his title to the place not knowing how soon God might afford him opportunity of returning to them again But unwilling to intermit the exercise of his ministerial function he did at first preach occasionally as he was requested in divers Churches in and about London resolving notwithstanding within himself to accept of the first invitation for the constant exercise thereof And accordingly being soon after requested by the Inhabitants of Dukes-place in London who were then destitute of a Minister to preach amongst them he did notwithstanding their inability to raise any considerable maintenance which might invite him willingly accept of that employment This work he performed amongst them with much faithfulnesse and diligence as well by publique reading praying and preaching amongst them twice every Lords day and at other times as there was occasion as also by administring the Sacraments publique catechizing and exposition of such portions of Scripture as were read amongst them And likewise as his custom had been elsewhere by more private acquaintance and converse with them in their Families whereby he might be the better able to afford personall directions and other Ministeriall helps to them as their severall conditions might require All which was performed with so much Meeknesse Wisdom and Piety and accompanied with such a blessing from God as that it made a very great impression on them for their good and was entertained by them with much approbation and affection they being ambitious who should enjoy most of his heavenly Communion and Converse with him Hereby in a short time he did much good informing such as were weak in knowledge setling and confirming such as were wavering in judgement and stirring up in all both by his heavenly conversation and Christian counsell a greater zeal and affection to the power of Godlinesse By reason of all which during the time of his abode amongst them they were much preserved both from errours and divisions whereunto the great unsetlednesse of the times did much expose them Afterwards when the new Church at Westminster was perfected and made fit for use the Inhabitants there and others concerned therein did sollicite him to undergo the charge of that great people with profer of far larger maintenance then he received or could expect from those of Dukes-place where the inhabitants were neither many nor of great estates But this consideration did not at all prevail with him who regarded the work more then the wages For although he doubted not but that both Religion and Reason did require a comfortable and honourable Maintenance for those that laboured in the work of the Ministry yet for his own part he was willing to deny himself in that particular if so doing might ought advance the service of God And so much the rather because being a Batchelour and intending so to continue nor at all addicted to pompous vanities or excesse either in diet or apparell in both of which he was exceedingly moderate he had the lesse need of being sollicitous in getting riches being indeed much more sollicitous how like a faithfull Steward to dispose and order what he had as might be most for Gods honour and service then how to encrease it Yet his removall being much pressed upon grounds of another nature he did at length with the approbation of those concerned on both parts refer the whole businesse to be considered and concluded by divers of the most eminent of his Reverend and godly Brethren of the Assemby whom he did frequently desire that they would wholly lay aside the consideration of maintenance and deliver their judgements what in other considerations they judged to be most agreeable to Gods will and his duty Hereupon they to whom the matter was referred meeting severall times about it and hearing at large what could on either side be alledged either for his stay or removall after mature deliberation had and seeking of Gods direction agreed in this opinion That setting aside the consideration of maintenance yet in regard of the eminency of the place the greatnesse of the Auditory the many persons of quality residing there and the great
of all your sins by the shedding of his blood for you Yea said she I do believing that he is my only Saviour and Mediatour and I look for salvation from none other knowing that he hath abundantly satisfied for the sins of all his people and therefore I am assured that God for his sake according to his gracious promise in him will have mercy upon me During all the time of her sicknesse she ceased not to continue in such fruitfull and comfortable communications sometimes intermixing them with most affectionate sighs to God as a testimony of that hope and desire she had of enjoying his presence often uttering these words O my God in thy good time deliver me from this body of death and from the miseries of this present life that I may no more offend thee and that I may attain to the felicity which thou in thy Word hast promised to bestow upon me Neither did she manifest her pious affection by words only but by her constant and cheerfull countenance so farre forth as the vehemency of her disease would suffer thereby giving a clear testimony to all that beheld her that the fear of death could not drive her from the stedfastnesse of her Faith The Minister also went often to prayer with her the usual tenor whereof was this which follows O Lord our God We confesse here before thy Divine Majesty that we are altogether unworthy of thine infinite mercies by reason of our manifold iniquities and that we are so farre from deserving to be heard of thee in our requests that we are rather worthy that thou shouldst reject both our persons and our prayers But seeing it hath pleased thee to make us a gracious promise of hearing and granting our requests we humbly beseech thee freely to forgive all our offences and to cover them under the obedience and righteousness of thy dear Son that through him our selves and our services may be well pleasing unto thee For Lord we acknowledge that all our afflictions are measured out to us by thine hand who art a most just Judge in regard that we have every way provoked thee to wrath by our infinite sinnings against thee yea by our rebellions which now testifie against us For alas Lord our life hath been no way answerable to that perfect obedience which thou by thy holy Law dost justly require at our hands which we from day to day do transgress and therefore do here cast down our selves at this time before thy glorious presence unfeignedly acknowledging our misery and wretchedness from the very bottom of our hearts Yet Lord mercy is with thee and because thou art our Father therefore thou desirest not the death of sinners but rather that they should convert and live For this cause we now fall down before the throne of thy grace with confidence of obtaining thy wonted mercy which thou hast promised to such as call upon thee in truth beseeching thee who art the Father of mercies to have compassion on all such as thou hast humbled under thy mighty hand but more especially on this thy Servant the Queen who lieth here before thee sick of a dangerous disease that as thou hast righteously afflicted her for her sinnes which she also doth with us acknowledge so it would please thee in pardoning them all to her for thy beloved Sons sake to grant that she may profit by this thy correcting hand for the time to come Above all O Lord give her a sweet sense yea full assurance of thy eternal joys that so she may with the greater patience take down this bitter potion ministred unto her from thy hand and that the sole desire of enjoying thy presence may cause her to forget all worldly greatness and magnificence knowing that they are nothing in respect of the glory which is now set before her Endue her also with meekness of minde to bear the tediousnesse of her affliction for though the spirit be willing yet the flesh is weak yea full of resisting and unbelief that so receiving all things from thee as from a Father she may the more willingly submit her will to thine And because O good God thou hast made her hitherto an happy Instrument for the advancement of thy glory and defence of thy poor afflicted people we pray thee if it may stand with thy good pleasure restore her to health again that so the excellent work that thou hast by her means begun may not be left unperfected but by vertue of this her deliverance she may with renewed strength undertake the same in better sort then ever heretofore especially for the well educating and training up the Children that thou hast given her But Lord if thou hast a purpose now to call her home to thy self who are we that we should contradict thy holy will Only we pray thee that thou wouldst confirm her more and more in the knowledge of thy blessed Gospel and thereby also in the certainty of her salvation which thou hast given her by Faith in thy Son Jesus Christ that thus she may not cease to sanctifie and call upon thy holy Name to her last breath And as touching our selves who are here by thy good providence gathered together about her being in bodily health give us to know the uncertainty and brevity of our life that so according to our duty we may behold the same in this mirror that thou hast set before us as knowing that even the greatest in the world are subject to the same calamities as well as the small that so our chief care may be to employ the remainder of our time to thine honour and service All which we crave of thee in the Name of Jesus Christ thy Son our only Mediatour and Advocate Amen During the time of prayer she ceased not with hands and eyes lift up to Heaven to fetch many deep sighs especially when mention was made of the mercy of God in Christ which he extendeth to poor sinners so that all present might evidently see that her heart and affections were joyned to the Prayer that was made by and for her And whilst she thus lay she still continued in her holy desires to depart hence that she might be with Christ taking great delight in the holy and Christian exhortations which were made to her by many godly and learned men who came to visit her to whom also she manifested no small testimonies of that faith and hope which she had in God touching the salvation of her soul by her holy and savory speeches which for brevity sake are omitted Yea although the Lord exercised her much with the sense of her inward disease yet could you not at any time discern any speech favouring of discontentment or impatience to proceed out of her mouth nay scarcely so much as a groan But if at any time she found any refreshings from the violence of her disease there being no malady so vehement which hath not some intermissions and breathing times