up desired to be spared and besought her Highnesse to make choice of Sir Christopher Hatton who shortly after was made Lord Chancellour in the Archbishops house at Croydon thereby the rather to grace the Arch-bishop His advancement did much strengthen the Arch-bishop and his friends and withall the Earl of Leicester and his designments came soon after to an end 21. An. 1588. Upon the death of the Farl of Leicester the Chancellorship of Oxford being void divers of the Heads and others of the University made known unto the Arch-bishop their desire to chufe him their Chancellour although he was a Cambridge man To whom he returned this Answer That he was already their friend whereof they might rest assured and therefore advised them to make choice of some other in near place about the Queen that might assist him on their behalf and both at the Council-board and other places of Justice right them many waies both for the benefit of their Vniversity and of their Colledges And therewithall recommended unto them Sir Christopher Hatton being sometime of that University Whom accordingly they did chuse for their Chancellour and whom the Arch-bishop ever found a great Assistant in bridling and reforming the imtemperate humour of those Novelists who by the Countenance of some great personages were now grown to a strong head 22. It was in their Assemblies Classical and Synodical concluded that the Discipline should within a time limited be put in practice and erected all in one day by the Ministers together with the people whom those Disciplinarians bragged â—o be already enflamed with zeal to lend so many thousand hands for the advancement of their Cause In their publick Sermons and Exhorcations as in their private Conventicles they did alienate the hearts of their Auditors from all obedience of the Ecclesiastical Magistrates As namely Mr. Cartwright who also in his prayer before his Sermons used thus to say Because they meaning the Bishops which ought to be pillars in the Church do band themselves against Christ and his truth therefore O Lord give us grace and power all as one man to set our selves against them Which words by way of Emphasts he would often repeat And doth not â—dall threaren that the Presbytery shall prevail and come in by that way and means as shall make all their hearts to ake that shall withstand or hinder the same 23. Great was the temper and moderation of the good Arch-bishop in handling these bâ—sinesâ—es In his time Brown was changed from his fansies and afterwards obtained a Benefice called Achurch in North-Hamptonshire where he became a painfull Preacher He did not though he might have blemished with her Majesty the reputations of some in great place for favouring the Libellers and Libels which had stowage and vent in their Chambers He procured at her Majesties hands both pardon and dismission for Mr. Cartwright and the rest out of their troubles For which Mr. Cartwright held himself much obliged and in his letters acknowledgeth his bond of most humble duty so much the straiter because his Graces favour proceeded from a frank disposition without any desert of his own 24. The Arch-bishop hath been heard to say That if Mr. Cartwright had not so far engaged himself as he did in the beginning he thought verily he would in his later time have been drawn to Comformity For when he was freed from his troubles he often repaired to the Arch-bishop who used him kindly and was contented to tolerate his preaching in Warwick divers years upon his promise that he would not impugn the laws orders and government in this Church of England but perswade and procure so much as he could both publickly and privately the estimation and peace of the same Which albeit he accordingly performed yet when her Majesty understood by others that Mr. Cartwright did preach again though temperately according to his promise made to the Arch-bishop She would by no means endure his preaching any longer without subscription and grew not a little offended with the Arch-bishop for such conniving at him Not long after Mr. Cartwright dyed rich as it was said by the benevolence and bounty of his followers 25. An. 1592. After the death of Sir Christopher Hâ—tton Sir John Puckering was made Lord Keeper who shewed himself a friend to the Church to the Arch-bishop and his proceedings and acknowledged him a furtherer of his Advancement Sir Thomas Egerton Master of the Rolles succeeded him 6. May. 1596. a lover of learning and a most constant favourer of the Clergy and Church-government established as also a faithfull loving friend to the Arch-bishop in all his affairs In so much as after his advancement to that honour and that the Earl of Essex and the Arch-bishop concurred together being also further strengthned by the friendship and love of Sir Robert Cecil Principal Secretary he began to be fully revived again And her Majesty finding in him a zealous care and faithfull performance of his duty laid the burthen of the Church upon his shoulders telling him That if any thing went amiss be it upon his soul and conscience to answer it for she had rid her hands and looked that he should yeeld an account on her behalf to Almighty God 26. And now though the Arch-bishop was in this singular favour and grace with his Majesty so that he did all in all for the managing of Clergy-affairs and disposing of Bishopricks and other Ecclesiastical promotions yet was he never puffed up with pride nor did any thing violently against any man For he ever observed this rule That he would not wound where he could not salve So that it was truly noted by the Earl of Salisbury a great Counsellour in the Star-chamber when Pickering was there censured for libelling against him after his death That there was nothing more to be feared in his Government especially toward his later time then his mildnesse and clemency And some younger spirits were of opinion that he was much to blame in that kind and sometimes would be bold to tell him That he knew not his own strength with her Majesty 27. As you may perceive his clemency towards the irregular sort so towards the conformable he was carried with an exceeding tender respect and kindnesse He loved a learned Minister vertuous and honest with all his heart framing himself unto that rule of Aristotle which directeth a good Magistrate to be as carefull in encouraging good men according to their merits as in punishing the bad according to the quality of their offenses If he found a Scholar of extraordinary gifts or hopes that out of wants grew discontented and enclined to Popery or Puritanism as most of their discontentments and way-wardnesse proceedeth thence him would he gain both with supplies of mony out of his purse and preferments of his own gift or otherwise as opportunity served 28. Neither was his Bounty wanting to men of learning and quality of forrein Countries Sundry times sent he mony to Mr. Beza
Robert Earl of Leicester and Pastor of S. Edmunds in Lumbardstreet London In that parsonage-house by his Wife Margarit being of an honest Family of the Pigots in Hertfordshire among other children he had this Son Thomas born Septem 4. 1574. 3. In his childhood he was so addicted to learning that he needed a bridle rather than a spur This love of learning joyned with an admirable capacity a nimble wit and vast memorie adorned with sober manners advanced him from the Grammar School to the Vniversitie where he was by his father placed in St John's Colledge in Cambridge in the 15 year of his Age 1590. 4. Here not from mere favour but from merit upon proof of his learning he was chosen Scholar of that worthy Society wherein he continued his studies with unwearyed diligence and happy successe till with abilities answerable to his Degree he commenced Master of Arts. 5. Take for an instance of his Industry this That he was a constant Auditor of that eminent light of learning Mr Jo. Boys who read a Greek Lecture in his bed to certain young students that preferred antelucana studia before their rest and ease The Notes whereof he kept as a Treasure and being visited by Mr Boys many years after he produced them to the no small joy of the good old man who professed himself made some years yonger by that entertainment 6. Such esteem he was of in the University that he was chosen to be Fellow ef Sidney Colledge while it was in building Mean while he retired to a Gentlemans house in Essex where he expounded some part of Scripture every morning At which exercise Dr Stern suffragan of Colchester at a time happening to be present and approving his endowments exhorted Mr Gataker to take holy Orders But he well weighed the burden of that Calling and modestly judging of his own Abilities deferred the matter till by the advice of Mr Alvey formerly his Tutor and by a second instance of the Doctor he assented to be Ordained by the said Suffragan 7. Sidney Coll being finished he betook himself to his station there and was happy in seasoning Young Students with principles of piety and learning He was also a partner to some other charitable Divines in a pious Design of preaching in places adjacent to the University where need was And for half a year he preached at Everton every Lords day 8. After this he removed from Cambridge to Sr William Cooks Family then resident in London where he made a more publick discovery of his Ministerial gifts and was invited to the Lecturers place in Lincolns Inne But he according to his usual Modesty declin'd it till Dr Mountague Mr of Sidney Coll. then in London with an intention to cal Mr Gataker back to the College to read the Hebrew Lecture laying that aside encouraged him against his own diffidence and with his Authority and Arguments wrought him at last to an Assent 9. At Lincolns Inne he spent ten years to the advancement of piety and in the Vacations resided and preached in the Family of Sir William Cook to whose Lady he was neer in blood and so dear to both that in consideration of his pains freely taken they setled upon Mr Gataker an Annuity of twenty pounds This he enjoyed some few years but after for some reasons generously remitted unto the Heir of that Family forbearing to use the right he had and forbidding his Executour to claim any Arrears of that Annuity 10. An. 1611. being called to the Rectory of Redrith in Surrey commending his former charge to the Grace of God he betook himself to the sole attendance on that Flock of which God had now made him Overseer His Industrie in discharge thereof was constant and great notwithstanding an almost perpetual head-ach wherewith God had exercised him from his very youth To the work of his preaching on the Lords day he added a weekly Catechetical Lecture on Friday in the Evening which he continued accurately and methodically till he had gone through the whole bodie of Divinitie and gave it over when he observed his parishoners grown to a neglect his of free labours in thatkind Solent ultroneae putere merces Hieron 11. An. 1620. Having a justifiable curiosity to see our neighbour Church in the Vnited Provinces and something of the other Provinces in Belgium he took the advantage of the Truce then between the Spaniard and the Hollander for a free passage between both Countries In this travel he shewed himself a good preacher to the English Church at Middleburgh and a good Disputant to the English Papists in Flanders God prospered his journey and within a month having viewed the most considerable places in the Low Countries he returned safe 12. An. 1643. Being scarce recover'd from a violent fit of the Collick he was called into the Assembly of Divines where his modest and peaceable behaviour was remarkable During his attendance there the Mastership of Trinitie Col. in Cambridge the greatest preferment in that University was offerd him But this good man though often importuned by many friends to accept of the motion according to his accustomed Modesty refused to undertake that place of much honour and advantage pleading together with his unworthinesse his old age and weaknesse of body 13. His Gifts of edification may be seen in his Works extant viz. Of the Nature and Use of Lots A volum of Sermons in fol. De Novi Test stylo Dissertatio Comment in M. Anton. Imp. and many more His Polite literature was much esteemed by learned men abroad Salmasius and others with whom he held correspondence And the exercise of it with condescention to children hath been admired at Tunbridge School in the Visitation of it He had a felicity to make his human literature as it ought to be subservient to Religion 14. His graces of Sanctification were also very eminent His pietie in the care of Gods ordidinances and love to Gods House His Charitie in his tender sense of the Churches Afflictions and abridging himself of his liberty in some lawful things to please the weak His Humilitie in a low esteem of his Abilities and declining of dignities and preferments His Meeknesse in conversing with the meanest and descending to them in the way of Counsel and satisfaction of their doubts His patience in bearing the afflictions on his body and his Faith in commending his soul into the hands of God Satur Vitae tanquam conviva recessit An. D. 1654. aet 80. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He is gone Learnd in all here where more is to be known DR. HENRY HAMMOND From an Original Picture in the Hall of Magdalene College Oxford Pub. 1 Nov. 1796. by E S Harding Pall Mall IX Dr. H. HAMMOND Out of his life written by Dr. John Fell Dean of Ch. Ch. HE was born in Surrey 18. Aug. 1605. the youngest son of Doctor John Hammond Physician to Prince Henry and from him had the honour at the font to receive his
Christian name Being yet in his long coats he was sent to Eton School and at thirteen years old to Magd. Coll. in Oxford Being to proceed Master of Arts he was made Reader of the natural Philosophy Lecture there An. 1629 â—eing twenty four years of age he entred into holy orders An. 1633 having preached at Court for Dr. Frewen he was preferred by the Earl of Leicester to the Rectory of Pensehurst * 1. In the discharge of his Ministerial function at Pensehurst he satisfyed not himself in diligent and constant preaching only a performance wherein some of late have phansied all Religion to consist but much more conceived himself obliged to the offering up the solemn dayly Sacrifice of Prayer for his people administring the Sacraments relieving the poor keeping Hospitality reconciling of Differences amongst Neighbours visiting the sick catechising of the Youth 2. As to the first of these his Preaching 't was not at the rate of the Times an unpremeditated undigested effusion of shallow and crude conceptions but a rational and just discourse that was to teach the Priest as well as the Lay-hearer His Method was which likewise he recommended to his Friends after every Sermon to resolve upon the ensuing Subject that being done to pursue the course of study which he was then in hand with reserving the close of the week for the provision for the next Lords-day Whereby not only a constant progresse was made in Science but materials unawares were gaind unto the immediate future work for he said be the Subject treated of never so distant somewhat will infallibly fall in conducible unto the present purpose 3. The offices of Prayer he had in his Church not only upon the Sundays or Festivals and their Eves as also Wednesdayes and Fridayes according to the appointment of the Rubrick which strict duty and ministration when 't is examined to the bottome will prove the greatest objection against the Liturgy but every day in the week and twice on Saturdays and Holy-day Eves For his assistance wherein he kept a Curate and allow'd him a comfortable Salary And at those Devotions he took order that his Family should give diligent and exemplary attendance which was the easilier perform'd it being guided by his Mother a woman of antient virtue and one to whom he paid a more then filial obedience 4. As to the Administration of the Sacrament he reduced it to an Imitation though a distant one of Primitive frequency to once a month and therewith it s anciently inseparable Appendant the Offertory wherein his Instruction and happily insinuating Example so far prevail'd that there was thenceforth little need of ever making any taxe for the poor Nay if the report of a sober person born and bred up in that Parish be to be believ'd in short time a stock was rais'd to be alwayes ready for the apprentising of young Children whose Parents condition made the provision for them an equal Charity to both the Child and Parent And after this there yet remain'd a superplusage for the assistance of the neighbour Parishes 5. For the Relief of the poor besides the foremention'd expedient wherein others were sharers with him unto his private Charity the dedicating the Tenth of all Receits and the daily Almes given at the door he constantly set apart over and above every week a certain rate in mony Yet farther an other Art of Charity he had the selling Corn to his poor Neighbours at a rate below the Market-price which though as he said he had reason to do gaining thereby the charge of portage was a great benefit to them who besides the abatement of price and possibly forbearance saved thereby a days work 6. He that was thus liberal to the necessitous poor was no lesse hospitable to those of better quality and as at other times he frequently invited his Neighbours to his Table so more especially on Sundayes which seldome past at any time without bringing some of them his guests but here beyond the weekly treatments the Christmas Festival had a peculiar allowance to support it He knew well how much the Application at the Table inforc'd the Doctrines of the Pulpit and how subservient the endearing of his Person was to the recommending his instructions how far upon these motives our Saviour thought fit to eat with Publicans and Sinners and how effectual the loaves were to the procuring of Disciples 7. As by publick admonition he most diligently instill'd that great fundamental doctrin of Peace and Love so did he likewise in his private addresse and conversation being never at peace in himself till he had procur'd it among his Neighbours wherein God so blest him that he not only attain'd his purpose of uniting distant parties unto each other but contrary to the usual fate of reconcilers gain'd them to himself there having been no person of his function any where better beloved then he when present or lamented more when absent by his flock Of which tender and very filial Affection in stead of more we may take two instances the one that he being driven away and his books plunder'd one of his Neighbours bought them in his behalf and preserved them till the end of the War the other that during his abode at Pensehurst he never had any vexatious Law-dispute about his dues but had his Tithes fully paid and not of the most refuse parts but generally the very best 8. Though he judged the time of sicknesse an improper season for the great work of Repentance yet he esteemed it a most usefull Preparative the voice of God himself exhorting to it and therefore not only when desir'd made his Visits to all such as stood in need of those his charities but prevented their requests by early and frequent coming to them And this he was so carefull of that after his remove from Pensehurst being at Oxford and hearing of the Sicknesse of one of his Parishioners he from thence sent to him those Instructions which he judged usefull in that Exigent and which he could not give at nearer distance 9. For the Institution of Youth in the Rudiments of piety his Custome was during the warmer season of the year to spend an hour before Evening prayer in Catechising whereat the Parents and older sort were wont to be present and from whence as he with comfort was used to say they reaped more benefit then from his Sâ—rmons Where it may not be superfluous to observe that he introduced no new form of Catechism but adher d to that of the Church rendring it fully intelligible to the meanest capacities by his Explanations It may be usefull withall to advert that if in those times Catechetical Institution were very seasonable 't will now be much more when Principles have been exchang'd for dreams of words and notions Besides all this that there might be no imaginable assistance wanting he took care for the providing an able School-master in the Parish which he continued during the whole time of his