against them and wherein his apprehensions were different from his Brethren he did wisely forbear to vent them in such sort as might occasion any division or offence Oh how well had it been with England if all other men had managed their studies and practices according to this pattern for then so many sparks cried up as new lights had not been kindled amongst us which being blown abroad by pride and ignorance do threaten to set the whole world on fire But to proceed in the Narrative of this worthy mans life He was so enriched with knowledge both in Practical and Polemical Divinity he was so able to interpret and reconcile difficult Scriptures he had such dexterity in dealing with afflicted consciences and he was so well furnished with Ministerial gifts for Preaching Prayer and the administration of both Sacraments that it was not easie to discover wherein he most excelled His ability to counsell and comfort dejected tempted Christians was occasioned as himself would acknowledge by his conversing with Mistresse Sarah Mainwyaring Wife to the Gentleman in whose house he continued many years as was before mentioned who was much exercised in that kind and was an unparallel'd Gentlewoman for holy tendernesse and exactnesse in Religion Willing he was to trade every Talent with which God had trusted him as opportunity was offered and he was a man most unwearied in all waies of service As he took extraordinary pains in publique so did he also in private especially on the Lords day For having by way of Preparation upon the Saturday in the afternoon spent about two houres in his house in praying and expounding some Scripture to which exercise divers did resort on the Sabbath-morning he expounded a portion of Scripture in his Family whereof many neighbours were partakers then he preached twice in publique read divers Chapters and Catechized also in the afternoon spending much time therein especially in the summer season after the evening Sermon he went unto Master Mainwayrings house being near at hand where he repeated both his Sermons and prayed likewise after Supper he had another exercise in his own Family equivalent to a Sermon unto which divers well-affected of the neighbour-hood did repair These his great labours were the more wonderfull in that they were so excellent and solid as many Ministers and Scholars yet living know who did often frequent them He taught a School also both from a desire to do good and that he might provide the more comfortable subsistance for his Family having not only the children of poor neighbours for he refused none who were willing to learn but of persons of better quality sent unto him some whereof were tabled in his own house and the rest placed in the neighbourhood Every morning of the six daies in the week he instructed his own Children and Scholars in the Principles of Religion whereby many young ones of whom some are now Ministers were well seasoned and setled in the grounds of godlinesse Every night likewise he opened and applyed some portion of the Scripture for the edification of his Family And besides his frequent preaching at Lectures at Madeley especially where he was the principal upholder of a weekly Sermon and a monethly Fast and his helpfulnesse in holy Fasting and Prayer elsewhere when desired it was his custom to set apart daies when freed from attendance upon his School for the solemn seeking of God with his godly neighbours as the necessities of the times did require He was most ready to communicate his learning graces experiences yea his All for the profit of such who conversed with him the remembrance whereof is very smarting upon the hearts of some of his surviving friends because they made not a fuller improvement of him for their own advantage In the latter part of his time he had some scholars whom he instructed in Academical Learning reading Lectures to them in Logick and Philosophy and hearing them to dispute which often they did during his dinner-time And while he was at supper other scholars read a piece of Greek or Latine so exceeding diligent was he in Husbanding the shreds of time as he called them the residue of the day till very late he spent in his private study And as he was incomparably abstemious and moderate in the use of meat drink sleep and apparel so he had an admirable command over his passions For those who most conversed with him never saw inordinate out-breaches of anger or other affections in his conversation This Character was given by a Friend who was much with him viz. That as Master Dod did turn earth into heaven by a spiritual improvement of all earthly affairs so Master Ball did reconcile earth and heaven because worldly occasions were no distractions unto him in his journey thither He lived upon a small maintenance viz. twenty pounds per annum for serving the cure at Whitmore and the keeping of one Cow both summer and winter by Master Mainwayring aforesaid with what he got by teaching School Yet he would often say that he thought never man passed through this world with lesse care God indeed stirred up some Friends who knew his great worth and mean outward condition to be helpfull unto him towards whom he was alwaies really respectfull requiting their love by his daily Prayers and his readinesse upon all occasions to do service unto them and theirs Through Gods singular blessing upon his yearly incomes he lived very comfortably was given to hospitality and also unto liberality to the poor considering his estate and left a good competency unto his Wife and Children Yea such was this holy mans gratitude and contentment that he would say I have enough and enough and enough Whereas he went once every year into Oxfordshire to expresse his dutifull respect unto his aged Parents he made choice of that time for his journey that he might enjoy the Benefit of Oxford-Act And as his love to learned disputations was large so by strength of memory he could give a punctuall account of all the most considerable Arguments urged and Answers returned upon the severall Questions discussed And still this Journey was made profitable unto his Christian Friends near to whose dwellings he travelled by conference his assistance in private Fasts and other exercises of Religion It would be too tedious and tiring unto the Reader if relation should be made of all those memorable passages in this Reverend mans life which his friends surviving do well remember which did proclaim the high degree of holinesse with which God adorned and crowned all his other great abilities therefore some few of them only shall be reported His constant carriage towards all who conversed with him did speak out his deep humility For alwaies he was apt to prefer others before himself and he was never observed by any reproachfull speeches or behaviour to cast the least contempt or discouragement upon the meanest Christian. He was
explain himself more fully to them which afterwards he did accordingly And so after long communication and great promises of favour the King gently dismissed him with these words Let every man have his Doctor as himself best liketh this shall be my Doctor His adversaries seeing and hearing this dust never after that time molest him any further He did many excellent works of Piety and Charity and amongst the rest he erected that famous foundation of Pauls School London where one hundred fifty three poor mens sons should be taught freely and for this end he built a very convenient dwelling house for the Schoolmaster He assigned also a large annual stipend both for the Head-Master and Usher whom he willed rather to be chosen out of the number of married men then of single Priests with their suspected chastity He left sundry rents and houses for the payment of those stipends which he committed to the oversight of the Worshipfull company of Mercers in London He caused to be ingraven upon the School in Latine Schola Catechisationis puerorum in Christi Opt. Max. fide bonis literis Anno Christi M.D.X. The first Moderator of this School was Mr William Lilly a man no lesse eminent for his Learning then Dr Collet was for this Foundation he made the Latine Grammer which ever since by authority hath been used in all Schools Dr Collet was very expert in the Scriptures especially in Pauls Epistles which he hath illustrated by his Commentaries He held Justification freely by the merits of Christs and not by our own works He was an enemy to the idle and unchast life of the Popish Clergy He abhorred those that persecuted the Professors of the truth He died Anno Christi 1519. and was buried in Pauls Church upon whose Tomb Mr Lilly engraved this Motto Disce mori mundo vivere disce Deo The Life of Miles Coverdale sometimes Bishop of Exester who died Anno Christi 1568. MIles Coverdale was born in the North of England and from his childhood was much given to learning and by his diligence and industry profited exceedingly therein so that in the reign of King Henry the eighth he was one of the first that professed the Gospel in England He was very well skilled in the Hebrew and translated the Bible into English and wrote sundry Books upon the Scriptures which Doctrine being new and strange in those daies he was much hated and persecuted for it especially by the Bishops whereupon he was forced to fly into the Low-Countries There he printed the Bibles of his Translation and by sending them over and selling them in England he maintained himself But John Stokesly Bishop of London hearing thereof and minding to prevent their dispersing in England enquired diligently where they were to be sold and bought them all up supposing that by this means no Bibles would be had but contrary to his expectation it fell out otherwise for the same money which the Bishop gave for these Books the Merchant sent over to Miles Coverdale by which means he was enabled to Print as many more which he also sent into England This caused the Bishops to pursue him with such eagerness that he was forced to remove himself out of Flanders into Germany and to settle himself under the Palsgrave of the Rheine where he found much favour At first he taught children for his subsistence but having learned the Dutch language the Prince Elector Palatine gave him a Benefice at a place called Burghsaber where he did much good by his Ministry and holy life maintaining himself partly by his Living and partly by the liberality of Thomas Lord Cromwell who was his good Lord and relieved him very much At length when by the happy coming in of King Edward the sixth Religion was altered in England and the Gospel had a free passage he returned into his native Countrey where he did very much good by Preaching At the time of the commotion in Devonshire for Religion he was appointed to go down as Chaplain with the Lord Russell who was sent to suppresse the same and after the work was over for his excellent learning and godly life he was made Bishop of Exester being consecrated thereunto at Lambeth by Tho. Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury Anno Christi 1550. He most worthily performed that Office that was committed to him He preached constantly every Sabbath and Holy day and most commonly twice in the week he read a Divinity Lecture in one Church or other within the City of Exester Considering his Means he was a great lover of Hospitality and kept a very good house He was sober and temperate in his diet holy and blamelesse in his life friendly to the godly liberall to the poor courteous to all men void of pride full of humility abhorring covetousnesse and an enemy to all wickednesse and wicked men whose society he shunned and whom he would in no wise intertain or keep in his house or company His Wife was a most sober chast and godly Matron His houshold another Church in which was exercised all godlinesse and Vertue He suffered no one person to abide in his house who could not give an account of his faith and Religion and who lived not accordingly And as he was very carefull to promote Religion in his Diocess so was he as ready to give direction for good Government in all Ecclesiasticall affairs And because himself was not skillfull therein neither would be hindred from his godly studies nor encumbred with worldly matters and yet judging it meet that the Government should be carried on with all uprightnesse Justice and Equity he sent to Oxford for a learned man to be his Chancellour and by the assistance of his Friends he obtained Mr Robert Weston Doctor of the Civil Law and afterwards Lord Chancellour in Ireland unto whose fidelity he committed his Consistory and the whole charge of his Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction allowing him not only all the Fees belonging thereto but also lodged and found him his Wife and Family horse and man within his own House and gave him a pension of 40lb lb per annum besides which was a very great matter in those daies so liberall was this good Bishop in the allowance which he made to this good Chancellor And surely the Bishop was no more godly and carefull in performing his Office of preaching then his Chancellor was diligent strict and just in doing of his Office without the reproach of partiality or bribery Yet notwithstanding that this godly Bishop lived most holily painfully and virtuously the common people whose old bottels were not capable of new wine could not brook nor digest him and when they could find no other cause this was judged a crime sufficient that he was a Preacher of the Gospel an enemy to Papistry and an honest married man Hereupon many devises were set on foot for his disgrace and removing him out of his
place sometimes by slie and false informations against him sometimes by open railing and false libels sometimes by secret backbitings yea at last their malice proceeded so far that they practised his death by poysoning but by Gods good providence the snares were broken and he was delivered Having thus continued Bishop about three years it pleased God to take away that famous English Josiah King Edward and his sister Mary succeeding him the face of Religion was soon altered and this good Bishop amongst others was deprived and clapt up in Prison And though the malice of the then Prelates and Arch-Papists against him was very great who also had sworn his death yet it pleased God most miraculously to preserve and deliver him out of their hands which was effected by this meanes The good King Christian of Denmark having formerly known him at his being in Germany wrote divers times and sued so earnestly and effectually to Queen Mary for him that at last he was dismissed out of Prison and suffered to go over into Denmark There he staied a while and afterwards with the leave of the King went into Germany to his former worthy friend the noble Elector of the Rheine who most willingly received him and restored him to his former Benefice of Burghsaber The reason why he staied no longer with his deliverer the King of Denmark but chose rather to go into the Palatinate was because he could Preach in the Dutch language but not in the Danish Tongue At Burghsaber he remained a faithfull and painfull Preacher all Queen Maries daies till hearing of her death and of the change of Religion under Queen Elizabeth he once again returned into his native Country His Bishoprick was reserved for him till his return and then sundry times profered him but he would by no meanes accept thereof but chose rather to live a more private life yet not out of action for he continued in London teaching and preaching the Gospel so long as the strength of his body would permit and at length being very old and stricken in years he died comfortably and peaceably in the Lord being about eighty years old January 20. Anno Christi 1568. and was honourably buried under a fair Stone in the Chancel of Bartholomews Exchange in London upon which Stone is engraven this Epitaph In obitum Reverendissimi Patris Milonis Coverdale OGDO ASTICHON Hic tandem requiemque ferens finemque laborum Ossa Coverdali mortua Tumbus habet Exoniae qui Praesul erat dignissimus olim Insignis vitae vir probitate suae Octoginta annos grandaevus vixit unus Indignum passus saepius exilium Sic demum variis jactatum casibus ista Excepit gremio terra benigna suo Dr. SANDES The Life of Doctor Sands Archbishop of York who died Anno Christi 1588. EDwin Sands was born of an ancient and worthy Family about the year 1528. and being trained up in Learning he so profited therein both in the Countrey and University that he was chosen Master of Katharine Hall in Cambridge and having Commenced Doctor he was made Vice-Chancellor of that University at which time that blessed King Edward the sixth dying and the Lady Jane Grey being proclaimed Queen as we have heard before the Duke of Northumberland was sent with an Army to apprehend the Lady Mary And when he came to Cambridge he sent for Dr Sands the then Vicechancellor and some other Doctors to sup with him and at supper required Dr Sands to preach on the morrow The warning was short for such an occasion and Auditory yet he refused it not but went home and so to bed The next morning he arose at three a clock and having prayed a good while rose up took his Bible in his hand and closing his eyes earnestly prayed to God that it might fall open at a fit Text for the present occasion and accordingly it opened and the first Text that he cast his eye upon was Joshua 1.16 17 18. And they answered Joshua saying All that thou commandest us we will do and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go according as we hearkened to Moses in all things so will we hearken unto thee only the Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment and will not hearken to thy words in all that thou commandest him he shall be put to death only be strong and of a good courage This Text he prosecuted with such prudence and affection as drew many tears from the eyes of his Auditors After Sermon the Duke and other Nobles desired him to Print his Sermon and he only required a day and an halfs time for the writing of it at the end whereof he delivered it to Mr Leaver who was presently to carry it to London to the Presse But just at that instant came one of the Beadles to him weeping and bad him shift for himself for said he the Duke is retired and Queen Mary is proclaimed Dr Sands was nothing troubled herewith but delivered his Sermon to Mr Leaver and so went to dinner to Mr Moores one of the Beadles his great Friend At dinner being of an undaunted courage and cheerfull disposition he was very merry Mistress Moore drinking to him said Mr Vicechancellor I drink to you this being the last time that ever I shall see you which accordingly proved true That night the Duke sent for him to joyn with him in proclaiming Queen Mary and then told him that the Queen was mercifull and that he hoped for a generall pardon to which Dr. Sands answered My life is not dear unto me neither have I done or said any thing that troubleth my conscience For what I spake of the State I have instructions signed by sixteen Counsellors to warrant me therein neither can speeches be treason nor yet have I spoken any thing but what the Word of God and the Lawes of the Land will bear me out in therefore the will of the Lord be done But be you assured my Lord you shall never escape death for if the Queen should spare you they that now shall rule will kill you That night the Duke was apprehended and some were as busie about Dr. Sands but Sir John Gates that lay in the Doctors house drave them away The next day Dr. Sands was walked into the fields when the University in an irregular manner meeting together ordered Dr. Mouse and Dr. Hatcher to go to Dr. Sands his house to fetch away the University Statutes the Keyes and such other things as were in his custody which accordingly they did and Dr. Mouse who the day before was an earnest Protestant was now turned a zealous Papist and a great enemy to Dr. Sands from whom he had received great curtesies That afternoon a Congregation was appointed by them and the bell rang to it when Dr. Sands coming out of the fields sent for the Beadles asking what
him and that he had involved so good a man to whom he wrote But it pleased God to cut the Duke out other work for the cry of Rochel and the Protestants of France was so exceeding great and so much resented by the Parliament that the Duke resolves to vindicate his honour by relieving them And whilest he was busie to set that fleet out and furnish forces for surprizing the Isle of Rhees he could not undertake that work of revenge intended against Dr. Preston But the Doctor thought not that he had done enough unlesse he proclaimed in the Pulpit what he had often told the Duke in private according to that Command of Christ Mat. 6.27 What I tell you in darknesse that speak you in light and what you hear in the ear that preach on the house-tops As Chrysostome to his people Cum verum singuli audire non vultis publicè audietis When the French Match was concluded he preached that Sermon of the pillar and ground of truth against the mingling of Religions and mixing truth with falshood and shewed how impossible it was to mingle truth with errour or make up one Religion of theirs and ours For should they leave out any tenet of their Church it would follow that the Church in that before had erred and so that pillar would be overthrown on which have hanged so many necessary points of Popery Neither could we part with any one truth for Religion is of a brittle nature break it you may bend it you cannot It cannot be accommodated to respects of policy and interests of States and and Kingdomes but as Elements when mingled in a compound body do close their proper Formes So Religions when made ingredients and compounding parts of any other do lose their Formes and cease to be Religions in Gods account 2 Kings 17.33 34. Pillar and ground pag. 16. And when the Rochellers were in distresse and laid their ruine and disasters at our door fathered their losses and calamities on us he preached that Sermon of the new life where Page 48. we have these words We cannot stand alone what measure we mete to others in their distress men shall measure the same to us in our necessity Luk. 6.38 And how soon the fire may take here also we know not And pag. 52. If any be an impediment nay if any do not do their best I pronounce this in the Name of the most true God that shall make it good sooner or later that they and their houses shall perish Esth. 4.14 The Court was hood-wink't in all these Comminations for by Church they understood the Prelates and their Party and the King thought if he adhered to them and did their work he was absolved But those that read the Commentaries that have been written since in red letters will have occasion to believe the contrary And when the Duke was in the Isle of Rhees in which voyage he had engaged many of his very good Friends and much of the Nobility and Gentry of the Kingdom the Doctor preached that Sermon called the Demonstration of the Deity where Page 81. ye have these words It is certain that evil is intended against us and will come upon us except something be done for to prevent it for there is a Covenant between God and us and breach of Covenant causeth a quarrel now the quarrel of God shall not go unrevenged Lev. 26.25 I will send a sword upon you which shall avenge the quarrel of my Covenant Gods quarrels are not rash and passionate as mens are and therefore he will not lay them aside without some true and real satisfaction If we will not believe his Word yet will we not believe his Actions Are not our Allies wasted Are not many branches of the Church cut off already and more in hazard In a word have not our enterprizes been blasted and withered under our hands for the most part Have not things been long going down the hill and are even now hastning to a period This Sermon was preached to the King at Whitehall on the Lords day and on the Wednesday following the news came of the total routing of our Army in the Isle of Rhees which was such a ratification of his Prediction but the Sabbath day before as made many to believe he was a Prophet and they called him Micaiah because he seldome prophecied good unto them And Dr. Neal then Bishop of Winchester said That he talked like one that was familiar with God Almighty And they were the more affected with it because the Doctor had another course to preach before his moneth was out for every Chaplain was to preach twice once upon the Lords day and also upon the Tuesday but the Doctor was desirous to exchange his course upon the Tuesday for a Sabbath-day So Dr. Potter preached on the Tuesday and Dr. Preston was to preach upon the Lords day following and was resolved to proceed on the same text but to handle a point relating to the third verse For having shewed in this Sermon that things were not done by chance but by God he now resolved for to shew that God did things that men do not look for Which being known among the Bishops and they affrighted with that disaster at the Isle of Rhees they interceded with the Clerke of the Closet that seeing Dr. Prestons turn was past already and this was Dr. Pottors another might be put up and he deferred till another time which was consented and yeilded to and so upon the Friday before a Messenger was sent unto the Doctor to tell him that another was provided to preach for Dr. Potter and he might spare his pains The Dr. wondered at the Providence for he was resolved fully to have said that in that Sermon if he had been suffered that would in reason have deserved Micaiahs entertainment 1 Kings 22.27 but God was mercifull unto him and used his enemies as instruments to save him from the danger It would have damped some men to be thus refused He might have said with him Mat. 22.4 Behold I have prepared my Dinner my Oxen and my Fatlings are killed and all things are ready But he considered what he had preached before That a Sparrow fell not to the ground without Gods will That his Will and Resolution for to sacrifice his all was now accepted as Abrahams was that his Sermon whilest an Embryo and only in intention had an efficacious operation upon the Auditory For as they had shewed and discovered their fears so good men did their joys and the Sermon was more talked of at Court and in the City then any Sermon that ever he had preached before For all men enquired what the Sermon was that Dr. Preston was not suffered to preach and many wise men were perswaded that it did more good then it would have done in case it had been preached So that in stead of being damped and dejected at the affront he was enlivened and encouraged Repulsus generoso
him sweetly unfolded as may appear by those Sermons now in Print And therefore saith a Reverend Divine the noted humility of the Author I lesse wonder at finding how often his thoughts dwelt upon the humiliation of Christ. As for his Sermons upon Cant. 5. Reverend and holy Mr. Dod upon the perusall of the Manuscript was so taken with them that he professed that he found them so full of heavenly Treasure and containing such lively expressions of the unvaluable riches of the love of Christ towards all his poor servants that sue and seek unto him for it that by his great importunity he prevailed with Dr. Sibs otherwise much undervaluing his own meditations to commit the same to the Presse to which Mr. Dod gave this attestation I saith he judge it altogether unmeet that such precious matter should be concealed from the publick use I judge these Sermons a very profitable and excellent help both to the understanding of that dark and most Divine Scripture as also to kindle in the heart all heavenly affections towards Jesus Christ the whole frame whereof is carried with such Wisdom Gravity Piety Judgment and Experience that it commends it self to all that are godly wise and I doubt not but they shall find their temptations answered their fainting spirits revived their understandings enlightened and their graces confirmed so that they shall have cause to praise God for the worthy Authors godly and painfull labours Indeed he was throughly studied in the holy Scriptures which made him a man of God perfect throughly furnished unto every good work and as became a faithfull Steward of the manifold graces of God he endeavoured to teach to others the whole counsel of God and to store them with the knowledge of Gods will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding He was a man that enjoyed much communion with God walking in all the Laws of God blamelesse and like John the Baptist was a burning and shining light wasting and spending himself to enlighten others He was upon all occasions very charitable drawing forth not only his Purse in relieving but his very bowels in commiserating the wants and necessities of the poor Members of Christ. He used sometimes in the summer-time to go abroad to the houses of some worthy Personages where he was an Instrument of much good not only by his private labours but by his prudent counsell and advice that upon every occasion he was ready to minister unto them And thus having done his work on earth he went to receive his wages in heaven peaceably and comfortably resigning up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1631. and of his age 58. The Life of Doctor Chaderton who died Anno Christi 1640. LAurence Chaderton was born of an ancient Family at Chatterton in Lancashire about the year 1546. and his Parents being both Papists they trained him up in that Religion yet bred him to learning and when he came to some maturity of years his Father sent him to the Inns of Court But he being not pleased with that kind of life through the motion of Gods holy Spirit who had a work for him to do in another Calling and place left the Inns of Court and went to Cambridge about the twentieth year of his age and the sixth year of Queen Elizabeth And getting some acquaintance in Christs Colledge it pleased God that the Master and Fellows took such a liking to him for his ingenuity and industry that they admitted him into a poor Scholars place Then did he write to his Father to acquaint him with his present condition and to request some means of maintenance from him But his Father disliking his change of place and studies but especially of Religion sent him a Poke with a groat in it to go a beggâ— withall further signifying to him that he was resolved to disinhâ—â—â—â— him which he also did Yet did the Lord support his spirit to preferre an heavenly before an earthly Inheritance and seeing that he had nothing else to trust to he fell close to his studies and through Gods blessing upon the same he so eminently profited in all sorts of Learning that Anno Christi 1567. being but yet Batchelour of Arts he was chosen Fellow of Christs Colledge Anno Christi 1578. he commenced Batchelour of Divinity and the same year October the 26. he preached a Sermon at Pauls Crosse which he also Printed He was chosen Lecturer at St. Clements Church in Cambridge which place he supplied about the space of sixteen years and by his Holy Learned and judicious Sermons did very much good and was succeeded therein by Mr. Michael Bentley Fellow of Christs Colledge a godly plain and profitable Preacher He was a man famous for Gravity Learning and Religion so that when Sir Walter Mildmay Counsellor of State to Queen Elizabeth Chancellor and under-Treasurer of the Exchequer Founded Emanuel Colledge Anno Christi 1584. he made choice of this man for the first Master and when Master Chaderton shewed himself not willing to undertake that great charge Sir Walter replied saying If you will not be the Master I will not be the Founder of it In the beginning of King James his reign he was one of the four Divines for the Conference at Hampton Court chosen by the Ministers that desired a Reformation in the Church Government and for his Learning and sufficiency was the same year chosen to be one of the Translators of the Bible Anno Christi 1612. when the Prince Elector Palatine came to visit Cambridge he would needs have Mr. Chaderton commence Doctor of Divinity which accordingly he did He deserved very well of Emanuel Colledge for whereas the Founder gave allowance for the maintenance of three Fellows only together with the Advouson of Stranground Rectory in Huntingtonshire near Peterburrough Dr. Chaderton procured by his friends and acquaintance allowance for twelve Fellows and above fourty Scholars of the House besides the Advousons of Auler and Northcudberry Rectories as also of the Vicaridge of Dulverton in Summersetshire Piddle-Hinton in Dorcetshire and Loughburrough in Leicestershire of the Noble Henry Hastings Earl of Huntington which Noble man was a great friend to godly Ministers After he was Master of Emanuel his manner was not to suffer any young Scholars to go into the Countrey to Preach till he had heard them first in the Colledge Chappel All his younger daies he used to expound a portion of Scripture twice a week in his Family He was married fifty three years and yet in all that time he never kept any of his Servants from Church to dresse his meat saying that he desired as much to have his servants know God as himself If at any time he had a Servant upon triall though they could do as much work as three others yet if they were given to lying or any other vice he would by no means suffer them to dwell in his house Towards his
his child-hood he with two or three School-fellows were so religiously disposed that on play-daies they would pray together and repeat the heads of their Catechisme with the Sermons which they heard upon the last Lords day before they went unto their Lusory exercises Thus this Timothy grew acquainted with God and his Word and the waies of Religion while he was a Child Being very well fitted for the University he was sent unto Cambridge bout the fifteenth year of his age and admitted into Sidney Colledge where he was studious and a good Proficient in Academical Learning When he was Master of Arts coming home to his Father he preached often in Coventry with very good approbation amongst those who were best affected towards the waies of Godlinesse Here he had special encouragements in the study of Divinity from Master Humphrey Fen famous for his Ministry and Non-conformity at Coventry who in the Preface to his last Will and Testament made so full and so open a Protestation against the Hierarchy and Ceremonies that the Prelatical Party would not suffer it to be put among the Records of the Court when the Will was tendred to be proved and his conscience was unsatisfied to enter into the Ministry by Episcopal subscription but through a good Providence he with Master John Ball were made Ministers by an Irish Bishop without that subscription The first place of his setled Ministry was Cawk in Derbyshire a small village whither he was called by means of his much honoured good Friend Master Arthur Hildersam and where he had good incouragements from Master Bainbridge a Gentleman there of good estate and estimation for Religion In this place which was six miles from Derby and three from Ashby de la zouch his peace and liberty was the better preserved because it was a peculiar and so not subject unto Episcopal visitation Here God was pleased to set a broad Seal to his Ministry making him an happy Instrument to build up many who were brought to Christ by Master Hildersams labours and also to turn many others from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan unto God At this time there was great scarcity of good Preachers in those parts whereupon people from twenty towns and villages flocked unto Cawk-Chappel as Doves to the windows every Sabbath day where more congregated especially in summer and in afternoons then the Chappel could contain yet standing at the windows without they might hear the Sermons preached and Scriptures read because Master Herrings voice was clear and strong Hither great companies came in the morning with joyfull expectation of wholesome soul-provisions here they continued all day with cheerfulnesse some bringing their victuals from home with them and others going to a third ordinary provided purposely for the refreshing of strangers and they went from hence in the evening in companies repeating the Sermons and singing Psalms in their return home Here amongst many others Master Simeon Ashe received some of his first impressions and bents towards Religion whom Master Herring loved from his childhood and who lived in his heart and Prayers unto his death And this is a matter considerable that few if any in those parts who were hopefully brought unto God and by the Ministry of Master Hildersam and Master Herring have been turned aside into the by-paths of errour and separation in these broken dividing times but they continue sound in their judgements and holy in their conversations well remembring the principles whereof they were well instructed and grounded by those two Worthies their Fathers in Christ. When he had continued at Cawke about the space of eight years he was forced from thence for Non-conformity by the Prelatical power being informed against by ill-affected men who maligned the great service which he did and envied the great respect which he had in those parts Before he removed from thence the Lord provided for him a most gracious yoak-fellow who was no discouragement but an encouragement rather unto him alwaies both in his services and sufferings for Christ and his cause His Wife was the third Daughter of Master Gellibrand sometimes Preacher to the English company at Flushing in Holland and Grand-child to that man of God Master John Oxenbridge Minister of Southam in Warwickshire and afterwards of Bablick in Coventry where he died and as she came out of a godly stock so she hath expressed and still doth expresse the power of godlinesse in every condition and relation of her life to Gods honour By her he had thirteen Children and as they were happily mutually helpfull in the waies of holinesse so it was their joynt care to educate their posterity in the nurture and fear of the Lord. They were taught the Principles of Religion from their childhood and their tender good Mother according to their Fathers appointment caused them to learn the Proverbs of Solomon by heart Neither was this gracious care in vain for the blossomes and fruits of grace sweetly appear in their lives to the comfort of their Parents and Christian Friends And here this one thing is notable and imitable in this worthy man in reference to his Children viz. That ever before he gave them correction he endeavoured to convince them of their sin against God and sought by tears and prayers for Gods blessing upon that means for their good When the course of his Ministry was interrupted at Cawk and there was no hope of his peaceable continuance there God by means of Master William Rowley a wise religious man and his faithfull Friend was pleased to open a door for the more publique exercise of his Ministry in Shrewsbury Here he preached at Alkmares Church every Tuesday morning and upon the Sabbath also so long as liberty was allowed which Sermon was at one a clock that neither the Ministers of the town might be offended nor other Congregations emptyed by the peoples flocking unto his Ministry The Sermon which he preached on the Lords day he repeated it the same night before Supper at the houses of Master Edward Jones Master George Wright and Master William Rowley by course and whereas some spies were usually sent thither crowding in with the company to pick quarrels he behaved himself so prudently and prayed alwaies so affectionately for the King and present Government that his adversaries gave this testimony of him viz. Though he be scrupulous in matter of Ceremony yet he is a loyal subject unto the King and a true Friend unto the State Beside the great good service which was now done in Salop by his Ministry and private conferences with Christians in reference unto him many other Ministers had the more frequent recourse unto the town Master Pierson Master Nicols c. who were put upon preaching once or oftner before they departed thence whereby knowledge was much increased and the power of Godlinesse much cherished and promoted there But Satan maligning those opportunities of service unto Christ some envious ill-affected
many well-affected people came to him being affrighted with the Cavaliers he encouraged them using this speech that if a house were full of rods what need the Child fear when none of them could move without their Fathers hand and the Lord was a loving Father state and life and all was in his disposing When afterwards the Cavaliers came to his house and threatned to knock him on the head he answered with confidence that if they did they should send him to Heaven where he longed to be but they could do nothing except God gave leave They broke open his Chests and Cupboards and plundred him of his goods but he said to a Friend of his that he would not do them that honour to say they had taken ought from him but it was the Lord alledging that of Job who when he was spoiled by the Chaldeans and the Sabâ—ans yet he did not so much as name the Instruments but The Lord hath given and the Lord hath taken blessed be the Name of the Lord. At length they came to him when through weaknesse he was unable not only to stirre out of his chamber but also out of his bed they cut the Curtains of his bed and pulled away the Pillowbeers from under his head asking him whether he could speak Latine in all which losses which were great he never uttered one word of impatience In his sicknesse when extream pain was upon him as soon as the fit was over he would say to his maid-servant that attended him O think well of God for it for it is most justly and wisely done whatsoever he sendeth or doth When his servants came to visit him in the morning he would say have ye been with God to blesse him for your sleep this night He might have made your bed your grave He would often say in his sicknesse I am not afraid to look death in the face I can say death where is thy sting Death cannot hurt me He spake how death was a sweet sleep to a Christian adding that if Parents should tell little children who had played all the day that they must go to bed they would be ready to cry but a labouring man is glad when night comes that he might go to rest So wicked men death is unwelcome unto them but a Child of God who hath laboured and suffered is glad when death cometh that he may rest from his labours When he had been long speaking to those who came to him and used to ask him questions and hath been perswaded to spare himself he would say hear but this one thing more it may be I shall never speak to you again but if it should be so Blessed is the servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing Hearken to a few words more God hath heard all the words we have spoken and considered with what hearts and affections we have spoken them He used to compare rebukes uttered in passion to scalding potions which the Patient could not take down And his opinion was that if we would do good unto others we should labour for meeknesse of wisdome whereby we shall be inabled to use soft words and hard arguments He allowed to Husbands and Wives only one contention which was this who should love one another best and advised them that when either of them were in passion they should not answer passions with passions but with compassions He was very plain and familiar both in preaching and conference yet very spiritual and performed all with much gravity The chief things he sought God for in his frequent secret fastings and prayers as himself said were the knowledge of the Scriptures and a blessing upon his Ministry in both which God answered him abundantly As for the Scriptures God had so enlightened him that he was able to give account of the drift and scope of the Spirit of God in the greatest part of them with great clearnesse and to open them in such sort as proved very effectual for the bringing of Scripture-light into simple mens understandings who were not able to reach the obscure and scholastick interpretations of many His manner was to compare Scripture with Scripture seldome naming the dissenters and but sparingly different readings but making out the truth positively or by necessary consequence In preaching he usually took some portion of Scripture in order before him opening a verse or two or more at a time first clearing the drift and connection then giving the sense and interpretation briefly but very plainly not leaving the text untill he had made it plain to the meanest capacity then raising those Doctrines that were most agreeable to the mind and meaning of the Spirit of God in that text clearing and exemplifying his points excellently out of the Word opening his proofs not multiplying particulars for oppressing memory not dwelling so long as to make all truth run through a few texts He spake most largely and very home in application mightily convincing and diving into mens hearts and consciences and leaving them little or nothing to object against it He took great care to speak to the meanest capacity and to feed the Lambs saying he must stoop to the lowest capacity and if he could reach them others might help themselves He could not endure that Ministers should use hard and unusuall English He said that most Ministers in England usually shoot over the heads of their hearers He did not strive to speak all that might be said to a point nor to shew variety or please curiosity but to speak to the heart He would say that there were many tricks and devices that some men used in preaching but they seldome did good The pure Gospel and that preaching which the world counts foolishnesse was that that works most kindly He was very Evangelicall striving first to make men see their lost condition clearly and to be convinced of it saying Sense of misery was a gooâ— step to the remedy And then largely and excellently opening the Promises and the grace of God in Christ according to the Gospel looking at that as the most effectual preaching Some saies he labour still to keep men under terrors and load them with threatnings c. lest they should not be humbled enough but the Gospel works true humiliation not the Law it arises from sense of sin and misery joyned with hope of mercy The damned have terror and sense of misery enough but that did not humble them He desired to speak distinctly not giving the childrens bread to dogs but to discover hypocrisie and sincerity by lively characters and signes but yet with great tendernesse to babes in Christ striving to discover a babe from an hypocrite He was excellent for practical Divinity and living by Faith as to spirituals and temporals and self-denial and very consolatory rendring Religion the most sweet and comfortable life notwithstanding sufferings He used to presse much
after the seeking of spiritual illumination in hearing and reading c. and divine assistance in religious duties not contenting our selves with the use of parts and accomplishments or grace received but to look higher saying David that could preach excellently and had Nathan and Gad the Prophets also to preach yet cryes out for teaching thereby shewing that all that teaching would not do unlesse God teach also And Davids cryes Open mine eyes he had the light without but he must have light within viz. sight else he could not see the wonders of the Law though he had the Law He used to presse much to meeknesse and a sweet disposition to affability charity and cheerfulnesse not to be rigid sour tart nor sad least the world should think that we served an hard Master Being above eighty years old his pains were very great yet not painfull to him He preached almost all day long on the Lords day yet said it was no great matter to pay money when one had it all the labour was to get it He opened a Chapter and prayed in his Family after preached twice in publique and in the interim discoursed all dinner while but eat very little He brought in many with him to dinner besides his four or six constant Widows if his Wife began to doubt of her provision at sight of so many he would say Better want meat then good company but there is something in the house though cold This is not a day to feast the bodies but souls At first sitting down he would bid them help themselves and one another and see that none want Let me said he bid you but once for I would not speak a vain word to day After both Sermons the house would be filled and he being sate in his chair used to say if any have a good question or a hard place of Scripture to open let them say on and when he was faint he would call for a small glasse of Wine and Beer mixt and then to it again till night He was excellent in preaching occasionally from the creatures as he walked or rode His Ministry was so spiritual and yet so plain that poor simple people that never knew what Religion meant when they had gone to hear him could not choose but talk of his Sermon It mightily affected poor creatures to hear the Mysteries of God by his excellent skill that way brought down to their own language and dialect He was so holy and spiritual both in life and doctrine that he silenced even desperate and devillish opposers of Religion It was a discredit for any to speak evil of him because it must needs expresse much malice and all men most generally in his latter time at least honoured him He was very successefull in making peace though between desperate and almost implacable adversaries and some of them wicked mightily convincing them with Gospel-arguments to the overcoming and quieting of their spirits He would answer any questions propounded that were but fit for a Divine to speak to yet shewing his approbation or dislike of the question according to the honesty and spiritualnesse or curiosity and lightnesse of it When mean inferiour people came to speak with him if he was walking in the Church where he used most to study that he might have room to walk in being troubled with the stone or elsewhere if he thought them bashfull he would meet them and say Would you speak with me And when he found them unable to state their question he would help them out with it taking care to find the sore but would answer and deal so compassionately and tenderly as not to discourage the poorest soul from coming again to him If any questioned him about Ceremonies about which many then suffered he was very wary in dealing not shy in speaking his judgment but carefull of advising them according to their strength He would bid them take heed of being led meerly by the imitation of any body 〈◊〉 other mens arguments but look to their Scripture-light and see 〈◊〉 â—â—guments they had to bear them out and whether they could 〈◊〉 alone in that case if they should survive their patterns He would not have them make a businesse about lesser things and then fall off from what they began to professe Being to advise a young man in his choice of a yokefellow he bad him look principally after Godlinesse Men talk of a portion grace is the bâ—st portion The wise woman buildeth up the house viz. The godly c. Not the rich Some use to say There is a portion and civility and we will hope for grace But saith he rather make sure grace and hope for riches There 's far greater reason for it For Godlinesse hath the Promises riches hath none A Sonne or Daughter of God shall be provided for He would say he that could answer two questions well might have comfort in any place or condition viz. Who am I and what do I here Am I a Child of God and am I in my calling or way He hath given his Angels charge to keep thee in all thy waies And that the knowledge of two things would make one willing to suffer or die viz. What Heaven is And that it 's mine I said one if a man were sure To whom he answered Truly Assurance is to be had and what have we been doing all this while He used to say they that hope to go to Heaven as most do and had not good evidence for it were like a man that passing by a great house and estate would say This is mine but being bid to shew his title would say some body must have it and why not I Such is most mens title for Heaven During the time of his last sicknesse it pleased the Lord to try him by grievous pains most bitter and sharp of the strangury but when he had any intermissions he was breathing out such speeches as tended to the praise of God and to the edification of those that attended him He slept little all the night or day long before his death in all which time he imployed his attendants which were about him to read the Scriptures which he expounded to them And when his strength was spent with speaking he retired himself to Prayer and Meditation When he felt his paines returning he would intreat those that were about him to pray to God for him either to give him deliverance or patience His tentation a little before his death and his wrestlings with Satan were great so were his victories He spake to one that did watch with him all night about two of the clock in the morning that he had been wrestling with Satan all that night who accused him that he neither preached nor prayed nor performed any duty as he should have done for manner or for end but he said I have answered him from the example of the Prodigal
directions and encouragements in the waies of God And particularly the Noble Family of Thomas late Earl of Winchelsey then Vicount Maidstone whose abode at that time was at the Mote a place near Canterbury the exemplary Piety of whose Family and the several Noble Branches thereof was by him in a special manner promoted The like assistance he afforded also to those of the French Congregation in Canterbury whom by reason of his exact knowledge in the French language he was able to edifie very much And at the request of their Eldership he did twice preach to them in that language upon most solemn daies to the great ashonishment and edification of the whole Congregation It is memorable that an ancient French Gentlewoman when she saw him the first time coming into the Pulpit being startled at the smallnesse of his personal appearance and the weaknesse of his look cryed out in the hearing of those that sate by her Hola que nous dira cest enfant ioy Alas what should this Child say to us But having heard him pray and preach with so much spiritual strength and vigour she lift her hands to heaven with admiration and joy blessing God for what she had heard Yet this his faithfull discharge of the Ministry was not without some opposition On the one hand those of the Separation and such as were inclineable thereunto were somewhat troublesome to him but could get no advantage upon him nor did prevail any thing while he remained there upon his hearers On the other side the Cathedralists and their favourers did oppose him fearing it's like lest his godly courses and exact walking might be a blemish to their loose and carnal waies And therefore though the greatnesse of his birth and friends hindered them somewhat from prosecuting of him as probably they would otherwise have done yet once some of the chiefest of them adventured to exhibit Articles against him But his cause and answers proved such as that they were not able to hurt him After three years or thereabouts his Lecture there was put down by the Dean and Arch-Dean upon certain instructions then on foot concerning Afternoon Sermons to the great grief of his godly hearers But not long after upon the petition of great numbers of the Gentry and Citizens to the then Arch-bishop by whose License and authority he had been before established accompanied with the laudable testimony of divers Ministers concerning his Orthodox doctrine and unblamable conversation together with the concurrent testimony of ten Knights and divers others of the Gentry and chief Citizens he was again restored During his continuance here he was twice by the procurement of his Friends at Court likely to be made one of the Prebendaries of Canterbury But he often admired and praised that Providence of God that his Friends endeavours therein succeeded not seeing himself by this means delivered from many temptations and dangers which had been incident if he had been one of that company they being afterward by the succeeding Arch-bishop mainly set on work for the setting up and promoting superstitious innovations After some years he was removed from Canterbury to the Vicaridge of Ashwel in Hartfordshire whereunto he was presented by William Laud the late Arch-bishop of Canterbury which in his defence before the House of Peers in Parliament was by the Arch-bishop insisted upon as one of his good deeds to which he received institution Febr. 7. 1632. where he continued the same zeal diligence and care which he had before discovered in seeking the good of those souls that were committed to his charge Beside his constant preaching there twice every Lords day he did also very frequently preach to them occasionally as any opportunity was offered not willing to let passe any advantage offered of doing them good Wherein notwithstanding the excellency of his learning whereby if he had sought it he might have attained great applause and admiration even from knowing men in the ostentation thereof yet he chose alwaies to condescend to the capacities of his hearers with so much plainnesse as that if possible he might be understood by all even those of the meanest capacities as being most studious both for the matter and manner of his preaching how he might be able most of all to profit those that heard him And on this ground upon any emergent occasions he endeavoured as much as might be to sute his matter thereunto that so the Word of God and the Providence of God might one adde edge unto the other and both joyntly become the more effectuall And for the same reason he did the more approve of Funeral Sermons for that at such times the minds of men especially those more immediately concerned are thereby rendred the more pensive and serious and so the more fit to take impression by the Word On the same ground also was he carefull to observe the advantages of sicknesse or any other considerable afflictions because his Admonitions and Christian Aavice were like to be at such a time the more effectuall when God had as it were softned their heart and opened their ear to hear He was also carefull by Catechizing both in publique and at his own house to instruct in the Principles of Religion not only the Children and youth but even those that were more aged in case he discerned them ignorant and such as stood in need thereof and yet not so as might expose them to scorn and reproach but so as might most conduce to their edfication in the knowledge and fear of the Lord. To which end he had prevailed with those of his Parish at lest the farre greater number of them and those the most considerable persons to concurre with him in it by sending their Children and Servants constantly to be catechized on the Lords day before the Afternoon-Sermon some of whom he catechized publiquely in the Congregation and others more privately in his own house either by himself or his assistant that so that the publique Catechizing might neither be too tedious nor intrench upon the time allotted for other exercises as Praying Reading Expounding Preaching c. nor yet the examination of others for want of time be wholly omitted as also by their own endeavours at home to help on this work and likewise to contribute their assistance in perswading others to the same willingnesse As for those who were more eminent but yet needed instruction he laboured both by his own perswasion and the perswasion of others to work in them a willingnesse to repair to him in private at convenient times that by conferences with them and friendly discourse in a familiar and gentle manner he might bring them to such a sufficiency of knowledge as was necessary for their own salvation And the better to perswade people to a willingnesse thus to receive instruction he used by way of encouragement especially to those of the meaner sort to give Bibles to such as could
read and five shillings in money to such as could not when they attained such a measure of knowledge as that they were judged fit to partake of the Lords Supper And such like rewards and incouragements he used to bestow on others as he saw occasion furnishing them with Books and writings and otherwise encouraging them according as they should manifest their diligence in gaining and improving their knowledge All which the generation to come and the children yet unborn may have cause to blesse God for when they shall receive the benefits thereof communicated from their Parents to them while others do as much as in them lies intail ignorance and atheism upon their posterity And because he found it difficult to bring those of shallow memories and weak capacities to understand and remember the Principles of Religion discerning that many who could not distinctly repeat the words did yet understand the matter and therefore were not to be despised or discouraged and others of firmer memories who were able to learn the words did understand little or nothing of the meaning of them He did therefore study how he might best remedy both those evils and to that end framed several forms of Catechisms in divers kinds At length he pitched on that form as the most convenient that he could think of which he published in print intituled An endeavour of making the principles of Christian Religion plain and easie of which so many thousands have been printed of late years and entertained with great approbation His method therein is this The answers which make up the main body of the Catechism are so many distinct Aphorisms or entire Propositions in themselves without dependance on the questions to make the sense entire containing in themselves a brief module of Divinity And to that purpose so much of the question is still repeated in the answer as is necessary to make the sense perfect Hereby the Learner is freed from a double inconvenience The one is that where the sense of an answer is imperfect he is forced to charge his memory with learning the question also or else to make use either of this Book or anothers help to ask the question that so that answer which he hath learned may be perfect sense The other is that aptnesse in the Learner to misapply the answer to a wrong question when he learns only the predicate of the Proposition without the subject Both which inconveniences are in this way in a great measure prevented Another thing mainly considerable in his method is That beside the main questions and the answers thereunto there are also annexed divers explicatory questions which require no other answer but Yes or No which without any further charging of the Learners memory do direct him to the distinct observing of what is contained in the principal answer and so to the understanding thereof whereas otherwise heedlesse Learners are apt Parot-like only to learn the words without at all regarding the meaning of them The same also will help to direst a weak memory the better to recite the larger answer if he be first required to give a particular answer to those expository questions for he will then have nothing to expresse in the full answer beside what in the Preparatory questions had been suggested to him As for example Quest. In what condition was man created by God at the first Was he made miserable No or very happy Yes In the Image of God Yes In what condition then was man created by God at first Answ. Man was created at the first in a very happy condition in the Image of God And in the same method he intended to digest the lesser Catechism composed by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster and authorized for publique use if God had afforded him life to have seen that Catechism perfected to the compiling whereof he had contributed no small assistance which therefore since his death hath been performed by one that was intimate with him and fully acquainted with his resolutions in that particular As he was carefull thus to instruct his flock so was he also vigilant to prevent disorders and misdemeanours amongst them in point of practice wherein he was not contented to use his own personal endeavours but did also ingage his Parishioners to contribute their best assistance thereunto whereunto they did oblige themselves in divers excellent Resolutions and Agreements concluded by common consent amongst them and subscribed by their hands viz. for the preventing and punishing of Drunkennesse and Tippling of prophaning the Lords day and of other prophane or disorderly demeanours during the exercise of Divine Worship by sleeping talking playing c. as likewise of stealing and pilfering of prophane swearing and cursing of rayling slandering whoredome fighting and quarrelling disobedience to Parents and Governours and of other misdemeanours in whom soever In the religious ordering of his own Family he was extraordinary vigilant and painfull that it might be so much as in him lay a Garden without weeds and that those which were under his roof might either not perish or at least not through his default Indeed his house was a School of Religion such as there are very few to be found insomuch that it was counted a great happinesse to live under his roof under the constant enjoyment of so much means for the souls good It was his great care to entertain none in his Family but such as were either truly godly or at least willing to be instructed and educated in the waies of God and who would be ready and willing to attend the exercises of Gods worship both publiquely and privately and to avoid all scandalous conversation It was his constant practice twice every day to pray with his Family not allowing any to be absent at which times he read to them some portion both of the Old and New Testament He was carefull also to catechize his Family twice every week and likewise on Friday and Saturday to require an account from them of the Sermons preached the Lords day before which he then repeated to them Having also while he was at Ashwel the Sonnes of divers considerable persons of the Nobility and Gentry sojourning in his house for their better education in Religion and Learning he maintaining in his house an Assistant as a Schoolmaster to teach them he required of them the like account in Catechizing and Repetitions as of his own Servants He had also daily after dinner and Supper a Chapter read by one of those Gentlemen in course and he whose turn was to read was required also after he had read to repeat the substance out of his memory which by constant custom they had attained an ability to perform very exactly after which himself used to go over the same briefly by way of exposition of what appeared difficult and noting such observations as were most obvious from the most remarkable passages therein Beside this he required his Servants after every meal to
that part of the City was filled with his armed enemies against whom whilest he opposed himself he was invironed by his adversaries and taken Prisoner who presently carried him away to Antwerp Whilst he was Prisoner there he fell dangerously sick and lay fourty daies tormented with a Fever and as soon as he began to recover he called for a Bible by reading whereof he much eased and refreshed his mind and body and by the diligent study thereof he began to embrace the reformed Religion and to have a tast of true Piety and the right manner of calling upon God Not long after he payed his Ransome which was fifty thousand Crowns and so returned home and being weary of the Factions and Affairs at Court and seriously thinking of his change of Religion he gat leave of the King to turn over his Regiment of Foot to his Brother Andelot and his Government of the Isle of France to his Brother-in law Marshall Monmorancy and shortly after he sent one of his intimate Friends to the King humbly to signifie to him that he intended also to lay down his Government of Picardy and therefore desired him to think of one to succeed him therein The King answered that he wondred at his resolution and scarce thought him wise to divest himself so suddainly of so many places of honour and profit and from that time he began generally to be suspected of his change in Religion shewing a minde so free from ambition and desire of rule Monsieur Andelot also discovering his resolution in Religion the Cardinall of Lorraine who hated the Family of Coligni with a deadly hatred as the greatest enemies to the greatnesse of his Family watched his opportunity and suggested to the King that all men took notice that many great men of France were infected with the poison of Calvinisme which they scattered amongst the inferiour sort of people and in particular that Monsieur Andelot had blabbed out many things to the dishonour of the solemn sacrifice of the Masse c. The King being incensed hereby commanded the Cardinall of Chattillion his Brother and Monmorancy his Cosen to send for Andelot and to admonish him to answer modestly to the questions which should be proposed to him When he came before the King he professed his great good will towarde him and spake many things of his great merits and then told him that he was sorry to hear that which was reported viz. that he thought ill of Religion and therefore he required him to tell him what he thought of the Mass which the Calvinists spake so much against Andelot being a man of great courage answered confidently according to the truth which the King being offended at exhorted him to look to himself and to prevent the danger before it were too late Whereunto Andelot with greater courage answered that he had hitherto shewed himself obedient in all things to his Majesty whom he had found alwaies bountifull to himself and his Family but in the cause of Religion he could neither daub nor dissemble with God That his Body Wealth and Dignity were in the Kings power of which he might dispose as he pleased but his Soul was subject to God only that gave it to whom therefore in this cause he must needs be obedient as to his greater Lord. At this the King was so inraged that snatching up a dish he therewith hurt his Son the Dolphin that sat next him and then he commanded one of his privy-chamber to carry Andelot to the City of Meaux where he remained a Prisoner in the Bishops house till he was removed to the Castle of Melodune Not long after King Henry the second dying his Son Francis succeeded him who was married to Mary Queen of Scotland the Daughter of the Duke of Guises Sister by which means the Guises ruled all at Court and they also boasted often of the Kingdom of England to which this Mary was Heir apparent as they said The Admirall knowing their cruel barbarous and bloody dispositions who would never be free from turbulent Counsels and especially from pesecuting those of the Religion he was now without further delay resolved to lay down his Government of Picardy and for that end acquainted Lewis of Bourbon Prince of Conde concerning his intention wishing him to beg that place of the King which accordingly he obtained Our Admirall being thus eased of these publique Burthens and the troubles of them which withdrew his mind from Religion he kept at home in his own Castle and the rather because of his Wife Carola Lavollia born of an Illustrious and Ancient Family which was wonderfully given to the study of Religion exhorting her Husband also that casting off the remainders of Idolatry and Superstition he should wholly betake himself to the true service of Christ. The Admirall having often heard her presse this upon him dealt seriously with her telling her that he never knew any either in France or Germany which embraced in truth this reformed Religion but that they were overwhelmed with manifold afflictions under which they almost perished He told her also that by the Laws of France which were confirmed by all the Parliaments Whosoever made profession of this Religion was to be burnt alive and all his estate to be forfeited to the King Yet saith he if you be so prepared with Faith and courage that you can be content to undergo the same lott with others you shall see that I will not be wanting to do my duty To this she answered That the condition of the Church at this day was no other then what it had been in former ages even from the beginning and she perswaded her self that it would be the same to the end of the world And thus each of them incouraging other the Admirall began to instruct his Family in the true knowledge and worship of God and gave them Bibles and other good Books to read for their furthtr edification Withall he stoutly forbad them those oaths and blasphemies which were common in France especially in the Court He provided also godly Governours and Schoolmasters for his Children so that in a short time there was a wonderfull change in his Family yea by his example his two Brethren Odet the Cardinall and Andelot were exceedingly stirred up to the study of Religion The Admirall from his childhood had been bred in the Court which did in those daies exceedingly abound with luxury and other vices from which he was not altogether free but so soon as he imbraced the true Religion there was such a strange alteration in his life and deportment that the powerfull work of Gods Spirit did wonderfully appear therein Before he durst come to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper he conferred with divers Godly Ministers both about Transubstantiation and Consubstantiation for the setling of his judgment in the truth and once being present in the Town of Vatevill at a private
that thereupon the Queen Mother commanded the Prince of Conde to be set at liberty And a few daies after the Admirall assaulted Boience and at last took the Town though with some losse of his men About this very time the Admirals eldest Son called Gaspar being a youth of nine years old but of admirable towardnesse fell sick and died at Orleance which was an exceeding great grief to his Father In the mean time the Guises perceiving that they were forsaken by the greatest part of France which now adheared to and assisted Conde they resolved to call in forraign helps and thereupon sending much Money into Swisserland and Germany they hired from the former Foot and from the latter Horse to come in to their aid which the Admirall used often to say was a plain demonstration of their treacherous and hostile minds against France and therefore that he might not be wanting to himself and Friends who had committed so great a trust to him he resolved to oppose Forraign by Forraign forces And for this end he sent his Brother Andelot to the Protestant Princes in Germany of whose good will to the French Churches he had good assurance requesting aid from them who accordingly within three moneths space sent him three thousand Horse and six thousand Foot into France Whilst these things were transacting intelligence was given to the Admirall that some Cannons and a great quantity of Gunpowder was carrying to the Duke of Guise who now besieged Biturg guarded with six Troops of Horse and some Foot Hereupon the Admirall taking some Horse with him by long journeys hastened to meet the Convoy and coming up to them they scarce stood the first shock but throwing away their Arms fled and left the Booty to the Admirall who wanting Horses to draw them away by over-charging the Guns brake them and blew up the Gunpowder and so returned to his Camp Andelot returning out of Germany brought with him three thousand Horse and six thousand Foot so that the Prince of Conde having a good Army of French and Germans hasted to Paris which the Guises hearing of intended to meet him having gotten a Regiment of Swissers in whom they put most confidence and so the two Armies meeting a Battell was fought but with a doubtfull event for on the one side the Constable was taken prisoner by one Will. Steward a valiant Scots man and on the other side the Prince of Conde was taken prisoner which made many of his Foot to throw away their Arms and fly But the Admirall rallying the Horse and encouraging them to prefer their Religion Country and honour befor their lives he valiantly charged the Guisians in which medly he slew Marshall St. Andrew a potent man at Court and Prossaeus Collonel to the Duke of Guise and divers other Noble men The fight being ended the Admirall carried the Constable to Orleance where he made his abode for a while But shortly after came the Duke of Guise to besiege the City whereupon the Admirall leaving his Brother Andelot for the defence of it flies into Normandy and there besieged the Castle of Cadonius where the Marquesse of Elboeve one of the D. of Lorrains Brothers was and within a few daies had it with all the Arms and Ammunition surrendred to him About this time there was one John Poltrot a young man of a Noble Family in the Army of the Duke of Guise who having embraced the Reformed Religion and served for some moneths under the Prince of Conde took up privately with himself a resolution to kill the D. of Guise as a publique enemy to his Countrey and a cause of all the present calamities And said he If I had been bound to him by any oaths I must not have been perfidious but being free why should I not venture as Scaevola did for my Countries safety With this resolution he went to the Duke of Guises Camp and watching his opportunity shot him into the shoulder of which wound he died within a few daies after The very same day in the morning the Duke of Guise being ready to give an assault to Orleance wrote to the Queen Mother that within twenty four hours he would send her word of the taking of that City and that he would make the day very memorable by sparing neither sex nor age and that after he had kept his Shrovetide there he would extinguish the memory of the Town by utter subverting of it But man knows not his destiny nor what shall happen to him for that the same evening he was slain as you heard before Presently after which a Peace was concluded and the Edict renued for the free exercise of the Reformed Religion through all France as formerly Not many moneths after the Admirall being sent for to Court by the Queen Mother the Widow of the Duke of Guise comes in and falls down at the Kings feet crying out with many tears for revenge for her Husbands death charging the Admirall as the contriver and author of it The Admirall apprehending that this was but the device of others which set her on to seek his destruction by fraud which they could not effect by War before the King and all the Councel he clears himself shewing that Poltrot had at his death professed that he was set on by none but God neither did he doubt but that he had done God good service in it and freed his Countrey from a Tyrant that raged and thirsted after Christian blood and therefore he was not sorry for what he had done c. He also desired that if they questioned the death of the Duke of Guise he might have leave also to put in a Charge against him for that he doubted not but that he could easily prove the Duke of Guise guilty of murthering wickedly the Kings Subjects and of violating all the sacred Laws and Decrees of the King of taking up arms of his own head without Authority and thereby making himself guilty of Treason and of kindling those flames in France which had continued about thirteen moneths Notwithstanding this resolute speech of the Admirall his enemies ceased not for some years still to call upon the King for justice against him whereupon the King at last appointed a Convention of all the Peers of the Kingdom at the City of Molincum whither also he called his chiefest Senators and Counsellours commanding the Cardinall of Lorraine and the Widow of the Duke of Guise to produce what proofs they could and the Admirall to defend himself against them When both parties had pleaded their Cause the King told them that he had referred the judgment to his Counsellors and therefore asked them if they had any exceptions against any of them they answered No. Then he asked them if they would refer the determination of their Cause to him and would stand to his judgment They answered that they would willingly so do Whereupon Jan. 29. Anno
of Spain which the King made such use of that the Admirall thence collected arguments of his greater good will towards him That they must use such artifices whilst they expected an opportunity to effect what was resolved on That the King of Spain was throughly acquainted with all these proceedings that so he might suspect nothing by reason of those great preparations which were made for Warre for he was assured that this was done upon good grounds as subservient to the principal end That therefore he desired the Cardinall that whatsoever he had heard or should hear hereafter yet he should assure himself that the King would never depart from his first purpose and that whatsoever he did did but conduce to hasten the end of their Counsels and that both the King Queen-Mother and the Duke of Anjou were all very solicitous for this thing and that as soon as ever the businesse should be effected they would instantly send away Messengers to acquaint Lorraine with it And as for the businesse of the Prince of Navarrs marriage they hoped that it would quickly be effected for this was ro begin all their future designs c. He that sent these Letters to the Admirall hoped that he would have been warned by them to look to himself and his affairs but he had such a strong confidence of the Kings love and good will towards him which also was daily nourished in him by his Son-in-law Teligni that he which was most provident and sharp-sighted in all others businesses was fatally blind in this In the beginning of May 1571. the King desired the Queen of Navarr to go to Paris to provide all things necessary for the marriage where she arrived the fifteenth day of the same moneth and the fourth day of June she fell sick of a feavour whereof she died five daies after to the extream grief and sorrow of all her Servants and Friends Two daies before her death being in perfect memory she made a most Christian Testament and last Will finishing her course with singular piety and joy in God She was a Princesse of great experience by reason of her manifold adversities in all which she shewed an invincible constancy and heroicall greatnesse of courage most affectionate to her Religion very carefull of the education of her children training them up in the fear of God In her words most grave and full of motherly affections to them She had a ready and well advised wit was pitifull and easie to be intreated constantly maintained that which she judged to be good and agreeable to the will and good pleasure of God She had a great vivacity of spirit whereby she was able to comprehend all her affairs and had a lively grace in representing them either by word or writing She died June 9. 1572. and of her age 44. It was believed that she was poysoned by the smell of certain perfumes the Doctors and Chyrurgions which opened her were commanded not to open her brain where the mischief lay and therefore could not determine about the cause of her death The Admirrll in this time was at his house aa Castallion where he received many Letters and Messages from the King to come to him and because he stirred not the King sent Cavagnes and Briquemaud to fetch him that they might come to a conclusion about the Warres in Flanders and special commandment was given to the Provost of Merchants and other chief men that at the Admirals coming to Paris there should be no affronts done him About the same time the Admirall had many advertisements from his Friends both within and without the Realm that though he could not conceive any sinister opinion of the King his Mother or Brother that yet at least he would consider into what place he was about to thrust himself amongst so many implacable enemies But he resting upon the testimony of a good conscience and the providence of God rejected all those counsels as proceeding from mens covetousnesse or desire of new troubles which he abhorred worse then death and therefore taking a small train with him he went to Paris and was very honourably intertained by the King Queen-Mother the Kings Brethren and others to the great astonishment of the whole City At the Admirals coming to Paris amongst other Letters that were brought to him there was one that gave him these warnings Remember the Popish Maxime confirmed by the Authority of Councils That faith is not to be kept with Hereticks in which number the Protestants are accounted Remember the implacable spirits of the Papists at this time irritated by the last Warres There is no doubt but it is the fixed purpose of the Queen-Mother to destroy the Protestants by any means whatsoever Consider that she is an Italian of a most crafty wit born of the Progeny of Popes who contrives all extream things against her enemies Remember in what School the King hath been brought up from his childhood how he hath been taught to swear and forswear To pollute himself with whoredomes and adulteries To compose his countenance To counterfeit Faith and Religion How he hath been accustomed to cruelty and bloodshed How he hath been taught not to suffer above one Religion in his Kingdom How it hath been whispered into his ears That the Protestants seek to dispoil him of his life and Kingdom That he is not bound to keep Covenants made with armed Subjects That he is taught the Mysteries of State Policy Remember that Commodus caused Julianus to be slain whom he pretended to honour and imbrace as a Father That Antoninus Caracalla under the pretence of a Muster caused all the chief youths of the City to be slain That Lysander under the pretence of friendship commanded the throats of four hundred Milesians to be cut That lately Atonius Spinola invited all the chief men of Corsica to a Banquet where they were all slain That Christian King of Denmark used the same art to commit that horrid massacre at Stockholme c. That the Kings speech to his Mother at Blois was no secret when swearing fearfully he asked her whether he had not carried himself well at the coming of the Queen of Navarr To whom she answered That he had begun well but that would profit little unlesse he went on But I quoth he swearing often will bring them all into the net Wherefore if you be wise haste both out of the Court and City with all speed as out of a most impure sink The Admirall having read this Letter though he were offended yet lest he should seem to neglect the prayers and warnings of his Friends he returned this answer That there was no place left any longer for these suspitions That he was verily perswaded that so great perfidiousnesse could not enter into the heart of so good a King That indeed the Duke of Anjou was more estranged from the Protestants but that hatred would by degrees cease by
his Pancrestum or Physick for all diseases which greatly comforted his heart in all his afflictions By his first Wife he had five Children He left alive Lewis his eldest Daughter married to Monsieur Teligni who was murthered the same night with his Father-in-law then Francis Odet and Charles the two elder survived that furious Massacre the third being not eight years old in whom he took much delight for his prettinesse was taken by his enemies and taught to bear the Crosse of Christ in his tender years He left his second Wife great with child who was brought to bed four moneths after of a girl and returning to her native Countrey in the borders of Savoy was not long after committed to prison by the command of P. Philibert D. of Savoy for marrying against his consent The Life of Joane Queen of Navarr who was poisoned at Paris a few daies before the bloody Massacre Anno Christi 1572. IOane of Albert was daughter to Henry the second King of Navarr and to Margueret of Orleance Sister to Francis the first of that name King of France and by her Parents was carefully trained up in the Protestant Religion from her childhood which she constantly adhered to all the daies of her life She was married to Anthony of Bourbon Son to Charles Duke of Vendosme by whom she had Henry the fourth of that name King of France by his Fathers right and the second of that name King of Navarr by his Mothers This Anthony King of Navarr in the minority of Charles the ninth being the first Prince of the blood was to be his Protector but the Queen-Mother and the Guises seeking to draw all the power and management of affairs into their own hands laboured by all means to withdraw the King of Navarr from the Protestants that so by weakening them thereby they might rule the rost as they listed For which end they employed the Ambassadour of Spain the Cardinall of Tournon Escars and some other houshold flatterers to him who perswaded him that carrying himself a Neuter and causing the Prince his Son to go once to the Masse the King of Spain would give him the Realm of Sardinia in recompence for that of Navarr which he had lately taken from him The Pope likewise confirms him in this hope which indeed was but to take from him all means of recovering his Kingdom of Navarr when he should attempt it Yet he being drawn by those Spanish and Lorrain practises estrangeth himself by little and little from the Protestants sollicited the Queen his Wife to return into the bosome of the Romish Church and to draw her children thereunto But she being better grounded in the truth then so easily to forsake it refuseth whereupon a breach grew betwixt them and the King her Husband falls in love with one of the Queen-Mothers Maids The forenamed Guisian instruments seeing this perswade him that Heresie is a sufficient cause of dissolving marriage and that therefore he might be divorced from Joane Albert his Wife as being infected with the poison of Heresie They tell him also that notwithstanding his divorce he should retain to himself the possession of and interest in all the Dominions and Kingdoms belonging to her of which she should be deprived as unworthy of them by reason of her Heresie And instead of her he should marry Mary Queen of Scots whose Dowry say they is the Kingdom of England and as soon as the marriage is contracted the Pope would strip Elizabeth of it as unworthy thereof for the same cause and settle it upon them c. But the King of Navarr abhorring to be divorced from his Wife it remained that he should accept the conditions about the Kingdom of Sardinia for the effecting whereof they left no means unassaied and at last prevailed so far that they gulled the King of Navarr and set him at odds with his Brother the Prince of Conde Coligni the Admirall and the other Protestants The Queen his Wife distasting his change of Religion and adhering to the Popish party retired into Podium in the Countrey of Bearne where she kept her Court But it pleased God that shortly after in the siege of Orleance the King of Navarr was shot into the shoulder whereof he died about three weeks after The next design was to seize upon the Queen together with her Son Henry and her Daughter Katherine and to bring them before the judgment seat of the Inquisition of Spain and the Conspirators doubted not but that Philip King of Spain would more willingly hearken to this counsell for that this exploit would make for the advantage of his Religion the rescuer whereof he proudly boasted himself to be As also the businesse about the Kingdom of Navarr which he unjustly detained would be hereby dispatched by the taking away of the unlawfull heirs thereof They conceived also that the businesse might easily be effected by the means of the King of Spain's Souldiers that lay at Bacinona ready to be transported into Africk who by the waies of the mountains might come upon and surprize the Queen of Navarr and her Children at Podium before they were aware One Dominik a Captain born in the territories of Bearne was singled out to go to the Court of Spain to communicate these counsels with the King and to receive further instructions from him But it pleased God that this Dominik falling sick by the way Annas Hespius an honest man that tended on him smelt out the occasion of his journey and by giving timely notice prevented the effecting of it by which deliverance God shewed his watchfull providence over his handmaid this Religious Queen of Navarr Not long after in the time of the third Civil Warre for Religion this Queen having raised great Troops led them to Rochel together with her Son Henry and her Daughter Katherine from whence she wrote Letters to the King the Queen-Mother the Duke of Anjou and the Cardinall of Bourbon To the King she wrote That in the common Cause of Religion in regard of the duty which she owed to the King and the necessity of blood whereby she was joyned to the Prince of Conde she could not be wanting to him upon such an occasion having alwaies rejected the bloody counsels of the Guisian faction and especially the Ambition of the Cardinall of Lorrain from whose friendship she earnestly dehorted the Duke of Anjou beseeching him that he would not yield up himself a minister of his wicked will in cutting up the Royal stock by the roots In her Letter to the Cardinall of Bourbon she sharply chideth him for not being warned by his former danger For how long saith she will you be the Suffragan of the Cardinall of Lorrain Have you forgotten the treacherous plots that were laid by him for your Head and are you so credulous as to believe his oaths when he sweareth that he minded no treachery c. But these