language which he readily quoted so that the company trembled to hear such things from one that understood no learning and that moved neither tongue nor lip Master Bothwel was mightily enabled by God to detect the devils sophistry Devil What stand I talking with thee All men know thou art BOLD ROTHWEL and fearest no body nor carest for words therefore I will talk to thee no more that name he carried to his grave They would say That is he the devil called BOLD ROTHWEL Rothwel turning to the people said Good people you see the goodnesse of our God and his great power though the devil made a fool of me now through my weaknesse God hath made the devil dumb now do you see how he lyeth therefore let us go to prayer that God who hath made him dumb will I doubt not drive him out of this poor man Devil raged blasphemed and said And wilt thou go to prayer If thou do I will make such a noise that thy prayer shall be distracted and thou knowest God will not hear a distracted prayer but thou hast got a device because thou wilt not be distracted with thy eyes in prayer thou winkest so he alwaies did but if thou pray I will pull out thy eyes Rothwel I look to find thee as great an enemy in this duty now as I have done heretofore but I fear not thy threat I know thou art limitted God heareth the Prayers of the upright hath promised to give his Spirit to supply infirmities therefore in confidence of his promise and powerfull assistance of his Spirit and in the name and intercession of his Son Jesus Christ we will go to Prayer They did so Mr. Rothwel kneeled by the bed on which the poor man lay The Devil for a quarter of an hour together or more made a horrid noise neverthelesse Master Rothwels voice was louder then the Devils After a while the Devil roared at Master Rothwels face this was the first motion of any part of the mans body Master Rothwel opened his eyes met and brought down the hand which he held with great ease two men being scarce able to hold the other hand Prayer was still continued at length the Devil lay silent in the man and after that departed from him The man fetcht divers deep sighs insomuch as they thought he had been expiring but his colour returned to him and the use of all his members senses and understanding and at the next petition he said to the glory of God and amazement but comfort of all the company AMEN and so continued to repeat his Amen to every petition Prayer was now turned into thansgiving and so concluded After prayer John Fox said Good Master Rothwel leave me not I shall not live long for the Devil tels me he will choak me with the first bit of meat that I eat Master Rothwel answered Wilt thou beleeve the Devil that seeks thy destruction before thou wilâ— trust in God through Jesus Christ that seeks thy salvation Hath not God by his Almighty power dispossed him Had he had his will thou hadst been in Hell before now but he is a Lier and as he is not able to hinder thy souls life so neither shall he be able to destroy the life of thy body Wherefore get me something ready saith he for him and I will see him eat before I go and will crave a blessing upon it When it was brought eat saith Master Rothwel and fear not the Devil shewing him that he might do it in faith of that Ordinance by which God appoints meat for means to preserve life and urged that place of Jairus Daughter restored to life He commanded to give her meat Luk. 8.55 With much ado and in great trembling at last them an took and eat it Look saies Master Rothwel you all see the Devil is a Lier the first bit hath not choaked him nor shall the rest Master Rothwel left him after which he was stricken dumb for three years together I had a Book written with his own hand of the Temptations the Devil haunted him with afterwards and the Answers divers godly and reverend Ministers gave to those temptations but the Cavaliers got them and all my Books and Writings Thus the poor man remained tempted but no longer possessed At length by Prayer also which was instantly put up to God for him every Sabbath and Lecture day in many places the Lord opened his mouth and restored his speech to him one using this petition Lord open thou his mouth that his lips may shew forth thy praise He answered in the Congregation Amen and so continued to speak and spake graciously to his dying day This Life was drawn up by my reverend Friend Master Stanly Gower of Dorchester Dr. PRESTON The Life of Doctor Preston who died Anno Christi 1628. Iohn Preston the Son of Thomas and Alice Preston was born at Heyford in Northamptonshire a town divided by a little River into the upper and lower Heyfords and is in Maps oft written in the plural number It is a Rectory and hath a fair Church in the lower Heyfords but yet stands in divers Parishes That Farme wherein Master Thomas Preston lived is in Bugbrook Parish where they buried and baptized where we find that John the Sonne of Thomas Preston was baptized Octob. 27. 1587. but was descended from that Family of the Prestons that lived at Preston in Lancashire from whence his great Grandfather removed upon occasion of a fatall quarrel with one Master Bradshaw a neighbour Gentleman whom in his own defence he slew and satisfied the Law and was acquitted for it but not the Kindred who waited an opportunity to be revenged as the manner in those Northern Countries then was It fell out not long after that Master Bradshaws next Brother meets Master Preston near to the place where he had slain his Brother and told him he should do as much for him or he would revenge his Brothers blood Master Preston told him he had slain his Brother against his will and in his own defence that he bare no evil will unto them desired him he would forbear but when no thing would prevail they fought and Bradshaw fell again But Master Preston was troubled and grieved at it for he saw a fire was kindled that would not easily be quenched and therefore resolved that he would leave that fatall and unlucky Countrey though he was a Gentleman of a very fair estate and walking one day pensive in Westminster-Hall one Master Morgan of Heyford with whom he was acquainted came unto him and asked why he was so sad To whom for answer he relates the former story Master Morgan knowing him to be a gallant man was very sensible of his estate and told him if he would go with him to Heyford he should have a good Farm to live in for the present and what accommodation he could afford him Master Preston thanked him and after some consideration of the matter resolved to take his
THE LIVES Of Two and Twenty English Divines EMINENT In their Generations for Learning Piety and painfulnesse in the Work of the Ministry and for their Sufferings in the Cause of CHRIST Whereunto are annexed the LIVES of Gaspar Coligni that famous Admirall of France slain in the Parisian Massacre and of Joane Queen of Navarr who died a little before By Samuel Clarke Pastor of Bennet-Fink London Qui sanctum virum imitatur quasi Exemplum aliquod intuetur seseque in illo quasi speculo prospicit ut adjiciat quod deesse virtutis agnoscit Minus enim seipsum homo considerat sed dum alterum intendit id quod minus est virtutis addidit Isiod de summo bono LONDON Printed by A. M. for Thomas Vnderhill and John Rothwell in Pauls Church-yard 1660. The Names of those whose Lives are contained in this Part. Dr. Collet p. 1 Bishop Coverdale 4 Dr. Sands 7 Mr. Richard Greenham 14 Mr. Thomas Cartwright 19 Mr. Paul Baines 27 Mr. William Bradshaw 32 Mr. Richard Stock 78 Mr. Richard Rothwel 85 Dr. Preston 95 Mr. Arthur Hildersam 144 Dr. Thomas Tailor 157 Mr. Hugh Clarke p. 160 Dr. Sibs 166 Dr. Chaderton 168 Mr. John Ball. 171 Bishop Potter 182 Mr. Richard Sedgwick 184 Mr. Julines Herring 188 Mr. John Dod. 198 Mr. Robert Balsom 213 Mr. Herbert Palmer 218 Gaspar Coligni Admirall of France 243 Ioane Q. of Navarr 297 To his loving Friend Master CLARKE upon his Lives of these eminent DIVINES SAMUEL CLARKE Anagr. Make us recall MAke us recall the lives of Worthies dead Herein thou art blest soul our learned Clark In suffering times thereby to hold up head And live their lives Herein thou art our Mark To soare aloft their Glories to ascend And sing such Praises here thou art our Larke To live when we are dead and so to end Our Pilgrimage and enter Noah's Arke Thy paines and pattern Make us to recall Their Graces Glories and their Lives withall John Herring Mr. of Arts and Minister of Gods Word The Life of Doctor Collet Dean of Pauls who died Anno Christi 1519. JOhn Collet was born of Worshipfull Parents in London his father Henry Collet having been twice Lord Maior of London by whom he was carefully trained up in learning In his younger daies he travelled into France and Italy whereby he much improved his learning At his return into England he went to Oxford commenced Doctor of Divinity and began to read publickly upon Pauls Epistles instead of Scotus and Tho. Aquinas which before were only in request in that University When he came to London he Preached often and had a very great Auditory both of Courtiers and Citizens His diet was very frugall his life upright and unblamable In discipline he was very severe in so much as being made Dean of Pauls his Canons complained that they were held in too much by him He alwaies preferred the honest and honourable estate of Matrimony before the unchast single life of Priests At dinner time he used to have some portion of Scripture read to him either out of Pauls Epistles or Solomons Proverbs He used no supper at all He was no friend to the irreligious religious orders of Monks and Friars He was an enemy to the barbarous Divinity of the School-Doctors as of Scotus and Thomas Aquinas insomuch as when Erasmus highly commended Aquinas for his learning and acutenesse Doctor Collet answered What tell you me of the learning of that man who unlesse he had been of an arrogant and presumptious spirit durst never have taken upon him to discusse and define all things so boldly and rashly as he did And except he had rather been worldly minded then heavenly he would never so have polluted Christs wholsome Doctrine with mans prophane Doctrine as he hath done The Bishop London at this time was Fitz James who of a long time bore a great grudge to Dr Collet and therefore joyning with two other Bishops they entred an action of complaint against him before Dr Warham Archbishop of Canterbury The Articles exhibited against him were three First For preaching against the worshipping of Images Secondly About hospitality for that he preaching upon those words in the Gospel Feed feed feed having expounded the two first for feeding by Doctrine and example the third he expounded for feeding by hospitality yet not so much for feeding the body as the soul by good counsel and conference The third was for speaking against such as preached bosom Sermons declaring nothing to the people but what they bring in their Papers with them This the Bishop of London used to do and therefore took it as spoken against himself which much irritated him against Dr Collet But the Archbishop more wisely weighing the matter and being well acquainted with the worth of Collet so took his part against his Accusers that at that time he freed him out of trouble Another design of Fitz James was to make him an heretick for translating the Pater noster into English but the Archbishop holp him out of that also Yet the Bishops malice was restlesse for when he could not prevail against Dr Collet before the Archbishop he laid a train to accuse him to the King and the occasion thereof was this About this time King Henry the eighth was preparing War against France and the Bishop with his complices took advantages against Dr Collet for that in one of his Sermons he had seemed to preferre Peace before any kind of Warre though never so just For this they inveyed against him in their Sermons and traduced him also before the King Yet on good Friday after Dr Collet preached before the King at which time he treated upon the Victory of Christ exhorting all Christians to fight under Christs standard against the devil adding moreover what an hard thing it was so to do He shewed also that all they who upon private hatred or ambition took weapons against their adversaries one Christian to destroy another they did not fight under Christs Banner but under Satans He exhorted therefore all Christians in their Wars rather to make Christ their Prince and Captain in fighting against their enemies then to imitate Julius Caesar Alexander c. The King hearing this and fearing lest the hearts of his souldier should by these words be withdrawn from the Wars took him aside into his Garden after Sermon and had much private conference with him Bishop Fitz-James and his a associates seeing this were now confident that they should see Collet presently sent Prisoner to the Tower and therefore they waited for his return out of the Garden But contrary to their expectation the King used him very courteously bad him put on his Cap much commended him for his learning and integrity of life and agreed with him in all points that he had taught onely he desired him lest the rude Souldiers should misinterpret that which he had said that in his next Sermon he would
that we should be sure of if we unfeignedly sought it Speaking of Davids penning the 51 Psalm after his murther and Adultery he put this glosse upon it That hearty and true repentance shall have cause to praise the Lord for his pardoning mercy He said Afflictions were Gods Potions which we might sweeten by Faith and faithfull Prayer but we for the most part made them bitter putting into Gods Cup the ill ingredients of our own impatience and unbelief He gave this reason why many of Gods people lived uncomfortably for that they shut their ear against what God said where they should open it and they opened their ear to what their carnal reason and Satan and the world said where they should shut it But said he the Psalmist was wiser Psal. 85.8 He would heare none of them all I will heare what the Lord God will speake His preaching was searching and when some did suppose that he had Informers and Spies because he came so close to them he answered that the Word of God was searching and that if he was shut up in a dark vault where none could come at him yet allow him but a Bible and a Candle and he should preach as he did He had an excellent gift in similitudes which did flow freely and frequently from him as all those knew who either heard him preach publiquely or discourse privately He called death the friend of grace though it were the enemy of nature and whereas the Word and Sacraments and Prayer do but weaken sin death kills it Speaking of Prayer he said a man was never in a hard condition unlesse he had a hard heart and could not pray Having preached out of that text O woman great is thy Faith be it unto thee even as thou wilt he invited some women to dinner and told them it was a usuall saying Let a woman have her will and then she would be quiet Now the way for a woman to have her will is to have a strong Faith and to pray as that woman in the Gospel did Upon a time when he had preached long so that it was somewhat late before he went to dinner he said you shall have some Gentlemen will follow hounds from seven in the morning till four or five in the afternoon because they love the cry of dogs which to me was unpleasant hearing so if we love the Word we should be content though the Minister stood above his hour And he added methinks it is much better to hear a Minister preach then a Kennell of hounds to bark Speaking of Recreation he said he marvelled what the vocation of many was who were so eager for recreation And if we should come into a house and see many Physick-boxes and glasses we would conclude some body is sick so when we see Hounds and Hawks and Cards and Dice we may fear that there is some sick soul in that Family He told some Friends that if he were to passe sentence who was a rich man he would not look into his purse or chest how much gold he had laid up but look into his heart what promises were treasured up there For we count him rich that is rich in bonds and the pleading of the Promises in Prayer is suing of the bonds Speaking to a Minister who was to go to a place where there was but small means he told him that his care was to preach and do God service and then God would provide for him When he preached at Fausley and was much resorted unto as it was with him in other places he told a godly man of his acquaintance that if the Countrey knew so much by him as he knew by himself they would not have him in so much admiration Speaking about going to Law his Opinion was that it was better to buy Love then Law For one might have a great deal of love for a little whereas he could have but a little law for a great deal He would frequently say That was well which ended everlastinly well and that was ill which ended everlastingly ill And that a man was never undone till he was in hell This was a speech which he often used that if it were lawfull to envy any he would envy those that turned to God in youth whereby they escaped much sin and sorrow and were like unto Jacob that stole the blessing betimes This was a remarkable passage of Providence that upon a time when it was late at night it came into his mind that he must see a Friend of his some two miles off he had businesse and would have put it off but his thoughts were restlesse whereupon he went and when he came to the place all the Family were in bed but only his Friend who was esteemed truly godly but at that time was overwhelmed with tentations the occasion whereof was some cruelty offered to his Children Master Dod knew nothing either of the tentation or occasion of it But knocking at the door his Friend opened the door to him to whom he said I am come to you I know not why my self but I was restlesse in my spirit untill I had done it To whom his Friend answered You know not why you came but God knew why he sent you and withall pulled out a halter wherewith he had intended self-murder at that time which by Gods goodnesse was by this means prevented Speaking of losing for Christ he testified from his own experience that for the losse of one carnal Brother he had two hundred spiritual Brethren Before he was married he could not maintain himself and thereupon he was thinking how he should maintain a Wife and Children his living not being great but looking out of his study window he saw a Hen and Chickens scratching for their living and he considered thus with himself The Hen did but live before and had nothing to spare and now she had as much with that great Family When he saw a Christian to look sad he would use that speech which Johnadab did to Amnon Art not thou a Kings Son He would say to those that complained of losses and crosses that which Eliphaz did to Job Do the consolations of God seem small to you God hath taken away your children your goods but he hath not taken away himself nor Christ nor his Spirit nor Heaven nor eternal life He used to instruct Christians how they should never have a great affliction nor long and that was by looking upon things which were not seen which are eternal 2 Cor. 4.17 18. What can be great to him that counts the world nothing And what can be long to him that thinks his life but a span long To perswade them that are Christians not to return railing for railing he would say that if a dog bark at a sheep a sheep will not bark at a dog In these times of war at the first beginning of them when
the matter meant requiring them to wait upon him to the Schools according to their duty which they did and Dr. Sands took the Chair Mr. Mitch and a rable of unlearned Papists seeing this withdrew and conspired amongst themselves to pull him out of the Chair In the mean time Dr. Sands began his Oration expostulating with the University about their dealings and charging them with great ingratitude towards him affirming that he had said nothing in his Sermon but what he was ready to justifie and that if he were faulty they were as deeply guilty in concealing and consenting to that which he had spoken In the midst of his speech in came Mitch with his associates some laid hands on him to pull him out of the Chair telling him it was not his place others called him traytor c. Dr. Sands seeing that they used violence being of a great courage felt for his dagger to have dispatched some of them as Gods enemies but Dr. Bell and Dr. Blith prayed him for Gods sake to hold his hands and patiently to bear that great wrong to which he assented and so the tumult ending he went on and finished his Oration and having some money of the Universities in his hand he delivered it up together with all other things belonging to the University and then resigned his Office praying to God to substitute a better in his room and to give them better and more thankfull hearts and so he repaired to his own Colledge On the morrow came to him Mr. Germingham and Mr. Tho. Mildmay Mr. Germingham told him that it was the Queens pleasure that by two of the guard he should be conveyed to the Tower together with the Duke Mr. Mildmay told him that he wondered that so learned a man as he should speak so unadvisedly against so good a Prince Dr. Sands answered I shall not be ashamed of bonds but if I could do as Mr. Mildmay can I need not to fear them for you came down in armes against the Queen and now you are in arms for her I cannot thus blow hot and cold with one mouth Presently Dr. Sands his stable was robbed of four excellent Geldings and an Inventory was taken of all his goods and he was set upon a lame jade that halted to the ground whereupon a friend of his desired that he might lend him a Nagg to ride upon As he went out at the end of the Town some Papists assembled to jeer and some of his Friends to mourn for him He was carried through London in scorn and as he entred in at Bishops-gate a base woman threw a stone at him and hit him so full on the breast that he was near falling from his Horse To whom he mildly said Woman I pray God forgive thee As he went through Tower street a woman in her door said to him Fie on thee thou Knave thou Knave thou Traytor thou Heretick At this he smiled whereupon she said Look the desperate Heretick laughs at it Another woman on the other side of the street said Fie neighbour thou art not worthy to be called a woman railing thus upon this Gentleman whom thou knowest not nor yet the cause why he is thus used and turning to the Doctor she said Good Gentleman God be thy comfort and give thee strength to stand in Gods cause even to the death and thus he was carried Prisoner to the Tower where the Yeoman of the Guard took from him his borrowed Nagg and whatsoever else he had and whereas his man brought some linen after him that also was taken from him The first three weeks he was in a very bad prison at the end whereof he was removed to another where was put to him Mr. John Bradford On the day of the Queens Coronation his prison door was left open and there came to him one Mr. Mitchell a special friend of his and said Dr. Sands there is such a stir in the Tower that neither gates doors nor Prisoners are looked after this day therefore take my cloak hat and rapier and get you gon save your self and let me do as I may The Doctor refused his offer saying I know no just cause of my imprisonment and if I should do this I should make my self guilty I will expect Gods good will yet am I much bound to you for your love Mr. Mitchell not prevailing departed Dr. Sands and Mr. Bradford continued in prison twenty nine weeks one Bowler a perverse Papist being their Keeper yet by their affable and loving carriage and converse he began to mislike Popery and to favour the Gospel yea he was so far at last wrought upon that on a Sabbath when others went to Masse he carried up to them a Service-Book a manchet and some wine at which time Dr. Sands administred the Sacrament to Mr. Bradford and him and so Bowler became their son begotten in their bonds When Wyat was up in Arms that room might be made for him and his in the Tower Dr. Cranmer Dr. Ridley and Mr. Bradford were put into one prison and Dr. Sands with nine other godly Ministers were removed to the Marshalsey As they went the people every where prayed God to comfort them and to strengthen them in his truth whereupon the Keeper of the Marshalsey said to Dr. Sands I perceive that the vain people would set you forward to the fire but I hope you will not prefer your own knowledg before the judgment of so many worthy and learned Prelates if so you shall find me as strait a Keeper as one that utterly mislikes your Religion Dr. Sands answered I know my self young and my learning small it s enough to know Christ crucified and he hath learned nothing that sees not the great blasphemy that is in Popery I have read in Scripture of some godly and courteous Keepers God may make you one if not I trust he will give me strength and patience to bear your hard dealing with me The Keeper replied Do you then minde to stand to your Religion Yea said the Doctor by Gods grace I do Truly said the Keeper I love you the better for it I did but try you before and what favour I can shew you you shall be sure of it and I shall think my self happy if I may die at the stake with you and ever after he shewed the Doctor much favour suffering him to walk into the fields alone where sometimes he met with Mr. Bradford who being removed to the Kings Bench found the like favour with his Keeper He also lodged him in the best Chamber and would not suffer irons to be put on him as other Prisoners had and suffered his Wife a beautifull Gentlewoman both in body and soul to resort to him He lodged also Mr. Sanders with him To these two holy men there was much resort and much Money was profered to them but they would receive none Three or four times they celebrated the Sacrament and
this time though his Bushell was bigger then other mens yet he would often charge his man not to strike off all the Corn. He used not to trouble himself with reckonings and accounts but would sometimes ask his man when he came from the Market how he sold Corn and if it was dear he would say I pray God bring down the price of it and if it was cheap he would heartily blesse God for it Yea his Charity was not onely extended to the poor of his own Parish but to others also for if at any time he had seen a poor body at a distance from him as he rode abroad he would send his man with money to him and when at any time he rode by the Castle at Cambridge the Prisoners would never ask him for any thing nor any one that was with him for if he had any money in his purse they were sure to have part of it By reason of his great liberality though his living was worth a hundred pound per annum yet he usually wanted Money to get in his Harvest so that his Wife formerly Doctor Bounds widow was forced to borrow money to supply that want Yet was he so well content with his present condition that though he had proffers of livings worth three of that which he had yet would he by no meanes be perswaded to accept of them He was a great friend to and promoter of peace and concord amongst his Neighbours and acquaintance insomuch that if any had come to him who were at variance he would either have made them friends himself or if he could not prevail he would have made use of other friends to reconcile them together thereby to prevent their going to Law When Martin Mar-Prelate came first out Master Greenham being to preach at Saint Maries in Cambridge spake freely against that Book manifesting his dislike of the same For said he the tendency of this Book is to make sinne ridiculous whereas it ought to be made odious On a time the Bishop of Ely sent for him to appear about his Non-conformity at which time the Bishop told him that there was a great Schisme in the Church asking him where the blame was to be 〈◊〉 whether upon the Conformists or Non-conformists To which â—e readily answered that it might lie on either side or on neither side For said he if they loved one another as they ought and would do all goâ—â— Offices each for other thereby maintaining love and concord it lay 〈◊〉 neither side otherwise which party soever makes the rent the Schisme lies upon their score The Bishop was so pleased with this answer that he dismissed him in peace He was much troubled with a bad concoction whereby he had frequent sick nights which kept him much waking but then his manner was as much as possibly he could to spend the time in meditation and prayer We have before heard of his great Charity to mens bodies His Charity to souls was not lesse exemplary For having great experience and an excellent faculty to relieve and comfort distressed consciences he was sought to far and neer by such as groaned under spiritual afflictions and temptations all whom he entertained friendly and familiarly without respecting the person of the rich more then of the poor Yea the fame of this spiritual Physician so spread abroad that he was sent for to very many and the Lord was pleased so farre to blesse his labours that by his knowledge and experience many were restored to joy and comfort out of unspeakable and insupportable terrours and torments of conscience If the Lord had not so soon translated him out of this sinfull and miserable world there was none more fit nor willing to have prescribed Rules and a Method to be observed in this so little a known Art Of his good will herein let his own words testifie the forward desires of his heart For upon a special occasion he thus speaketh of himself I have had saith he for a long time a settled resolution which I hope is from God to study the cases of conscience that thereby I may be the better able to succour the tempted and perplexed in spirit He was filled with bowels of compassion towards the afflicted sympathizing as if he had been afflicted with them Many godly and learned friends of his perceiving his abilities and inclination thereto did labour much to excite and incourage him in those studies upon these and the like grounds First that he might hereby the better train up some young men in the like studies communicating his knowledg and experiences to them therein Secondly that he might leave to posterity a Commentary of such particular Maladies as God had made him instrumental in the cure of together with the meanes by him used for effecting of the same And because Precepts are wanting Rules of direction might be framed partly by his own observation partly by conference with other learned and experienced persons whereby in that and the age following that Art might be brought into some form and method to the publick good and benefit of many not only foâ— the fruitfull curing but also for the healthfull preventing of manifold mischiefs To such as complained to him that they were troubled with â—â—â—sphemous thoughts his counsell was that they should not fear them but abhorre them And when some poor Christians were miserably afflicted with feares that they had commited that unpardonable sinne against the holy Ghost he used to tell them that if they would not have committed it it was certain that they had not faln into it The graces of Gods Spirit did all abundantly shine forth in this man of God all tempered as with unfeigned love to Christ so with bowels of love and compassion towards men and he again was greatly beloved of all men In the whole course of his Ministry he was very carefull ever to avoid as much as was possible all occasions of offence desiring in all things to approve himself as a Minister of Christ and Workman that needed not to be ashamed He much rejoyced in and praised God for the happy government of Queen Elizabeth and for the blessed calm and peace which the Church and people of God enjoyed under the same speaking often of it both publickly and privately as he had occasion endeavouring to stirre up the hearts of all men as much as in him lay to praise God with him for it and to pray also for the continuance thereof Yea this matter so affected him that the day before his departure out of this world his thoughts were much troubled for that most men were so unthankfull for those wonderfull and happy deliverances which the Lord of his mercy vouchsafed to that glorious Queen from the conspiracies and dangerous practices of her Popish Adversaries He was a special Instrument and meanes under God to incourage and train up many godly and learned young men in the holy service of
excitatiram languido tristitiam I never knew him come home from the Court more satisfied then he did this time nor more encouraged in his Ministry at Cambridge for he was then upon those Sermons of the Attributes that since are printed and God was greatly with him in them Those Fellows at Emanuel that had been active in making of him Master there were much satisfied because the Doctor never would consent to the annulling of that Statute De mora sociorum in Collegio For he was convinced that the Founder had added it upon very weighty grounds and he saw it was a meanes to make the Fellows Preach and look abroad and lesse intend the actings of the Master that young Schollers were heartned in their studies with hopes that there would be preferments ready for rhem And it was ordinary among the Scholars to observe how long some Fellows were to stay Therefore observing these affronts at Court they Petitioned the King that that Statute might be abrogated The Duke was glad of this occasion to be revenged upon his old Friend Dr. Preston and did embrace it with all alacrity Commissions were dispatched for to hear and consider their Allegations and many meetings and debates were had about it in which it was acknowledged it was a Statute of equal power and validity with the rest though added three years after and upon that one of the Fellows that had Petitioned fell off The Doctor used all his Friends for to support and keep in power and effect this Statute and found very many very forward to assist him in it but above all a very Noble Grandchild of the Founder yet living did much encourage and enable the defence for though a Courtier and much obliged yet adventured and waved all his interests rather then he would behold his Grandfathers pious and prudent care so overthrown So a temper was at last agreed on that it should be suspended from effects in Law untill six livings of an hundred pounds per annum should be annexed to to the Colledge The soul is the undoubted Soveraign of the body and hath therein Despoticum imperium an absolute and uncontrolled Jurisdiction and in case of injury or over-burdening there is no action lies But souls should consider soft and fare goes far Qui vult regnare diù languidâ regnat manu It was Hobson that told the Scholars they would come time enough to London if they did not ride too fast It was incurable in this good man to over-ride himself for the body is pars compositi when it is tired we cannot take a new one at the next stage as we do Horses But he thought all was one some lived as much in seven years as others did in seventy Non diù vixit sed diù fuit was his opinion of many men that our life is like to iron that will consume with rust as much as employment Vita sicut ferrum exerceas vel perit These were his principles and his actings were according the most unmercifull unto his flesh of any living And it 's true that not time but action should be the Metwand of all mens lives Non annos meos sed victorias numero Not how long I have lived but how yet God doth usually allow his dearest servants time to do their work in Moses 120 years of age Deut. 34.7 David an old man before he dies 1 Chron. 29.28 Paul aged Phil. 9. notwithstanding all his labours and activity but the Doctor had a shorter period put unto his daies all mens is set Job 7.1 his was short It was no disparagement to good Josiah to die about the Doctors age 2 Chron. 34.1 Our glorious King Edward that scarce out-lived his minority out-stripped notwithstanding all his longest living Predecessors in doing good God that had set his time hastned his service and so he did the Doctors His preaching and studying labours were exceeding great but that which spent and wore him was his care and troubles for the Churches safety and prosperity Often he would inculcate that 2 Cor. 11.28 That which cometh upon me daily the care of all the Churches When his body therefore began to be sick and languish he was content a little to abate and take off and thought a Counttey house in some good air might help as formerly it had done and accordingly took one at Linton near the hils about six miles off which he furnished and purposed to be in all the week and come on Saturdays to preach upon the Lords daies and had this course been taken time enough much might have been But now he feared sollicitude would but be changed into solitude the air of subitable converse he doubted would be wanting there and being alone he saw would too much gratifie his melancholy the Spring therefore approaching he was willing to consult with some Physicians and London being far off he sent to Bury for Dr. Despotine His present malady was want of rest which now Tobacco would not help him to as formerly it had done and therefore he proposed letting blood The Doctor plainly told him that might perhaps allay his heats and purchase sleep but if it were within the verge of a Consumption it would be fatal to him He was inticed notwithstanding with the deceitfull hopes of present ease and so was let blood but never lived to repair that losse For sinking more and more he went to London and took advice of those that were best acquainted with his state of health by their advice he retired a little unto Newington unto a loving Friend of his that lived there and then to Harefordshire unto a thinner and more penetrating air The malady they all agreed was in his lungs which were not Ulcerated neither but obstructed and opprest with stiff and clammy matter that he could not void and perspiration was that he wanted and they supposed a penetrating air might do the cure but that was found too searching and corrosive for the other parts which were pervious enough and penetrable He therefore thought upon Northamptonshire his native Countrey which would in reason be most propitious unto him However he would leave his breath where first he found it and thankfully return what had been serviceable now along time to him He had at Preston four miles from Heyford a very dear and bosome friend that was ambitious of entertaining good men old Master Dod was but a mile off being seriously invited thither he pitcht upon it where he enjoyed with great contentment what air converse of friends and loving entertainment could afford and at the first was much refreshed by it but nature being spent and no foundation being left to work upon all his refreshing quickly flagged He had before made use of Dr. Ashworth and he was one of much experience and knew his body well therefore he thinks of riding over unto Oxford to him which he did and there continued about twelve daies and consulted with such as were there of any note Men die
hearts of many of which some live here some in glory His Books will prove more durable Monuments of his name then that his Sonne erected for him in Ashby Church And yet his Name with the lively picture of his Person lives in his worthy Son Master Samuel Hildersam whose learning Cambridge knew while he was Fellow of Emanuel Colledge and whose present ministerial labours and pious conversation at West-Felton in Shropshire do perpetuate the honour of his reverend Father whose very memory he doth much reverence and whose rich Vertues both personal and ministerial he doth happily imitate And his good help from his Fathers Papers and other waies hath most conduced to the drawing up of this faithfull relation that God may be glorified and many souls may be edified by this famous example thus presented unto publick view Dr. TAYLOR The Life of Doctor Thomas Taylor sometimes Pastor of Aldermanbury London who died Anno Christi 1632. THomas Taylor was born at Richmond in Yorkshire of worthy and godly Parents His Father was Recorder of that Town and a very Gaius or Onesiphorus to the silenced Ministers of England and to the exiled Ministers of Scotland He brought up divers Sonnes into the Ministry This Sonne of his as the other was of a Child trained up in the holy Scriptures which are able to make wise to salvation Afterward as age came on he was well grounded in other Learning and was sent to Cambridge where he became Fellow of Christs Colledge as one that should do the Lord Christ abundance of good service He was there most painfull and unweariable in the study of Tongues Arts Sciences all sorts of Exercises about them and especially for Divinity which was his Profession One while he was Hebrew Reader to the Colledge Being soon ripe he entred into the Ministry at the age of one and twenty years In Queen Elizabeths time he was called to preach at Pauls Crosse and preached the Sermon in King James his time In the course and work of his Ministry he spent thirty five years with all diligence and painfulnesse even to the very end when by right he might have spared himself living in all sincerity and godly purenesse with entire love of souls with all watchfulnesse with meeknesse wonderfully quickned with zeal He was an utter enemy of Popery Arminianisme Antinomianisme and other Sects which crept up in those times as appeareth partly by his writings Amidst all his pithy Discourses he was also an excellent and nimble Orator and wound up his matter with a good farewell even when at times it was but ordinary And from this course he would scarce suffer himself to be withdrawn at any time to refresh his spirits by a little freedom Yea sometimes when he was drawn forth into the Countrey for recreation by the solicitation of Gods people he escaped not without his usuall burden Or he spent his vacant time in preparing Books for the Presse which were both many and very usefull and will be to posterity who have cause to blesse God who giveth gifts to men and publique mindes that they may profit farre and near both hearers and strangers all debtors to him And men of understanding observed a great Seal put to his Ministry in several places whereto he was called Some converted others confirmed others comforted in the way of God And in these times of division wherein many Professors have turned into by-waies those that were his constant Hearers continue in that way stedfast and unshaken in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus Yea at Reding there was a generation of young Preachers who under his Ministry grew up in knowledge and holinesse and some eminency of gifts profiting by him and his pains there and some professe it at this day Perhaps also in the great City of London and at Cambridge Neither was he altogether for the publick but pious in private and not only in the course of his Family but in keeping Fasts among the godly of the place which in those daies was something a dangerous exercise And to make them solid Professors indeed he put them upon a weekly way of handling Chatecheticall points of Divinity that is every week to conferre of one of the heads of Religion according to the Catechisme subjoyned to Mr. Dods Treatise on the Commandments still proving the Doctrines by Testimonies of Scripture For other personall qualifications he was a man full of love alms-deeds and mercifull consideration of the needy though not with a Trumpet And he was a man blest of God with all the blessings of wisdome Prov. 3.16 Length of daies riches and honour He had every where both godly and great Friends and is likely still to have among those that shall converse in his worthy works In that his holy and blessed course he drew on toward his end It was his Clymacterical year of 56. Having over-laboured himself with preaching in the City he betook himself to his Countrey-house at Isleworth to be a little refreshed But having inflamed and corrupted his blood by preaching he soon fell into his mortall disease a Pleurisie for curing whereof though no meanes were wanting yet the desired effect through the Counsel of God followed not In the beginning of his sicknesse he set his house in order most holily and as became so worthy a Father and then bad farewell to all as one throughly prepared for his departure full of Faith and Patience and joy in the holy Ghost a great help in that acute disease Carefull of the welfare of the Church at home then in danger to be corrupted grieved for the evils he knew in some mens dealings Rejoycing greatly in the midst of the apprehension of death for the happy proceedings of the heroicall King of Sweden then victorious in Bavaria And once when he was told he must a little help himself by cheerfulnesse he fell into a most contentfull discourse of those noble deliverances and victories and more would have spoken if weaknesse had permitted But especially his joy in God and in the conquest of Christ Oh said he we serve a good Lord who covers all imperfections and gives great wages for little work and in mercy he hath provided for me some of the greatest With other holy speeches full of faith and joy which his infirmity would not suffer him to utter perfectly In which manner he languished by degrees and at last on the Lords day being the usuall day of his principall labours he was dismissed of all and went to keep a perpetuall Sabbath in heaven where now he resteth from his labours and his works follow him even a full reward in endlesse glory which eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither can enter into the heart of man to conceive what things those are which God hath prepared for them that love him The Life of Master Hugh Clark who died Anno Christi 1634. HUgh Clark was born at Burton
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
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