The Reverend Mr James Oliphant, of S. Kilmarnock Coulson Scortowe, Esq; of Cheskain, Mr William Oliver Bucks. three fetts The Reverend Samuel Stennett, D.D. P. The Reverend Mr Daniel Sprague, of Tiverton, Devonshire. Mr James Smith Mr Miles Stringer Mr James Sleap, of Berkhamstead, Hert. of Soulh Carolina fordshire Mr George Porter Mr John Salmon, of Nayland, Suffolk Mr John Putley Mr Peter Sharp Mr Leonard Pape, of Spalding, Lin Mr Samuel Spyvee, of Hull, Yorkshire colnshire Mr William Smith Mr Thomas Smith Mr Benjamin Shepherd, of Froome, Somersetshire Mr John Snatt, of Afford, Kent Mrs Sutherland T. John Tanner, Esq; of Rhode-Island Mr Richard Tebb Mr James Thomson Mr Charles Tate, of Hull, Yorkshire Mr Thomas Rivers Mr John Thorn Mr Stephen Reynolds Mr Henry Taylor Mr Stephen Reynolds, junior Mr Benjamin Tomkins Mr Charles Thorp Mr Edmund Taylor Mr R John Gill was born at Kettering, in Northamptonshire, Nov. 23. 0. S. 1697. his parents were EDWARD Gill and ELIZABETH his wife, whose maiden name was WALKER. They were religious and pious persons; whose circumstances did not reach afluence, but were above contempt. His father was a Deacon of the Baptist church at Kettering ; and was eminent for his grace, piety, and holy conversation. He first became a member of a congregation in the same place, consisting of Presbyterians, Independents and Baptists : in which congregation, besides the Pastor of it, there was a teaching Elder of the Baptist denomination, Mr William Wallis, who was the administrator of Baptisin by immersion, to such adult persons as desired it. For some time this mixed congregation continued in peace and harmony: but, at length, the Baptists were rendered uneasy and uncomfortable in their communion, through the opposition made to them by some particular persons. This obliged them to separate, together with their teacher, Mr Wallis. They soon formed themselves into a church-state, and chose Mr Wallis for their Pastor: which was the rise and foundation of the Baptist church at Kettering. About the time of these troubles, Mr EDWARD Gill, who was one of those that had separated, entered into the marriage-state : and as those disentions pressed him much, and he was often revolving within himself the condition and circumstances of this little interest and new church-state, lately set up, Vol. 1. which which had but a small beginning; and what must be the consequence of things; he had strong impresions upon his mind, that the child, his wife now became pregnant with, would be a son, and prove of eminent service in the Baptist interest. He was even strongly persuaded, that this child would be a Minister of the word: and he always retained a firm belief of it, when things seemed to be unpromising. He had other impulses, relative to his son, and to other persons and things; which had their exact accomplishment: and this must be acknowledged by all who knew him, that he was not a man of a fanciful and melancholy disposition, nor given to enthusiasm. The morning this first-born son of his was brought into the world, one Chambers, a Woodınan, came to his house with a load of faggots for fuel: and, as he was unloading his faggots, Mr Gill came out of his house to him, and, with a great deal of joy, told him, that he had a son born to him that morning. At that very moment, as the Woodman affirmed, a stranger passed by whom he never saw before, nor since, who added, “ Yes, and he will be a Scholar 100, " and all the world cannot binder it.” This the Woodman, who was reckoned a man of fobriety, honesty, and veracity, constantly and confidently affirmed at different times, without variation : and even years after when inquired of concerning it; nor could he have any finister end to avail himself of, in contriving such a story, and persisting in it. However, Mr Gill's son, as soon as he was capable of instruction, discovered a very great apritude for learning, and imbibed it in as fast as it could be given : so that he was quickly out of the reach, and in no need of a common teacher of children. He was therefore fent to the grammar school, very early; which he attended with uncommon eagerness and diligence : insomuch that he, soon, not only transcended his co-xvals, but distanced even greatly his seniors. Here he continued until he was about eleven. years of age : during which time, notwithstanding the tedious manner in which grammatical knowledge was then conveyed, and the drudgery boys were put to in learning so many unnecessary rules; he, besides going through the common, school-books, read several of the chief Latin classics, and made a considerable proficiency in the Greek : so that he began to be talked of as a youth of Learning; and was known by several of the neighbouring Clergy, by whom he was sometimes examined at a Bookseller's shop (which he constantly frequented on market-days, when only it was opened); to which he so regularly repaired, for the sake of consulting different authors, that it became an usual asseveration with the common people in the town, “ such a thing is as sure as John Gill is in " the Bookseller's shop ?." He : As the same studious disposition attended him through life, so did nearly the same remark concerning him. Nothing was more frequent, in the mouths of those who knew him, than to use this mode of affirmation, " Assurely as Dr Gill is in his sludy." |
