Page images
PDF
EPUB

prayer, or the creed, &c. At Kingston he held a lecture once a fortnight, where several of his brethren assisted; and one day in the week he had a conference. He had a strong interest in the affections of his people; among whom there was a great and general lamentation when he was silenced. He continued for some time preaching to them in private; but at last was forced from them by the troubles he met with, and removed to Moredon, where he preached and kept days of prayer in private, to the great benefit and comfort of many. Upon K. Charles's liberty he had a convenient place provided for him at Kingston. The people flocked from all parts to hear him, and much good was done by his ministry. Among other instances, there was a remarkable one in an old gentleman near eighty, who tho' he had little sense of religion, had a great kindness for Mr. Lamb, his old minister, having been much won by his great affableness, and nothing would satisfy him but he must be brought in a chair to the meeting. It pleased God to touch his heart, and make him sensible of his sin, and work a change upon him in his old age. Dying not long after, Mr. Lamb, upon occasion of his funeral, preached on Matth. xx. 6. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, &c. When the licences were called in, great severity was used, and Mr. Lamb was forced, with his family, to London; where he had not been long before he was invited by a congregation at Clapham, in Surrey, where he spent the rest of his days. He died March 25, 1689, in the 67th year of his age. He was offered 6ool. a year if he would have conformed; but it did not tempt him. He was remarkable for his unaffected piety, chearful temper, and engaging deportment.

Mr. Lamb's Farewell Sermon, preached at Bere Regis, Aug. 17, 1662, is found in the London Collection. It is an excellent discourse, full of sentiment, making thirty-six quarto pages, on these words, John xiv. 23. If any man love me, he will keep my words; and my father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. Having largely insisted on the character described, and the promise delivered, he proceeds to exhort and direct his hearers to seek the blessing promised, and thus introduces his Farewell address: "If we would find God and Christ, we must seek all the days of our lives. They that will find what they seek, must seek till they find. Upon this work I must leave you For now I must tell you, that perhaps you may not see my face, or hear my voice, any more in this place :

[blocks in formation]

yet not out of any peevish humour, or disaffection to the present authority of the kingdom (I call God and man to witness this day) it being my own practice, and counsel to you all, to fear God and honour the king; but rather, a real dissatisfaction in some particulars imposed, to which (notwithstanding all endeavours to that purpose) my conscience cannot yet be espoused. Wherefore I hope in this, and in all my abode with you, I may say, without ostentation, with the apostle, 2 Cor. i. 12. Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our consciences, that in simplicity, and godly sincerity, we have had our conversation in the world, especially to you-wards. And as he said Acts xx. 26, &c. I take you to record this day that I have endeavoured to be pure from the blood of all men; for I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God, both by my life and doctrine; because I knew this very well, that, as one says, Suadet loquentis vita, non oratio: that the preacher's Life is the most pursuasive preaching. I shall only add this, my friends, That tho' my lips be sealed up, so that I may not speak from God to you, yet I shall not cease to speak to God for you, as ever I have done. And tho' I cannot have you in my eye, yet I shall lodge you in my heart; and asking nothing of you but your prayers, shall hope to meet you daily at the throne of grace, and that at last we may enjoy oneanother in heaven. And, because they say, The words of a dying man make the deepest impression, before I am altogether civilly dead, I shall give you one exhortation more. Let it be your endeavour to keep God and Christ with you, that they may make their abode with you in your hearts and houses, that whatsoever you lose, you may not be undone.1. Take heed you do not slight or abuse God's providences. 2. Do not despise or neglect his ordinances. 3. Be sure you do not grieve his spirit.-Observe these ten directions, which I would leave with you, that God and Christ may make their constant abode with you. Endeavour to please God and Christ, and to walk as the gospel commands. Entertain God and Christ like themselves, &c. &c. the words of the apostle Phil. 1. 27.

[ocr errors]

I conclude with

WORKS. Besides the above Farewell Sermon-The Religious Family.-A Funeral Sermon for Mr. Butler.-Another for Mrs. Sarah Lye.-Another for John Gould, Esq.-A New-year's Gift ; or Portraiture of a Natural Man, and a regenerate Person.

[blocks in formation]

BETTESCOMB [R.] Mr. ISAAC CLIFFORDS. Of Brazen Nose Col. Oxf. Born at Frampton. He was a man of great natural abilities, an indefatigable student, and one who delighted in learning from his youth. When he was a school-boy he commonly redeemed that time for his book, which his fellows spent in play. He was a good grammarian, and a smart disputant. He also was eminent for piety, and an ingenious preacher. His heart was evidently set upon serving God, and doing good to others. Being cast into Dorchester jail, on the account of his Nonconformity, it is thought that his confinement there, tho' he was very chearful under it, laid the foundation of those distempers, which some time after brought him immaturely to the grave.

BLANDFORD [V.] WILLIAM ALLEIN, M. A.§t Of Corp. Chr. Col. Oxf. Younger son of Mr. R, Allein, of Ditchet, and younger brother of Mr. R. Allein, of Batcomb, in Somerset. On leaving the university, he became chaplain to a person of distinction, in London. At the beginning of the civil war he lived at Ilchester, and was upon some occasions consulted by great officers. For his letters to them he was proclaimed by the cavaliers a traitor in three market towns. He was often plundered, and often strangely preserved. He afterwards went to Bristol, where he was taken and plundered. Then he removed to London with his family. In 1653 he became the settled minister of this place, and gathered a church here, but was driven from it at the Restoration; when he freely quitted the parish, and ministered to a few people in private; but he could not be quiet, and therefore went again to Bristol, where he lived seven or eight years. From thence he removed to Yeovil, in Somerset, and there died in Oct. 1677, aged 63. He was a man of good learning and great piety; particularly eminent for his modesty and meekness. A true patient labourer in the gospel, and a most happy comforter of many dejected souls and wounded spirits, by a wise application of gospel-cordials. When he set himself to an immediate preparation for death, he had some regret. (as it is said Abp. Usher had) that he had not better improved his time and talents.

§ Hutchins does not mention Clifford, but speaks of Coleman, who was his successor, as being in above a year before the Uniformity-act passed: viz. June 17, 1661. James Strong was here in 1650.

St" Blandford Forum, William Allen, Intruder, 1653. He was allowed 55/. 19s. 4d. out of Lord Digby's estate." N. B. There is another Blandford, called St. Mary. In the Commission, 1650, it is said, "William Allen, a "learned, orthodox, able divine, the present incumbent."

WORKS,

WORKS. Two Books upon the Millenium, (which shew the great and good Man.) After his death, Six Discourses on the unsearchable Riches of Christ, &c.

BRADPOLE. Mr. WILLIAM SAMPSON. (In Hutchins's History, Mr. Sampson is not mentioned, but Somers occurs, as inducted Nov. 27, 1662. In the Commission, 1650, it is," Mr. William Sampson, incumbent, for whom they desire an augmentation."

66

T

BRIDPORT [R.] Mr. WILLIAM EATON. A very ingenious and delicate preacher. Hutchins has it, JOHN EATON, 1650. His successor Goodwin, April 16, 1661. [

[ocr errors]

WORKS. Two Sermons, vindicating the Ministers of Christ from the Charge of being House-creepers, on 2 Tim. iii. 6.

BROAD-WINDSOR [V. S.] Mr. JOHN PINNEY. The incumbent, Dr. Fuller, being living at the Restoration, was to have been restored to this vicarage; but on coming to take possession he heard Mr. Pinney preach; upon which he told the people, that he would not deprive them of such a man, [so that he for the present kept the living.] However he was obliged to leave it at the fatal Bartholomew. But he never repented of his Nonconformity, tho' he severely suffered for it. After his ejectment, he had many troubles by fines and excommunications. He was twice imprisoned once in England and once in Ireland, having been forced out of this kingdom by a prosecution on the statute 35 Eliz. He was recommended by Dr. Harrison to his congregation in Dublin, in which he succeeded him, and he continued with them near ten years, till K. James came thither, when most of the ministers left the city. Liberty being legally granted here in England, he returned and settled among his old parishioners. He was much of a gentleman, a considerable scholar, a very facetious, yet grave and serious companion, and an eloquent, charming preacher.

Some time before his ejectment, one Hine, a Baptist, who pretended to inspiration, and was much celebrated on that account, as well as for other uncommon gifts, came with a number of attendants to the town where he was minister, and

Here seems to be some mistake, as Dr. Fuller, author of the Holy War, Church History, &c. died Aug. 15, 1661. Hutchins does not rectify it, nor does he mention Pinney. He has the incumbents thus; Thomas Fuller, 1635, B. D. Francis Isaac, Jan. 23, 1622. (This date must be erroneous.) Edmund Sly, 25 Jan. 1661.

[blocks in formation]

nothing would satisfy him but he must preach in the church. On being denied the pulpit, his adherents urged Mr. Pinney to preach himself; hoping by that means to get the church doors opened. When this also was refused, they all very freely cast out their reflections upon the ministers in general, as" dull blockheads, and dumb dogs, that would neither preach themselves, nor suffer others to preach that would." At this Mr. Pinney was provoked to make them an offer, that if they would give him a text, he would discourse upon it, off hand, to all the company present, in a neighbouring. field, provided their prophet would do the like on a text that he should propose. This was agreed to. They gave Mr. Pinney a text, and after offering up solemn prayer to God, he discoursed upon it with freedom and pertinence. When he came to look back upon this action afterwards, he saw reason with thankfulness to acknowledge God's assistance, though at the same time to censure his own rashness. While Mr. Pinney was discoursing, the prophet walked under a hedge at a little distance, meditating upon the subject given him, which was Acts xx. 30. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. When he came to work, his prayer was short and modest; but his discourse incoherent, rambling, impertinent, absurd, and false. Mr. Pinney made his objections against what he had delivered, upon the spot, but received no reply. His friends carried off the prophet in triumph, so that Mr. Pinney had not opportunity of speaking to him, and he never came there any more. There was this further good effect of this management, that many persons were settled who before were wavering, and some were recovered. He had a son, who died a minister among the Nonconformists.

BUCLAND NEWTON [V.] Mr. JOHN WEEKS. After his ejectment he was many years minister of a congregation in Bristol, consisting of 1500 people, all of his own gathering. He met with hardships on account of his Nonconformity, but bore them with great patience, meekness, and courage. As he was preaching in Froom-Woodlands, some informers came, who had vowed to shoot him; but he directed his discourse to them with such majesty and boldness, that they rode away without giving him any disturbance. He was twice imprisoned six months, during which he preached

§ Hutchins's note here, is-" Weeks-Hally, Intruders. William Lyford, instit. 1662 "

out

« PreviousContinue »