Forty Sermons, Title page – Authors disclaimer
FORTY SERMONS, WHEREOF Twenty one are now first publish'd, The greatest part preach'd before THE KING AND ON SOLEMN OCCASIONS.
By RICHARD ALLESTREE D. D. Kings Professor in the Chair of Divinity in the Vniversity of OXFORD, Provost of ETON, and Chaplain to his MAJESTY.
To these is prefixt an account of the Author's Life.
Printed at the THEATER in Oxford and in London, for R. Scott, G. Wells, T. Sawbridge, R. Bentley. M.DC.LXXXIV.
THE PREFACE.
IN all endeavors of persuasion, the credit of the Speaker being of as great moment as the inherent truth and evidence of what is spoke, it will be reasonable that there should go along with this large collection of Sermons, some account of the Person who was the Author of them; for if it be made out, that they came from one of integrity and knowledge, who neither would deceive others, nor was likely to be deceiv'd himself; one who practic'd what he taught, and preacht to his own soul what he deliver'd to his Auditory, his discourses must carry with them a proportionable weight and value. That this narrative may be the more satisfactory, by being entire and particular, it shall take the Author from his infancy, and bring him to his grave, without the vain additions of flattery and ostentation, which he abhorr'd while alive, and therefore needs not being dead.
He was the Son of Robert Allestree, a Gentleman of an ancient family in Darbyshire, who being decai'd in his fortune by the profuseness of his Predecessors, retain'd unto Sr. Richard Newport, afterward created Lord Newport Baron of high Arcol, in the quality of his Steward; and being married, settled himself at Uppington near the Wreken in Shropshire, where Richard Allestree, the person of whom we write, was born, in March An. 1619. He being grown up to be capable of institution, was sent to a neighbouring country free Schole, and from thence to another somewhat more celebrated, at Coventree, where he remain'd till he became fit for the Vniversity. In the year 1636 he was brought to Oxford by his Father, and plac'd a Commoner in Christ-Church, having for his Tutor Mr. Richard Busby, who since is Dr. Busby the eminent Master of Westminster Schole, and Prebend of that Church. Six moneths after his settlement in the Vniversity, Dr. Samuel Fell the Dean observing his parts and industry, made him Student of the College, which title he really answer'd by great and happy application to study, wherein he made remarkable emprovements; as a testimony and encouragement of which, so soon as he had taken the degree of Batchelor of Arts, he was chose Moderator in Philosophy, and had the emploiment renew'd year by year, till the disturbances of the Kingdom interrupted the studies and repose of the Vniversity, putting them into Arms.
His Majesty in the year 1641 being by tumults driven from London, and issuing out his Commission of Aray into the several parts of the Nation, did also direct it to the Vniversity of Oxford, where it found an active and a ready obedience, as by the generality of the members of that place, so particularly by Mr. Allestree, who engag'd in the service, and continued in it till Sr. John Biron, afterwards the Lord Biron, (who was sent with a party of horse to support and countenance the Scholars in arms there,) withdrew from thence; He after a short stay was call'd off to join with Prince Rupert, and by the assistance of the loial Gentlemen of Worcestershire was receiv'd into that City, where he was prest by the Rebels forces; but the Prince came up seasonably to reinforce him, and thereupon follow'd the sharp fight in Poyick field near the aforesaid City, the unexpected success of which gave great consternation to the Rebels, who being Masters of the Mony, Forts and Magazeens of the Kingdom, hop'd to have carried all without a stroke. As many of the Scholars as could furnish themselves for a suddain march, went along with Sr. John Biron from Oxford; the others, among whom was Mr. Allestree, staied behind, and return'd to their Gowns and Studies.
Soon after this, the Lord Say with a party of the Rebels forces drew into Oxford, and plunder'd the Colleges of such plate as had not bin before sent to his Majesty, making enquiry after those who had bin forward to promote the King's service; on which occasion, and also a particular accident that then happen'd, Mr. Allestree was call'd in question. The occasion was this: at Christ-Church some of the Rebels attemted to break into the Treasury, and after a daies labor forced a passage into it; but met with nothing, except a single groat and a halter in the bottom of a large iron chest: enrag'd with that disappointment, they went to the Deanery, where having ransackt what they thought fit, they put it altogether in a chamber, lockt it up, and retir'd to their quarters, intending the next morning to return and dispose of their prize. But when they came, they found themselves defeated, and every thing remov'd to their hand. VponUpon examination it was discover'd that Mr. Allestree had a key of the Lodgings, the Dean and his family being withdrawn, and that Mr. Allestree's key had bin made use of in this enterprize: hereupon he was seiz'd, and notwithstanding all the defence he could make, had bin severely handled, but that the Earl of Essex call'd away the forces on the suddain, and so redeem'd him from their fury.
In October following, the King having strengthned himself at Shrewsbury with the supplies that came from the North, and Wales, and the Loial Gentlemen of other parts of the Nation, began his march towards London, and was met by the army of the Rebels, commanded by the Earl of Essex, in Keinton field in Warwickshire, where both armies engag'd: at this battail Mr. Allestree was present; after which, understanding that the King design'd immediatly to march to Oxford, and make his Court at the accustomed place, the Deanery at Christ-Church, which was in part left to his care in the absence of the Dean, hasting thither he was taken Prisoner by a party from Broughton house, which was garrison'd by the Lord Say for the Parliament. His confinement here was very short, the Garrison surrendring it self to the King's forces, who summon'd it in their passage.
The war being now form'd, and the King being return'd from the fight at Brainford, having made Oxford his head quarter, Mr. Allestree settled himself again to his study, and in the next Spring took his degree of Master of Arts; after which he was in great hazard of his life, being seiz'd by the pestilential disease which rag'd in the Garrison, and which was fatal to very many eminent men of all emploiments and conditions; and fell more severely upon him by reason of a relapse, which doubled the calamity and danger.
Having recover'd a little strength, he was engag'd to employ it in military service, the exigence of his Majesties affairs calling for the aid of all his Loial Subjects, and in particular the Scholars: and accordingly a Regiment of them was rais'd, who serv'd as Voluntiers without any pay or reward, and perform'd all duties not only in the Garrison, and sallies for the defence of it in case of attacques and sieges; but were also commanded upon parties abroad, and endur'd the fatigue of marches, and ill treatment of mean quarters, differing in nothing from the poor mercenary Soldier, besides their civility and justice to the country people while they staid with them, and paying them at departure: things so unusual, that when at their going off from quarters they offer'd their Landlords mony, they imagin'd it don in jest and abuse, and at last by finding it left with them, were convinc'd that it was don in earnest. In this Regiment Mr. Allestree, tho a Master of Arts and fellow of the College, thought it no disgrace to carry a musket, and perform all duties of a common Soldier, forward upon all occasions to put himself into action. And in this service he continued till the unhappy end of the war, gaining still what time was left from military duties, to the prosecution of his studies: nay joining both together, frequently holding his musket in one hand and book in the other, and making the watchings of a Soldier the lucubrations of a Student.
But then when carnal weapons prov'd frustrate, and Divine Providence call'd his servants to the more Christian exercises of praiers and tears for the defence of the King and the Church, Mr. Allestree wholy betook himself to these, and put himself into that warfare, to which his former education had design'd him: entring into Holy Orders, at a time when there was no prospect of temporal advantage; and his being in the service of God threatned no less danger, than his having bin in the service of his Prince.
In that little interval of safety, which the Articles of Oxford gave, and was for some time continued, while the two factions of the Rebels were in contest who should divide the spoil of the Nation, and enjoy the price of bloud; Mr. Allestree with great sedulity addicted himself unto his studies, and became a Tutor of many young Gentlemen and other Students; which trust he discharg'd with great sufficiency, as he did also the office of Censor in the College: moreover he bore a part in the signal test of the Loialty of the Vniversity of Oxford, possibly the greatest that has bin given by any society of men; I mean the passing of the solemn Decree and Judgement of theirs against the Covenant and Rebellion enflamed and fomented by it, perform'd in Convocation, when the City was held by a Garrison of the Rebels, whose swords were at the throats of those Confessors, and yet the decree was carried by a most unanimous suffrage of the whole body, there being but one dissenter in that numerous Senate, and he a person who had absented himself from the Vniversity during the war, and taken part with the Rebels.
Soon after which great performance, the Visitors of the pretended Parliament being at last come with a second Commission to kill and take possession, having lost their first by outstaying in a long praier and sermon the time assign'd for the opening of it, began their enquiry, and did it not as one would have expected from men of Zeal and Godliness, with an inspection into vice and immorality, but set their whole affair upon the short issue of submitting to the Authority of the pretended Parliament; and they who could prostitute their allegeance to their Prince, and oaths to the Vniversity, and their local Visitors, and comply with the lust of these Vsurpers, tho never so flagitious, were immediatly receiv'd to favor: all others, however meriting, were without farther regard proscrib'd, the method whereof was, to write the names of as many as they thought fit to sacrifice at once in paper, and affix it upon the door of St. Maries Church, wherein 'twas signified, that the persons there nam'd were by the Authority of the Visitors banisht the Vniversity, and requir'd to depart the precincts thereof within three daies, upon pain of being taken for spies of war, and accordingly proceeded against. By which practice often repeted, the men of greatest hopes and merit in the Vniversity were spoil'd of all things, and not suffer'd to breath the common air; so that within the compass of few weeks an almost general riddance was made of the loial Vniversity of Oxford; in whose room succeeded an illiterate rabble, swept up from the plough tail, from shops and grammar Scholes, and the dregs of the neighbor Vniversity. Tho in that scandalous number, some few there were, who notwithstanding they had parts and learning, were prefer'd upon the account of their Relations; who merited a better title to the places they possest, and have since prov'd useful men in the Church and State. Those of the ancient stock who were spar'd upon this trial, were afterwards cast off upon the second test of the engagement, till in the end there were left very few legitimate members in any of the Colleges.
In this diffusive ruin Mr. Allestree had an early share, being proscrib'd about the middle of July in the year 1648. And tho he had the care of several persons of quality his Pupils, and accounts of his own and theirs to make up; he with difficulty obtain'd from the Governor of the town Lieut. Coll. Kelsey a little respit, for his settling his affairs, and doing justice to those for whom he was concern'd; the Visitors utterly refusing his request, for this reason, as Dr. Rogers, one of their number was pleas'd to word it, because he was an eminent man.
Mr. Allestree being thus driven from Oxford, retir'd into Shropshire, and was entertain'd as Chaplain to the Honorable Francis Newport Esquire, now Viscount Newport, where he continu'd till such time as Richard Lord Newport the father died in France, whither he had some time before retir'd to avoid the insolence of the conquering Rebels. On this occasion Mr. Allestree was sent over to clear accounts, and see if any thing could be preserv'd from the inhospitable pretence of the droit d'Aubeine, which pillages those Strangers who happen to die in the French Dominions. Mr. Allestree having dispatcht this affair with good success, came back to his emploiment, and continued in it till his Majesties march into England with the Scotch Army, and his miraculous escape at Worcester; at which time the Managers of the King's affairs wanting an intelligent and faithful person to send over to his Majesty, desir'd Mr. Allestree to undertake the journey, which accordingly he did, and having attended the King at Roan and receiv'd his dispatches, he came back into England.
At his return he found his friends Mr. Dolben and Mr. Fell, the present Archbishop of York and Bishop of Oxford, who had likewise bin banisht the Vniversity, adventuring to sojourn privatly there, and serve the uses of those who adher'd to the Church of England in performing Religious offices according to the order of the Church; whereupon he join'd himself to their assistance, and continued with them till such time as Sr. Antony Cope a loial young Gentleman of considerable quality and fortune in the County of Oxford, prevail'd upon him to live in his family; which he did for several years, having liberty to go or stay as his occasions requir'd, whereby he was enabled to step aside without notice upon messages from the King's friends; which service he manag'd with great courage and dexterity.
After several difficult journies succesfully perform'd, in the Winter before his Majesties happy restauration he was sent over into Flanders, from whence returning with letters, he upon his landing at Dover, was seiz'd by a party of Soldiers, who waited for him. The Rebel's Spie, who was emploied by them in his Majestie's Court, having given notice of his dispatch; and describ'd particularly his person and his habit. But notwithstanding this diligence of the Rebels, Mr. Allestree had so much presence of mind, to secure his letters, and shift them into a faithful hand, who took care of them.
The Soldiers according to their orders guarded him to London, where he was examin'd by a Committee of the Council of Safety, and charg'd with having correspondence with the King, and having brought letters from him, which they backt with several circumstances of his journy, and threats of utmost severity in case he should persist in contumacy, and not confess the truth. But they not being able by questions to entrap, nor menaces to fright Mr. Allestree to betray either himself or others, he was sent Prisoner to Lambeth house, which was then made a goal for the King's friends, where by ill usage he contracted a sickness which was like to have cost him his life. After the durance of about six or eight weeks, his friends made means for his enlargement, which was the easier obtain'd, for that some of the Leaders of the Party, seeing things move towards his Majestie's restoration, were willing by kindnesses to recommend themselves in case of a revolution; among whom was the late Earl of Shaftsbury, who was us'd to value himself, that Mr. Allestree owed his preservation to him. Mr. Allestree having obtain'd liberty, return'd to Oxfordshire, from whence after a short stay he went into Shropshire to see his Relations; in his return from thence designing in his way to visit his excellent friend Dr. Hammond at Westwood near Worcester, he at the gate met the body of that great man carrying to his burial; which circumstance is therefore mention'd, because that eminent Light of the English Church, at his death gave this testimony not only of his kindness to Mr. Allestree, but also of his esteem of his parts and learning, that he left to him his Library of books as a Legacy, well knowing that in his hands they would be useful weapons for the defence of that cause he had during life so vigorously asserted.
The King being happily return'd, Mr. Allestree was soon after made Canon of Christ-Church, where he cheerfully concurr'd to the attemt, which was set on foot there for the repairing of those decaies and ruins which had bin made by the late Vsurpers; for however those Godly Robbers who had invaded that Church and College, suffer'd them both almost to drop upon their heads, and without shame sawed down for firing the timber work of the North side of the great Quadrangle: the legitimate Children were concern'd first to cloth their Mother's nakedness, and not till that was provided for, consider their own.
Mr. Allestree at the same time undertook one of the Lectures of the City, thinking it might be a service to instil principles of Loialty there after the contrary infusions of schismatical rebel Teachers, which for so many years had bin the Gospel of that place, discountenanc'd by none of the Parochial Ministers, besides Mr. Lamplugh the now Reverend Bishop of Exeter, who had the courage and loialty there to own the Doctrines of the Church of England in the worst of times. This Lecture Mr. Allestree continued for several years, never receiving any part of the Salary belonging to it, but ordering that it should be distributed among the poor.
While he emploied himself in popular preaching, he was also call'd to the service of the Court being the King's Chaplain, and also to the severer studies of Scholastical Learning, in his exercise for the degree of Doctor, and Moderator-ship in Divinity in the College; and soon after upon the vacancy of the chair of that faculty, to the laborious emploiment of Regius Professor in the Vniversity.
In the year 1665 the Provost-ship of Eton falling void, that honorable and beneficial emploiment was by his Majestie's especial grace and favor conferr'd upon him, to the acceptance whereof he was not without difficulty induc'd; and particularly the consideration that a great interest was made by a Lay man, who probably might succeed upon the advantage of his refusal, notwithstanding that the Provost there be actually the Parson of Eton Parish, and presented to the Cure, and instituted by the Bishop of Lincoln the Diocesan, as all other parish Priests are: so that as nothing could be more plainly sacrilegious and irregular in it self, than such an usurpation by a Lay person; so nothing could be a greater disservice to the Church, than by an unseasonable modesty to make way for it. VponUpon these motives it was, that Dr. Allestree became Provost of Eton; and for the same reason it was, that during his life he continued so, never hearkning to any offer of preferment, which might make a vacancy, and repete the former hazar…d. And it may be truly said that this was the greatest secular care that he carried with him into another world, it being his dying request unto his friends, to interpose with his sacred Majesty, that he might have a Successor lawfully capable, and who would promote the welfare of the College.
The Succession in the Chair he more timely secur'd, for finding his health, and particularly his eie sight exceedingly empair'd by the toil of that emploiment, he resign'd it in the year 1679, and had the satisfaction to be succeeded by his friend Dr. Jane, of whose abilities he had perfect knowledge.
But diseases are not cur'd by the removal of the causes which first occasion'd them, and tho by the use of mineral waters in the Summer season, and the taking of journies in the Autumn, he for some time supported himself, the decay continued and encreast upon him, till it was form'd into a Dropsy; the prevalence of which was so great and suddain, that his Physicians advis'd him by all means to come up to London, where he might be neer their inspection and care; in compliance with whose desires more than from an expectation of cure, he went thither, and having taken a privat lodging, submitted himself to the methods they propos'd: in the mean time setling his litle temporal concerns; but was more intent upon his everlasting interests, employing those vacancies which his sickness gave, in attending the offices of the Church constantly read to him, and his private devotions; and when he saw his end approching, in receiving the great Viaticum of the holy Sacrament: in reference whereto having desir'd those friends of his who happen'd to be in Town to communicat with him, the present Lord Archishop of York, the Lord Bishop of London, the Lord Bishop of Lincoln, the Lord Bishop of Exeter, the Lord Bishop of St. Asaph, the Reverend Dr. Busby, Mr. Fell one of the Fellows of Eton who continued with him the whole time of his sickness: he afterwards took his last leave of them with great equanimity and constancy of mind, and waited for the hour of his release.
Having hitherto drawn together the series of actions and emploiments which made up our Authors life, it will not be amiss to set him in another light, and take a prospect of his mind and personal qualifications. As to his bodily appearance and outward features, as they are of less importance, so are they in recent memory, and by sculpture and other delineations are so generally known, that there will be no need they should be exprest by words.
His mind, that nobler part of him, was compos'd by an extraordinary indulgence of nature, those faculties which in others use to be single, and are thought necessarily to be so, as excluding each the other, were united in him. Memory, Phancy, Judgement, Elocution, great Modesty and no less Assurance, a comprehension of things, and fluency of words; an aptness for the pleasant, and sufficiency for the rugged parts of knowledge; a courage to encounter, and an industry to master all things, make up the Character of his happy genius. Which felicity of temper was seconded by the circumstances of the times in which he liv'd, which engag'd him severally to exert and cultivate his faculties. Before the national calamity of the civil war, he had secur'd the foundations of the whole circle of learning, by his own indefatigable study, as also the indulgent care of his Tutor Dr. Busby, than whom no person is more happy in the Arts of transfusing his knowledge into others; and the particular encouragement of Dr Fell the Dean, who alwaies lookt upon him as a part of his family, and treated him with the same concern as his own children.
When the war broke out, he had the benefit of being, instead of one, in several Vniversities; Oxford was then an Epitome of the whole Nation, and all the business of it: there was here the Court, the Garrison, the Flower of the Nobility and Gentry, Lawyers and Divines of all England. And times of action have somewhat peculiar in them to ferment and envigorat the mind, which is enervated by the softness of peace. The calamitous times which succeeded, as they engag'd him to the exercise of popular preaching, a talent which nothing besides necessity and practice can cultivate; so they led him out into foreign parts, enter'd him into the managery of business of greatest trust and hazard, and made him as well read in Men, as in Books. After all this, it was no small advantage to be return'd by the King's happy restauration to the Vniversity, and to the opportunities of reading and conversation with learned men, and in that conspicuous Theater, to have the obligation of a public emploiment to exert all his faculties, and with utmost endeavor to emprove and communicate his knowledge. And we may say it without envy, that few of his time had either a greater compass, or a deeper insight into all the parts of Learning; the modern and learned Languages, Rhetoric, Philosophy, Mathematics, History, Antiquity, Moral and Polemical Divinity, all which was not to be pumpt up, or ransackt out of common place books; but was ready at hand, digested for his own use, and communication in discourse to others.
From his first child-hood he had a strong impression of Piety, and the Duties owed to God and Men, which next to Divine Grace may be ascrib'd to the strict and severe education which he had from his Father; a blessing that cannot be sufficiently valued, and on which he often reflected with a great sense of gratitude. Hereby notwithstanding the licence of war, and incitations of youth, he preserv'd his innocence, and love of God and vertue, till he made the more immediat service of them his profession. In his constitution he had a great deal of warmth and vigor, which made him apt to take fire upon provocation; but he was well aware of it, and kept a peculiar guard upon that weak part: so that his heat was reserv'd for the great concerns of the honor of God, and the service of his Prince and Country, wherein he was altogether indefatigable, and in the most dismal appearances of affairs would never desert them, nor despair of their restauration. There was not in the world a man of clearer Honesty and Courage; no temtation could bribe him to do a base thing, or terror affright him from the doing of a good one.
This made his friendships as lasting and inviolable as his life, without the dirty considerations of profit, or slie reserves of craft; not the pageantry of ceremonious address, or cold civility: much less the servile falseness of obsequious flattery. It was a solid and masculine kindness, a perfect coalition of affections and minds: so that there was nothing he possest, but it was his friend's as absolutely as it was his own; and it became a general observation, that he and they had all things in common.
This temper of his directed him to live with great kindness with his Neighbors and acquaintance, so that Eton College, while he liv'd there, was but one family, his lodging being every Fellow's chamber, and they as much at home with him as in their own apartment: And in the Vniversity, tho his station and parts might object him to envy, he had no competition or difference with any person; so that no man ever liv'd with a more universal good will of all that knew him, or died with a more general sorrow at his loss.
His conversation was alwaies cheerful and entertaining, especially in the reception of his acquaintance at his table, and friendly visits; and in the evening after he had wearied himself with the studies of the day, which he generally continued till eight of the clock at night, during the many years he held the Chair, soon after which he was to be call'd away to the night praiers of the College; this short interval he made as easy as he could to himself and those that were with him: and he had great reason to relax his mind at this time with a little cheerful discourse, there being no person who more literally verified the saying of the wise Man, that much study was a weariness to the flesh. After his daies work he was us'd to be as faint and spent, as if he had bin laboring all the time with the sithe or flaile; and his intention of thought made such wast upon his spirits, that he was frequently in hazard, while at study, to fall into a swoun, and forc'd to rise from his seat, and walk about his room for some time, before he could recover himself.
To render secure from the inordination of intemperance, he frequently abstain'd from lawful satisfactions, by the stated returns of fasting and abstinence; and continuance in celibacy during his whole life. Nor had his singular abilities and endowments the usual effect to make him proud and contemtuous; all his discourses were with deference and respect, and were spoke with weight becoming a Professor, but the softness of a Learner.
In his conversation he was exceedingly tender of saying any thing that might administer offence, or reflect upon any ones reputation; and most ready, in case of resentment, to give the person aggriev'd, whoever he happen'd to be, the utmost satisfaction. A remarkable proof hereof is his dealing with one who had taken part with the Rebels in the late war, and who was said to have don an act of cruelty therein, which Dr. Allestree in a private discourse had chanc'd to mention. The party concern'd hearing hereof, wrote to the Doctor, professing his innocence, and charging him with uncharitableness in believing, and injustice in reporting such an untruth. Hereupon, notwithstanding that the matter of fact had for about thirty years gon on as common fame, and also had bin charg'd in print, and that collateral evidence by a person now alive and a sufferer from the same hand, had bin produc'd to enforce the probability, and that here nothing was asserted but on the credit of what had bin formerly heard; yet Dr. Allestree by letter desir'd the said Complainant's pardon: who, without regard to the laws of civility, printed it as a vindication of his innocence, when indeed it was rather a proof of the Doctor's candor, and an evidence that the Complainant wanted better arguments for his defence. But it were to be wisht that they who were in their youth so unhappy to be engag'd in an ill cause, would spend their old age, which God's and the King's mercy has given them, rather in repenting of what they have don amiss, than in contesting what they have not don; and would more busy themselves in humble retractations, than passionat Apologies.
His contemt of the world was very extraordinary, as in his large and constant charities, both by settled Pensions to indigent persons and families, and occasional Alms; so also his bounteous hospitality, which will need no attestation, being perform'd in so conspicuous a Scene as Eton, and in the view of Windsor, which for several years his Majesty has favor'd with his Court and Presence. Yet a higher instance hereof will be his giving away a fixt and constant revenue that he might have fairly retain'd, to the value of above three hundred pounds by the year; the particulars whereof are thus.
At his Majesties return, as we have intimated, he was made Canon of Christ-Church in Oxford, and soon after King's Professor in the Chair of Divinity, to which emploiment a Canonry in the said Church, and the Rectory of Ewe Elme in the said County and Diocess are annext, so that the profit of two Canonries and the Rectory belong'd to him, and being earn'd with the labor of that weighty charge, no one who made a just estimate of things, would have envied it to him; but he regretted it to himself, and for several years gave the whole profit of one of his Canonries to the repairs of the College: and afterwards being mov'd by the right reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of Winchester, in the behalf of an ancient Student of the College, who was destitute of a suitable support, he entirely quitted the advantage of the aforesaid Canonry to him. And as to the Living, he never receiv'd a penny from it, but left it to a friend, whose circumstances requir'd such an accession.
The revenue of Eton had a suitable disposal, the west side of the outward court of the College being built from the ground and finish'd at his single expence. And whereas at his coming to Eton, he found the Society dipt in a great debt, by an ill custome brought in by the pretended godly men of the late times, who at the year's end divided what ever mony remain'd after the ordinary paiments were discharg'd, incidental ones and debts contracted being still thrown off to the future year; which in time grew to a bulk, that endanger'd the College's becoming bankrupt. To remedy this he by an exemplary retrenchment of his own dues, prevail'd on the Society to do the like, so that within few years the College has paid above a thousand pound debt, expended above two thousand pound in repairs, and every day goes on to do things honorable and beneficial to the Society.
It may not here be omitted, tho it be an instance of lesser moment, that the Edition of the first Volume of these Sermons was entirely upon an account of Charity. For his ingenious Kinsman Mr. James Allestree the Book-seller, from a plentiful fortune being by the fire of London reduc'd to great poverty, Dr. Allestree, besides other assistances, bestow'd upon him the copies of eighteen of his Sermons, to make some reparation to his losses.
But the uncontroulable proof of contemt of the world, is the dying poor, and not to have collected any thing against the hazards of fortune, and commonly pretended exigences of old age and sickness; which was in a remarkable manner Dr. Allestree's case, he having never during his life purchast an inch of ground, nor any annuity or lease to the value of a penny; nor did he take care to renew the patrimonial estate which he held by a lease for life, tho it were the place of his birth, which generally gives an endearment, and a desire to continue the possession. Thereby, as the Author to the Hebrews expresses it, sojourning in the earth as in a strange country, and shewing plainly that he lookt for a better one, and a city which has foundations whose builder and maker is God.
His greatest tresure was his Library, which was indeed a considerable one, both for the number of Books and choice of them; but these he dispos'd of by deed before his death to the Vniversity of Oxford for the use of his Successors in the Chair. So that his Executors had only his personal estate to share among them, which he took to be so inconsiderable, that he thought it not worth the formality of a Will; but designing, after the distributing some little remembrances among his friends, that small pittance which remain'd to his Relations, conceiv'd that the Law by an Administration would of course divide it among them. But being told by his Friend, to whom he communicated this purpose of his, that in this malicious world the dying intestate would be a thing of ill fame, and interpreted the product of an unwillingness to think of death, or part with what he had: and that what he so left would come less obligingly to his Relations, and probably would occasion contention among them: he took the advice, and by Will dispos'd of such Legacies as he thought fit to leave to the poor and to his friends, and gave the remainder among his sisters and their children.
Tho he hung thus loose from the world, he neither was negligent in secular affairs, nor unskilful in the managery of them; which was made manifest by his dextrous discharge of the private trusts committed to him in behalf of his dead friends, and the administration of his public emploiments. He was for several years Tresurer of Christ-Church, in a busy time of their repairing of the ruins made by the entruding Vsurpers; and amidst the necessary avocations of study, found leisure for a full discharge of that troublesom emploiment.
The College of Eton, as I intimated before, he found in a very ill condition as to its revenue and fabric, and what was no less a mischief, unstatutable and unreasonable grants of Leases; to all which, excepting one, whose reduction must be the work of time, he applied effectual remedies. The Schole he found in a low condition, but by his prudence in the choice of a learned, discreet and diligent Master; by his interest, in bringing young Gentlemen and Persons of Quality thither, and by his great kindness to them when there; and taking care for the building fit accommodation for their reception within the precincts of the College, in few years the Schole grew into that great reputation and credit which it yet maintains.
And here we may not pass by another considerable service don in behalf of the said Schole, and also King's College in Cambridge, whose Seminary it is: that whereas both those Societies were formerly under the discouragement, that the Fellowships of Eton were generally dispos'd of to persons of foreign education; by the vigorous interposition of Dr. Allestree added to the petition of the Provost and Fellows of King's College, his sacred Majesty was pleas'd to pass a grant under the broad Seal, that in all future times five of the seven Fellows should be such as had bin bred in Eton Schole, and were Fellows of King's College, which has ever since took place, and will be a perpetual incitement to diligent study, and vertuous endeavor in both those roial foundations.
In the managery of the business of the Chair of Divinity, as he performed the Scholastic part with great sufficiency in exact and dextrous untying the knots of argument, and solid determination of controverted points, so that he was not opprest by the fame of any of his most eminent Predecessors: his prudence was very remarkable in the choice of subjects to be treated on; for he wasted not time and opportunity in the barren insignificant parts of Schole Divinity, but insisted on the fundamental grounds of controversy, between the Church of England, and the most formidable Enemies thereof. With an equal steddiness he asserted the Gospel truth, against the usurpations of Rome, the innovations of Geneva, the blasphemies of Cracow, and the monsters of our own Malmsbury, never intermedling with the un…athomable abyss of God's decrees, the indeterminable five points; which in all times and in all countries wherever they have happen'd to be debated, past from the Scholes to the State, and shock'd the government and public peace. By his judicious care herein, tho he found the Vniversity in a ferment, and a great part of its growing hopes sufficiently season'd with ill prepossessions, he so brought it to pass, that during the whole tract of seventeen years that he held the Chair, there was no factious bandying of opinions, nor petulant sidings on the account of them; which thing disturb'd the peace of the last age, and help'd forward to inflame those animosities, which ended in the execrable mischeifs of the civil war.
There is nothing at this day which learned men more desire or call for, than the publishing of those Lectures, which were heard, when first read, with the greatest satisfaction of the Auditory; it may therefore be fit to give some account of the reason why those expectations are defeated, which in short is this. Dr. Allestree a little before his death having communicated to the Bishop of Oxford several particulars concerning his intentions for the disposal of his goods and papers, the Bishop observ'd that there was no mention made of his Lectures, and knowing how his modesty had during his life resisted all importunities for the publishing of them, suspected that the same motive might be more prevalent at his death; therefore he wrote to him thereupon, desiring him that his Lectures might be preserv'd, which had cost him so much study and labor, and would be useful proportionably to others. His answer by letter bearing date Jan. 19. 1680. was, that having not had opportunity to revise what he had writen, which was not every where consistent with his present imaginations, tho in nothing material, yet in some particulars which he should have better examin'd; especially diverse of the Act Lectures, which being upon the same head, the thred of them was not right nor didactical, and Nectarius's Penitentiary not expounded the same way in one place as in another, and the first blundring and not true: therefore he adds, that if the Bishop had not writ, and for that he himself would not go out of the world without satisfying him in every thing, he had resolv'd to have sent for his papers and burnt them; but now he gave them up all to the Bishop upon this inviolable trust, that nothing of them should be publish'd as a Scheme of his, but to be made use of to serve any other design the Bishop should think fit. Dr. Allestree's words are here transcrib'd, for that the plainest account of things is alwaies the most satisfactory.
His Sermons not lying under the same interdict, so many of them as were thought needful to make up a Volume, are here publish'd. The variety of Auditors for whom they were first design'd, makes them not to be all of the same finess of spinning and closeness of texture: but in them all there will appear the same spirit of perswasive Rhetoric and ardent piety, whereby tho dead he yet speaketh.
VponUpon the 28th. day of January in the year 1680. this excellent person after a life spent in indefatigable studies, and faithful endeavors for his Religion, his King and Country, and after the patient sufferance of a long and painful sickness, with Christian resignation and full assurance, render'd his soul into the hands of God; and on the first of February was decently interr'd in the Chore of the Collegiat Church at Eton, where his Executors erected to his memory a Monument of white Marble with the following inscription.
H. S. I.
RICARDUS ALLESTREE
Cathedrae Theologicae in Universitate Oxoniensi
Professor Regius,
Ecclesiae Christi ibidem Praebendarius,
&
Collegii hujus Aetonensis Praepositus;
Muniis istis singulis ita par, ut & omnibus major.
In
Disputationibus irrefragabilis, Concionibus flexanimus,
Negotiis solers, Vita integer, Pietate sanctus.
Episcopales infulas eadem industria evitavit,
Qua alii ambiunt;
Cui rectius visum,
Ecclesiam defendere, instruere, ornare,
Quam regere.
Laboribus studiisque perpetuis exhaustus,
Morte, si quis alius, praematura,
Obiit Vir desideratissimus
Januarii XXVII. An. M.DC.LXXX.
Aetatis LX.
Nobile sibi monumentum,
Areae adjacentis latus occidentale,
Quod à fundamentis propriis impensis struxit,
Vivus sibi statuit.
Brevem hanc Tabellam Haeredes defuncto posuere.