The Lives of Sundry Eminent Persons, Illustration – Preface
SAMUEL CLARK.
Nalus Oct: 10. 1599. Denalus Dec: 25▪ 1682.
Authoris mentem referunt Satis aurea Scripta;
Accede, et veres reverere in Imagine Vullus;
Scilicet, Artificis complevit dexlera coeplum.
Vivet et in partem jam Vir Reverendus u…am{que}.
R White delin. et sculpsit.
THE LIVES Of sundry Eminent Persons IN THIS LATER AGE.
In Two Parts.
I. Of DIVINES.
II. Of NOBILITY and GENTRY of both Sexes.
BY SAMUEL CLARK, Somtimes Pastor of Bennet Fink, London.
Printed and Reviewed by himself just before his DEATH.
To which is added His own LIFE, and the LIVES of the COUNTESS of SƲFFOLK, Sir NATHANIEL BARNARDISTON, Mr. RICHARD BLACKERBY, and Mr. SAMƲEL FAIRCLOƲGH, drawn up by OTHER HANDS.
Heb. 17. 1. Wherefore seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which do's so easily beset us, and let us run with Patience the Race that is set before us.
LONDON, Printed for Thomas Simmons at the Princes Arms in Ludgate-street, MDC LXXX III.
THE PREFACE, With the Life of the Author.
To the Christian and Candid READER.
Christian Reader,
I Here present thee with a Third Volume of Modern Lives, concerning which some may object, and say, That many of them have been Printed already, and in a more large and copious manner than we find them here? To which I answer, 'Tis true, and yet I judge it necessary thus to Print them again. For I have observed, that being generally Printed in little Volumes, few of them come to a second Impression, but after a little time, are thrown aside and forgotten; whereas, when many excellent Lives are collected into one or more Volumes, they do continue, and will so do, till Printing shall be no more: Witness Plutarchs and Melchior Adams, &c. Lives.
And if any except against my contracting of some of them, I answer, That if you please to compare them together, you will find nothing left out that is of special concernment. I have always affected multum in paucis, to include much matter in few words, and yet withal, to avoid obscurity.
I have been encouraged to make this Collection, and now to Publish it, finding that my former Labours in this kind, have been accepted with the Saints, and in the Church of Christ; which is apparent, for that they have been Printed four times in a few years space, and yet never less than a Thousand at a time. I am now in the Eighty third year of my Life, and therefore am never like to do more in this kind: but hope that God will raise up some more able person to carry on this so useful a work; and if my Judgment be of any value, these Lives are generally the best that ever I published:
From my Study in Isleworth, March 25. 1682. The most unworthy Servant of Jesus Christ SAMƲEL CLARKE.
WHen this Volume was almost finisht at the Press, it seemed good to the supream Governour of the World (in whose hands is our Life and Breath, and all things) to discharge this painful, faithful Servant of Christ, from any further work in his Vineyard, and to give him Rest from his Labours. Hereupon the Book-seller desired, that his Life might be added to the rest. The motion seemed very reasonable, and suitable, That he who had been a means of perpetuating the memory of so many of Gods Worthies, should have his own Life recorded among the rest. The only difficulty was, concerning drawing of it up in such straits of time, as we were limited to by the circumstances of the Press: but this was soon removed by a Narrative I found in his Study, ready drawn up by himself: which, though it was done without any design to have it exposed to publick view; but, partly for the private information and edification of his Children, and partly as a thankful acknowledgment of Gods goodness to him, and to shew his good Providence over him, thro'out the whole course of his Life, (as himself expresses it before these Memoirs) yet, not meeting with any prohibition to the contrary, I have adventur'd to communicate it to the publick, thereby to supply that defect, which otherwise the Reader must have labour'd under. And I hope none will look upon it as a piece of Vanity in him, to commit such things to Writing concerning himself, since it's a bare relation of matters of Fact; which cannot be so fully done by any other, as by a man's self. (And therefore I wish that others, whom God has made eminently instrumental for the Service of his Church, would write after his Copy, and follow his Example herein:) His own account now follows.
A Brief Narrative of my LIFE, and of the most remarkable Acts of Gods Providence in guiding and governing of the same.
I Samuel Clarke was Born in Woolston, in the County of Warwick, upon the 10th of October 1599. my Mother, who was a good Woman, died when I was young: my Father was a Godly, Able, Faithful, and Painful Minister, and exercised his Ministry for above forty years in that Parish, with much profit and comfort: under whose wing I was trained up Religiously till I was about thirteen years old; and then I was set to School to Mr. Ja. Cranford, an eminent School-master in Coventry; which City at that time, flourished exceedingly with Religious Ministers and People, though for my own part, falling into the Company of dissolute Lads, I began to degenerate from the Principles of my first Education, though not without much reluctancy, and frequent checks of Conscience for the same.
Having spent about four years in that School, I was by my Father carried to Cambridge; which University was more eminent for Religion at that time, and placed by him under Mr. Tho. Hooker in Emannel Colledge, which was the Puritan Colledge; and Mr. Hooker one of the choicest Tutors in the University: yet, neither there did I answer my Fathers care, nor the means which I did enjoy: for though my carriage was Civil, and in the sight of the world blameless, yet did I not walk with God in my general, nor particular Calling as I ought to have done; neither do I know that the work of Grace was at that time wrought in my heart: When I was Batchelor of Arts, my Father (having small means) took me from the University again: and immediately after my return home, I fell sick of the Small Pox, and was so full of them, not only outwardly, but in my Throat also, that my Father despaired of my Recovery: yet it pleased my heavenly Father to restore me, beyond his expectation: shortly after I was sent for to a Gentlemans in the Woodland part of the Country, to teach his Children, and to be assistant to Mr. Slader, Minister of Knowle, a godly and eminent Man: yet the Family wherein I lived was very prophane; which not agreeing with my former Education, though it dis-relished at the first, yet by degrees I digested it better; but after I had continued in that Family somewhat more than a year, I was unexpectedly sent for (in the midst of Winter) into Cheshire, to be an assistant to Mr. Byrom, Parson of Thornton, with whom I continued almost two years; and by reason of some Suits in Law wherein he was intangled, I was put upon Preaching twice a Sabbath a great part of that time.
In that Family I was cast upon some great temptations: but it pleased the Lord in mercy to hedge up my way with Thorns, and by striking me with extraordinary fear and terrour (as he did Belshazer by the handwriting) he made me to reflect upon my self, humbled me for my sins, and by degrees gave me some comfort in believing, and applying the Promises of free Grace in Christ Jesus: yet still I was dogg'd by Sathan, who often interrupted me in my secret Duties: and one of his Instruments was also raised up to prosecute me in the Chancellours Court at Chester, for the omission of some Ceremonies: so that receiving divers discouragements, I resolved to leave that place; and being importuned by some Friends at London to come thither, I went to Chester at Michaelmas Fair, with a purpose of sending my Trunk to London, and shortly after to have followed my self: But some godly Christians, Inhabitants of Wirrall, a Pemnsula beyond West-Chester, which had been my frequent Hearers at Thornton, meeting me at the Fair, importuned my coming to Shotwick amongst them; and would receive no repulse till I had granted their desires. That Country is about fourteen Miles long, and five broad: there were divers godly, and understanding Christians scattered up and down in it: scarce a constant Preacher besides my self: so that, as my means of maintenance came by a voluntary contribution out of all those Christians Purses, so all of them within six, or seven miles compass, repaired to my Ministry, both Young and Old, Men and Women, Wet and Dry, Summer and Winter, to their very great pains and labour: spending the time between the Sermons in Repetition, singing of Psalms, and godly conference: and as they took extraordinary pains for the Word, so they highly prized it, and much profited by it. I also set up monthly Sacraments, and we enjoyed much sweet liberty, and Communion in the same. And besides these publick Ordinances, we had once in three Weeks ordinarily a day of Conference, unto which repaired all the Professors, both Men and Women, out of all the Country; and this Meeting was held by turns at all the richer mens Houses: in the Morning when they firstmet, the Master of the Family began with Prayer, then was the question to be conferred of read, and the younger Christians first gave in their answers, together with their proofs of Scripture for them; and then the more experienced Christians gathered up the other answers which were omitted by the former; and thus they continued till Dinner time, when having good provision made for them by the Master of the Family, they dined together with much chearfulness; after Dinner, having sung a Psalm, they returned to their Conference upon the other questions (which were three in all) till towards the Evening; at which time, as the Master of the Family began, so he concluded with Prayer, and I gave them three new questions against their next Meeting; which being appointed for time and place, every one repaired to his own home: the benefits which came by these days of Conference, were many and great:
First, Hereby knowledge was wonderfully increased, so that I was never acquainted with more understanding Christians in all my Life, though the best of them went but in Russet Coats, and followed Husbandry. Secondly, Holy affections by this mutual whetting of them each in other, were exceedingly kindled, and kept alive in them. Thirdly, Love, by frequent Society, was nourished and increased; so that all the Professors, though living ten or twelve miles asunder, were as intimate and familiar, as if they had been all of one houshold. Fourhly, The necessities of the poorer sort being made known, there was plentiful provision made for them. Fifthly, The weak were strengthned, the mourning comforted, the erring reclaimed, the dejected raised up, and all of them mutually edified in their most holy Faith. Sixthly, Under the pretence of these Meetings, we enjoyed the opportunities, as occasion was offered, of private Fasts, and days of Thanksgiving, which otherwise would quickly have been taken notice of, and suppressed.
In this place I found the first Seal of my Ministry, by being an instrument of the Conversion of many Souls to God: Amongst these persons I had abundance of comfort by their hearty Prayers for me, intire affections to me, and care for to provide for me, that I might subsist comfortably amongst them. Whilst I was in this place, God disposed of me in Marriage to an holy, humble, prudent, and sweet natured Yoke-fellow, unto which (of all the outward mercies I ever enjoyed from God) none is to be compared; she came of Religious Parents, her Father was a godly and faithful Minister at Bedworth in Warwick-shire. But after I had continued about the space of five years in this place, where we enjoyed so much comfort and happiness, the Devil envying the same, raised up some of his instruments to complain of, and to prosecute me in the Chancellors Court, who was maliciously bent against God and Goodness, and who so much maligned me for the omission of Ceremonies; and was so violently bent against me, that he would not suffer me to Preach a farewell Sermon to my People: But behold the sweet Providence of God! just at the same time when I was thus molested, there came a Letter to me from the Mayor, Aldermen, old Mr. Fenn, and some other godly People in Coventry, importuning me to come to Preach a Lecture in that great City; divers of them having heard me not long before at a publick Fast, which I kept at Woolston. After I had sought to God and Friends for advice, I resolved to embrace that Call, the Door being shut against me where I was, and another, as I apprehended, opened there: But when I was to leave that People, it caused much grief to them and me, and with abundance of Tears on both sides, we were (as it were) torn asunder.
At my coming to Coventry, I was entertained with much love and respect; there for a while, I exercised my Ministry: But neither there would the Devil fuffer me to be quiet long; for at that time there was Dr. Buggs, who had engrossed both the Livings (there being but two Parishes in that great City) he (as it seemed) seeing his Hearers go from him, soon professed himself my Enemy; and having power of both the Pulpits, denied me entrance into either: whereupon the Mayor and Aldermen, having another Church at an end of the Town in their disposal, they appointed my Lecture there: But Dr. Buggs having his spies to watch me, both in my Prayers and Sermons; conceived that he had gotten some advantages against me, for some expressions used by me in the same.
Hereupon he became an eager prosecutor of me before the Bishop of the Diocess (who was Dr. Morton) who inhibited me from Preaching in his Diocess: but having a Licence from the Archbishop of Canterbury [Abbot,] I refused to obey his Inhibition: some of the Aldermen also of the City sticking to me, pretending to spend much money before I should be put down: shortly after the Bishop going to London, caused me to be cited up to the Court of Arches, whither I went, but he put in nothing against me: and when I went to him at his Lodgings, he first by perswasions, and after by menaces, laboured to have me relinquish the place; professing, that he would kneel before the King, but he would have my Licence called in: yet I resolved to keep it as long as I could, and returned to Coventry again; where a new Mayor being chosen, who was a great Friend to Dr. Buggs, the zeal of the Aldermen in standing for me, and by me, was much cooled; whereupon my Lecture fell to the Ground, and I assisted my Father every Sabbath, who lived within four Miles of the City: the Door being thus shut against me at Coventry, I was by a good Providence of God unexpectedly sent for by Robert Lord Brook, (who was then a young Man, and unmarried) to bestow a Sermon upon him at his House in Wedgnock Park, not far from Warwick; whither (though with much reluctancy, he being a stranger to me) I went, and preached before him, and found such approbation, that he desired me to be his houshould Chaplain; but such a Life not suiting with my estate (being married) nor with my Affections, with humble thanks I refused it, yet found him a fast, and a faithful Friend to me all his Life after.
Much about the same time also I was sought for by the Magistrates of Warwick; to Preach a Lecture there on the Sabbaths in the Afternoon, and on Tuesday Mornings; but Mr. Hall the then Vicar of that place, opposed it: whereupon the Bailiff and Burgesses made their Address to Robert Earl of Warwick, who was their Recorder, who sent for me up to London, heard me Preach, gave me his Qualification to be his Chaplain; and wrote so to Mr. Hall, that being over-awed by his Letter, he admitted of me for his assistant: In that place I exercised my Ministry about the space of five years, and the Lord was pleased so to bless my Labours, that I got much room in the hearts of all the godly in the Town, and was the instrument of the conversion of some Souls: as also of much good in the Lord Brooks Family, who being then married, lived for the most part in Warwick Castle: but these things proved the object of Mr. Halls envy, who sought to pick quarrels with me, caused me often to be Presented for the omission of Ceremonies, yet the Bishop [Dr. Thornbury] being an old Man, and peaceable, dealt so fairly, that still I got off: at length Mr. Hall, being impatient of my continuance, came to pull me out of the Pulpit, and by his clamours and noise, so interrupted me, that I was forced to give over: and Dr. Laud being then made Archbishop of Canterbury, he in his old Age made a Journey to London, complained of me to the Archbishop: and threatened to prosecute me in the high Commission Court: yet it pleased the Lord so to order things, that I heard no more of it: Just about this time the Parson of Alcester dled; and the Lord Brook having formerly of his own accord, proffered that Rectory to me, did now as freely confer it upon me; whither I went, Preached to the People, and was freely and unanimously chosen by them for their Pastor; whereupon I took Institution and Induction into the place; and there exercised my Ministry in peace, and with good success for a time.
And whereas the Town was placed in the midst of many great Papists, which made it their Randezvous: and for want of a powerful Ministry, the Inhabitants of the Town were much given to Swearing, Drunkenness, and prophanation of the Sabbath, opening their Shops, and selling Wares (especially Meat) publickly, it pleased God to bless my Ministry, and private Labours for the Reforming of those things: but neither did the Devil suffer me to be long in quiet there: for the Book of sporting upon the Sabbath, came forth about that time, and I was often enjoined the Reading of it, and much threatned for the refusal; and was the more envied and maligned, because all the Ministers thereabout (whereof some were godly) submitted to the reading of it: yet it pleased God (who had a great work to do in that place) to preserve my Liberty, notwithstanding my refusal; and the Lord added divers to the Church by my Ministry at that time.
Also about that time, I having Preached largely upon the Doctrine of the Sabbath for half a year together, it pleased God to shew a remarkable Judgment upon two of my Neighbours; who encouraged by that Book, and in contempt of my Ministry, dared to prophane that holy day; the one was a Lusty young Woman, Daughter to Jo. Waldren, who said that she would go to such a Green in the next Parish, and there Dance as long as she could stand; which also on the Sabbath in the Afternoon she did; but as she was Dancing, it pleased the Lord to strike her with a sudden, and grievous Disease, whereof she died within three days: the other was a young man, one Charles Bellers, of whom read the story also in my Book of Examples, p. 153. These remarkable Judgments seconding of the Word, struck a great awe in the hearts of many, to the restraining of them from the like disorders. A while after came on the Archbishops Visitation by Sir Nathanael Brent, unto whom Mr. Hall, and some others, made many and great complaints of me; yet by a Letter from Mr. Ri. Knightly of Fausly to Sir N. Brent in my behalf, it pleased God to deliver me from that Snare also. Thus through Gods mercy, I continued the exercise of my Ministry in that place for about the space of nine years; in which time very many young persons, both Men and Women, were converted, held their Meetings on the Sabbaths in the Evening to repeat Sermons, and perform such Duties; others were edified and built up in their Faith: and the Town, which before was called Drunken Alcester, was now Exemplary, and eminent for Religion all over the Country: and upon all occasions when publick works of mercy were called for, their zeal and forwardness provoked many others. And thus we continued till the Etcetera Oath came forth; which as a dark and black cloud, threatned new dangers: but that being so gross and palpable, many of the Ministers of that Diocess met, and drew up a Petition to the King against it, and my self, and Mr. Arthur Salwey, were chosen, and requested to carry it: hereupon we went to York, the King being there with his Army, which lay in a Leaguer about the City, the Scots Army being at New-Castle. About this time the King had summoned all the Nobility to come to him to York; and upon their request, had promised to call a Parliament, to debate and determine the difference between him and the Scots: The next day after we came to York, we were present at the Mannor▪house, whilst the King was at Supper; and immediately after Supper, I kneeling down, presented the Petition to the King, in the name of the Ministers of the Diocess of Worcester: the King received it without speaking a word, and went into his withdrawing Room; there was present Dr. Curle Bishop of Winchester, who frowned extreamly upon me for the Petition: yet I encouraged Mr. Salwey, and we followed the King to expect an answer. At the Door of the Chamber, the Porter told us that we could not be admitted; but I told him, that we had presented a Petition to the King, and must attend an answer; whereupon he let us pass. When we came into the Room, the King had laid our Petition on the Table, without Reading it, and was standing by the Fire, discoursing about his Army: we pressed just before him, and so stood confidently in his sight, till he observing that we would have no nay, went to the Table, took up our Petition, and read it distinctly over: after which he called Mr. W. Munay of the Bed-chamber, and gave him the Petition, bidding him to give it to the Master of Requests to return us our answer: then did we retire to our Lodgings; and afterwards repairing to the Master of Requests, he told us; that the Kings answer was, That we should not be molested about the refusal of the Oath, till the Parliament began; at which time our Petition should be considered: After this we retired home, though through some dangers by reason of some stragling Soldiers. The Parliament beginning shortly after, the Ministers of our Diocess met again, drew up a Petition to the Parliament for the freeing of us from the snare of the Oath, and some other burthens that lay upon us; and my self and Mr. Salwey, were again requested to present, and prosecute the Petition; which we undertook and effected. At London we met with many Ministers from most parts of the Kingdom; and upon some Meetings and Debates, it was resolved, that a Committee should be chosen to draw up a Remonstrance of our grievances, and to Petition the Parliament for Reformation; which was accordingly done, and a Reformation was begun, though God for our sins, afterwards blasted our hopes, and brought us into the greatest confusion, that ever the Church laboured under since the first Reformation of Religion under Queen Elizabeth. Not long after, the differences between King and Parliament grew so high, that both parties betook themselves to Arms. Whereupon, after a while, upon a special occasion, I went to London, and having been a while there (yet with a purpose of returning) I was one day talking with my Sister Sutton, whom I met about the Mercers-Chappel in Cheapside: and whilst we were talking together, came by Mr. Thomas Clendan, whom I had formerly known, but had now forgotten; my Sister telling me who it was, I desired her to call him back, that I might renew my acquaintance; which she did: and as we were talking together, God by his providence so ordered it, that there came by two of Bennet Fink Parish, honest men; which Mr. Clendan stopping, said to them: You want a Minister, and if you can prevail with this Gentleman, you will be well fitted, &c. Hereupon I was requested to give them a Sermon the Sabbath following; which I assented to, not knowing what God intended by it: There had about ten others Preached before me, for the place: amongst whom Dr. Hoile, old Mr. Carter of the Assembly, and Mr. F. Bellars, &c. and the chiefest in the Parish were for Mr. Carter; and whereas some of the Parish urged to proceed to a choice; the other party put it by till the last Wednesday in May, which was the monthly Fast; against which time they had procured Mr. Carter to Preach in the Afternoon; and so they were immediately to proceed to the choice, whilst his gifts in Prayer and Preaching, had left an impression upon the Peoples Spirits, that they might the easilier bring him in. Accordingly when they vvere met in the Vestry, the debate vvas, vvho should be put into nomination; and all agreed that Mr. Carter, Mr. Bellars, and my self, should be set dovvn in a paper, to vvhichwhich they vvere to make their marks: Mr. Bellars had but one or tvvo hands; and for Mr. Carter, there vvas Mr. Greene a Parliament man, and some six more of the greatest of the Parish, before any appeared for me: but then a godly man beginning, so many of the rest follovved, that the choice vvent clearly on my side. All this vvhile I knevv nothing hereof, or what they were about: being not acquainted with any one in the Parish, nor imploying any Friend to speak to them in my behalf: But that day I Preached at Fish-street for Mr. J. Smart; and in the Evening, Supping there, there came a Committee from Bennet Fink Parish, to acquaint me with my free Election, and to intreat me to accept of the place: taking notice of the concurring Providences of God, I durst not refuse the Call; yet reserved my self free to return to Alcester when the Storm was over, and that I might do it with safety.
The Wars being ended, I went into Warwick-shire, and Preached on the Lords-day at Alcester, and many of the People with Tears importuned my return: During the Wars, many of the Inhabitants of the younger sort, had retired to Warwick for safety; where, falling into the Company of Anabaptists, and other Sectaries, they were levened with their Errors; and being now returned home, they had set up private Meetings, with the neglect of the publick; and many young Men, whom I looked upon before, as Children begotten by my Ministry to God, were turned Preachers: whereupon, before I would promise to return, I propounded some Articles to them, concerning their owning me for their Pastor, attending upon my Ministry, &c. which they promised; whereupon I promised to return to them the Spring following (this being at the latter end of Summer) But these Sectaries under-hand wrought against me, and grew higher in the ways of separation; so that finding the love of the People towards me here, the opportunities that I had of being instrumental to the publick good, and the unlikeliness of living comfortably at Alcester, having provided a godly able Minister for them, I resigned to him, and resolved to fix at Bennet Fink.
About the year 1646. I published my first Book of Examples; which then contained but 12, or 14 sheets.
Anno 1649. I published my first Part of the Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, which contained but 63 sheets.
Anno 1650. I published my second Part of the Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, which contained 44 sheets.
Anno 1651. I published my General Martyrology, which contained about 140 sheets.
Anno 1652. I published my English Martyrology, which contained above 100 sheets.
Anno 1654. I published again my first Part of the Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, much enlarged, to above 120 sheets in a Pica Letter.
Anno 1655. I published my Mirror the second time, enlarged to 42 sheets of large Paper.
Anno 1657. I published my Mirror the third time, enlarged to 240 sheets.
Anno 1659. I published my first Part of Cases of Consciences, containing 144 Sheets.
Anno 1660. I published my General Martyrology, enlarged to above 180 sheets.
Besides these greater, I was one of the four Ministers that made the Jus Divinum regiminis Eclesiastici; which was Printed three times, and enlarged.
Also Printed a Sermon, which I Preached at our first Warwick-shire Feast.
Another Sermon which I Preached at the Funeral of Mr. Tho. Beuley.
Another Book against Toleration, which I called Golden Apples.
The Life of Tamerlane.
A Sheet in defence of Tythes.
All these contained above a Thousand Sheets; all which I wrote with my own hand, and was through God's mercy enabled thereunto, notwithstanding all my Ministerial employments, private and publick, Blessed be his Name for it.
I have besides at this time, November 1660. above 300 sheets ready for the Press.
The Kings Majesty having published a Declaration concerning Ecclesiastical affairs, the London Ministers drew up a gratulatory Address to His Majesty for the same, adding a prayer for the removal of Re-ordination, and Surplices in Colledges, and chose me to present it; which I did at Whitehall, November 16. 1660. and when I began to speak upon my knee, His Majesty bad me twice to rise up; which I did, and spake thus:
Your Majesties Loyal Subjects, many of the Ministers in and about the City of London, have commanded us humbly to present this their gratulatory Acknowledgment to your Royal Majesty, for your gracious Condescensions, in your Majesties late Declaration concerning Ecclesiastical Affairs. The King took my Paper, and returned this answer:
Gentlemen, I will endeavour to give you all satisfaction, and to make you as happy as my self: and something more to the like purpose.
March 25. 1661. I was, with others, made a Commissioner for Reforming the Common-Prayer Book.
Anno 1665. I publish'd the Lives of those that were called Magni, and the Life of our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ: As also the Description of Germany, and History of Hungary.
April 24. 1666. I removed from London to Hammersmith.
Anno 1671. I published my first Part of Examples, 80 sheets enlarged: and a second Volume containing 204 sheets: Also some Lives of our English Warriours.
Anno 1672. I published a Description of the 17 Provinces of the Netherlands.
Anno 1662. I published my third Volume of Lives, Printed by W. Miller.
Anno 1669. I published the Duty of every one that intends to be saved: Printed by Sim. Miller.
Anno 1670. I Printed my English Dictionary, though under anothers Name.
Besides, I have at this time 1673. about 800 Sheets ready for the Press, and about 4 or 500 Sheets of Annotations upon the whole Old Testament, all written with mine own Hand.
I was also seven or eight years a Governour in Sion Colledge, whereof two years I was President.
I mention these things, not seeking my own Praise and Glory, (for I am less than the least of all God's Mercies) but to give Glory to God, who enabled and strengthened me to do so much work; wherein (I hope) I was serviceable to him and his Church, without the neglect of my work in the Ministry.
Anno 1673. I Printed Gods Judgments upon Persecutors in 9 sheets.
Anno 1675. I Printed a great Volume of Lives in Folio, in 270 sheets.
Anno 1667, I Reprinted my Book of Martyrology, and Lives, containing 264 sheets.
Anno 1680. I Printed my President for Princes.
Anno Christi 1681. I Printed my Book of Apothegms.
Thus through Gods mercy, I continued the exercise of my Ministry for the space of forty years, even till the black Act for Conformity took place; which turned me, and almost two Thousand godly and painful Ministers and Schoolmasters out of their places. After which (though I durst not separate from the Church of England, nor was satisfied about gathering a private Church out of a true Church, as I judge the Church of England to be, yet) I intermitted not my private Studies; but spent most of my time in Reading, Writing, and enlarging the Books which I formerly Printed, or Composing new: And if it please God that the remainder of my Cases of Conscience, and my Flores Theologiae, or Common-place-Book, shall ever be Printed, I doubt not but they will prove as grateful and useful (if not more) than any I have Printed already.
Decemb. 20. 1682. When he first came down in the Morning, he complaining, that he had lain in a Feavor all Night: yet found no great alteration in himself that day: but within two or three days he grew very weak, and was confin'd to his Bed: and then the decays of Nature (like so many Creditors, who had bin put off a great while, so that when once their Debter is seiz'd upon, they lay all their Actions against him, that they may be sure to keep him fast: so these) fell violently upon him, so that his strength was quite gone, and he was unable to help himself, and he began to falter in his Speech, yet the use of his understanding remain'd to the last. And as upon all occasions, at other times hee'd be speaking of his Change, so now more especially his Communication was savoury, and such as became a dying Person, and one that had a sense of Eternity upon his Spirit; yea, and a comfortable assurance of his own title to a blessed Eternity. And so upon Dec. 25. 1682 having blessed those that were about him, he resign'd up his Soul into the hands of his Father, and fell asleep in the Lord: being aged eighty three years, two months, and fifteen days.
The memory of the just is blessed, Prov. 10. 7.