The Lives of Sundry Eminent Persons, Part 1 · Biography 8
The Life and Death of Mr. Ralph Robinson, who died Anno Christi, 1655.
RAlph Robinson was born at a Town called, Heswall, in Wyrrall, which is one of the His Birth.Hundreds in Cheshire, being a Peninsula beyond West-Chester, of about Fourteen Miles in length, and Five in breadth, stretching it self between Wales and Lancashire. He was born in June, Anno Christi 1614.
His Parents seeing his Ingenuity, and that from his Childhood he was disposed to Learning, His Education and Industry.kept him at School till he was fitted for the University, and then sent him to Cambridge, where he was admitted into Katherine-Hall, and made so good improvement of his time, with the helps which he there enjoyed, as that in a few Years he was furnished with good Abilities for the work of the Ministry.
In the beginning of our troubles, Anno Christi 1642. He left Cambridge, and came to He comes to London.London, where he exercised his Gifts in several Churches, and gained much respect among the Ministers, and other Citizens, for the rich Gifts and Graces with which God had furnished him: And thus he continued till the Pastoral charge of St. Mary Woolnoth in Lumbard street fell void, unto which being called, he accepted of it, and was there ordained Presbyter, with solemn seeking the Lord by Fasting and Prayer, and by Imposition of Is Ordained Presbyter. His Character.Hands.
In regard of his Vocation: He was an able, Orthodox, and profitable Preacher of the Gospel. As for his Relations, he was a loving Husband, a tender Father, a careful and vigilant Pastor, a good Neighbour, a chearful Companion, and a faithful Friend. In his Judgment, Affection and Practice, he was a thorow, well grounded Presbyterian, and that upon a Scripture account, as deeming that way of Church-Government, to be most agreeable to the mind of God. He was true and steady to his Principles, without warping and declining either to the Right Hand or to the Left.
He was unweariedly laborious in the work of the Ministry, both upon the Lords-days, His painfulnessand his weekly Lecture-days, which continued half the Year; as also for his Monthly preparation Sermon before the Sacrament of the Lords Supper. And truly there was scarce any Minister in London, that appeared more frequently than Mr. Robinson in the Exercises of holy Fasting and Prayer, for which work God had fitted him with Gifts more than ordinary. There was scarce any man that ever found him unwilling to make one in ways of And Parts.extraordinary seeking the Lord, according to the necessities of the times.
Yet his high parts, great Services, besides many Expressions of Respect in the City, His Humility.did not puff him up with Pride, but they were crowned with a meek and humble Spirit; For who ever saw him proudly passionate, or contemptuously insulting, either towards his Equals or Inferious? His conversation was holy, and unreproveable, the strength of Gods And unblamableness. His Zeal.Grace, securing him all his Life long, from the least taint of Scandal.
Ever since he set forwards in Heavens way, he was upon the Spur, and thence it was that he dispached his Journey so soon. When others supposed that he had not yet seen his After-noon, he had finished his Days-work, and went to Rest. He was suddenly and unexpectedly taken away.
On Saturday, Three weeks before his Death, he came from Islington (where he had a His Sickness.Country House) to London, with a full purpose to preach twice, and to administer the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper the day following in his own Church; but Friends and Physicians disuaded him from it, discerning that he had some Feverish Distempers upon him, which himself was not sensible of. All the time of his sickness he was insensible of any pain, and unapprehensive of any Death-threatening Distemper, or Disease upon himself.
Yet being moved to make his Will, his Answer was, I will do it with all readiness, though I perceive not in my self any danger of Death. And this he added, I pray you flatter me not, of my Physicians apprehend danger, let me know it; for (I bless God) the thoughts of Death Death not feared.are not dreadful to me.
A special Friend coming to visit him, he gave him hearty Thanks for remembring him His Speches.upon a Day of Prayer, adding farther, I have (I thank God) loved Fasting and Prayer with all my Heart. And when this his Friend asked him concerning the present frame of his Heart, his Answer was; Though I have not ravishing Joys; yet I enjoy an uninterrupted and satisfying Peace; Not questioning in the least, mine everlasting Happiness, through the Grace His Faith.of God in Christ.
At the same time also, when he had begged the Pardon of his Ministerial failings, he professed the comfort which he took, upon the Remembrance of his Uprightness and faithfulness, notwithstanding his Weaknesses and Imperfections.
Being moved to relieve his own Spirit by silent and secret Ejaculations, because (in regard of his weakness) it might prove very prejudicial unto him to have any Friend to pray with him; his Answer was, There is no living without those Exercises.
Upon his tossings and turnings upon his Bed, he was put in mind of the Rest in Christs His Death.Bosom: Oh! (said he) true Rest can no where else be enjoyed. And thus quietly he slept in the Lord, June 15. Anno Christi 1655. and about the one and fortieth year of his Age.
Upon the Death of that Eminent Servant of God Mr. Ralph Robinson.
IF long Existence be Lifes measure, then
Thy Life was short, thy years were four times ten:
But if that Regular Activity
Be Lifes Surveyor, thy Nativity
Compar'd with thy Departure makes a date
Of years that multiply to Noah's rate.
He was a man of Rest, yet did proclaimGen. 5. 29. 2 Pet. 2. 5. Noah signifies Rest.
War with the Old Worlds Lusts, thou didst the same.
What Cost, and Pains; and Flouts did he endure
Building the Ark, a Remnant to secure?
His was a shaddow to that living Frame
Which thou wast building to Eternal Fame.
Two Worlds he saw of Sin and Misery;
The second World is pure Felicity.
Roger Drake, M. D.
Ʋpon the Death of the much lamented Mr. Ralph Robinson. Raalphe Robinson. Anagram. Non' so able in Praer.
VVHo Prays, well, Preaches, Lives well; to Pray, Live, Preach
Well, are Three Crowns of Gold to such as Teach.
Well didst thou Preach, and Live, but Prayedst so, Non'
So able was in Prayer as Robinson.
The Three Crowns end in one, a Crown of Praise;
Those are Earths work a while, this Heavens always.
John Sheffeild.
GOds Gifts are various: some for Learning Tall
As Anakims, great Scholars, and that's all;
No Preachers, Some in Preaching quick, deep, full,
Lively, and piercing; in Prayer cool, flat, dull.
Some have the Key of Knowledge, some the Keys
Of Hearts, and Heaven too, with great skill and ease
They open all: These are Men, Men of God,
As erst Eliah, or Moses with his Rod.
Such was our Robinson, a man of skill
To open Gods whole Counsel and his VVill.
He opened Hearts by Preaching, and by Prayer
He opened Heaven; There gain'd he first Gods Ear,
His Favour next, then Heart, His Presence now:
Glory from Grace, Grace doth from Prayer flow.
Moses grows faint, when Hur and Aaron fail'd
Him on both hands, then Ameleck prevail'd.
London grows faint since two Junes have pull'd down
Two Praying Pillars, chief Jewels in her Crown.
Whittaker's gone, and Robinson gone; How?
How are the Mighty faln, and we brought low!
The one Elijah was, Elisha th'other,
He a grave Father was, this a dear Brotber;
Two *Mary Magdalen Bermondsey, Mary Woolnoth Lumbard-street.Maries VVidows left, Barnsby the last
Years June remembers, Woolnoth June now past.
But Barnsby hath a Whittaker again,
Another Robinson may Woolnoth gain.
Sic flevit & precatur J. S.
Ʋpon the much to be lamented Death of Mr. Ralph Robinson.
IN pitchy Night when frightful flames break out,
Unskilful janglers help to raise the Rout:
Gods fiery Flame hath slain a worthy Brother,
Which makes me rudely chime an artless Rime with other:
May we but thus you to your Engines raise,
Faith, Prayers, Tears, to quench these Fires, we have our Bayes.
All Israel must lamentLevit. 10.
The fiery punishment,
That dreadfully did fright
And fully, sadly light
On those rash Aaronites.
Surely then London must,
The cause is full as just,
Much more bewail and weep,
Such VVatch-men falln so soon, so fast asleep:
Which did your City keep,
In these our dangerous Nights.
Your Earthly Buildings fired rais'd you to Lamentation,
Such Heavenly living Temples falln should raise the Nation.
To mourn in lofty Verse, or stately stile,
With high rapt Fancies, strain'd Hyperbolies,
Over the dead; Grief running low the while,
In Soul is t'act a part in Elegies:
To wear the Cloth of Mourners, not the smart,
This is to mourn in Garb, more than in Heart:
Which sinful Mode in these our vainer Times,
Is to be reckon'd 'mongst our many Crimes.
I shall then, Reader, now the less,
My grief in outward words express:
Deep Rivers make no noise
With drilling, murmuring voice;
Deep mortal wounds bleed most within,
Drown, kill the Heart, not break the skin.
Oh might thy Death our deadly last wound given
Kills us to th' World and Sin, raise us to Heaven!
Thou then, Elisha-like, might'st raise
Living and dead Souls to thy Praise.
But if Elisha's double part be such,
That some may grutch;
Yet he Elijah's name,
Perfume thy Fame
And be then thus to thee ascrib'd.
Here lies Elijah Robinson,
Who had Elijah's Spirit on.
A man of Holy, Heavenly Fire
In Zeal for Truth, and fervent Prayer:
So rapt he liv'd; by Fevers Fire he di'd.
John Fuller.
Radulphe Robinson. Anagram. On, on, double Praers.
PRay much, gain much, but pray more and gain more:
On, on, and double you your Prayers therefore.
More Hands make lighter work; few Hands work fore:
On, double, double on your Prayers therefore.
God calls, Church, State, your own wants call for store,
On, double on, enforce your Prayers the more.
For double Prayers I double Glory gain:
Double your Prayers on Earth, and Heaven obtain.
John Sheffield.