The Lives of Twenty-Two Eminent English Divines, Biography 9
The Life of Master Richard Rothwel, who died Anno Christi, 1627.
RIchard Rothwel was born in Lancashire, at, or near Bolton in the Moors, about the year of our Lord,His birth, and education. 1563. After he took the Ministry upon him, and God gave him another heart, he disposed his temporal estate amongst his friends, and foreign, 1 Cor. 9.11.14. He lived of the Gospel.
His education was in the Schools, and afterward in Cambridge; in the one he attained to an exact knowledge of the tongues, (especially Greek and Hebrew, wherein he was a Critick) and in the other of the Arts, so that he became a skil-Linguist, subtil Disputant, copious Orator, and of a deep insight into any kind of knowledge, Humane or Divine.
In this first course of his studies appeared presently to his observers, the buds and blossomes of that fame which after he attained; for he had a prompt wit, a quick apprehension, a clear understanding, a sound judgement, a ready speech, and a strong memory. All these seldome meet in one man, but did in him very eminently,His natural, and acquired parts. and were improved by diligent study, which (out of a desire of learning and knowledge) he continued to his last without wearinesse.
His constitution of body, and moral endowments of minde, were great props and supporters to his intellectual habits, Gratior est virtus veniens è corpore pulchro. This is not the ordinary lot of Scholars; He was tall, well set, of great strength of body and activity, of a stern countenance, of invincible courage, of approved valour, and of a very goodly and majestick presence: Grief nor any misery could ever break him, but joy would presently melt him into tears.
He was of a generous spirit and deportment, yet withall very humble and courteous; His language was sententious and proverbial. I have heard many others say, what I must needs my self, Nunquam illi accedo quin doctior evadam; I never came to him, but I went the learneder from him. He had a great dexterity in communicating his mind to another, and speaking to his understanding, God gave him a great inlet into the hearts of men.
After many years spent in the University,His entring into the Ministry. he betook himself to the Ministry, and was ordained Presbyter by Doctor Whitgift then Archbishop of Canterbury, who forbade him medling with interpretation of Moses Types, the Book of Canticles, Daniel, and the Revelation. Which then he thought himself, as the Bishop did, were not so useful for him to study as some other Scriptures.
But alas! all these natural dispositions, intellectual habits, personal deportments were but as so many weapons in the hands of a mad man: Judge how able by these to resist the truth; for he remained some years without any change of heart, or sensible work of grace upon his soul, but preached learnedly as they called it, and lived vainly;His course of life before his Conversion. abhorring debauchery, and debauched companions, through the height of his spirit, but gave himself to hunting, bowling, shooting, more the… became a Minister of the Gospel; and sometimes he would swear Faith and Troth, and in his passion greater blasphemies. I have heard him tell that there were two Knights in Lancashire fallen out, and great fewd betwixt them; That the one had a very good Park with store of Deer; That the other had excellent good Fish-ponds, and store of Fish: He robbed the Park of the one, and presented what he got to the other; and the Fish-ponds of the other, and presented the Fish to his adversary; thus he pleased himself in the daies of his vanity, with such kind of follies. In doing this one night, the Keeper met with him, his Dog having killed a Buck; at the fall of the Buck the Keeper came in with his fauchion and staff, and met Master Rothwel who had a staff also; They fell from words to blows; He got the Keeper down, bound him by the thumbs, and drew him up to his full height, that he could but touch the ground with his toes, and so left him tied to a tree till next morning, when others found him and loosed him. At length God pleased, who separated him from his Mothers womb, as he did Paul, and called him by his grace to reveal his Son in him. Which because it was famous, and he himself afterwards proved the means of the Conversion of so many, I shall set it down as I remember I have heard him speak it.
He was playing at Bowles amongest some Papists and vain Gentlemen, upon a Saturday, somewhere about Rachdale in Lancashire; there comes into the green to him one Master Midgley, a grave and godly Minister of Rachdale, whose praise is great in the Gospel, though far inferiour to Master Rothwel in parts and learning;The means, and manner his Conversion. he took him aside and fell into a large commendation of him, at length told him what pity it was, that such a man as he should be a companion for Papists, and that upon a Saturday, when he should be preparing for the Sabbath-day. Master Rothwel sleighted his words, and checked him for his medling.
Power of Prayer.The good old man left him, went home and prayed privately for him; Master Rothwel when he was retired from that company, could not rest, Master Midglys words struck so deep in his thoughts; The next day he went to Rachdale Church to hear Master Midgley, where it pleased God to blesse that Ordinance so, as Master Rothwel was by that Sermon brought home to Christ. He came after Sermon to Master Midgley, thanked him for his reproof, and besought his direction and prayers, for he was in a miserable condition of nature; and under the spirit of bondage he lay for a time, till afterwards, and by Master Midgleys hands also he received The Spirit of Adoption, His Faith, and comfort.wherewith he was so sealed, that he never lost his assurance to his dying day. Though he was a man subject to many temptations, the devil assaulting him very much, yet God was mightily with him, that out of his own experience he was able to comfort many. He esteemed and counted Master Midgley ever afterward for his spiritual Father. This makes me think upon Augustines speech to God, when he came to hear Ambrose preach: non ut Doctorem veni (but upon another account) ad eum; per te ducebar nescius, ut ad te per eum sciens ducerer. Confess. l. 5. c. 13, 14.So did the Lord by Master Midgleys plain kind of teaching, put forth the evidence of his spirit upon this mighty and learned Rabbi.
Whether it was before or after this his Convesion that he went a Souldier,His going into Ireland. and Chaplain to a Regiment under the Earl of Essex into Ireland, I know not; but there he was, and did very great things. And certainly his wisdome and courage were so eminent in him, that there were few of his Calling his equals, I think none at all his Superiours.
He now becomes another man, forsakes all his wonted courses and companions, preacheth in another manner then formerly, opens the depths of Satan, and deceitfulnesse of the heart, so as he was called the Rough Hewer. The efficacy of his Ministry.He had the power of God that went with his Ministry, when he preached the Law to make men tremble, yea sometimes to cry out in the Church: and when he preached the Gospel, he was another Barnabas, and had great skill in comforting afflicted consciences.
He studied now the point of Non-conformity, which was as the joynts in Ahabs armour, through which the Prelates hit, and deprived so many godly and able Ministers in those times. In these Controversies he was so well versed, that he satisfied many, and silenced any that disputed with him. He was so fixed in his judgment, that he would never either marry, (expecting daily persecution; and the word he used in all his Books, was Persecutio pignus futurae felicitatis;) nor take any Benefice, (though divers great livings were proffered him) because he would still say, My head is too big to get into a Church-door. But he betook himself first to a Chappel in Lancashire, as a Lecturer, The places of his first employment.and afterward (to decline the storm of the Prelates) to be a Domestick Chaplain to the Earl of Devonshire, and at …hat time I first knew him, and came (I blesse God) acquainted with him.
There now ran nothing more in his mind, but why the Bishop should forbid him preaching upon those Scriptures before mentioned; and he began to conceive that there was sure something there, could he find it,The study of the Prophesies. which would mightily batter bown their Hierarchy; He prayed therefore much to God, (wherein he was mighty) and studied them, and God opened those mysterious passages of his Book to him more then to other men, that he seldom preached abroad out of any other Scriptures, and did write an exact Commentary upon Moses Types, which he unveiled with very much profit and delight to the Reader; but that Book is lost to the great losse of Gods Church thereby.
Learned and godly Master Cotton enquired of me whether that or any thing else might not be found amongst his papers after his death I told him there was little found, but what was in Characters. He prayed me to send him what I could gather, to Boston, where men were that were expert in Characters. I did so, but I believe they could make nothing of them. That and some other of his learned and judicious labours he hath lent out, I suppose, and I fear they will not be recovered. Learned men that have seen them, judge them a rare treasure.
His contests with the Bishops.He had some contests with the Prelates, especially with Bishop Neal then of Litchfield, afterwards of Durham; in the which the Bishop, I dare say, was more afraid of him, then he was of the Bishop: But I forbear that story.
At length he came to spend most part of his time in the Bishoprick of Durham, by means of an honourable and Elect Lady, the Lady Bowes, afterwards the Lady Darcy in the North. Of whom it was truly preached at her Funeral, (Alas, that it was at her Funeral) Wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached in the whole world, Mat. 26.13.there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. She gave about one thousand pounds per annum, to maintain Preachers where there were none,The Lady Bowes her great charity. nor any means for them, and all her Preachers were silenced men by reason of Non-conformity: Such as Master Baynes, Master Dike, &c. She would lay out all her interest to get them their liberty, and then she would dispose of them, where there needed in the North, or in the Peak in Darbyshire, or other places, and allow them pensions; O! That God would raise out of the ashes of this Phoenix some more such Mothers in Israel. Sir William Bowes her husband dying, his Funerals were kept at Bernards-Castle, where he had some honour: Master Dike (Father of the Writers of that name) was then her houshold Chaplain, and went into the North to that Funeral; at his return he represented the state of the people destitute of a Minister to my Lady, who would have sent him thither; but he told her he durst not venture on so surly a People, but commended Master Rothwel to her. She sent to him, then at the Earl of Devonshires house, and proffered him this employment; His answer was, he would go thither, and if the people called him, he would then accept of her motion.
At his first dayes labour, they all desired him, he returned to the Lady, and told her he would go; she replyed, though for their sakes she was glad, yet she was afraid to send him; understanding that they were of a fierce disposition, and having never heard the Gospel, might deal unkindly with him; he answered, Madam, If I thought I should never meet the devil there, I would never come there; he and I have been at odds in other places, and I hope we shall not agree there.
He desired to have me with him, and with much ado prevailed; and so (I blesse God) he not only fitted me for the University, but was a means to bring me to the first saving knowledg of Christ; I remember, and shall do ever, the first Sermon and point which God blessed to my soul for that purpose. I was about eight years his bed-fellow and eye witnesse of the great success he had in his Ministry there, and over all the Countrey, where he was worthily called, The Apostle of the North. The Lady allowed him fourty pounds per annum, and such as God wrought upon by his Ministry contributed to him, but he would not have a penny from any other.
There was once in his absence collected 30. li. by Sir Talbot Bowes, His self-denial.that lived there, from the people; but when he returned and knew it, he caused it to be restored to the Parties, that gave it, and told them, He sought them, not theirs.
At his first entrance he had great opposition, and sometimes was way-laid to take away his life; but he overcame all that with his patience and courage,His patience, and courage. and at length his greatest enemies were afraid of him; and few Sermons, but it was believed, he gained some souls.
His manner was to spend the forenoon at his Studies,His carriage amongst his people. and the afternoon in going through his Parish, and conferring with his people; in which, as he excelled, so he gained much upon them; and within four years had so many judicious and experimental Christians, that they came from London, York, Richmond, New-Castle, and many other places, to see the order of his Congregation: And many lewd Gentlemen came oft, ten or twelve miles to hear him, to carp and get somewhat to accuse him: many of which God took hold on, and they returned, some convinced, and some converted.Special Providence. Neal (the said Prelate of Durham) bestirred himself, and outed many worthy men, and endeavoured his removal. Once he sent three Pursivants to apprehend him, and promised them one hundred pounds, if they brought him.His persecution by Bishop Neal. He was then out of Town, and had notice by me of their purpose; a Gentleman being with him, one Master Israel Fielding, a true Israelite, desired him to go with him to his house, within a quarter of a mile of Bernards Castle, which was out of the Bishops jurisdiction: to whom he answered, I had thought you had been my friend: what is the devils greatest name? I answered Belzebub. And what (saith he) is Belzebub? The Master of a flie: and if he be but so, what are these? Midges *Gnats.: I will go therefore to my people, and let the devil do his worst.
So he came and sent to the Pursivants to come to him, when they came, he took his sword in his hand, (which he alwaies rid with) and bad them Keep their distance and not come too near him, but if they would do their errand, let them come, for there was his supersedeas. God strook them amort, they had no spirit left in them to medle with him. He bad them go to their Lord, and tell him, if he had any thing to say to him, he would meet him on Bernards Castle bridge, (which parteth the shires) and if he could pull him over to him, let him take him: But, (saith he) do you serve a better Master, else he that sets you on work will pay you your wages; and so he left them.
Not long after, I went to the University, and after eight years continuance there, came over into England upon some opportunities,His last sicknesse. and stayed about half a year, ere I returned. When I came to Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, His last sicknesse.I found him there their Minister, and sick unto the death; at my coming he revived, and in the strength of that joy so far recovered, that within a week he went about the Town with me to divers places; but relapsed, and engaged me to preach for him once the next Sabbath following, and in the afternoon at Mansfield Woodhouse, within half a mile of Mansfield. On friday we looked for no life from him, he was almost past his understanding; There came a drunken Vicar of Mansfield, one Master Brittaine to see him, and desired him now, that he was not like to live, to tell him what he thought of the Ceremonies, he knew he was learned, and therefore would be glad to be informed by him. Master Rothwel either understood not, or minded not what he said, but answered sometimes Yea, sometimes No, as he apprehended. Master Brittain went away telling him he was satisfied, and reported in divers Ale-houses, and amongst his companions, that Master Rothwel recanted his judgment of Non-conformity.
When he was gone, I desired the company to stay, the chamber being full, and I asked Master Rothwel if he knew who had been with him, and what he said to him? He answered, No: I told him it was Master Brittaine, and that he reported he had recanted his judgment. He answered, If I should do so, I were in a most miserable condition. No, (saith he) I have written a Treatise, and called the Ceremonies Dulcissima. And why? (said I) peradventure because as in the itch, scratching pleaseth, but draweth blood: at that he laughed, I asked him if I should send for Master Brittaine, and that he would declare his mind to him; he answered, no: If he come I shall prove him to be a very Knave; but he desired me to go to him, and let him know his mind, which I did, and took some understanding Gentlemen with me, that were present, and so (I thank God,) cleared Master Rothwel, both to Master Brittaine, and afterwards to all the Congregation publickly, from that wicked aspersion.
The next day [Saturday] he had some lightning, and sate up in his chair, and discoursed freely, cheerfully and heavenly all that and the next day; some sent to enquire on the Sabbath how he did, he answered, I am well, and shall be well shortly; and whispering with me, said, Do you know my meaning? He foretels his death.I shall be with Christ ere long, but do not tell them so. He caused me to repeat my Sermon preached in the forenoon for him, after which, with tears in his eyes he laid his hands on my head, and lifted up his eyes to Heaven, and with a short Prayer blessed me: Then he bad me go to preach at Mansfield Woodhouse, and tarry there all night, (for he had promised it to one Master Dand there,) but to be sure to come when he sent for me. This he did next morning about six a clock, when I came I found him in pangs of death, he had known nor spoken to any of an hour before: the chamber was full, and one was praying for him; after Prayer, I spake to him, he turned about his head, took me by the hand, and bade me pray, pray; I desired a Reverend Minister to go to prayer again; Master Rothwel said, Pray you, pray you; I did so: after that he smiled, Now (saies he) I am well: Happy is he that hath not bowed a knee to Baal; he bad us sing Psal. 120. he sung a while, but in the singing of the Psalm he died,His death. Anno Domini 1627. and in the year of his age 64.
Thus have I given you as true an account as I could of this famous Champion of Christ, who notwithstanding his Non-conformity, may be called with Austin, Haereticorum Malleus, The Hammer of Hereticks, and with Ambrose, Orbis terrarum (Anglicarum) oculus. The eye as bright as any other in the English Orbe.
Two things (amongst many others) I think worthy the inserting into his life, which have been omitted in the fore-going story.
The one is a strange sicknesse and recovery he had once at Bernards Castle. His sicknesse was a Vertigo capitis, His strange sicknesse, and recovery.he would have fourty fits at least in an hour, and every one of them accompanied with mischievous temptations, which when the fit was over, he dictated, and I writ down; these held him about three weeks, in which time he had the advice of learned Physicians from London, York, New-Castle, Durham, and other places, they all jumped in their judgments, imputing it to much study, fasting, and inward trouble of spirit; their Prescriptions wrought kindly, but removed not his disease; He desired divers Christians to pray for him on a day prefixed, and promised to joyn with them as well as he could, with some others that should be with him, assuring them, That he was confident that disease would not he removed but by Prayer and Fasting. The morning of that day he had a fit continued four hours together upon him, and the devil set upon him all that while, with most dreadfull temptations,Satans malice. telling him he would make him the scorn of Religion, and every man should reproach it for his sake, that had before by his means looked towards it: That he should never preach more, but should blaspheme the name of God he had preached, with many like suggestions: God gave him courage, comfort and Victory over them all. The devil told him if he did fast and pray that day, he would torment and hinder him, &c. We met at the time appointed, and Master Rothwel would needs have me to perform the duty, which through Gods goodnesse I did, and the devil was not permitted to hinder or interrupt him or us, and God heard our Prayers,The power of prayer. so that he had never a fit after that; and the Sabbath-seven night following he preached, but after many wrestlings with Satan, who told him he would make him mad, and before all the people in the Pulpit make him a scorn if he did adventure to preach; Neverthelesse his Faith in Christ overcame his fear of Satan, and he preached with great assistance and comfort upon that text, Psal. 116.9. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. Neverthelesse that sicknesse did so weaken his brain, that ever after he was enclining to some infirmities, Which love must cover.
The other is a relation which I had from himself, and from divers others to whom the story was known, that are yet alive.His dispossessing of the devil. As well as I can recollect it, it is thus; There was one John Fox living about Nottingham, who had no more learning then enabled him to write and read: This man was possessed with a devil, who would violently throw him down, and take away the use of every member of his body, which was turned as black as pitch in those fits, and then spake with an audible voice in him, which seemed sometimes to be heard out of his belly, sometimes out of his throat, and sometimes out of his mouth, his lips not moving. He lay thus (if I mistake not) some years: many prayers were put up to God for him, and great resort, especially of godly Ministers, to him: amongst the rest Master Bernard of Batcomb, then of Worksop; and Master Langley of Truswel, betwixt whom and John Fox, I have seen divers passages in writing, he relating by pen his temptations, and they giving answers when he was stricken dumb.
As Master Rothwel was riding to see him, the Devil told all that were in the House, Yonder comes Rothwel: but I will make a fool of him before he goes. The people looked forth, and saw him coming aabout a quarter of a mile from the house. As soon as he entered the room, the Devil said, Now Rothwel is come: and as some say spake thus. Rothwel, Thou sayest there is no possession, what thinkest thou now? Here is a man opens not his lips, and yet he speaketh? And after a while he further said:
Devil:
Say nothing to me of this man, for I tell thee he is damned; and he added thereto many fearfull blasphemies.
Rothwel:
Thou art a lyer, and the father of lies; nor art thou so well acquainted with the mind of God concerning this man, which makes thee thus to torment him; therefore I believe thee not, I believe he shall be saved by Jesus Christ.
Devil:
He is a murtherer, and thou knowest no murtherer must come into Heaven.
Rothwel:
Thou liest again, for David murdered, and is in Heaven; and the Jews with wicked hands crucified the Lord of Glory, yet both Christ prayed for them, and Peter exhorts them to repentance, that their sins may be blotted out.
Devil:
But this man hath not, cannot, shall not repent.
Rothwel:
If he had not, thou wouldst not have told him so; but if he have not, I believe God will give him repentance, and thou shalt not be able to hinder it.
Devil:
Thou art a murtherer thy self, and yet talkest thou thus?
Rothwel:
Thou liest again, I have fought the Lords Battels against his known enemies, the idolatrous and bloody Papists in Ireland ▪ Rebels to the Queen my Sovereign, by whose authority I bore armes against them; otherwise I have killed no man.
Devil:
(Swore and blasphemed) Thou didst murther one this day, as thou camest hither, and there is one behind thee will justifie it.
Rothwel looked over his shoulder, and with that the devil set up a hideous laughter, that nothing could be heard for a great while, and then said:
Devil:
Look you now, did not I tell you I would make Rothwel a fool? and yet it is true, thou didst murther one this day; for as thou camest over the Bridge (which he named) there I would have killed thee, and there thy horse trod upon a slie and killed it.
Master Rothwels horse you must know stumbled there, it seems the devil had power to cause it, but without hurt either to Master Rothwel or his horse.
Rothwel:
Thou hast oft beguiled me, I hope God will in time give me wisdome to discern, and power to withstand all thy delusions; and he it is that hath delivered me out of thy hands, and will I doubt not also deliever this poor man.
The Devil blasphemed fearfully, quoted many Scriptures out of the Old and New Testament, both in Hebrew and in Greek, cavilled and played the Critick, and backed his Allegations with Sayings out of the Fathers and Poets in their own language, which he readily quoted, so that the company trembled to hear such things from one that understood no learning, and that moved neither tongue nor lip.
Master Bothwel was mightily enabled by God to detect the devils sophistry.
Devil:
What stand I talking with thee? All men know thou art BOLD ROTHWEL, and fearest no body, nor carest for words, therefore I will talk to thee no more, (that name he carried to his grave; They would say, That is he the devil called BOLD ROTHWEL.)
Rothwel (turning to the people) said, Good people, you see the goodnesse of our God, and his great power; though the devil made a fool of me now, through my weaknesse, God hath made the devil dumb now; do you see how he lyeth? therefore let us go to prayer; that God who hath made him dumb, will (I doubt not) drive him out of this poor man.
Devil raged, blasphemed, and said, And wilt thou go to prayer? If thou do, I will make such a noise, that thy prayer shall be distracted, and thou knowest God will not hear a distracted prayer: but thou hast got a device, because thou wilt not be distracted with thy eyes in prayer, thou winkest (so he alwaies did,) but if thou pray, I will pull out thy eyes.
Rothwel:
I look to find thee as great an enemy in this duty now, as I have done heretofore, but I fear not thy threat, I know thou art limitted; God heareth the Prayers of the upright, hath promised to give his Spirit to supply infirmities, therefore in confidence of his promise, and powerfull assistance of his Spirit, and in the name and intercession of his Son Jesus Christ we will go to Prayer.
They did so, Mr. Rothwel kneeled by the bed on which the poor man lay; The Devil for a quarter of an hour together, or more, made a horrid noise; neverthelesse Master Rothwels voice was louder then the Devils. After a while the Devil roared at Master Rothwels face (this was the first motion of any part of the mans body) Master Rothwel opened his eyes, met, and brought down the hand, which he held with great ease, two men being scarce able to hold the other hand: Prayer was still continued; at length the Devil lay silent in the man, and after that departed from him. The man fetcht divers deep sighs, insomuch as they thought he had been expiring, but his colour returned to him, and the use of all his members, senses, and understanding; and at the next petition, he said (to the glory of God, and amazement, but comfort of all the company,) AMEN: and so continued to repeat his Amen to every petition: Prayer was now turned into thansgiving, and so concluded. After prayer, John Fox said, Good Master Rothwel, leave me not, I shall not live long; for the Devil tels me he will choak me with the first bit of meat that I eat. Master Rothwel answered, Wilt thou beleeve the Devil that seeks thy destruction, before thou wil… trust in God through Jesus Christ, that seeks thy salvation? Hath not God by his Almighty power dispossed him? Had he had his will, thou hadst been in Hell before now; but he is a Lier, and as he is not able to hinder thy souls life, so neither shall he be able to destroy the life of thy body. Wherefore get me something ready (saith he) for him, and I will see him eat before I go, and will crave a blessing upon it.
When it was brought, eat saith Master Rothwel, and fear not the Devil, shewing him that he might do it in faith of that Ordinance by which God appoints meat for means to preserve life, and urged that place of Jairus Daughter restored to life: He commanded to give her meat, Luk. 8.55. With much ado, and in great trembling at last, them an took, and eat it. Look, (saies Master Rothwel) you all see the Devil is a Lier, the first bit hath not choaked him, nor shall the rest. Master Rothwel left him, after which he was stricken dumb for three years together. I had a Book written with his own hand, of the Temptations the Devil haunted him with afterwards, and the Answers divers godly and reverend Ministers gave to those temptations: but the Cavaliers got them, and all my Books and Writings.
Thus the poor man remained tempted, but no longer possessed; At length by Prayer also (which was instantly put up to God for him, every Sabbath and Lecture day, in many places,) the Lord opened his mouth, and restored his speech to him: one using this petition, Lord open thou his mouth that his lips may shew forth thy praise. He answered in the Congregation, Amen: and so continued to speak, and spake graciously to his dying day.
This Life was drawn up by my reverend Friend Master Stanly Gower of Dorchester.