The History of the Worthies of England, Part 2 · County 46 · Section 16
W…iters.
ALPHRED of Beverley, born therein (a Town termed Urbs or City by *De script. Brit. sect. 2. pag. 187.Bale) or thereabouts, and bred in the University of Cambridge. Hence he returned to his native place, where he was made Treasurer of the Convent, …ence (as some will have it) commonly called Alphredus Thesaurarius: others concei…g this his Topical relation too narrow to give him so general a Name, will have him s… stiled from being so carefull a storer up (God send more to succeed him in that Office) of memorable Antiquities. Indeed, with the good Housholder, he brought out of his Treasury things new and old, writing a Chronicle from Brutus to the time of his own death, which happened Anno 1136.
GULIELMUS REHIEVAILENSIS, or WILLIAM of RIEVAULX was so named from the place of his Nativity in this County, being otherwise a Monk of Rushford. His Learning was great according to that age, and his genius enclined him most to History; whereof he wrote a fair *Bale de scrip…t B…it. Cent. 2. num. 9….Volumne of the things done in his own age, himself being an eye witnesse of a great part thereof. For though generally Monks were confined to their Cloisters, more liberty was allowed to such persons whose Pens were publickly employed. And when Monks could not go out to the news, news came home to them: such was their intelligence from Clergy men, who then alone were employed in State Offices. It was no wonder, that the writings of this William did, but had been a miracle if they did not savour of the superstition of the times. He dedicated his Book to Ealread Abbot of Rievaulx, and died Anno Dom. 1146.
EALREAD Abbot of Rievaulx lately named, was one eminent in his generation for Piety and Learning. He was most intimate with David King of Scotland, and had the rare felicity to adventure on desperate *Bale de script. Brit. Cent. 2. Num. 99.differences betwixt great persons; and yet above humane hope to compleat their agreement. He had Saint Augustines Confessions both by heart, and in his heart; yet generally he is accounted the English Saint Bernard, and wrote very many Books, whereof one, De Virginitate Mariae, and another, De Abusionibus Claustri, shewing twelve abuses generally committed in that kind of life. Yet as Saint *1 Tim 5. 3.Paul honoured widows, that were widows indeed; he had a high esteem for Monks, who were Monks indeed; so addicted to a solitary life, that he refused all Honours and several Bishopricks proffered unto him. He died in the 57. year of his age, 1166. and after his death attained with many the reputation of a Saint.
WALTER DANIEL was Deacon to Ealread aforesaid, and it is pity to part them. Leland saith, that he followed his Abbot
Sanctâ Invidiâ,
Give me leave to english it, with holy emulation, and they who run in that race of Vertue, neither supplant such who are before them, nor justle those that are even with them, nor hinder those who come behind them. He trod in his Masters foot▪ steps; yet so, that my Author saith, Non modo aequavit sed superavit, writing a Book on the same subject, De Virginitate Mariae. He flourished Anno 1170. under King Henry the second, and was buried in his own Abby.
ROBERT the SCRIBE (but no Pharisee, such his Humility; not Hypocrite, such his Sincerity,) was the fourth Prefect of Canon Regulars at Bridlington in this County. He had his surname from his dexterity in writing, not a little beneficial in that age; *In his Life written by himself.Erasmus ingeniously confessing, that his Father Gerard got a handsome livelihood thereby. But our Robert in fair and fast writing did reach a Note above others, it being true of him what was said,
Nondum lingua suum dextra peregit opus.
The Tongue her task hath not yet done,
When that the Hand her race hath run.
And he may be said to have had the long Hand of short Hand (such the swiftness of his Pen) though I confesse Brachyography was not then, nor many years after invented. But he, though a quick Scribe, is but a dull one; who is good only at fac simile, to transcribe out of an original, whereas our Robert left many Books of his own making to posterity. He flourished Anno Dom. 1180. and lleth buried before the Doors of the Cloyster of his Convent.
PETER of Rippon, was Canon of that Colledge, built antiently therein by Saint Wilfred, purposely omitted by us in our Catalogue of Saints, to expiate our former tediousnesse concerning him in our Church History. Jeoffry Archbishop of York, not only delighted in, but doted on our Peter. He wrote a Book of the life and miracles of Saint Wilfred. How many suspected persons did prick their credits, who could not thread his Needle. This was a narrow place in his Church, and kind of Purgatory (save that no fire therein) through which chaste Persons might easily passe, whilest the Incontinent did stick therein, beheld generally as a piece of Monkish Legerdemain.
I am sorry to hear, that this Collegiate Church (one of the most ancient and famous Churches in the North of England) hath the means and allowance appointed for the repair thereof deteined, and more …orry that on the eighth of December, 1660. a violent wind blew down the great Steeple thereof, which with its fall, bea… down the Chancel (the onelyonly place where the people could assemble for Divine Worship) and much shattered and weakened the rest of the Fabrick, and I hope, that His Majesties Letters Patents will meet with such bountiful contributions, as will make convenient Reparation. Our Peter flourished Anno 1190. under King Richard the first.
WILLIAM of NEWBOROUGH, was born at *Bale de script. Brit. Cent. 3. num…ro 53.Bridlington in this County, but named of Newborough, not far off, in which Monastery he became a Canon Regular. He also was called Petit or Little, from his low stature; in him the observation was verified, that little men (in whom their heat is most contracted) are soon angry, flying so fiercely on the memory of Geffrey of Monmouth, taxing his British Chronicle, as a continu…d fiction, translated by him indeed; but whence? from his own Brain, to his own Pen, by his own Invention. Yea, he denieth that there was ever a King Arthur, and in effect overthroweth all the Welsh History. But learned Leland conceives this William Little greatly guilty in his ill language, which to any Author was uncivil, to a Bishop unreverent, to a dead Bishop uncharitable. Some resolve all his passion on a point of meer revenge, heartily offended, because David Prince of Wales *Godwin in the Bishops of St. Asaph.denied him to succeed G. Monmouth in the See of St. Asaph, and therefore fell he so soul on the whose Welsh Nation. Sure I am, that this angry William so censorious of G. Monmouth his falsehoods, hath most foul slips of his own Pen, as when he affirmeth, That in the place of the slaughter of the English, nigh Battaile in Sussex, if peradventure it be wet with any small showre, presently the ground thereabouts sweateth forth *Cited and confuted by Cambden in Sussex.very blood, though indeed it be no more, than what is daily seen in Rutland after any sudden rain, where the ground floweth with a reddish moisture. He flourished Anno 1200. under King John.
ROGER HOVEDEN was born in this County, of the Illustrious Family of the Hovedens, saith my *Bale de script. Brit. Cent. 3. Num. 55.Author, bred first in the study of the Civil, then of the Canon-Law, and at last, being servant to King Henry the second, he became a most accomplished Courtier. He is the chiefest (if not sole) Lay-Historian of his age, who being neither Priest nor Monk wrote a Chronicle of England, beginning where Bede ended, and continuing the same until the fourth of King John. When King Edward the first layed claim to the Crown of Scotland, he caused the Chronicles of th…s Roger to be diligently searched, and carefully kept, many Authentical passages therein tending to his present advantage. This Roger flourished in the year of our Lord, 1204.
JOHN of HALIFAX commonly called De SACRO BOSCO, was born in that Town so famous for Cloathing, bred first in Oxford, then in Paris, being the prime Mathematician of his age. All Students of Astronomy enter into that Art through the Door of his Book, De …phaerâ. He lived much beloved, died more lamented, and was buried with a solemn Funeral, on the publick *Bale out of Leland. Cent. 6. Num. 93.cost of the University of Paris, Anno 1256.
ROBERTUS PERSCRUTATOR, or ROBERT the SEARCHER, was born *Pits de Ang. script. pag. 419.in this County, bred a Dominican, great Mathematician and Philosopher. He got the sirname of Searcher, because he was in the constant quest and pursuit of the Mysteries of Nature. A thing very commendable, if the matters we seek for, and means we seek with be warrantable.
Yea Solomon himself on the same account might be entituled Searcher, who by his own confession, *Eccles. 7. 25.Applyed his heart to know, and to Search, and to seek out wisdome, and the reason of things.
But curiosity is a kernel of the forbidden fruit, which still sticketh in the throat of a natural man, sometimes to the danger of his choaking: it is heavily laid to the charge of our Robert, that he did light his Candle from the Devils Torch to seek after such secrets as he did desire, witnesse his Work of Ceremonial Magick, which a conscientious Christian would send the same way with the Ephesian conjuring Books, and make them fuel for the fire. However in that age he obtained the reputation of a great Scholar, flourishing under King Edward the second, 1326.
THOMAS CASTLEFORD, born in this *Bale de script. Brit. Cent. 4. Num. 100.County, was bred a Benedictine in P…mfraict, whereof he wrote a History, from ASK a Saxon first owner thereof, to the Lacies from whom that large Lordship descended to the Earls of Lancaster. I could wish some able Pen in Pomfraict would continue this Chronicle to our time, and give us the particulars of the late memorable siege, that though the Castle be demolished, the Fame thereof may remain. Leland freely confesseth that he learnt more then he looked for by reading Castlefords History, promising to give a larger account thereof, in a Book he intended to write of Civil History, and which I suspect he never set forth, prevented by death. Our Castleford flourished about the year of our Lord, 1326.
JOHN GOWER was born (saith *Bale de script. Brit. Cent. 7. Num. 23.Leland) at Stitenham (in the North Riding in Bulmore▪ Wapentake) of a Knightly Family. He was bred in London a Student of the Laws, till prizing his pleasure above his profit, he quitted Pleading to follow Poetry. He was the first refiner of our English Tongue, effecting much, but endeavouring more therein. Thus he who sees the Whelp of a Bear but half lickt, will commend it for a comely Creature, in comparison of what it was when first brought forth. Indeed Gower left our English Tongue very bad, but …ound it very very bad.
Bale makes him Equitem aurat…m & Poetam Laureatum, proving both from his Ornaments on his monumental Statue in Saint Mary Overies, Southwark. Yet he appeareth there neither laureated nor hederated Poet (except the leaves of the Bayes and …y be withered to nothing, since the erection of the Tomb) but only rosated, having a Chaplet of four Roses about his head. Another *Stow in his Survey of London in Bride VVard without.Author unknighteth him, allowing him only a plain Esquire, though in my apprehension the Colar of S.S.S. about his neck speak him to be more. Besides (with submission to better judgements) that Colar hath rather a Civil than Military relation, proper to persons in places of Judicature, which makes me guess this Gower some Judge in his old age, well consisting with his original education.
He was before Chaucer, as born and flourishing before him (yea by some accounted his Master;) yet was he after Chaucer, as surviving him two years, living to be stark blind, and so more properly termed our English Homer. Many the Books he wrote, whereof three most remarkable, viz. Speculum Meditantis, in French, Confessio Amantis, in English, Vox Clamantis, in Latine. His death happened, 1402.
JOHN MARRE, (by Bale called MARREY, and by Trithemius MARRO) was born at *Pits de Ang. script in An. 1407.Marre, a village in this County, three miles West from Doncaster, where he was brought up in Learning. Hence he went to Oxford, where (saith Leland) the University bestowed much honour upon him for his excellent Learning.
He was by Order a Carmelite, and in one respect it was well for his Memory that he was so, which maketh *De script. Brit. Cent. 7. Num. 32▪John Bal… (who generally falleth foul on all Fryers) to have some civility for him, as being once himself of the same Order, allowing him subtilly learned in all secular Philosophy. But what do I instance in home-bred Testimonies? Know Reader, that in the Character of our own Country Writers, I prize an Inch of Forraign above an Ell of English Commendation, and Outlandish Writers, Trithemius, Sixtus Senensis, Petrus Lucius, &c. give great Encomiums of his Ability; though I confesse it is chiefly on this account, because he wrote against the Opinions of J. Wickliffe. He died on the eighteenth of Màrch. 1407. and was buried in the Convent of Carmelites in Doncaster.
THOMAS GASCOIGNE eldest son to Richard (the younger brother unto Sir William Gascoigne Lord Chief Justice) was born at Huntfleet in this County, bred in Baliol Colledge in Oxford, where he proceeded Doctor in Divinity, and was*B…ian Twin… An…iq. Oxon. in hoc Anno. Commissioner of that University Anno Dom. 1434. He was well acquainted with the Maids of Honour, I mean Humane Arts and Sciences, which conducted him first to the presence, then to the favour of Divinity, the Queen. He was a great Hieronymist, perfectly acquainted with all the Writings of that Learned Father, and in expression of his gratitude for the good he had gotten by reading his Wo…ks, he collected out of many Authors, and wrote the life of Saint Hierom. He made also a Book called Dictionarium Theologicum, very useful to, and therefore much esteemed by the Divines in that age. He was seven and fifty years old*B…le de script. Brit. Cent. 8. Num. 12. Anno 1460. and how long he survived afterwards is unknown.
JOHN HARDING was born (saith my*Bile de script. B…it. Cent. 8. Num. 30. Author) in the Northern parts, and I have some cause to believe him this Countrey-man. He was an Esquire of ancient Parentage, and bred from his Youth in Military Employment. First under Robert Umfrevil, Governour of Roxborough Castle, and did good service against the Scots. Then he followed the Standard of King Edward the fourth, adhering faithfully unto him in his deepest distresse.
But the Master-piece of his service was his adventuring into Scotland, not without the manifest hazard of his Life; where he so cunningly demeaned himselfe, that he found there, and fetched thence out of their Records, many Original Letters, which he presented to King Edward the fourth. Out of these he collected an History of the several Solemn Submissions publickly made, and Sacred Oaths of Fealty, openly taken from the time of King Athelstane, by the Kings of SCOTLAND, to the Kings of ENGLAND for the Crown of SCOTLAND, although the Scotch Historians stickle with might and maine, that such Homage was performed onelyonly for the County of Cumberland, and some parcels of Land their Kings had in ENGLAND south of TWEED. He wrote also a Chronicle of our English Kings, from BRUTUS to King EDWARD the fourth, and that in English Verse; and in my Judgement he had drank as hearty a draught of Helicon as any in his age. He was living 1461. then very aged, and I believe died soon after.
HENRY PARKER was bred from his infancy in the Carmelite Convent at Doncaster, afterwards Doctor of Divinity in*Pits de script. Aug. Anno. 1470. Cambridge. Thence he returned to Doncaster, and well it had been with him, if he had staid there still, and not gone up to London to preach at Pauls-Crosse, where the subject of his Sermon was to prove, That Christs poverty was the pattern of humane perfection; and that men professing eminent sanctity, should conform to his precedent, Going on foot, feeding on Barley-bread, wearing seamless-woven-coats, having no houses of their own, &c. He drove this nail so far, that he touched the quick, and the wealthy Clergy winched thereat. His Sermon offended much as preached, more as published, granting the Copy thereof to any that would transcribe it. For this the Bishop of London put him in prison, which Parker patiently endured (in hope, perchance, of a rescue from his Order) till being informed, that the Pope effectually appeared on the party of the Prelates, to procure his liberty, he was content at Pauls-Cross to*B…le de script. Brit. Cent. 8. Num. 29. recant. Not as some have took the word, to say over the same again (in which sense the Cuckow, of all Birds, is properly called the Recanter) but he unsaid, with (at least seeming) sorrow, what he had said before. However f…om this time we may date the decay of the Carmelites credit in England: who discountenanced by the Pope, never afterwards recruited themselves to their former number and honour, but moulted their feathers till King Henry the eight cut off their very wings, and body too, at the Dissolution. This Parker flourished under King Edward the fourth, Anno 1470.
Since the Reformation.
Sir FRANCIS BIGOT Knight, was born aud well landed in this*Bale in his Book called Scriptores nostri temporis. County. Bale giveth him this testimony, that he was Evangelicae veritatis amator. Otherwise I must confess my self posed with his intricate disposition. For he wrote a book against the Clergy
Of IMPROPRIATIONS
Had it been against the Clergy of Appropriations, I could have guessed it to have proved Tithes due to the Pastors of their respective Parishes. Whereas now having not seen (nor seen any that have seen) his book, I cannot conjecture his judgment.
As his book, so the manner of his death seems a riddle unto me, being (though a Protestant) slain amongst the Northern Rebells, 1537. But here Bale helpeth us not a little, affirming him found amongst them against his will. And indeed those Rebells, to countenancé their Treason, violently detained some Loyall Persons in their Camp; and the Blind sword, having Aciem not Oculum, kill'd friend and foe in fury without distinction.
WILFRID HOLME was born in this County, of Gentile parentage, *Bale de script. Brit. Cent. 9. Num. …2.Veritati Dei tunc revelatae Auscultans, and Pitz taxeth him, that his Pen was too compliant to pleasure K. Henry the eight. The truth is this, he lived in these parts in that juncture of time when the two Northern Rebellions happened, the one in Lincoln, the other in Yorkshire; and when the Popish party gave it out, that the Reformation would ruine Church and State, levell all dignities and degrees; Wilfrid to Confute the Priests truthless Reports, and the Peoples causless Jealousies, stated the Controversie, Truely, Clearly and Wittily, in the manner of a Dialogue. He survived not many months after the setting forth of this book Anno 1536.
THOMAS ROBERSON was born in this*Pitz. de Ang. script. in Anno 1544. County, and being Doctor of Divinity in Oxford was one of the best Grammarians for Greek and Latine in that age. He had an admirable faculty in teaching of youth; for every Boy can teach a Man, whereas he must be a Man who can teach a Boy. It is easie to inform them who are able to understand, but it must be a Master piece of industry and discretion, to descend to the capacity of Children. He wrote notes upon the Grammar of Lilly, and besides others, one book, De Nominibus *Idem ibidem.Hetoroclitis, and another De verbis Defectivis, so that by his pains the hardest parts of Grammar are made the easiest, and the most anomalous, reduced to the greatest regularity by his endeavours. What Robert Robinson, (under whose name Quae genus in the Grammar is Printed) was to this Thomas Roberson, I have no leisure to enquire, and leave it to those to whom it is more proper, suspecting they may be the same person; and th…t Pitzaeus our Author, living mostly beyond the seas, might be mistaken in the name: However, he flourished Anno Domini 1544.
WILLIAM HUGH was*Bale de script. B it. Cent. 9. Num. 72. born in this County, and bred in Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford, where he attained to great Eminency in Learning. In his time the Consciences of many tender Parents were troubled about the Finall Estate of Infants dying unbaptized, as posting from the Wombe to the Winding sheet, in such speed, that the Sacrament could not be fastened upon them. To pacify persons herein concerned, this William wrote and Dedicated a book to Q. Katherine Parr, entituled, The troubled mans Medicine. He died of the breaking of a Vain, Anno Dom. 1549.
ROGER ASCHAM was born at Kirby-weik in this County, and bred in Saint JohnsColledge in Cambridge, under Doctor Medcalfe, that good Governour, who whet-stonelike, though dull in himself, by his encouragement, set an edge on most excellent wits in that foundation. Indeed Ascham came to Cambridge just at the dawning of learning, and staid therein till the bright-day thereof, his own endeavours contributing much light thereunto. He was Oratour and Greek-Professour in the University, (places of some sympathy, which have often met in the same person,) and in the beginning of the raign of Queen Mary, within three days, wrote letters to*Edw. Grant in the life of Ascham. fourty seven severall Princes, whereof the meanest was a Cardinal. He travailed into Germany, and there contracted familiarity with John Sturmius and other learned men, and after his return was a kind of teacher to the Lady Elizabeth, to whom (after she was Queen) he became her Secretary for her Latine letters.
In a word, he was an Honest man and a good Shooter; Archery (whereof he wrote a book called foreign) being his onelyonly exercise in his youth, which in his old age he exchanged for a worse pastime, neither so healthfull for his body, nor profitable for his purse, I mean Cock-fighting, and thereby (being neither greedy to get, nor carefull to keep money) he much*Camdens Eliz. Anno 1568. impaired his estate.
He had a facile and fluent Latine-style, (not like those, who, counting obscurity to be elegancy, weed out all the hard words they meet in Authors,) witness his Epistles, which some say are the only Latine-ones extant of any English-man, and if so, the more the pity. What loads have we of letters from forraign Pens, as if no Author were compleat without those necessary appurtenances? whilst surely our English-men write, (though not so many,) as good as any other Nation. In a word, his foreign is accounted a good book for Young-men, his School-master for Old-men, his Epistles for all men, set out after his death, which happened Anno Dom. 1568. December 30. in the 53. year of his Age, and he was buried in Saint Sepulchers in London.
Sir HENRY SAVILL Knight, was born at Bradley, in the Parish of Hallifax in this County, of antient and worshipfull extraction. He was bred in Oxford, and at last became Warden of Merton-colledge and also Provost of Eaton. Thus this skilfull Gardiner had at the same time a Nurcery of young Plants, and an Orchard of grown Trees, both flourishing under his carefull inspection.
This worthy Knight carefully collected the best Copies of Saint Chrysostome, and imployed Learned men to transcribe and make Annotations on them, which done, he fairly set it forth, on his own cost, in a most beautifull Edition; a burden which he underwent without stooping under it, though the weight thereof would have broken the back of an ordinary person. But the Papists at Paris had their Emissaries in England, who surreptitiously procured this Knights learned Labours, and sent them over weekly by the Post into France, Schedatim sheet by sheet, as here they passed the Press. Then Fronto Duceus (a French Cardinall as I take it) caused them to be Printed there with implicite faith and blind obedience, letter for letter as he received them out of England, onelyonly joyning thereunto a Latine translation and some other inconsiderable Additions. Thus two Editions of Saint Chrysostome did together run a race in the world, which should get the speed of the other in publique sale and acceptance. Sir Henry his Edition started first by the advantage of some Months. But the Parisian Edition came up close to it, and advantaged with the Latine Translation (though dearer of p…ice) out-stript it in quickness of Sale, but of late the Savilian Chrysostome hath much mended its pace, so that very few are left of the whole Impression.
Sir Henry left one onelyonly Daughter richly married to Sir William Sidley of Kent Baronet. He dyed at Eaton, where he lyeth buried under a Monument with this Inscription Hic jacent Ossa & Cineres Henrici Savill sub spe certa resurrectionis, natus apud Bradley juxta Halifax in Comitatu Ebor, Anno Domini 1549. ultimo die mensis Novembris, Obiit in Collegio Etonensi Anno Domini 1621. xix die mensis Februarii.
It must not be forgotten, that he was a most excellent Mathematician, witness his learned Lectures on Euclid. Yet once casually happening into the Company of Master Briggs of Cambridge, upon a learned encounter betwixt them, Master Briggs demonstrated a truth, besides (if not against) the judgment of Sir Henry, wherewith that worthy Knight was so highly affected, that he chose him one of his Mathematick Professors in Oxford, wherein he founded two, allowing a liberall salary unto them.
THOMAS TAYLOR was born at Richmond in this County, where his father (a bountifull entertainer of people in distress) was Recorder of the Town. He was afterwards bred in Christs-colledge in Cambridge, and chose a Fellow thereof.
This Timothy, grave when green, entred very young but not raw, into the Ministry at 21. years of age, and continued in the same at Reading and London for the space of thirty five years. His Sermons were generally well studied, and he was wont to say, That oftimes he satisfied himself the least, when he best pleased his people, not taking such pains in his preaching. His flock was firmly founded and well bottomed on Catechistacall Divinity. It being observed that his Auditors stuck close to their principles in this Age▪ wherein so many have reeled into damnable Errors. He was a great giver of Alms, but without a Trumpet, and most strict in his Conversation.
Zeal for the House of God may be said in some sort to have Consumed him; Dying in the fifty six year of his age, Anno Domini 1632. comfortably avowing at his death that we serve such a Master, Who covereth many imperf…ctions, and giveth much wages for a little work.
NATHANIELL SHUTE was born at*So I am informed by Mr. Christopher Shute, minister of Saint Ve… in London, heir to his fathers vertu…. Gigleswick in this County, Christopher Shute his father being the painfull Vicar thereof. He was bred in Christs-colledge in Cambridge. A most excellent schollar and solid preacher: Though, nothing of his is extant in Print, save a Sermon call'd Carona Charitatis, preached at the funerall of Master F…shbourn. But the goodness of the Land of Canaan may as well be guessed from one great bunch of grapes, as if the spies had brought whole vineyards along with them. Indeed he was a profou…d and profitable preacher for many years together at St. Mildred Poultrey in London.
One in the University being demanded his judgement of an excellent sermon in Saint Maries, returned, that It was an uncomfortable sermon, leaving no hope of imitation for such as should succeed him. In this sense alone, I must allow Master Nathaniel Shute an uncomfortable preacher (though otherwise a true Barnabas and Son of consolation) possessing such as shall follow him in time, with a dispair to equall him in eminency.
He died Anno Domini 1638. when our English sk…e was clouded all over, and set to rain, but before any drops of war fell down amongst us. Doctor Holdesworth, most excellently preached his Funerall Sermon, taking for his text, We have this our treasure in earthly vessels.
JOSIAH SHUTE brother to Nathaniel aforesaid, was bred in Trinity colledge in Cambridge, and became afterwards Minister of Saint Mary Woolno…h in London, and was, (Reader I doe say and will maintain it,) the most Pretious Jewell that was ever shewn or seen in Lumbardstreet; All Ministers are Gods Husband m…n, but some of them can onelyonly plough in soft ground, whose Shares and Coultures will turn Edge in a hard point of Divinity. No ground came amiss to Master Shute, whether his Text did lead him to controversiall or positive Divinity; having a strain, without straining for it, of native Eloquence: he spake that which others studied for. He was for many years, and that most justly, highly, esteem'd of his Parish; till the beginning of our late Civil Warrs som… began to neglect him, distasting wholesome meat well dressed by him merely because their mouths were out of tast, by that generall distemper, which in his time was but an Ague, afterwards turn'd to a feaver, and since is turn'd to a Frensy in our Nation.
I insist hereon the rather for the comfort of such godly Ministers, who now suffer in the same nature wherein Mr. Shute did before; indeed, no servant of God can simply and directly comfort himself in the sufferings of others, (as which hath something of envy therein,) yet may he do it consequentially in this respect, because, thereby he apprehends his own condition herein consistent with Gods love and his own salvation, seeing other precious Saints tast with him of the same affliction, as many godly Ministers doe now a days, whose sickles are now hung up as useless, and neglected, though before these Civil Warrs they reaped the most in Gods harvest. Master Shute dyed Anno Domini 1640. and was buried with great solemnity in his own Church, Master Udall preaching his Funerall Sermon: since his death his excellent Sermons are set forth on some part of Genesis, and pity it is there is no more extant of his worthy indeavours.
It must not be forgotten, how retiring a little before his death into the Country, some of his Parishioners came to visit him, whom he chearfully entertained with this expression. I have taught you, my dear flock, for above thirty years, how to live, and now I will shew you in a very short time how to dye. He was as good as his word herein, for within an Hour he in the presence of some of them was peaceably dissolved.
Be it also known, that besides these two brothers Nathaniel and Josiah, fixed in the City of London, there were three more, bred and brought up in the Ministry, viz. Robert preacher at Lyn, Thomas Minister for a good time in Chester, and Timothy lately (if not still alive) a preacher in Exeter.
All great (though not equall) Lights, are set up in fair Candlesticks, I mean, places of eminency, and conveniently distanced one from another, for the better dispersing of their Light; and good Housewives tell me, Old Candles are the best for spending. Happy their Father who had his Quiver full with five such Sons, he need not be ashamed to see his Enemies in the Gate. It is hard to say, whether he was more happy in his sons, or they in so good a Father, and a wary man will crave time to decide the doubt, untill the like instance doth return in England.
GEORGE SANDYS youngest son of Edwin Sandys Arch-bishop of York, was born at Bishops-Thorp in this County, he proved a most accomplished gentleman, and an observant Travailer, who went as far as the Sepulchre at Jerusalem, and hath spared other mens pains in going thither, by bringing the Holy Land home to them; so lively is his description thereof, with his passage thither, and return thence.
He most elegantly translated Ovid his Metamorphosis into English verse, so that as the soul of Aristotle was said to have transmigrated into Thomas Aquinas, (because rendring his sence so naturally,) Ovid's genius may seem to have passed into Master Sandys. He was a servant, but no slave to his subject, well knowing that a Translatour is a person in free Custody; Custody, being bound to give the true sense of the Author he translated; Free, left at liberty to cloath it in his own expression.
Nor can that in any degree be applyed to Master Sandys, which one rather bitterly then falsly chargeth on an Author, whose name I leave to the Readers conjecture.
We know thou dost well
as a Translatour,
But where things require,
a genius and a fire,
Not kindled before by others pains,
as often thou hast wanted brains.
Indeed some men are better Nurses, then Mothers of a Poem, good onelyonly to feed and foster the Fancies of others, whereas Master Sandys was altogether as dexterous at Inventing as Translating, and his own Poems as spritefull, vigorous, and masculine. He lived to be a very aged man, whom I saw in the Savoy Anno 1641. having a youthfull soul in a decayed body, and I believe he dyed soon after.
JOHN SALTMARSH was extracted from a right antient (but decayed) family in this County, and I am informed that Sir Thomas Metham his kinsman, bountifully contributed to his education, he was bred in Magdalen-colledge in Cambridge. Returning into this his Native Country, was very great with Sir John Hotham the Elder. He was one of a fine and active fancy, no contemptible Poet, and a good Preacher, as by some of his profitable Printed Sermons doth appear. Be it charitably imputed to the information of his Judgment and Conscience, that of a zealous observer he became a violent oppresser of Bishops and Ceremonies.
He wrote a book against my Sermon of Reformation, taxing me for many points of Popery therein. I defended my self in a book called Truth maintained, and challenged him to an answer, who appeared in the field no more, rendring *In the beginning of his book against Mr. Gattacre.this reason thereof, that he would not shoot his arrows against a dead mark, being informed that I was dead at Exeter.
I have no cause to be angry with fame (but rather to thank her) for so good a Lye. May I make this true use of that false report, to dye daily. See how Providence hath crossed it, the dead [reported] man is *May 20. 1661. at the writing hereof.still living, the then living man dead; and seeing I survive to goe over his grave, I will tread the more gently on the mold thereof, using that civility on him which I received from him.
He died in or about Windsor (as he was Riding to and fro in the Parliament Army) of a Burning Feaver, venting on his death-bed strange expressions, apprehended (by some of his party) as extaticall, yea, propheticall raptures, whilst others accounted them (no wonder if outrages in the City, when the enemy hath possessed the Castle commanding it) to the acuteness of his disease which had seized his intellectualls. His death happened about the year 1650.
JEREMIAH WHITACRE was born at Wakefield in this County, bred Master of Arts in Sidney-colledge, and after became School-master of Okeham, then Minister of Stretton in R…and. He was chosen to be one of the Members of the late Assembly, wherein he behaved himself with great moderation; at last he was Preacher at St. Mary Magdalens Bermonsey, well discharging his duty, being a solid Divine, and a man made up of Piety to God, pity to poor men, and Patience in himself. He had much use of the last, being visited with many, and most acute diseases. I see Gods love or hatred cannot be conjectured, much less concluded, from outward accidents, this mercifull man meeting with merciless afflictions.
I have sometimes wondered with my self, why Satan the Magazeen of Malice, (who needeth no man to teach him mischief,) having Job in his power, did not put him on the rack of the Stone, Gout, Collick or Strangury, as in the height, most exquisite torments, but onelyonly be-ulcered him on his Skin, and outside of his body.
And (under correction to better judgments,) I conceive this might be some cause thereof. Being to spare his life, the Devill durst not inflict on him these mortall maladyes, for fear to exceed his commission, who possibly, for all his cunning, might mistake in the exact proportioning of the pain to Jobs ability to bear it, and therefore was forced to confine his malice to externall pain, dolefull but not deadly in its own nature.
Sure I am, this good Jeremiah was tormented with Gout, Stone, and one ulcer in his bladder, another in his kidneys, all which he endured with admirable and exemplary patience, though God of his goodness grant that (if it may stand with his will) no cause be given that so sad a Copy be transcribed. Thus God, for reasons best known unto himself, sent many and the most cruell Bayliffes to arrest him to pay his debt to nature, though he always was ready willingly to tender the same, at their single summons. His liberality knew no bottome but an empty purse, so bountifull he was to all in want. He was buried on the 6. of June, Anno 1654. in his own Parish in Southwarke, much lamented: Master Simon Ash preaching his Funerall Sermon, to which the Reader is referred for his further satisfaction. I understand some sermons are extant of his preaching, Let me but adde this Distick and I have done.
Whites ambo, Whitehead, Whitgift, Whitakerus uterque Vulnera Romano quanta dedere papae?