The History of the Worthies of England, Part 2 · County 13 – County 14

The History of the Worthies of England · Part 2 · County 13 – County 14

p. 291DURHAM.

DURHAM. This Bishoprick hath Northumberland on the North (divided by the Rivers Derwent and Tine) York-shire on the South, the German Sea on East and on the West (saith Mr. Speed) it is touched by Cumberland (touched he may well say, for it is but for one mile) and Westmerland. The form thereof is triangular, the sides not much differing, though that along the Sea-coasts is the shortest, as not exceeding twenty three miles. However this may be ranked amongst the … Shires of England: And yet I can remember the time when the people therein were for some years altogether unreprosented in the Parliament; namely, in the Interval after their Bishop was dep…ved of his Vote in the House of Lords, and before any in the House of Commons were appointed to appear for them.

Princes.

CICELY NEVIL. Though her Nativity cannot be fixed with any assurance (whose Fathers vast estate afforded him a Mansion House for every week in the year) yet is she here placed with most probability, Raby being the prime place of the Nevils residence. She may pass for the clearest instance of humane frail felicity.

Yet our Chronicles do not charge her with elation in her good, or dejection in her ill success, an argument of an even and steady soul in all alterations. Indeed she survived to see Elizabeth her grand child married to King Henry the seventh, but little comfort accrued to her by that conjunction, the party of the Yorkists were so depressed by him.

She lived five and thirty years a widow, and died in the tenth year of King Henry the seventh, 1495. and was buried by her Husband in the Quire of the Collegiate Church of Fotheringhay in Northampton-shire, which Quire being demolished in the days of King Henry the eighth, their bodies lay in the Church-yard without any Monument, until **… …. in ….Queen Elizabeth coming thither in Progress, gave order that they should be interred in the Church, and two Tombs to be erected over them. Hereupon, their bodies lapped in Lead, were removed from their plain Graves, and their Coffins opened. The Duchess Cicely had about her neck hanging in a Silver Ribband, a **… … Gen…, pag. …, ▪Pardon from Rome, which penned in a very fine Roman Hand, was, as fair and fresh to be read as if it had been written but yesterday. But alas, most mean are their Monuments, made of Plaister, wrought with a Trowell, and no doubt there was much daubing therein, the Queen paying for a Tomb proportionable to their Personages. The best is, the memory of this Cicely hath a better and more lasting Monument, who was a bountiful Benefactress to Queens Colledge in Cambridge.

p. 292Saints.

BEDE, And (because some Nations measure the worth of the person by the length of the name) take his addition, Venerable. He was born at **Camb. Brit. in this Bisho….Girwy (now called Yarrow) in this Bishoprick, bred under Saint John of Beverly, and afterwards a Monk in the Town of his Nativity. He was the most general Scholar of that age. Let a Sophister begin with his Axioms, a Batchelor of Art proceed to his Metaphysicks, a Master to his Mathematicks, and a Divine conclude with his Controversies and Comments on Scripture, and they shall find him better in all, than any Christian Writer in that age, in any of those Arts and Sciences. He expounded almost all the Bible, translated the Psalms and New Testament into English, and lived a Comment on those Words of the * Apostle,Phil. 2. 15.Phil 2:15 shining as a light in the world, in the midst of a crooked and perverse Generation. He was no gadder abroad, credible Authors avouching that he never went out of his Cell; though both Cambridge and Rome pretend to his habitation. Yet his Corps after his death, which happened Anno 734. took a journey, or rather were removed to Durham and there enshrined.

Confessors.

JOHN WICKLIFFE. It is a great honour to this small County, that it produced the last maintainer of Religion (before the general decay thereof) understand me, Learned Bede, and the firm restorer thereof, I mean this Wickliff, the subject of our present discourse.

True it is, His Nativity cannot be demonstrated in this Bishoprick, but if such a scientia media might be allowed to man, which is beneath certainty, and above conjecture, such should I call our perswasion, that Wickliff was born therein.

First, all confess him a Northern man by extraction.

Secondly, the **Camb. Brit. in this Bishoprick.Antiquary allows an ancient Family of the Wickliffs in this County, whose Heir general, by her match, brought much wealth and honour to the Brakenburies of Celaby.

Thirdly, there are at this day in these parts, of the name and alliance, who continue a just claim of their kindred unto him.

Now he was bred in Oxford, some say in Baliol, others more truly in Merton Colledge: and afterwards published opinions distasteful to the Church of Rome, writing no fewer than two hundred Volumns (of all which largely in our Ecclesiastical History) besides his translating of the whole Bible into English.

He suffered much persecution from the Popish Clergy. Yet after long exile, he, by the favour of God and good Friends returned in safety, and died in quietness, at his living at Lutterworth in Leicestershire, Anno 1387. the last of **Bale de scrip. Brit. Cent. 6. Num. 1.Num 1December, whose bones were taken up and burnt 42. years after his death.

Disdain not Reader, to learn something by my mistake. I conceive that Mr. Fox in his Acts and Monuments had entred the Names of our English Martyrs, and Confessors, in his Kalender, on that very day whereon they died. Since I observe he observeth a Method of his own fancy, concealing the reasons thereof to himself; as on the perusing of his Catalogue will appear. Thus VVickliff dying December the last, is by him placed January **Master Fox would not put out the Feast of the Circumcision.the second, probably out of a design to grace the new year with a good beginning: though it had been more true, and (in my weak judgement) as honourable for VVickliff to have brought up the rear of the old as to lead the front of the new year in his Kalender.

Prelates.

The Nevills.

We will begin with a Quaternion of Nevils, presenting them in Parallels, and giving them their Precedency before other Prelates (some their Seniors in time) because of their Honourable Extraction. All four were born in this Bishoprick, as I am informed by my worthy Friend Mr. Charles Nevil, Vice-Provost of Kings in Cambridge, one as knowing … Universal Heraldry as in his own Colledge; in our English Nobility, as in his own Chamber; in the ancient, fair, and far branched Family of the Nevils, as in his own Study.

**All the remarkable passages of these four Lives are taken out of Bishop God… in his respective Catalogue of Bishops.RALPH NEVIL was born at Raby in this Bishoprick, was Lord Chancellour under King Henry the third (none discharging that Office with greater integrity and more general commendation) and Bishop of Chichester, 1223. He built a fair House from the ground in Chancery Lane, for himselfe and successors for an Inne, where they might repose themselves, when their occasions brought them up to London.

How this House was afterwards aliened, and came into the possession of Henry Lacy, Earl of Lincoln (from whom it is called Lincolns Inne at this day) I know not. Sure I am, that Mr. Mountague (late Bishop of Chichester) intended to lay claim therunto, in right of his see. But alas, he was likely to follow a cold scent (after so many years distance) and a colder suit, being to encounter a Corporation of Learned Lawyers so long in the peaceable possession thereof.

Bishop Nevil was afterwards canonically chosen by the Monks (and confirmed hy King Henry the third) Arch-bishop of Canterbury, being so far from rejoycing thereat, that he never gave any foreign, (or reward for their good news) to the two Monks which brought him tidings, nor would allow any thing toward the discharging their costly journey to Rome; foreseeing perchance that the Pope would stop his Consecration.

For some informed his Holiness, that this Ralph was a Prelate of High Birth, haughty Stomach, great Courtship, gracious with the King, and a person probable to disswade him from paying the Pension (promised by his Father K. Iohn) to the Court of Rome, & then no wonder if his Consecration was stopped theron. But was it not both an honor & happiness to our Nevil thus to be crost with the hands of his Holiness himself? yea it seems that no Crosier (save only that of Chichester) would fit his hand, being afterwards elected Bish. of Winchester, & then obstructed by the K. who formerly so highly favor'd him. He built a Chappell without the east gate of Chichester, dedicated to S. Michael; and having merited much of his own Cathedral, died at London, 1244.

ALEX. NEVIL, third Son of Ralph Lord Nevil, was born at Raby, became first Canon, then Arch-Bishop of York, where he beautified and fortified the Castle of Cawood with many Turrets. He was highly in Honour with King Richard the second, as much in hatred with the party opposing him.

These designed to imprison him (putting Prelates to death not yet in fashion) in the Castle of Rochester, had not our Alexander prevented them by his flight to Pope Urban to Rome, who partly out of pity (that he might have something for his support) and more out of policy, (that York might be in his own disposal upon the removal of this Arch-Bishop) translated him to Saint Andrews in Scotland, and so dismissed him with his Benediction.

Wonder not that this Nevil was loth to go out of the Popes blessing into a cold Sun, who could not accept this his new Arch- Bishoprick, in point of credit, profit, or safety.

1. Credit. For this his translation was a Post-Ferment, seeing the Arch-Bishoprick of Saint Andrews was subjected in that age unto York.

2. Profit. The Revenues being far worse than those of York.

3. Safety. Scotland then bearing an Antipathy to all English (and especially to the Nevils, redoubted for their victorious valour in those northern parts) and being in open hostility against them

Indeed half a loaf is better than no bread, but this his new translation was rather a stone, than half a loaf, not filling his Belly, yet breaking his Teeth, if feeding thereon. This made him preferre the Pastorall Charge of a Parish Church in Lovaine, before his Arch-noBishoprick, where he died in the fifth year of his Exile, and was buried there in the Convent of the Carmelites.

ROB. NEVIL, sixth Son of Ralph, first Earl of Westmerland, by Joane his second VVife, Daughter of Iohn of Gaunt, bred in the University of Oxford, and Provost of Beverly, was preferred Bishop of Sarisbury, in the sixth of King Henry the sixth, 1427.

During his continuance therein, he was principal Founder of a Convent at Sunning in Berkshire (anciently the Bishops See of that Diocess) valued at the dissolution (saith Bishop Godwin) at 682 l. 14 s. 7 d. ob. which I rather observe, because the estimation thereof is omitted in my (and I suspect all other) Speeds Catalogue of Religious Houses.

From Sarisbury he was translated to Durham, where he built a place called the Exchequer, at the Castle gate, and gave (in allusion of his two Bishopricks, which he successively enjoyed) two Annulets innected in his Paternal Coat. He died, Anno Dom. 1457.

GEO. NEVIL, fourth Son of Rich. Nevil Earl of Salisbury was born at Midleham in this Bishoprick, bred in Baliol Colledge in Oxford, consecrated Bishop of Exeter, when he was not as yet twenty years of age, so that in the race not of age, but youth, he clearly beat Tho. Arundel, who at twenty two was made Bishop of Ely. Some say this was contrary not only to the Canon Law, but Canonical Scripture. S.* 1 Tim. 3. 6.1 Tim 3:6 Paul forbidding such a Neophyte or Novice admission into that Office, as if because Rich. the make-King Earl of Warwick, was in a manner above Law, this his Brother also must be above Canons. His Friends do plead that Nobility and Ability supplyed age in him; seeing five years after, at 25. he was made Lord Chancellor of England, and discharged it to his great commendation.

He was afterwards made Arch-bishop of York, famous for the prodigious Feast at his Installing, wherein, besides Flesh, Fish, and Fowle, so many strange Dishes of Gellies. And yet amongst all this service I meet not with these two.

But the inverted Proverb found truth in him, One GluttonMeal makes many hungry ones: for some years after falling into the displeasure of King Edward the fourth, he was flenderly dyetted, not to say famished in the Castle of Calis; and being at last restored by the Intercession of his Friends, died heart-broken at Blyth, and was buried in the Cathedral of York, 1476.

p. 295Besides these, there was another Nevil (Brother to Alexander aforesaid) chosen Bishop of Ely, but death, or some other intervening accident hindered his Consecration.

Since the Reformation.

ROBERT HORN was born in this **Bale de scrip. A g. Cent. 9. Num. 95.Bishoprick, bred in Saint Johns Colledge in Cambridge. Going thence under the raign of King Edward the sixth he was advanced Dean of Durham. In the Marian days he fled into Germany, and fixing at Frankford, became the head of the Episcopal party, as in my Ecclesiastical History at large doth appear.

Returning into England, he was made Bishop of VVinchester, Feb. 16. 1560. A worthy man, but constantly▪ ground betwixt two opposite parties, Papists and Sectaries. Both of these in their Pamphlets sported with his name, as hard in Nature, and crooked in Conditions, not being pleased to take notice, how Horn in Scripture importeth Power, Preferment, and Safety; both twitted his person, as dwarfish and deformed, to which I can say nothing, (none alive remembring him) save that such taunts, though commonly called ad Hominem, are indeed ad Deum, and though shot at Man, does glance at Him, who made us, and not we our selves. Besides it shews their malice runs low for might, (though high for spight) who carp at the Case when they cannot find fault with the Jewel. For my part, I mind not the Mould wherein, but the Metal whereof he was made, and lissen to Mr. **In his Eliz. … 1559.Cambden his Character of him, Valido & foecundo ingenio, of a sprightful and fruitful wit. He died in **Bishop Godwin in the Bishops of VVinchester.Southwark, June 1. 1589. and lyeth buried in his own Cathedral near to the Pulpit.

And now Reader, I crave leave to present thee with the Character of one who (I confess) falls not under my Pen according to the strictness of the Rules which we proposed to follow, as not being of the number of those Bishops, who may not unfitly be termed (with Noah) righteous in their Generations, having seen two Sets (if I may so speak) of their Order, but preferred to that Dignity since our late happy Revolution. He is here fixed (though no Native of this County) because the fittest place, I conceive (it is happy when the Antidote meets the Poyson where it was first suck'd in) seeing formerly treating (in my Church History) of this Cathedral, I delivered his Character (to his disadvantage) very defectively.

JOHN COSEN, D. D. was born in the City of Norwich, bred in Cays Colledge in Cambridge, whereof he was Fellow. Hence was he removed to the Mastership of Peter-House in the same University. One whose abilities, quick apprehension, solid Judgement, variety of Reading, &c. are sufficiently made known to the world in his learned Books, whereby he hath perpetuated his name to posterity.

I must not pass over his constancy in his Religion, which rendereth him aimable in the eys not of good men only, but of that God with whom there is no variableness, nor sh…dow of changing. It must be confessed that a sort of fond people surmised as if he had once been declining to the PopishPerswasion. Thus the dim sighted complain of the darkness of the room, when alas, the fault is in their own eyes: and the lame of the unevenness of the floor, when indeed it lieth in their unsound leggs. Such were the silly folk, (their understandings (the eys of their minds) being darkned, and their affections (the feet of their soul) made lame by prejudice,) who have thus falsly conceited of this worthy Doctor.

However, if any thing that I delivered in my Church History (relating therein a Charge drawn up against him, for urging of some Ceremonies, without inserting his Purgation, which he effectually made, clearing himself from the least imputation of any fault) hath any way augmented this opinion, I humbly crave pardon of him for the same.

Sure I am, were his Enemies now his Judges (had they the least spark of ingenuity) they must acquit him, if proceeding according to the evidence of his Writing, Living, Disputing. Yea, whilest he remained in France, he was the Atlas of the Protestant Religion, supporting the same with his Piety and Learning, confirming the wavering therein, yea dayly adding Proselytes (not of the meanest rank) thereunto.

p. 296Since the return of our gracious Soveraign, and the reviving of swooning Episcopacy, he was deservedly preferred Bishop of Durham. And here the Reader must pardon me, if willing to make known my Acquaintance with so eminent a Prelate. When one in his presence was pleased with some Propositions, wherein the Pope condescended somewhat to the Protestants, he most discreetly returned (in my hearing,) We thank him not at all for that which God hath always allowed us in his Word: adding withall, He would allow it us so long as it stood with his Policy, and take it away so soon as it stood with his Power. And thus we take our leave of this Worthy Prelate, praying for his long life, that he m…y be effectual in advancing the settlement of our yet distracted Church.

Civilians.

RICHARD COSIN Doctor of Law was born at Hartly Poole (a well known harbour for the safety) and some observe a providence that he who afterwards was to prove the grand Champion of Episcopacy, should (amongst all the counties of England) be born in … …ishoprick. His Father was a person of quality, a Captain of a Company in Must…borough field, whence his valour returned with victory and wealth; when crossing the River Tweed [O the uncertainty of all earthly happiness!] was drowned therein, to the great losse of his Son Richard: and greater, because he was not sensible thereof, as left an infant in the cradle.

His Mother afterwards married one Mr. Meddow, a York-shire Gen…leman, who bred this his Son-in-law at a Schoole at Scypton in the Craven; wherein, such his proficiency, that before he was twelue years old, [little less than a wonder to me in that age from so far a Country] he was admitted in Trinity Colledge in Cambridge: Some of his Friends in Queens Colledge in that University had a design to fetch him thence, had not Doctor Beamont prevented the Plot, in making him Scholar and Fellow as soon as by his Age, Degree, and the Stat…tes he was capable thereof.

He was a general Scholar, Geometrician, Musician, Physician, Divine, but chiefly Civil and Canon Lawyer. By Arch-Bishop Whitgift, he was preferred to b… first Chancellor of Worcester [in that age a place non tam gratiosus, quam negotiosus] and afterwards Dean of the Arches, wherein he carried himself without giving (though many took) offence at him.

Of these one wrote a Book against him called the Abstract [abstracted saith my Author from all Wit, Learning, and Charity] to whom he returned such an answer in the defence of the High Commission, and Oath ex officio, that he he put his Adversary to silence.

Others lay to his charge, that he gave many Blank Licences, the common occasions of unlawful marriages, and the procurer herein is as bad as the thief, robbing many a parent of his dear child thereby. But always malice looks through a multiplying glasse. Euclio complained, Intromisisti sexcentos Coquos, Thou hast let in six hundred Cooks, …. in Au…ria.when there was but two truely told [Anthrax and Congrio] so here was there but one which a fugitive servant stole from the Register to make his private profit thereby.

God in his sickness granted him his desire which he made in his health, that he might be freed from torture, which his corpulency did much suspect, bestowing foreign upon him, a sweet and qutet departure, pious his dying expressions; I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ▪ Phil. 1. The wages of sin is death, Rom. 6. Come Lord Jesus, come quickly, Revel. 12. and his last words was these, Farewell my surviving friends, remember your mortality and eternal life.

He gave forty pound to the building of a Chamber in Trinity Colledge, and fifteen pound per▪ annum for the maintenance of two Scholar-ships therein: a good gift out of his Estate, who left not above fifty pound a year clear to his Heir; a great argument of his integrity, that he got no more in so gainful a place. Dying at Doctors Commons, he was buried by his own appointment in Lambeth Church, and Doctor Andrews preached his Funeral Sermon. Amongst the many verses made by the University of Cambridge, this (with the allowance of poetical Licence) came from no bad Fancy.

p. 297Magna Deos inter lis est exorta: creatas

Horum qui lites dir…mit, ille deest.

Cosinum petiere Dii componere tantas

Lites, quod vero jure peritus erat.

It must not be forgotten that Doctor Barlow (afterwards Bishop of Lincoln) was bred by Doctor Cosen, at his charge in his own Family, who in expression of his Thankfulness, wrote this Doctor Cosen's Life, out of which most of our aforesaid Character hath been excerped.

Writers.

WILLIAM SHIRWOOD was born in this **J. Pits de A…g. scrip. in Anno 1249.Bishoprick (being otherwise called William of Durham) bred first in University Colledge in Oxford, then in Paris, and afterwards was made Chancellor of Lincoln. In his time the University of Oxford was Interdicted for some affronts offered to the Popes Legate, and had lain longer under that burden, had not the hands of this **Joh. Rouse of VVarwick.William helped to remove it, shewing therein no less his love to his Mother, than his power with the Pope.

In that age the English Clergy did drive a great Trade of preferment in France (King Henry the third having large Dominions therein) and amongst the rest this William was advanced Arch Bishop of Roan, where he died Anno Dom. 1249.

JOHN of DARLINGTON was born in this Bishoprick, at a Town so called, needing no other Indication, than the Rode passing thorow it into Scotland. He was bred a Dominican, and a great Clerk. **Ad Annum 1256.Mat. Paris giveth him this Testimony, that he was one, qui literatura pollebat exellenter & consilio. King Henry the third made him his Confessor (which argueth his Piety, that so devout a Prince used him in so consciencious an Office) and afterwards he became Arch-Bishop of Dublin in Ireland on this occasion.

The Prior and **S…r … … in his Arch-Bishops of Dublin.Covent of Trinity Church, chose William de la Corner the Kings Chaplain, whilest the Dean and Chapter of Saint Patricks elected F…omund le Brun, the Popes Chaplain into that See.

Hence ensued an hot and high contest, and Pope John 21. unwilling to engage therein ca…ted both their Elections, and pitched on our Darlington as a good expedient.

A person in whom King and Pope met in some equal proportion, seeing he was (as we have said) Confessor to the one, and to the other his Collector of Peter-pence, (as also to his two Successors Nicholas the third, and Martin the fourth) thorow all Ireland. Many Books he wrote to **Reckoned up b… …. … and J. Pits.Posterity, and returning into England, sickned, died and was buried in Preaching Friers in London, 1284.

WILLIAM SIVEYER was born at Shinkley in this Bishoprick, where his Father was a **Bishop Godwin in his Catalogue of Bishops.Siveyer or Sive-maker; and I commend his humility in retaining his Fathers Trade for his Surname, to mind him of his mean extraction. He was bred in Merton Colledge, whereof he became Warden, and Provost of Eaton, and afterward Bishop of Carlile, 1496. whence five years after he was tra…lated to Durham. His Sur-name so contemptible in English, sounds …erially, and Episcopally when latinized. In which language he is rendred, Gulielmus Severus, severity well agreeing with the gravity of his Function. He died Anno Dom 1505.

All I will ad is this, that England neither before nor since saw two …ieve-makers Sons at the same juncture of time advanced to so high dignity, this William in the Church, Sir Richard Empson in the Common wealth.

… the Reformation.

THOMAS JACKSON, born of a good Family in this County was designed to be a Merchant in New-Castle, till his Parents were diverted by Ralph Lord …, and perswaded p. 298to make him a Scholar. He was admitted first in Queens Colledge in Oxford, and then became Candidate of a Fellowship in Corpus Christi; knowing of the election but the day before, he answered to admiration, and was chosen by general cons…nt.

Soon after, in all likelihood, he lost his life, being drowned in the River, and taken out rather for desire of decent burial, than with hope of any recovery: He was wrap'd in the Cowns of h…s fellow Students (the best shrowd which present love and need could provide him) and being brought home to the Colledge, was revived by Gods blessing on the care of Doctor Chenil, equally to all peoples joy and admiration. His gratitude to the Fisher-men (who took him up) extended to a revenue unto them …u ring his life. Thus thankful to the Instrument, he was more to the Principal, striving to repay his life to that God who gave it him.

He was afterwards Vicar of New Castle (a Factor for Heaven, in the place where he was designed a Merchant) a Town full of men and opinions wherein he endeavoured to rectifie their Errors, and unite their Affections. At this distance was he chosen President of Corpus Christi Colledge, never knowing of the vacancy of the place, till by those Letters (which informed him) it was refilled with his elect…on.

Here he lived piously, ruled peaceably, wrote profoundly, preached painfully. His Charity had no fault, if not of the largest size, oftentimes making the Receiver richer, than it left him that was the Donor thereof. Learn the rest of his praise from the Learned Writer of his Life, in whom nothing wanting, save the exact place of his birth, and date of his death, which hapned about the year, 1640.

SAMUEL WARD was born at Bishops Middleham in this County, his Father being a Gentleman of more Ancientry than Estate. He was first Scholar of Christs, then Fellow o… Emanuel, and afterwards Master of Sidney Colledge in Cambridge, and Margare… Professor therein for above twenty years. Now, because the Pen of a Pupil may probably be suspected of partiality; of an Historian I will turn a Translator, and only endeavour to English that Character, which, **Dr. Thomas Goad in h…s …dnsing his Sermon called Gratia dis….one who knew him as well as most men, and could judge of him as well as any man, doth bestow upon him.

Age, perge Cathedram ornare (quod facis) sacram

Subtilitate non levi, rapidâ, vagâ,

Sed Orthodoxa quam coronat veritas,

Et justa firmat soliditas, patiens librae:

Antiqu… at is, crypta tu penetras frequens,

Scholasticorum tu profundos vortices,

Te'nulla fallit, nulla te scium latet

Distinctionum tela, rationum stropha

Tam perspicacem mente, judicio gravem;

Linguis peritum, tamque nervosum stylo,

His addo genium temperatum, foreign,

Placidum, modestum, lite rixosâ, procul.

Go to, go on, deck (as thou doest) the Chaire,

With subtilty not light, slight, vage ás air,

But such as Truth doth crown, and standing sure,

Solidly fix'd will weighing well endure.

Antiquities hid depths thou oft doest sound,

And School-mens whirl-pools which are so profound.

Distinctions threads none can so finely weave,

Or Reason wrench, thy Knowledge to deceive,

None thy quick sight, grave judgement can beguile,

So skill'd in Tongues, so sinewy in style;

Add to all these that peaceful Soul of thine,

Meek, modest, which all brawlings doth decline.

p. 299He turned with the Times as a Rock riseth with the Tide; and for his uncomplying there with, was imprisoned in Saint Johns Colledge in Cambridge. In a word, he was counted a Puritan before these times, and Popish in these times, and yet being alwayes the same, was a true Protestant at all times. He died Anno 1643. and was the first man buried in Sidney Colledge Chappel.

Memorable Persons.

ANTHONY Lord GRAY, and eighth Earl of Kent of that Surname, Son of George Gray, … and … Salvam his Wife, Son to Anthony Gray, Esq and Briget Holland his Wife, Son to G…orge Gray second Earl of Kent of that Family (who died in the twentieth year of King Henry the seventh) was born at **Out of his p…vate pedigr… communicated unto me.Branspath in this Bishoprick. If any ask what occasion drew his Ancestors into the North, know that his GrandFather was invited thither to enjoy the company of his Friend and Kinsman, the Earl of Westmerland.

This Gentleman being bred in the University of—applyed himself to the study o… Divinity, and became Rector of Burbach in Leicester-shire, where he preached con…antly, and kept an hospitable house for the poor according to his estate. It hapned … by the death of Henry Gray his Kinsman, and the seventh Earl of Kent, that Earldom descended upon him, Anno Dom. 1639.

We read of Sigismund the Emperour, that when he had knighted a Doctor of the Laws, the Knight Doctor sequested himself from the company of Doctors, and associci…ted wholly with Knights; whereat the Emperor smiled, and taxed his folly, For 1 (said he) can make many Knights at my pleasure, though indeed I cannot make one Doctor. Not so this good Lord, who after the accession of his Title did not in the least degrte disdain the society of his fellow Ministers, to converse with the Nobility; yea, he …bated nothing in the constancy of his preaching, so long as he was able to be led up into the Pu…pit. He had read in Scripture this Character given to the **Acts 17. 11.Acts 17:11Bereans, These were more noble than these in Thess…lonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness, and counted it most noble to labour in Gods Vineyard, and to deliver his Word to others. However a Diamond is best when set in Gold, and Goodness is most Illustrious when supported with Greatness.

He was summoned as a Peer to Parliament, but excused himself, by reason of Indisposition and Age. Such his humility, that Honours did not change Manners in him. Thus a mortified mind is no more affected with additions of Titles, than a Corps with a gay Coffin. By Magdalene Purefoy his Wife, he had (besides other Children) Henry ninth Earl of Kent. He died Anno Dom 164—

Sheriffs.

Expect not that to make this Bishoprick Uniform with other Counties, I should present a Catalogue of the Sheriffs thereof. For the Princely Prelate of this Bishoprick (his S…l not Oval like others, but round, the more Princely proportion; and as I remember, gave a crowned Mitre for his Crest) was himself always Paramount Sheriffe, deputing one, (often his own Servant) under him to execute the Office. This Deputy never acc…unted at the Exchequer, but made up his Audit to the Bishop, to whom all perquisites and profits of this place did belong.

Since after a long discontinuance this County hath obtained its ancient Sheriff, the Bishop thereof, of whom formerly.

The Farewell.

I understand that there is an intention of erecting an University in Durham, and that some hopeful progress is made in order thereunto, which I cannot but congratulate; For I listen not to their Objection, alledging it monstrous for one Face to have three Eyes, [one Land three Universities] seeing I could wish that Argus-like it had an hundred in it. p. 300Would all men were **Num. 11. 28.Num 11:28Moses minded, that all the people of God might prophesie, the rather because I am sure, that ignorance is no more the Mother of Devotion, than the Lying Harlot **1 King. 3. 22.1 Kgs 3:22which pleaded before Solomon, was Mother to the living Child.

I confess I was always much affected with their fears, who suspect that this Convenience for the North would be a Mischief for the South, and this new one in process of time prove detrimental to the old Universities. Nor were these jealousies, when moved, removed in my serious consideration, not being well satisfied of the intentions and design of some prime persons undertaking the same.

But since this Fresh-man Colledge lived not to be matriculated, much less (not lasting seven years) graduated, God in his wisdom seeing the contrary fitter. The worst I should have wished this new spring (if continuing) was pure water, pious and orthodox Professors to have Principled and Elemented the Members therein with Learning and Religion.

p. 317ESSEX.

ESSEX hath Kent on the South, divided by the River Thames; Suffolk on the North, severed by the River Stoure, Cambridge, Hertford shire and Middlesex on the West, the two later generally parted by the River Ley, and the German Ocean on the East.

A fair County, bearing the full proportion of five and thirty miles square, plentifully affording all things necessary to mans subsistance, save that the Eastern part is not very healthfull in the Aire thereof.

These parts adjoyning to the Sea are commonly called the Hundreds of Essex, and are very fruitfull in Cattle. However the Vulgar wits of this County much astonish strangers with the stock of poor people in these parts, five hundred Cows, nine hundred Sheep, w…ch indeed are but five Cows, and nine Sheep, in this part of the County called the Hundreds.