Caryl, Joseph

, author of the well-known “Commentary on Job,” and an eminent nonconformist divine, was born in London in 1602; He was a moderate independent, and Wood mentions him as a noted disputant. He was some time a commoner at Exeter college in Oxford, and preached several years with applause before the hon. society of Lincoln’s-inn. In 1653 he was appointed one of the triers for the approbation of ministers, and was sent by the parliament to attend Charles I. at Holmbyhouse: he was also one of the commissioners in the treaty of the Isle of Wight. He and Dr. Owen were by order of parliament sent in 1650, to attend on Cromwell in Scotland, and to officiate as ministers. Soon after his ejectment in 1662, he gathered a congregation in the neighbourhood of St. Magnus, by London-bridge, to which he preached as the times would permit, until his death, Feb. 7, 1673. He was a man of parts, learning, and of indefatigable industry. He has left behind him a considerable number of sermons and pious tracts, but his principal work is his “Commentary on Job,” first printed in 12 vols. 4to, and afterwards in two largp folios. Of late years it has risen very considerably in price, which we can remember to have been once that of waste-paper. The late Dr. Lyndford Caryl, master of Jesus college, Cambridge, was great grand-nephew to this Mr. Caryl. 2

2

Calamy,Neal’s Puritans.Ath. Ox. vol. II. Granger.