Leigh, Edward
, a learned theological writer of the
seventeenth century, the son of Henry Leigh, esq. was
born at Shawell in Leicestershire, March 24, 1602-3. He
had his grammatical learning under a Mr. Lee of Waishall in Staffordshire; and when removed td Oxford, became a commoner of Magdalen-hall, in 1616, under Mr.
William Pemble, a very celebrated tutor of that society.
After completing his degrees in arts in 1623, he removed
to the Middle Temple for the study of the law. During
the violence of the plague in 1625, he took that opportunity to visit France; and on his return to the Temple,
added to his law studies those of divinity and history, in
both which he attained a great stock of knowledge. He
was in fact a sort of lay divine, and superior to many of the
profession. About 1636, we find him representing the
borough of Stafford in parliament, when some of the members of that, which was called the Long parliament, had
withdrawn to the king at Oxford. Mr. Leigh’s sentiments
inclining him to remain and to support the measures of the
party in opposition to the court, he was afterwards appointed to a seat in the assembly of divines, and certainly
sat with no little propriety in one respect, being as ably
skilled in matters of divinity and ecclesiastical history as
most of them. He was also a colonel of a regiment in the
parliamentary service, and custos rotulorum for the county
of Stafford. He was not, however, prepared to approve of
all the proceedings of the parliament and army; and having, in Dec. 1648, voted that his majesty’s concessions were
satisfactory, he and some others, who held the same
|
opinion, were turned out of parliament. From that time he
appears to have retired from public life, and to have employed his time in study. He died June 2, 1671, at Rushall Hall in Staffordshire, and was buried in the chancel of
that church. His works, which afford abundant proofs of
his learning and industry, are, 1. “Select and choice Observations concerning the first twelve Cssars,” Oxon, 1635,
8vo. Additions were made to this work both by himself and
his son Henry, who published an enlarged edition in 1657,
8vo, with the title of “Analecta Ccesarum Romanorum.”
Two other editions, with farther improvements and plates
of coins, &c. appeared in 1664 and 1670, 8vo. 2. “Treatise of Divine promises,” Lond. 1633, often reprinted, and
was the model of Clarke’s “Scripture Promises,” and other
collections of the same kind. 3. “Critica Sacra, or the
Hebrew words of the Old, and of the Greek of the New
Testament,” Lond. 1639, and 1646, 4to, afterwards enlarged with a supplement, to 2 vols. folio. This was one
of the books on which the late learned Mr. Bowyer bestowed great pains, and had filled it with critical notes. 4.
“A Treatise of Divinity,” ibid. 1648, 1651, 8vo. 5. “The
Saint’s encouragement in evil times or observations concerning the martyrs in general,” ibid. 1648, 8vo. 6. “Annotations on all the New Testament,” ibid. 1650, folio.
7. “A philological Commentary; or, an illustration of
the most obvious and useful words in the Law, &c.” ibid.
1652, &c. 8. “A System or Body of Divinity,” 1654,
and 1662, folio. 9. “Treatise of Religion and Learning,”
ibid. 1656, folio, which not succeeding, was republished
in 1663, with only the new title of “Fcelix consortium, or
a fit conjuncture of Religion and Learning.” H). “Choice
French Proverbs,” ibid. 1657, 1664, 8vo. 11. “Annotations on the five poetical books of the Old Testament, viz.
Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Canticles,” ibid.
1657, folio. 12. “Second considerations of the high court
of Chancery,” 1658, 4to. 13. “England described,” 1659,
8vo, mostly from Caraden*. 14. “Choice observations on
all the kings of England, from the Saxons to the death of
Charles I.” 1661, 8vo. 15. “Three Diatribes, or Discourses, of travel, money, and measuring, &c.” 1671, 8vo;
in another edition it is called the “Gentleman’s Guide.”
16. “Two Sermons,” on the magistrate’s authority, by
Christ. Cartwright, B. D. To these sir Edward prefixed a
preface in vindication of his own character for appearing
| in the assembly of divines. This gentleman is by some
writers called Sir Edward Leigh, but not so by Wood, nor
can we find any information respecting his being knighted.
In all his works, that we have seen, he is styled Edward
Leigh, Esq. 1
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Works found by this author (or others with similar names) in the Early English Books Online Collection:
Prototypes, or, The primarie precedent presidents out of the booke of Genesis shewing, the [brace] good and bad things [brace] they did and had practically applied to our information and reformation / by that faithfull and painefull preacher of Gods word William Whately ... ; together with Mr. Whatelyes life and death ; published by Mr. Edward Leigh and Mr. Henry Scudder, who were appointed by the authour to peruse his manuscripts, and printed by his owne coppy. (1640) by Leigh, Edward, 1602-1671.
A treatise of the divine promises in five bookes : in the first, a generall description of their nature, kinds, excellency, right use, properties, and the persons to whom they belong : in the foure last, a declaration of the covenant it selfe .../ by Edvvard Legh ... (1641) by Leigh, Edward, 1602-1671.
A speech, of Colonell Edward Leigh, as it was delivered by himselfe to the honourable House of Commons, upon occasion of presenting a Stafford-shire petition: as also the petition it selfe, presented by the same colonell, and divers other gentlemen of Stafford-shire, on Munday the thirtieth of Septem. 1644. (1644) by Leigh, Edward, 1602-1671.
A treatise of divinity consisting of three bookes : The first of which handling the Scripture or Word of God, treateth of its divine authority, the canonicall bookes, the authenticall edition, and severall versions, the end, properties, and interpretation of Scripture : The second handling God sheweth that there is a God, and what he is, in his essence and several attributes, and likewise the distinction of persons in the divine essence : The third handleth the three principall works of God, decree, creation and providence / by Edward Leigh ... (1646) by Leigh, Edward, 1602-1671.
The magistrates authority, in matters of religion; and the souls immortality, vindicated in two sermons preach'd at York. / By Christopher Cartvvright, B.D. and Minister of Gods Word there. (1647) by Leigh, Edward, 1602-1671.
The saints encouragement in evil times: or Observations concerning the martyrs in generall with some memorable collections out of Foxes three volumes. Martin Luther. The covenant and promises. Living and dying by faith. By Edward Leigh Esquire. (1648) by Leigh, Edward, 1602-1671.
Annotations upon all the New Testament philologicall and theologicall wherein the emphasis and elegancie of the Greeke is observed, some imperfections in our translation are discovered, divers Jewish rites and customes tending to illustrate the text are mentioned, many antilogies and seeming contradictions reconciled, severall darke and obscure places opened, sundry passages vindicated from the false glosses of papists and hereticks / by Edward Leigh ... (1650) by Leigh, Edward, 1602-1671.
A learned discourse of ceremonies retained and used in Christian churches. Written by the Right Reverend Father in God Lancelot Andrews late Bishop of Winchester a little before his death: at the request of an eminent person that desired satisfaction therein. Printed by the original copy written with his own hand, ex pede Hercules. (1653) by Leigh, Edward, 1602-1671.
A systeme or body of divinity consisting of ten books : wherein the fundamentals and main grounds of religion are opened, the contrary errours refuted, most of the controversies between us, the papists, Arminians, and Socinians discussed and handled, several Scriptures explained and vindicated from corrupt glosses : a work seasonable for these times, wherein so many articles of our faith are questioned, and so many gross errours daily published / by Edward Leigh. (1654) by Leigh, Edward, 1602-1671.
A treatise of religion & learning and of religious and learned men consisting of six books, the two first treating of religion & learning, the four last of religious or learned men in an alphabetical order ... / by Edward Leigh ... (1656) by Leigh, Edward, 1602-1671.
Select and choyce observations, containing all the Romane emperours the first eighteen by Edward Leigh ... ; the others added by his son Henry Leigh ... ; certain choyce French proverbs, alphabetically disposed and Englished added also by the same Edward Leigh. (1657) by Leigh, Edward, 1602-1671.
Annotations on five poetical books of the Old Testament (viz.) Job, Psalmes, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Canticles / by Edward Leigh ... (1657) by Leigh, Edward, 1602-1671.
Second considerations concerning the High Court of Chancery, and the most excellent ordinance for the regulation and limitation of that court by Edw. Leigh, Gent. (1658) by Leigh, Edward, 1602-1671.
A philologicall commentary, or, An illustration of the most obvious and useful words in the lavv with their distinctions and divers acceptations, as they are found as well in reports antient and modern as in records and memorials never printed : usefull for all young students of the law / by Edward Leigh ... (1658) by Leigh, Edward, 1602-1671.
England described: or The several counties & shires thereof briefly handled. Some things also premised, to set forth the glory of this nation. / By Edward Leigh Esquire, Mr of Arts of Magdalen-Hall in Oxford. (1659) by Leigh, Edward, 1602-1671.
Choice observations of all the kings of England from the Saxons to the death of King Charles the First collected out of the best Latine and English writers, who have treated of that argument / by Edward Leigh ... (1661) by Leigh, Edward, 1602-1671.
Fœlix consortium, or, A fit conjuncture of religion and learning in one entire volume, consisting of six books : the first treating of religion in general ... the second of learning ... the third, fourth, fifth and sixth books particularizing the men eminent for religion or learning ... : in an alphabetical order / by Edward Leigh ...Treatise of religion and learning (1663) by Leigh, Edward, 1602-1671.
Analecta Caesarum Romanorum, or, Select observations of all the Roman emperors illustrated with their several effigies according to their coins / the first eighteen by Edward Leigh ... ; the others added by his son Henry Leigh ... : also certain choice French proverbs ; alphabetically disposed and Englished, added by the same Edward Leigh. (1664) by Leigh, Edward, 1602-1671.
Three diatribes or discourses first of travel, or a guide for travellers into forein [sic] parts, secondly, of money or coyns, thirdly, of measuring of the distance betwixt place and place / by Edward Leigh, Esq. ...Three diatribes or discourses (1671) by Leigh, Edward, 1602-1671.
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