White, John
, a puritan divine, and, Wood says,
usually called the Patriarch Of Dorchester, was born
in the latter end of December, 1574, at Stanton St. John,
in Oxfordshire. He was sent for education to Winchester
school, and after two years of probation, was admitted perpetual fellow of New college, Oxford, in 1595. Here he
| took his degrees in arts, was admitted into holy orders, and
became a frequent preacher in, or near Oxford. In 1606
he became rector of Trinity church, Dorchester, in the
county of Dorset, where in the course of his ministry he
expounded the whole of the scripture, and went through
about half of it a second time, having, says Wood, “an excellent faculty in the clear and solid interpreting of it.”
About 1624, Mr. White, with some of his friends, projected the new colony of Massachusetts in New England,
and, after surmounting many difficulties, succeeded in obtaining a patent. The object was to provide a settlement
or asylum for those who could not conform to the church
discipline and ceremonies. He himself appears to have
been inclined to the same disaffection, and is said to have
been in 1630 prosecuted by archbishop Laud in the high
commission court for preaching against Arminianism and
the ceremonies. But as no account exisjs of the issue of
this trial, or of his having been at all a sufferer upon this
account, it is more probable, or at least as probable, that
Wood is right, who tells us that he conformed as well after,
as before, the advancement of Laud. Afterwards indeed
he was a sufferer during the rage of civil war; for a party
of horse in the neighbourhood of Dorchester, under the
command of prince Rupert, plundered his house, and carried away his library. On this occasion he made his escape
to London, and was made minister of the Savoy. In 1640
he was appointed one of the learned divines to assist in a
committee of religion, appointed by the House of Lords;
and in 1643 was chosen one of the Westminster assembly
of divines. In 1645 he was appointed to succeed the ejected
Dr. Featley as rector of Lambeth, and the doctor’s library
was committed to his care, until his own should be returned
which was carried away by prince Rupert’s soldiers. In
1647 he was offered the wardenship of New college, but
refused it, and as soon as he could, returned to his people
at Dorchester, for whom he had the greatest affection, and
where he had passed the happiest of his days, being a man
of great zeal, activity, and learning, and, as Wood allows,
a “most moderate puritan.” Fuller says, “he was a constant preacher, and by his wisdom and ministerial labours,
Dorchester was much enriched with knowledge, piety, and
industry.” He died there suddenly, July 21, 1648, in the
seventy-second year of his age. His works are but few, 1.
“A commentary upon the first three chapters of Genesis,”
| 1656, fol. 2. “A way to the tree of life, discovered in
sundry directions for the profitable reading of the Scriptures,” &c. 1647, 8vo. 3. “A digression concerning the
morality of the Fourth commandment,” printed with the
preceding. He published also a few sermons. 1
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Works found by this author (or others with similar names) in the Early English Books Online Collection:
The planters plea· Or The grounds of plantations examined, and vsuall objections answered Together with a manifestation of the causes mooving such as have lately vndertaken a plantation in Nevv-England: for the satisfaction of those that question the lawfulnesse of the action. (1630) by White, John, 1575-1648.
The troubles of Jerusalems restauration, or, The churches reformation represented in a sermon preached before the Right Honorable House of Lords, in the Abby Church Westminster, Novemb. 26, 1645 / by John White ... (1646) by White, John, 1575-1648.
A vvay to the tree of life discovered in sundry directions for the profitable reading of the Scriptvres : wherein is described occasionally the nature of a spirituall man, and, in A digression, the morality and perpetuity of the Fourth Commandment in every circumstance thereof, is discovered and cleared / by Iohn White ... (1647) by White, John, 1575-1648.
A sermon preached at Dorchester in the county of Dorcet, at the generall assizes held the 7. of March, 1632. / By John White of Dorchester, rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity. (1648) by White, John, 1575-1648.
The protestation of Iohn White Doctor in Divinitie which he caused to be written the day before his death, to the end the papists might vnderstand he departed out of this world, of the same opinion and iudgement he maintained both by preaching and writing whilest he liued. (1648) by White, John, 1575-1648.
Davids Psalms in metre. Agreeable to the Hebrew, to be sung in usuall tunes. To he [sic] benefit of the churches of Christ. / By the Reverend Mr. John White minister of Gods Word in Dorchester.Bible. O.T. Psalms. English. White version. (1655) by White, John, 1575-1648.
A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first book of Moses called Genesis by John White. (1656) by White, John, 1575-1648.
The art of ringing. [etc. ; pt 2: Artificial fireworks; and The art of gardening] giving exact rules for ringing all sorts of plain changes and cross peals, with directions for pricking; also how to hang bells, with easie directions for every thing which necessarily belongs to that art. Also Artificial fireworks; being directions to order and make moulds, ... rockets, fisgigs, and other curiosities too tedious to mention likewise The art of gardening: giving an account of the tools, or instruments necessary therein; and also what is to be done every month in the year; as likewise how to order cattle, orchards and hop-gardens, &c. To which is added, an excellent receipt to make a valuable liquor agreeable to all constitutions. By J. White, gent. (1680-1690) by White, John, d. 1671.
The art of ringing. [etc. ; pt 1: the art of ringing (only)] giving exact rules for ringing all sorts of plain changes and cross peals, with directions for pricking; also how to hang bells, with easie directions for every thing which necessarily belongs to that art. Also Artificial fireworks; being directions to order and make moulds, ... rockets, fisgigs, and other curiosities too tedious to mention likewise The art of gardening: giving an account of the tools, or instruments necessary therein; and also what is to be done every month in the year; as likewise how to order cattle, orchards and hop-gardens, &c. To which is added, an excellent receipt to make a valuable liquor agreeable to all constitutions. By J. White, gent. (1680-1690) by White, John, d. 1671.
A rich cabinet, with variety of inventions; unlock'd and opened, for the recreation of ingenious spirits at their vacant houres Being receits and conceits of severall natures, and fit for those who are lovers of naturall and artificiall conclusions. Whereunto is added variety of recreative fire-works, both for land, aire, and water. Also fire works of service, for sea and shore, very fitting for these warlike times of action. Collected by J.W. a lover of artificiall conclusions. (1651) by White, John, d. 1671.
Arts treasury: or, A profitable and pleasing invitation to the lovers of ingenuity Contained in many extraordinary experiments, rareties, and curious inventions. In two parts. Part I. Containing the mystery of dying cloths, silks stuffs, hair, feather, bone, horn, ivory, leather, &c. ... Part II. Containing the quality, generation and product of metals and minerals, natural and artificial; directions to harden or soften them for use. ... (1688) by White, John, d. 1671.