1707, and on account of the early death of his father, chiefly educated under his grandfather, then archbishop of Upsal. In 1730 he set out on his travels to improve himself
, professor of rhetoric and politics in the
university of Upsal, was born in March 1707, and on account of the early death of his father, chiefly educated
under his grandfather, then archbishop of Upsal. In 1730
he set out on his travels to improve himself by the company and conversation of learned men. In 1733 he returned to Upsal, where he was elected a member of the
academy of sciences. In 1737 he was made public professor of poetry, and in 1748 he was appointed by the king
professor of rhetoric and politics; an office, the duties of
which he discharged for forty years with great reputation,
In 1756 king Adolphus Frederic raised him to the rank of
a counsellor of the chancery; two years after to that of
patrician; and in 1759 conferred on him the order of the
polar star. He died in 1780. In 1756 he undertook a
Sueco-Gothic Lexicon, and began to arrange the materials
which he had been preparing for the purpose. In 1766
he published a “Lexicon Dialectorum,
” in which he explained and illustrated obsolete words, still used in the
provinces; and in 1769 his “Glossarium Sueco-Gothicum
”
was published in 2 vols. folio. He was the author also of
an explanation of the old catalogue of the Sueco-Gothic
kings, to which are added the old West- Gothic Laws. In
his dissertations “De Runorum Antiquitate, Patria, Origine, et Occasu,
” he asserts that the Runic writing was
formerly used in the greater part of Europe, was introduced into Sweden about the sixth century, and became
entirely extinct in the beginning of the fifteenth. He was
possessed of a sound judgment and a retentive memory;
and so clearly were his ideas arranged, that he had never
any need to correct what he had composed.
to Rome, he completely gained the confidence and esteem of Clement XII. By that prelate he was named archbishop of Theodosia in partibus, and bishop of Carpentras in 1733.
, an exemplary and learned bishop of Carpentras, at which place
he was born in 1683, was first a Dominican, and in that
order he successfully pursued his theological studies; but,
thinking the rule of the Cistertians more strict and perfect,
he afterwards took the habit of that order. His merit
quickly raised him to the most distinguished offices among
his brethren, and being dispatched on some business to
Rome, he completely gained the confidence and esteem of
Clement XII. By that prelate he was named archbishop
of Theodosia in partibus, and bishop of Carpentras in 1733.
In this situation he was distinguished by all the virtues that
can characterize a Christian bishop; excellent discernment,
and knowledge, united with the completest charity and humility. His life was that of a simple monk, and his wealth
was all employed to relieve the poor, or serve the public.
He built a vast and magnificent hospital, and established
the most extensive library those provinces had ever seen,
which he gave for public use. He died in 1757, of an
apoplectic attack, in his seventy-fifth year. This excellent man was not unknown in the literary world, having
published some original works, and some editions of other
authors. The principal of these productions are, 1. “Genuinus character reverendi admodiim in Christo Patris D.
Armandi Johannis Butillierii Rancsei,
” Rome, Theologie
Religieuse,
” being a treatise on the duties of a monastic
life, Rome, 1731, 3 vols. folio. 3. An Italian translation of
a French treatise, by father Didier, on the infallibility of
the pope, Rome, 1732, folio. 4. An edition of the works
of Bartholomew of the Martyrs, with his Life, 2 vols. folio.
5. “La Vie separee,
” another treatise on monastic life, in
2 vols. 1727, 4to.
n, since prefixed to Martin’s “History of Thetford.” On Aug. 16, 1773, by a special licence from the archbishop of Canterbury, he was married at Lambeth church to Miss Kett
, was the only son of one of the most eminent merchants at Yarmouth, where he was born in 1751.
He was entered of Caius college, Cambridge, where he
did not long reside; but, returning to Yarmouth, became
acquainted -with that celebrated antiquary Thomas Martin
of Palgrave, and caught from him that taste for antiquities
which he pursued during the short period of his life. He
was elected F. S. A. 1771, and F. R. S. 1772; and, by favour of the earl of Suffolk, in him the honour of Suffolk
herald extraordinary was revived; an office attended with
no profit, but valuable to him by the access it gave to the
Mss. muniments, &c. of the heralds college, of which he
thereby became an honorary member. His first attempt
at antiquarian publication was by proposals (without his name) in 1771, for printing an account of Lothingland
hundred in Suffolk; for which he had engraved several
small plates of arms and monuments in the churches of
Friston, Gorleston, Loud, Lowestoffe, and Somerliton, from
his own drawings. His next essay was the short preface
to Mr. Swinden’s “History and Antiquities of Great Yarmouth, in the county of Norfolk, 1772,
” 4to. Mr. Svvinden, who was a schoolmaster in Great Yarmouth, was a
most intimate friend of Mr. Ives, who not only assisted
him with his purse, and warmly patronized him while
living, but superintended the book for the emolument of
the author’s widow, and delivered it to the subscribers .
In 1772 he caused to be cut nine wooden plates of old Norfolk
seals, entitled “Sigilla antiqua Norfolciensia. Impressit
Johannes Ives, S. A. S.
” and a copper-plate portrait of Mr.
Martin holding an urn, since prefixed to Martin’s “History
of Thetford.
” On Aug. 16, 1773, by a special licence
from the archbishop of Canterbury, he was married at Lambeth church to Miss Kett (of an ancient family in Norfolk),
and afterwards resided at Yarmouth.
pon our English Coins, from the Norman invasion down to the end of the reign of queen Elizabeth,” by archbishop Sharp; sir W. Dugdale’s “Directions for the Search of Records,
In imitation of Mr. Walpole (to whom the first number was inscribed), Mr. Ives began in 1773 to publish “Select
Papers
” from his own collection; of which the second number was printed in 1774, and a third in 1775. Among
these are “Remarks upon our English Coins, from the
Norman invasion down to the end of the reign of queen
Elizabeth,
” by archbishop Sharp; sir W. Dugdale’s “Directions for the Search of Records, and making use of
them, in order to an historical Discourse of the Antiquities
of Staffordshire
” with “Annals of Gonvile and Caius college, Cambridge
” the “Coronation of Henry VII. and
of queen Elizabeth,
” &c. &c. In 1774 he published, in
12 mo, “Remarks upon the Garianonum of the Romans
the scite and remains fixed and described;
” with the ichnography of Garianonum, two plates, by B. T. Pouncey;
south view of it, Roman antiquities found there, map of
the river Yare, from the original in the corporation chest
at Yarmouth, and an inscription on the mantletree of a
farm-house. He died of a deep consumption, when he
had just entered his twenty-fifth year, June 9, 1776. Considered as an antiquary, much merit is due to Mr. Ives,
whose valuable collection was formed in less than five years.
His library was sold by auction, March 3 6, 1777, including some curious Mss. (chiefly relating to Suffolk and Norfolk) belonging to Peter Le Neve, T. Martin, and
Francis Blomefield. His coins, medals, ancient paintings,
and antiquities, were sold Feb. 13 and 14, 1777. Two
portraits of him have been engraven. 1
years older than Oxford Strype says that Caius published this work (in 1568, 8vo.) at the motion of archbishop Parker. It is to be regretted that either should have embarked
Caius’s religious principles have been disputed. The
most probable conjecture is, that he had a secret inclination to the principles of his early years, but conformed,
at least in outwarcl observances, to the reformation in his
latter days. Of his learning there is no difference of opinion. It was various and extensive; and his knowledge of
the Greek language, particularly, gave him a superiority
over most of hrs contemporaries, the study of that language in this country being then in its infancy. His zeal
ibr the interests of learning appears from his munificence
to his alma mater, and the same motive led him in 1557 to
erect a monument in St. Paul’s cathedral to the celebrated
Linacre. As an author, he wrote much; but some of his
works have not been published. He revised, corrected,
and translated several of Galen’s works, printed at different
times abroad. He published also, 1. “Hippocrates de
Medicamentis,
” first discovered in ms. by him; also “de
ratione V ictus,
” 8vo. 2. “De medendi methodo,
” Basil,
De Ephemera Britannica,
”
or an account of the sweating sickness in England, Lond.
1556, and reprinted so lately as 1721. 4. “De Thermis
Britannicis.
” 5. “Of some rare Plants and Animals,
”
Lond. De Canibus Britannicis,
” Lond. British Zoology.
” 7.
“De pronunciatione Graecae et Latinae linguae,
” Lond.
ew into great esteem by those who were deemed the lowchurch party, and particularly with Tenison the archbishop of Canterbury. He preached a sermon at Aldgate, January 30,
On May 5, 1694, he took the degree of B. D. that of
D. D. July 19, 1699 and in 1700, was appointed minister
of St. Botolph Aldgate in London, without any solicitation
of his own. In 1701, he engaged against Dr. Atterbury,
in the disputes about the rights of convocation, of which
he became a member about this time, as archdeacon of
Huntingdon; to which dignity he was advanced the same
year by Dr. Gardiner, bishop of Lincoln. He now grew
into great esteem by those who were deemed the lowchurch party, and particularly with Tenison the archbishop
of Canterbury. He preached a sermon at Aldgate, January
30, 1703, which exposed him to great clamour, and occasioned many pamphlets to be written against it; and in
1705, when Dr. Wake was advanced to the see of Lincoln,
was appointed to preach his consecration sermon; which
was so much admired by lord chief-justice Holt, that he
declared, “it had more in it to the purpose of the legal and
Christian constitution of this church than any volume of
discourses.
” About the same time, some booksellers, having undertaken to print a collection of the best writers of
the English history, as far as to the reign of Charles I. in
two folio volumes, prevailed with Dr. Kennet to prepare a
third volume, which should carry the history down to the
then present reign of queen Anne. This, being finished
with a particular preface, was published with the other two,
tinder the title of “A complete History of England, &c.
”
in the preacher had built a bridge to heaven for men of wit
and parts, but excluded the duller part of mankind from
any chance of passing it.
” This charge was grounded on
the following passage; where, speaking of a late repentance, he says, that “this rarely happens but in men of
distinguished sense and judgment. Ordinary abilities may
Jt>e altogether sunk by a long vicious course of life: the
duller flame is easily extinguished. The meaner sinful
wretches are commonly given up to a reprobate mind, and
die as stupidly as they lived; while the nobler and brighter
parts have an advantage of understanding the worth of their
souls before they resign them. If they are allowed the
benefit of sickness, they commonly awake out of their
dream of sin, and reflect, and look upward. They acknowledge an infinite being they feel their own immortal part
they recollect and relish the holy Scriptures they call for
the elders of the church they think what to answer at a
judgment-seat. Not that God is a respecter of persons,
but the difference is in men; and, the more intelligent
nature is, the more susceptible of the divine grace.
” Of
this sermon a new edition, with “Memoirs of the Family
of Cavendish,
” and notes and illustrations, was published
in
ion of all those Hebrew Mss. of the Old Testament, which were preserved in the Bodleian library; and archbishop Seeker strongly pressed our author to undertake the task, as
He had now employed himself for several years in
searching out and collating Hebrew Mss. It appears,
when he began the study of the Hebrew language, and
for several years afterwards, he was strongly prejudiced in
favour of the integrity of the Hebrew text; taking it for
granted that if the printed copies of the Hebrew Bible at
all differed from the originals of Moses and the prophets,
the variations were very few and quite inconsiderable. In
1748 he was convinced of his mistake, and satisfied that
there were such corruptions in the sacred volume as to
affect the sense greatly in many instances. The particular
chapter which extorted from him this conviction, was recommended to his perusal by the rev. Dr. Lowth, afterwards bishop of London. It was the 23d chapter of the
2d book of Samuel. Being thus convinced of his mistake,
he thought it his duty to endeavour to convince others;
and accordingly in 1753 published the work already mentioned. In 1758 the delegates of the press at Oxford were
recommended by the Hebrew professor to encourage,
amongst various other particulars, a collation of all those
Hebrew Mss. of the Old Testament, which were preserved in the Bodleian library; and archbishop Seeker
strongly pressed our author to undertake the task, as the
person best qualified to carry it into execution. In 176O
he was prevailed upon to give up the remainder of his life
to the arduous work, and early in that year published
“The State of the printed Hebrew text considered, Dissertation the Second,
” 8vi, in which he further enforced
rning and diligence, and of the utility of his undertaking. In November 1767 he was appointed by the archbishop of Canterbury, and the other electors, to the office of Radcliffe
In the summer of 1766 he visited Paris for the purpose
of examining the Mss. in that place, and was received
with the honours due to him on account of his learning and
diligence, and of the utility of his undertaking. In November 1767 he was appointed by the archbishop of Canterbury, and the other electors, to the office of Radcliffe
librarian. In 1768 he published “Observations on the
First Book of Samuel, chap. vi. verse 19,
” 8vo. These
were dedicated to Dr. Lowth, the earliest and most steady
encourager of the work. They were the fruit of his visit
to Paris, and were soon after translated into French.
, 1695, at his lodgings in Gray’s-inn Jane. He was buried, three days after, in the same grave where archbishop Laud was before interred, in the parish church of Allhallows-
, an English divine, remarkable
for piety and learning, was born at North-Allerton in Yorkshire, March 10, 1653. He was grounded in classical
learning in the free-school of that town, and sent to St.
Edmund Hall, Oxford, in 1670. Five years after, he
was chosen fellow of Lincoln college, through the interest
of Mr. George Hickes, who was fellow of the same, where
he became eminent as a tutor. He entered into orders as
soon as he was of sufficient age, and distinguished himself
early by an uncommon knowledge in divinity. He was
very young when he wrote his celebrated book, entitled
“Measures of Christian Obedience:
” he composed it in
Model of a fund of charity for the needy
suffering, that is, the nonjuring, clergy:
” but being naturally of a tender and delicate frame of body, and inclined
to a consumption, he fell into that distemper in his 42d
year, and died April 12, 1695, at his lodgings in Gray’s-inn
Jane. He was buried, three days after, in the same grave
where archbishop Laud was before interred, in the parish
church of Allhallows- Barking, where a neat marble monument is erected to his memory. Mr. Nelson, who must
needs have known him very well, has given this great and
noble character of him, in a preface to his “Five Discourses/' &c. a piece printed after his decease
” He was
learned without pride wise and judicious without cunning;
he served at the altar without either covetousness or ambition he was devout without affectation sincerely religious
without moroseness courteous and affable without flattery
or mean compliances just without rigour charitable
without vanity and heartily zealous for the interest of
religion without faction.“His works were collected and
printed in 1718, in two volumes, folio they are all upon
religious subjects, unless his
” Measures of Christian Obedience,“and some tracts upon
” New Oaths,“and the
” Duty of Allegiance," &c. should be rather considered as
of a political nature.
building. In 1731 he was collated to the prebend of Wighton in York cathedral^ by sir William Dawes, archbishop. He died May 30, 1732, and was buried at Pertenhall. Besides
, rector of Chelsea, was born at St. Columb in Cornwall, May 1, 1652. He was educated at Exeter college, Oxford, but took the degree of D. D. at Catherine-hall, Cambridge, where his friend sir William
Dawes was master. When first in orders, he had the curacy of Bray, in Berkshire. By his second wife he acquired the patronage of Pertenhall, in Bedfordshire, and
was instituted to that rectory in June 1690; but in 1694,
exchanged it for Chelsea, the value of which he considerably advanced by letting out the glebe on lives for building.
In 1731 he was collated to the prebend of Wighton in
York cathedral^ by sir William Dawes, archbishop. He
died May 30, 1732, and was buried at Pertenhall. Besides
two occasional sermons, he published, 1 “Animadversions
on a pamphlet entitled A Letter of advice to the churches
of the Nonconformists of the English nation; endeavouring their satisfaction in that point, Who are the true church
of England?
” 2d edit. 1702, 4to. 2. “The case of John
Atherton, bishop of Waterford in Ireland, fairly represented against a partial edition of Dr. Barnard’s relation
and sermon at his funeral, &c.
” Tolando-Pseudologo-mastix, or a currycomb for a lying coxcomb. Being an answer to a late
piece of Mr. Toland’s called Hypatia,
” Lond.
, a learned archbishop of Dublin, was descended of an ancient family, and born at Antrim,
, a learned archbishop of Dublin,
was descended of an ancient family, and born at Antrim,
in Ireland, May the 1st, 1650. At twelve years of age,
he was sent to the grammar-school at Dungannon, in thu
county of Tyrone; and at seventeen, to Trinity-college,
near Dublin, where he took the degrees in arts, when he
became of proper standing. In 1674 he was admitted into
priest’s orders by abp. Parker of Tuam, who, taking him
for his chaplain in 1676, presented him the same year to a
prebend, and afterwards to the precentorship, of Tuam.
In 1679, he was promoted by his patron, then archbishop
of Dublin, to the chancellorship of St. Patrick, and to the
parish of St. Warburgh in Dublin. He had the reputation
of uncommon abilities and learning; and a season was
now approaching which gave him a fair opportunity of displaying them. Accordingly, in the reign of James II.
when popery began to raise her head, he, following the
example of his English brethren, boldly undertook the defence of the Protestant cause in Ireland, against Peter
Manby, the dean of Londonderry, who had lately gone
over to the Catholic faith. In 1687, Manby having published a pamphlet in vindication of his conduct, entitled
“Considerations which obliged him to embrace the Catholic religion,
” our author drew up “An Answer,
” and
printed it at Dublin the same year in quarto. Manby, encouraged by the court, and assisted by the most learned
champions of the church of Rome, published a reply,
called “A reformed Catechism, &c.
” and our author
soon after rejoined, in “A Vindication of the Answer to
the Considerations, 1688,
” 4to. Manby dropped the controversy, but dispersed a sheet of paper, artfully written,
with this title, “A Letter to a Friend, shewing the vanity
of this opinion, that every man’s sense and reason are to
guide him in matters of faith;
” but our author did not
suffer this to pass without confuting it, in “A Vindication of
the Christian Religion and Reformation, against the attempts of a late letter, &c. 1681,
” 4to.
The whole came out with this title, “An Essay on the Origin of Evil, by Dr. William King, late lord archbishop of Dublin: translated from the Latin, with Notes, and a Dissertation
In 1702 he published at Dublin, in 4to, his celebrated
treatise “De Origine Mali,
” which was republishecl the
same year at London in 8vo; in which he endeavours to
shew how all the several kinds of evil with which the world
abounds, are consistent with the goodness of God, and may
be accounted for without the supposition of an evil principle. We do not find that any exceptions were made at
first to this work at home; but it fell under the cognizance
of some very eminent foreigners. Mr. Bernard having
given an abridgment of it in his “Nouvelles de la Republique des Lettres
” for May and June Acta Eruditorum Lipsiae,
” which had been
omitted by Bernard. Bayle was blamed for this by Bernard, and not without reason, as he had manifestly mistaken the prelate’s meaning in many particulars, and attacked him upon principles which he would have denied
but the dispute did not end so Bayle afterwards replied
to Bernard and, having procured the bishop’s book, made
several new observations upon it, which were published in
the fifth tome of his “Reponse,
” &c. Leibnitz also wrote
“Remarks
” on this work, which, however, he styles “a
work full of elegance and learning.
” These remarks,
which are in French, were published by DeMaizeaux, in
the third volume of the “Recueil de diverses Pieces sur la
Philosophic, &c. par Mess. Leibnitz, Clarke, Newton, &c.
”
at Amsterdam, An Essay on the Origin of Evil, by Dr. William
King, late lord archbishop of Dublin: translated from the
Latin, with Notes, and a Dissertation concerning the
Principle and Criterion of Virtue, and the Origin of the
Passions. The second edition. Corrected and enlarged
from the author’s manuscripts. To which are added, two
Sermons by the same author the former concerning
Divine Prescience the latter on the Fall of Man.
” Lond.
Collins, esq. in a pamphlet entitled “A Vindication of the Divine Attributes,” &c. both in 1710. The archbishop did not enter into a controversy, yet endeavoured to remove
The same year also that he published his book “D
Origine Mali,
” viz. Concerning Divine Prescience,
” which was printed by Mr.
Law, was preached and published in 1709, with this title:
“Divine Predestination and Fore-knowledge consistent
with the Freedom of Man’s Will
” and as the bishop, in
this discourse, had started a doctrine concerning the moral
attributes of the Deity, as if different from the moral
qualities of the same name in man, he was attacked upon
this head by writers of very unlike complexions; by Dr.
John Edwards, in a piece called “The Divine Perfections
vindicated,
” &c. and by Anthony Collins, esq. in a pamphlet entitled “A Vindication of the Divine Attributes,
”
&c. both in
to him. To-morrow I am to carry him to dine with the secretary.” And in another letter, he tells the archbishop of Dublin, “I have got poor Dr. King, who was some time in Ireland,
On Aug. 3, 1710, appeared the first number of “The
Examiner,
” the ablest vindication of the measures of the
queen and her new ministry. Swift be^an with No. 13,
and ended by writing part of No. 45 when Mrs.Mauley
took it up, and finished the first volume it was afterwards
resumed by Mr. Oldisworth, who completed four volumes
more, and published nineteen numbers of a sixth volume,
when the queen’s death put an end to the work. The
original institntors of that paper seem to have employed
Dr. King as their publisher, or ostensible author, before
they prevailed on their great champion to undertake that
task. It is not clear which part of the first ten numbers
were Dr. King’s; but he appears pretty evidently the
writer of No. H, Oct. 12 No. 12, Oct. 19 and No. 13,
Oct. 26 and this agrees with the account given by the
publisher of his posthumous works, who says he undertook
that paper about the 10th of October. On the 26th of
October, no Examiner at all appeared; and the next number, which was published Nov. 2, was written by Dr. Swift.
Our author’s warm zeal for the church, and his contempt
for the whigs (“his eyes,
” says Dr. Johnson, “were open to all the operations of whiggism
”), carried him naturally
on the side of Sacheverell; and he had a hand, in his dry
sarcastic way, in many political essays of that period. He
published, with this view, “A friendly Letter from honest
Tom Boggy, to the Rev. Mr. Goddard, canon of Windsor,
occasioned by a sermon preached at St. George’s chapel,
dedicated to her grace the duchess of Marlborough,
” A second Letter to Mr. Goddard, occasioned by the
late Panegyric given him by the Review, Thursday, July
13, 1710.
” These were succeeded by “A Vindication
of the Rev. Dr. Henry Sacheverell, from the false, scandalous, and malicious aspersions, cast upon him in a late
infamous pamphlet entitled ‘The Modern Fanatic;’ intended chiefly to expose the iniquity of the faction in general, without taking any particular notice of their poor
mad fool, Bisset, in particular in a dialogue between
a tory and a whig.
” This masterly composition had
scarcely appeared in the world before it was followed by
“Mr. Bisset’s Recantation in a letter to the Rev. Dr.
Sacheverell
” a singular banter on that enthusiast, whom
our author once more thought proper to lash, in “An Answer to a second scandalous book that Mr. Bisset is now
writing, to be published as soon as possible.
” Dr. White
Kennel’s celebrated sermon on the death of the first duke
of Devonshire, occasioned, amongst many other publications, a jeu d'esprit of Dr. King-, under the title of “An
Answer to Clemens Alexandrinus’s Sermon upon * Quis
Dives salvetur?‘ ’ What rich man can be saved' proving
it easy for a camel to get through the eye of a needle.
” In
Historical
account of the Heathen Gods and Heroes, necessary for
the understanding of the ancient Poets;
” a work still in
great esteem, and of which there have been several editions. About the same time he translated “Political considerations upon Refined Politics, and the Master-strokes
of State, as practised by the Ancients and Moderns, written by Gabriel Naude, and inscribed to the cardinal Bagni.
” At the same period also he employed himself on
“Rufinus, or an historical essay on the Favourite Ministry
under Theodosius and his son Arcadius with a poem
annexed, called ' Rufinus, or the Favourite.
” These were
written early in I
have settled Dr. King,
” says that great writer, “in the
Gazette; it will be worth two hundred pounds a year to
him. To-morrow I am to carry him to dine with the secretary.
” And in another letter, he tells the archbishop
of Dublin, “I have got poor Dr. King, who was some time
in Ireland, to be gazetteer; which will be worth two hundred and fifty pounds per annum to him, if he be diligent
and sober, for which I am engaged. I mention this because I think he was under your grace’s protection in Ireland.
” From what Swift te,lls the archbishop, and a hint
which he has in another place dropped, it should seem,
that our author’s finances were in such a state as to render
the salary of gazetteer no contemptible object to him. The
office, however, was bestowed on Dr. King in a manner
the most agreeable to his natural temper; as he had not
even the labour of soliciting for it. On the last day of
December, 1711, Dr. Swift, Dr. Freind, Mr. Prior, and
some other of Mr. secretary St. John’s friends, came to
visit him; and brought with them the key of the
Gazetteer’s office, and another key for the use of the paper-office,
which had just before been made the receptacle of a curious
collection of mummery, far different from the other contents of that invaluable repository. On the first of January
our author had the honour of dining with the secretary;
and of thanking him for his remembrance of him at a time
when he had almost forgotten himself. He entered on his
office the same day; but the extraordinary trouble he met
with in discharging its duties proved greater than he could
long endure. Mr. Barber, who printed the gazette, obliged
him to attend till three or four o'clock, on the mornings
when that paper was published, to correct the errors of
the press; a confinement which his versatility would never
have brooked, if his health would have allowed it, which at
this time began gradually to decline. And this, joined to
his natural indisposition to the fatigue of any kind of business, furnished a sufficient pretence for resigning his office
about Midsummer 1712. On quitting his employment he
retired to the house of a friend, in the garden-grounds
between Lambeth and Vauxhall, where he enjoyed himself principally in his library; or, amidst select parties, in
a sometimes too liberal indulgence of the bottle. He still
continued, however, to visit his friends in the metropolis,
particularly his relation the earl of Clarendon, who resided
in Somerset-house.
n instrument, under Providence, of so much public benefit.” In the same year he was preferred by the archbishop of Dublin, to the prebend of Howth, and in the next year to
For some time after his conformity, he preached every
Sunday in St. Peter’s church; and the collections for the
poor on every occasion rose four or five-fold above their
usual amount. Before the expiration of his first year, he
was wholly reserved for the task of preaching charity sermons; and on Nov. 5, 1788, the governors of the general
daily schools of several parishes entered into a resolution,
“That from the effects which the discourses of the rev.
Walter Blake Kirwan, from the pulpit, have had, his officiating in this metropolis was considered a peculiar
national advantage, and that vestries should be called to
consider the most effectual method to secure to the city
an instrument, under Providence, of so much public benefit.
” In the same year he was preferred by the archbishop of Dublin, to the prebend of Howth, and in the
next year to the parish of St. Nicholas-Without, the joint
income of which amounted to about 400l. a year. He resigned the prebend, however, on being presented in 1800,
by the marquis Cornwall is, then lord-lieutenant, to the
deanery of Killala, worth about 400l. a year.
let concerning the argument d priori.” 2. “An Answer to bishop Clayton’s Essay on Spirit;” for which archbishop Seeker conferred on him the degree of D. D. 3. “Lord Hervey’s
His works, which discover great learning in a style plain
and perspicuous, were, 1. “The scripture doctrine of the
Existence and Attributes of God, in twelve Sermons, with
a preface, in answer to a pamphlet concerning the argument d priori.
” 2. “An Answer to bishop Clayton’s Essay
on Spirit;
” for which archbishop Seeker conferred on him
the degree of D. D. 3. “Lord Hervey’s and Dr. Middleton’s Letters on the Roman Senate.
” 4. “Observations on the Tithe Bill.
” 5. “Dialogue on the Test Act.
”
6. “Primitive Christianity in favour of tha Trinity;
” attempted to be answered by Mr. Capel Lofft. 7. “Observations on the divine mission of Moses.
” 8. “Advice to
a young clergyman, in six letters.
” 9. “The Passion, a
sermon.
” 10. “On Charity Schools, on Sunday Schools,
and a preparatory discourse on Confirmation.
” Though he
occasionally meddled with controversial points, yet he always conducted himself with the urbanity of a scholar,
the politeness of a gentleman, and the meekness of a
Christian. He had particularly directed his studies to the
acquirement of biblical learning; and, by temporary seclusion from the world, had stored his mind with the treasures of divine wisdom. As a preacher, he was justly admired. His delivery in the pulpit was earnest and impressive his language nervous and affecting; his manner
plain and artless. His discourses were evidently written to
benefit those to whom they were addressed, not to acquire
for himself the title of a popular preacher. It was his grand
object to strike at the root of moral depravity, to rouse up
the languishing spirit of devotion, to improve the age, and
to lead men to the observance of those moral duties,
which his Divine Master taught them to regard as the essentials of his religion. To the doctrines of the Church of
England he was a zealous friend; but, at the same time,
he was also the friend of toleration. As a parish priest,
he stood unrivalled among his order; exemplary in his
conduct, unremitted in his attention to the duties of his
station, blending in his ordinary conversation affability and
openness, with that gravity of demeanour which well becomes a minister of the gospel persuasive in his addresses
to his hearers, and adorning his doctrine by his life he
will be long and unaffectedly lamented by his numerous
parishioners. His only daughter was married, in 1780, to
the rev. Benjamin Underwood, rector of East Barnet, and
of St. Mary Abchurch, London.
don, and was appointed to preach before the king and council at Westminster; who recommended Cranmer archbishop of Canterbury to give him the living of Allhallows in London,
He now set openly, and with a boldness peculiar to his character, to preach the doctrines of the reformation, although he had received no ordination, unless such as the small band of reformers could give; a circumstance which, although objected to by some ecclesiastical historians, was not accounted any impediment to 1m afterwards receiving promotion at the hands of the English prelates. His first sermon was upon Dan. vii. 23 28; from which text he proved, to the satisfaction of his auditors, that the pope was Antichrist, and that the doctrine of the Romish church was contrary to the doctrine of Christ and his apostles; and he likewise gave the notes both of the true church, and of the antichristian church. Hence he was convened by his superiors; he was also engaged in disputes; but things went prosperously on, and Knox continued diligent in the discharge of his ministerial function tillJuly 1547, when the castle of St. Andrew’s, in which he was, was surrendered to the French; and then he was carried with the garrison into France. He remained a prisoner on. board the galleys, till the latter end of 1549, when being set at liberty, he passed into England; and, going to London, was there licensed, either by Cranmer, or Somerset the protector, and appointed preacher, first at Berwick, and next at Newcastle. During this employ, he received a summons, in 1551, to appear before Cuthbert Tonstall, bishop of Durham, for preaching against the mass. In 1552, he was appointed chaplain to Edward VI.; it being thought fit, as Strype relates, that the king should retain six chaplains in ordinary, who should not only wait on him, but be itineraries, and preach the gospel over all the nation. The sanje year he came into some trouble, on account of a bold sermon preached upon Christmas-day, at Newcastle, against the obstinacy of the papists. In 1552-3, he returned to London, and was appointed to preach before the king and council at Westminster; who recommended Cranmer archbishop of Canterbury to give him the living of Allhallows in London, which was accordingly offered him but he refused it, not caring to conform to the English liturgy, as it then stood. Some say, that king Edward would have promoted him to a bishopric; but that he even fell into a passion when it was offered him, and rejected it as favouring too much of Antichristianism.
possible, to bear the protestant doctrine; which, when the queen had read, she gave to James Beaton, archbishop of Glasgow, with this sarcasm: “Please you, my lord, to read
He continued, however, his place of itinerary preacher
till 1553-4, when queen Mary came to the throne, when
leaving England, he crossed over to Dieppe in France,
and went thence to Geneva. He had not been long there,
when he was called by the congregation of English refugees, then established at Francfort, to be preacher to them;
which vocation he obeyed, though unwillingly, at the command of John Calvin; and he continued his services among
them till some internal disputes about ceremonies broke up
their society. Some of the English, particularly Dr. Cox,
afterwards bishop of Ely, wished for a liturgy according to
king Edward’s form, but Knox and others preferred the
Geneva service; at length the party of Cox, to get rid of
the Scotch reformer, taking advantage of certain unguarded
expressions in one of his former publications, threatened
to accuse him of treason unless he quitted the place, which
he did, and went again to Geneva. After a few months
stay at Geneva, he resolved to visit his native country, and
went to Scotland. Upon his arrival there, he found the
professors of the reformed religion much increased in
number, and formed into a society under the inspection of
some teachers; and he associated with them, and preached
to them. He conversed familiarly with several noble personages, and confirmed them in the truth of the protestant
doctrine. In the winter of 1555, he taught for the most'
part in Edinburgh. About Christmas he went to the west
of Scotland, at the desire of some protestant gentlemen;
but returned to the east soon after. The popish clergy,
being greatly alarmed at the success of Knox in promoting
the protestant cause, summoned him to appear before them
at Edinburgh, May 15, 1556; but, several noblemen and
gentlemen of distinction supporting him, the prosecution
was dropped. This very month he was advised to write to
the queen-regent an earnest letter, to persuade her, if
possible, to bear the protestant doctrine; which, when the
queen had read, she gave to James Beaton, archbishop of
Glasgow, with this sarcasm: “Please you, my lord, to
read a pasquil.
”
ay there was short. He therefore removed to Bazas, and afterwards to Toulouse, where M. de Montchal, archbishop of the city, gave him the direction of a convent of nuns; but
He was no sooner fixed at Amiens, than he endeavoured to become a director of consciences, and presently saw himself at the head of a vast number of devotees; but it is said that his enthusiasm led him to practices more of a carnal than a spiritual nature; and that the discovery of some love-intrigues, in a nunnery, obliged him to seek a retreat elsewhere. For that purpose he chose first PortRoyal; but, as his doctrines or practices were not acceptable, his stay there was short. He therefore removed to Bazas, and afterwards to Toulouse, where M. de Montchal, archbishop of the city, gave him the direction of a convent of nuns; but here, likewise, the indecency of his familiarities with his pupils, under pretence of restoring the notions of primitive purity, and unsuspicious innocence, obliged the bishop, apprehending the consequences of such a converse, to disperse those who had been seduced into different convents, to be better instructed. Labadie endeavoured to inculcate the same practices elsewhere, but, despairing at length to make disciples any longer among the catholics, by whom he was by this time suspected and watched, he betook himself to the reformed, and resolved to try if he could not introduce among them the doctrine and practice of spirituality and mental prayer; with which view, he published three manuals, composed chiefly to set forth the excellence and necessity of that method. But an attempt which he is said to have made upon the chastity of mademoiselle Calonges lost him the esteem and protection of those very persons for whose use his books were particularly written.
bencher in 1578. He had finished his “Perambulation of Kent” in 1570, which after being inspected by archbishop Parker, and the lord treasurer Burleigh, was published in 1576.
In 1570 he appears to have resided at Westcombe, near
Greenwich, of the manor of which he was possessed, and
devoted a great share of his labours to the service of the
county of Kent, but without giving up his profession of
the law, or his connection with Lincoln’s-inn, of which
society he was admitted a bencher in 1578. He had
finished his “Perambulation of Kent
” in Dictionarium Angliae
Topographicum et Historicum.
” Camden, in praising his
“Perambulation,
” and acknowledging his obligations to
it, calls the author “eminent for learning and piety;
” by
the latter quality alluding probably to his founding an hospital for the poor at East-Greenwich, in Kent, said to
have been the first founded by a protestant. The queen
(Elizabeth) granted her letters patent for the foundation of
this hospital in 1574; and it was finished, and the poor admitted into it in October, 1576. It was to be called “The
college of the poor of queen Elizabeth.
” An account of
its endowment and present state may be seen in our principal authority, and in Lysons’s “Environs.
”
, archbishop of Canterbury in the eleventh century, was an Italian, and born
, archbishop of Canterbury in the eleventh century, was an Italian, and born in 1005 at Pavia, being son of a counsellor to the senate of that town; but, losing his father in his infancy, he went to Bologna. Hence, having prosecuted his studies for some time, he removed into France in the reign of Henry I. and taught some time at Avranches, where he had many pupils of high rank. In a journey to Rouen, he had the misfortune to be robbed, and tied to a tree on the road, where he remained till next day, when being released by some passengers, he retired to the abbey of Bee, lately founded, and there took the monk’s habit in 1041. He was elected prior of this religious house in 1044; and opened a school, which in a little time became very famous, and was frequented by students from all parts of Europe. Amongst others, some of the scholars of Berenger, archdeacon of Angers, and master of the school at Tours, left that, and went to study at the abbey of Bee. This, it is said, excited the envy of Berenger, and gave rise to a long and violent controversy between him and Lanfranc, on the subject of the eucharist. (See Berengarius). In 1049, Lanfranc took a journey to Rome, where he declared his sentiments to pope Leo IX. against the doctrine of Berenger; for Berenger had xvritten him a letter, which gave room to suspect Lanfranc to be of his opinion. Soon after, he assisted in the council of Verceil, where he expressly opposed Berenger’s notions. He returned a second time to Rome in 1059, and assisted in the council held at the Lateran by pope Nicholas II. in which Berenger abjured the doctrine that he had till then maintained. Lanfranc now obtained a dispensation from the pope, for the marriage of William duke of Normandy with a daughter of the earl of Flanders his cousin. On his return to France, he rebuilt his abbey at Bee; but was soon removed from it by the duke of Normandy, who in 1062 made him abbot of St. Stephen’s at Caen in that province, where he established a new academy, which became no less famous than his former one at Bee. This duke, coming to the crown of England, sent for Lanfranc, who was elected archbishop of Canterbury in 1070, in the room of Stigand, who had been deposed by the pope’s legate. He was no sooner consecrated to this see, than he wrote to pope Alexander II. begging leave to resign it; which not being complied with, he afterwards sent ambassadors to Rome to beg the pall; but Hildebrand answering, in the pope’s name, that the pall was not granted to any person in his absence (which was not strictly true, as it had been sent to Austin, Justus, and Honorius), he went thither to receive that honour in 1071. Alexander paid him a particular respect, in rising to give him audience this pontiff, indeed, had a special regard for him, having studied under him in the abbey of Bee and kissed him, instead of presenting his slipper for that obeisance, nor was he satisfied with giving him the usual pall, but invested him with that pall of which he himself had made use in celebrating mass. Before his departure, Lanfranc defended the metropolitical rights of his see against the claims of the archbishop of York, and procured them to be confirmed by a national council in 1075, wherein several rules of discipline were established. At length, presuming to make remonstrances to the Conqueror upon some oppressions of the subjects, though he offered them with a becoming respect, the monarch received them with disdain and asked him, with an oath, if he thought it possible for a king to keep all his promises From this time, our archbishop lost his majesty’s favour, and was observed afterwards with a jealous eye. He enjoyed, however, the favour of William II. during the remainder of his life. Some years before this, Gregory VII. having summoned him several times to come to Rome, to give an account of his faith, at length sent him a citation to appear there in four months, on pain of suspension: Lanfranc, however, did not think proper to obey the summons. He died May 28, 1089.
s, mox Latinorum, syllabus alphabeticus,” Oxford, 1607, 8vo, drawn up by our author at the desire of archbishop Usher, but left imperfect; which being found among his papers,
Our author was much esteemed by several learned men
of his time, and held a literary correspondence with Usher
and Selden. He was screened from the persecutions of
the then prevailing powers, to whom he so far submitted
as to continue quiet without opposing them, employing
himself in promoting learning, and preserving the discipline of the university, as well as that of his own college.
With what spirit he did this, is best seen in the following
passages of two letters, one to Usher, and the other to
Selden. In the first, dated from Queen’s-college, Feb. 9,
1646-7, he gives the following account of himself: “For
myself, I cannot tell what account to make of my present
employment. J have many irons in the fire, but of no
great consequence. I do not know how soon I shall be
called to give up, and am therefore putting my house in
order, digesting the confused notes and papers left me
by several predecessors, both in the university and college,
which I purpose to leave in a better method than I found
them. At Mr. Patrick Young’s request, I have undertaken
the collation of Constantino’s Geoponics with two Mss.
in our public library, upon which I am forced to bestow
some vacant hours. In our college I am ex officio to moderate divinity-disputations once a week. My honoured
friend Dr. Duck has given me occasion to make some inquiry after the law; and the opportunity of an ingenious
young man, come lately from Paris, who has put up a
private course of anatomy, has prevailed with me to engage myself for his auditor and spectator three days a
week, four hours each time. But this I do ut explorator,
non ut transfuga. For, though 1 am not solicitous to engage myself in that great and weighty calling of the ministry after this new way, yet I would lothe to be teiTrorautriit
as to divinity. Though I am very insufficient to make a
master-builder, yet I could help to bring in materials from
that public store in our library, to which I could willingly
consecrate the remainder of my days, and count it no loss
to be deprived of all other accommodations, so I might
be permitted to enjoy the liberty of my conscience, and
study in that place. But if there be such a price set upon
the latter as I cannot reach without pawning the former, I
am resolved. The Lord’s will be done.
” The other letter to Selden, is dated Nov. 8, 1653; “I was not so much
troubled to hear of that fellow, who lately, in London, maintained in public that learning is a sin, as to see some men,
v.onld he accounted none of the meanest among ourselves here at home, under pretence of piety, go about to
banish it th university. I cannot make any better construction of a late order made by those whom we call visitors, upon occasion of an election last week at All-Souls
college to this effect, that for the future, no scholar be
chosen into any place in any college, unless he bring a
testimony, under the hands of four persons at least (not electors) known to these visitors to be truly godly men,
that he who stands for such a place is himself truly godly;
and by arrogating to themselves this power, they sit judges
of all men’s consciences, and have rejected some, against
whom they had no other exceptions, (being certified by such to whom their conversations were best known, to be unblameable, and statutably elected, after due examination and approbation of their sufficiency by that society),
merely upon this account, that the persons who testified
in their behalf are not known to these visitors to be regenerate. I intend (God willing) ere long to have an election in our college, and have not professed that I'will not
submit to this order. Howl shall speed in it, I do not
pretend to foresee; but if I be baffled, I shall hardly be
silent.
” Dr. Langbaine’s works were, 1. his Longinus,
Oxon. 1636 and 1638, 8vo. 2. “Brief Discourse relating
to the times of Edward VI.; or, the state of the times as
they stood in the reign of King Edward VI. By way of
Preface to a book intituled The true subject to the rebel:
or, the hurt of sedition, &c. written by sir John Cheek.
”
Oxford, 1641, in 4to. To this Dr. Langbaine prefixed
the life of sir John Cheek. 3. “Episcopal Inheritance;
or, a Reply to the humble examination of a printed abstract; or the answers to nine reasons of the House of
Commons against the votes of bishops in Parliament,
” Oxford, A determination
of the late learned Bishop of Salisbury (Davenant) Englished.
” These two pieces were reprinted at London in
A Review of the Covenant: wherein the original, grounds, means, matter, and ends of it are examined; and out of the principles of the remonstunce*,
declarations, votes, orders and ordinances of trie prime
covenanters, or the firmer grounds of scripture, law, and
reason, disproved,
” Answer of the Chancellor, master and
scholars of the university of Oxford, to the petition, articles of grievance, and reasons of the city of Oxford; presented to the committee for regulating the University of
Oxford, 24 July 1649,
” Oxford, 1649, 4to; reprinted in
1678, with a book entitled “A defence of the rights and
privileges of the University of Oxford,
” &c. published by
James Harrington, then bachelor (soon after master) of
arts, and student of Christ-church, at Oxford, 1690, 4to.
6. “Quacstiones pro more solenni in Vesperiis propositac
ann. 1651,
” Oxford, Platonicorum aliquot, qui
etiamnum supersunt, Authorum, Graecorum, imprimis,
mox Latinorum, syllabus alphabeticus,
” Oxford, Alcini, in Plutonicam Philosophiam Introductio,
”
published by Dr. John Fell, dean of Christ-church. 8.
There is also ascribed to our author, “A View of the New
Directory, and a Vindication of the ancient Liturgy of
the Church of England: in answer to the reasons pretended
in the ordinance and preface for the abolishing the one,
and establishing the other,
” Oxford, The Foundation of
the university of Oxford, with a Catalogue of the principal
founders and special benefactors of all the colleges, and
total number of students,
” &c. London, 165I,4to f mostly
taken from the Tables of John Scot of Cambridge, printed
in '622. 2. “The Foundation of the University of Cambridge, with a Catalogue,
” &c. printed with the forme?
Catalogue, and taken from Mr. Scot’s Tables. He likewise laboured very much in finishing archbishop Usher’s
book, entitled “Chronologia Sacra,
” but died when he
had almost completed it, which was done by Barlow. He
translated into Latin “Reasons of the present judgment
of the university concerning the solemn League and Covenant,
” and assisted Dr. Robert Sanderson, and Dr.
Richard Zouch, in the drawing up of those Reasons. He
translated into English “A Review of the Council of Trent,
written in French by a learned Roman catholic,
” Oxford,
Antiq. Academ. Oxon.
” and that he was intent upon it when he died.
But Mr. Wood observes, that Dr. Thomas Barlow and Dr.
Lamplugh, who looked over his library after his death,
assured him that they saw nothing done towards such a
design. Dr. Langbaine assisted Dr. Arthur Duck in composing his book “De usu & authoritate Juris Civilis Homanorum in Dominiis Principum Christianorum,
” London,
, archbishop of Canterbury, and cardinal, was probably born at Langham in
, archbishop of Canterbury, and cardinal, was probably born at Langham in Rutlandshire, whence he took his name, but the date is nowhere specified. He became a monk of St. Peter, Westminster, in 1335, and soon attained a considerable degree of eminence among his brethren. In 1346 he officiated at the triennial chapter of the Benedictines, held at Northampton, by whom in 1349 he was elected prior, and two months after abbot. The revenues of this monastery having been much wasted in his predecessor’s time, the new abbot directed his attention to a system of ceconomy, and partly by his own example, and partly by earnest persuasion, was soon enabled to pay off their debts. When he began this reformation of the abuses which had crept into the cloister, he (knowing the disposition of his fraternity) thought that those which respected the articles of provision were of the first importance. He therefore took care that their mistricordia, or better than ordinary dishes, and those dinners which were somewhat similar to what in our universities have obtained the names of Exceeding and Gaudy-days, should be common to the whole society; and not, as had formerly been the practice, confined to a few, to the extreme mortification of the rest. To effect this purpose, he relinquished the presents which it had been usual for preceding abbots, at certain times, to accept.
ed by the pope Urban the Fifth, “for the correction of the abuse of the privilege of pluralities. 77 Archbishop Langham was indefatigable in his inquiry through his diocese;
The king, Edward 111. perceiving his talents and sagacity, promoted him in 1360 to the place of lord treasurer,
and in 1361 he was chosen bishop of London; but the see
of Ely becoming vacant at the same time, he chose the
latter, and was consecrated March 20, 1361-2, and employed its revenues to the encouragement of learning, and
to the relief of the poor. As his character in this high
office began more fully to appear, the king became partial
to Langham, and in Feb. 1364 removed him from the post
of lord treasurer to that of chancellor, and in July 1366, he
was, by papal provision, but at the express desire of the
king, promoted to the see of Canterbury. The most remarkable event which occurred during his administration
was, his undertaking to execute the bull promulgated by
the pope Urban the Fifth, “for the correction of the
abuse of the privilege of pluralities. 77 Archbishop Langham was indefatigable in his inquiry through his diocese;
and the result of it was,
” the reformation of a great many
ecclesiastics who held an enormous number of livings, some
of them twenty or thirty, with the cure of souls."
his predecessor Simon Islip. Whether his holding tenets which might then be deemed heretical was the archbishop’s true reason for ejecting him, does not appear. That which
His conduct hitherto had been becoming his station, but we have now to record one action of his which, as Anthony Wood says, it is impossible to defend. This was the removal of the celebrated John Wickliff from his situation as head of a hall at Oxford, called Canterbury-hall, founded by his predecessor Simon Islip. Whether his holding tenets which might then be deemed heretical was the archbishop’s true reason for ejecting him, does not appear. That which he avowed was, that having a desire that the hall should be a college for the education of monks, he thought a secular priest (between whom and the monastic order it is well known a considerable jealousy subsisted) would be an improper person for their governor. But although this might have been the opinion of the prelate, it does not appear to have been that of the society; the fellows of which convened a meeting, in whichfthey drew up a spirited remonstrance against the tyranny of their superior. This was so ill receded by him, and their subsequent conduct considered as so contumacious, that he sequestered a large portion of their revenue. War was now declared on both sides. The society appealed to the pope, the archbishop sent an agent to Rome to answer for him; and he had interest enough to induce his holiness to confirm the decree by which Wickliff and some other refractory members of the fraternity were removed, and their places filled with those who were more steady adherents to nonachism, and consequently more devoted to the will of the archbishop.
him to the dignity of cardinal bishop of Praeneste. On the death of Wittelsey, who succeeded him as archbishop of Canterbury, the monks endeavoured to persuade the king to
The death of pope Urban happened at a period, as it was thought, critical to the affairs of the cardinal, as well as to those of the two kingdoms of England and France, as he had just appointed him to mediate a peace between them. But Gregory the Eleventh, who succeeded Urban, as sensible of his merit as his predecessor, confirmed his appointment, and even enlarged his powers. This treaty Tailing, as nad been foreseen by the cardinal, he proceeded from Melun, the place where he had met cardinal de Beauvois, to England with the sense of the French court upon the negotiation. Although unsuccessful in this business, he had, whilst abroad, an opportunity of displaying his diplomatic talents, wnich had a more fortunate issue. Through his (oediation a peace was made betwixt the king and the earl of Flanders, who had been at variance upon the account of the earl’s breaking his engagement to marry his daughter to Edmund earl of Cambridge, and betrothing her to Philip, the brother of Charles the Fifth, king of France. In the beginning of 1372, cardinal Langham left England in order to return to the pope; and when he arrived at Avignon, he found that his conduct had, during the course of his mission, been misrepresented to the pope, but he so amply satisfied his holiness on that point, that, in the same year, he elevated him to the dignity of cardinal bishop of Praeneste. On the death of Wittelsey, who succeeded him as archbishop of Canterbury, the monks endeavoured to persuade the king to allow Langham to return; but the king was enraged at their insolence, and in this was seconded by the pope, who preferred employing the cardinal at Avignon, where the affairs of the holy see rendered his presence necessary. From this situation, however, Langham had a strong desire to remove, and visit his native country, where he had projected some architectural plans, and meant to devote a large sum of money to the rebuilding of the abbey at Westminster. With this view he procured some friends at court to solicit leave to return, and their applications were successful; but before he could know the issue, he died suddenly of a paralytic stroke, July 22, 1376. His body was, according to 'the direction of his will, first deposited in a new-built church of the Carthusians, near the place of his decease, where it remained for three years. It was then with great state and solemnity removed to Saint Benet’s chapel, in Westminster abbey, where his tomb with his effigy upon it, and the arms of England, the monastery of Saint Peter, and the sees of Canterbury and Ely, engraved in tablets around it, still remains.
officiated as minister, a man of a very amiable character. He was born in 1721, and presented by the archbishop of Canterbury to the rectory of Hakinge, with the perpetual
During Mrs. Langhorne’s life, he produced one poem
only, entitled “Precepts of Conjugal Happiness,
” addressed to Mrs. Nelthorpe, a sister of his wife. To this
lady he committed the care of his infant child, who lived
to acknowledge her friendship, and to discharge the duties of an affectionate son, by the late “Memoirs of his
Father,
” prefixed to an elegant edition of his poems. In
the “Precepts of Conjugal Happiness,
” there is more
good sense than poetry. It appears to have been a temporary effusion on which he bestowed no extraordinary
pains. Not long after Mrs. Langhorne’s death, our author
went to reside at Folkstone, in Kent, where his brother,
the Kev. William Langhorne, then officiated as minister, a
man of a very amiable character. He was born in 1721,
and presented by the archbishop of Canterbury to the rectory of Hakinge, with the perpetual curacy of Folkstone,
in 1754; and on this preferment he passed the remainder
of his life. He published “Job,
” a poem, and a poetical
Paraphrase on a part of Isaiah, neither of which raised
him to the fame of a poet, although they are not without
the merit of correctness and spirit. He died Feb. 17,
1772, and his brother wrote some elegant lines to his memory, which are inscribed on a tablet in the chancel of
Folkstone church. Between these brothers the closest affection subsisted; each was to the other “more the friend
than brother of his heart.
” During their residence together at Folkstone, they were employed in preparing a new
translation of Plutarch’s Lives; and our poet, who became
about this time intimate with Scott, the poet of Amwell
(who likewise had just lost a beloved wife from a similar cause) paid him a visit at Aniwell, where he wrote the monody inscribed to Mr. Scott.
, archbishop of Canterbury in the thirteenth century, a native of England,
, archbishop of Canterbury in
the thirteenth century, a native of England, was educated
at the university of Paris, where he afterwards taught divinity, and explained the Scriptures with much reputation.
His character stood so high, that he was chosen chancellor
of that university, canon of Paris, and dean of Rheims.
He was afterwards sent for to Rome by pope Innocent III.
and created a cardinal. In 1207, the monks of Canterbury having, upon a vacancy taking place in that see,
made a double return, both parties appealed to the pope,
and sent agents to Rome to support their respective claims.
His holiness not only determined against both the contending candidates, but ordered the monks, of Canterbury, then,
at Rome, immediately to proceed to the election of an
archbishop, and, at the same time, commanded them to
choose cardinal Stephen Langton. After various excuses,
which the plenitude of papal power answered, by absolving
these conscientious monks from all sorts of promises, oaths,
&c. and by threatening them with the highest penalties of
the church, they complied; and Langton was consecrated
by the pope at Viterbo. As soon as the news arrived in
England, king John was incensed in the highest degree
both against the pope and monks of Canterbury, which
last experienced the effects of his indignation. He sent
two officers with a company of armed men to Canterbury,
took possession of the monastery, banished the monks out
of the kingdom, and seized all their property. He wrote
a spirited letter to the pope, in which he accused him of
injustice and presumption, in raising a stranger to the
highest dignity in his kingdom, without his knowledge.
He reproached the pope and court of Rome with ingratitude, in not remembering that they derived more riches
from England than from all the kingdoms on this side the
Alps. He assured him, that he was determined to sacrifice his life in defence of the rights of his crown; and that
if his holiness did not immediately repair the injury he had
done him, he would break off all communication with
Rome. The pope, whom such a letter must have irritated
in the highest degree, returned for answer, that if the
king persisted in this dispute, he would plunge himself
into inextricable difficulties, and would at length be crushed by him, before whom every knee must bow, &c. All
this may be deemed insolent and haughty, but it was not
foolish. The pope knew the posture of king John’s affairs
at home he knew that he had lost the affections of his
subjects by his imprudence his only miscalculation was
respecting the spirit of the people for when, which he
did immediately, he laid the kingdom of England under
an interdict, and two years after excommunicated the king,
he was enraged to find that the great barons and their
followers adhered with so much steadiness to their sovereign,
that, while he lay under the sentence of excommunication,
he executed the only two successful expeditions of his
reign, the one into Wales, and the other into Ireland a
proof that if he had continued to act with firmness, and
had secured the affections of his subjects by a mild administration, he might have triumphed over all the arts of
Rome. Such, however, was not the policy of John; and
in the end, he submitted to the most disgraceful terms. In
1213, cardinal Langton arrived in England, and took possession of the see; and though he owed all his advancement to the pope, yet the moment he became an English
baron, he was inspired with a zealous attachment to the
liberties and independence of his country. In the very
year in which he came over, he and six other bishops
joined the party of the barons, who associated to resist the
tyranny of the king; and at length they were successful in
procuring the g eat charter. Langton was equally zealous in opposing the claims of the papal agents, particularly of the pope’s legate, who assumed the right of regulating all ecclesiastical affairs in the most arbitrary manner.
In the grand contest which took place between king John
and the barons about the charter, the archbishop’s patriotic conduct gave such offence to the pope, that, in 1215,
he laid him under a sentence of suspension, and reversed
the election of his brother Simon Langton, who had been
chosen archbishop of York. Yet in the following year we
find Langton assisting at a general council held at Rome;
and during his absence from England at this time, king
John died. In 1222, he held a synod at Oxford, in which
a remarkable canon was made, prohibiting clergymen from
keeping concubines publicly in their houses, or from going
to them in other places so openly as to occasion scandal.
In the following year, he, at the head of the principal nobility, demanded an audience of king Henry III. and demanded of him a confirmation of the charter of their JiberTheir determined manner convinced the king that
their demand was not to be refused, and he instantly gave
s lor the assembling of parliament. The archbishop
shewed, in several instances, that he was friendly to the
legal prerogatives of the crown; and by a firm conduct, in
a case of great difficulty, he prevented the calamity of a
civil war. He died in 1228, leaving behind him many
works, which prove that he was deserving the character of
being a learned and polite author. He wrote “Commentaries
” upon the greatest part of the books of the Old and
New Testament. He was deeply skilled in Aristotelian
dialectics, and the application of them to the doctrines of
Scripture. The first division of the books of the Bible into
chapters is ascribed to this prelate. The history of the
translation of the body of Thomas a Becket was printed at
the end of that archbishop’s letters, at Brussels, 1682; and
there are various Mss. of his in our public libraries. His
letter to king John, with the king’s answer, may be seen,
in d'Achery’s Spicilegium.
doctor of the Sorbonne, and bishop of Soisson, to which see he was promoted in 1715, and afterwards archbishop of>>ens, was distinguished for his polemical writings, and published
, brother of the preceding,
a doctor of the Sorbonne, and bishop of Soisson, to which
see he was promoted in 1715, and afterwards archbishop
of>>ens, was distinguished for his polemical writings, and
published numerous pieces in defence of the bull Unigenitus, in which he was much assisted by M. Tournely,
professor at the Sorbonne; and this celebrated doctor
dying 1729, the appellants then said that Pere de Tournemine directed his pen. M. Languet was appointed
archbishop of Sens, 1731. He was very zealous against
the miracles attributed by the appellants to M. Paris,
and against the famous convulsions. He died May 3,
1753, at Sens, in the midst of his curates, whom he then
kept in retirement. M. Languet was a member of the
French academy, superior of the royal society of Navarre,
and counsellor of state. His works are, three “Advertisements
” to the appellants; several “Pastoral Letters,
Instructions, Mandates, Letters,
” to different persons, and
other writings in favour of the bull Unigenitus, and against
the Anti-Constitutionarians, the miracles ascribed to M.
Paris, and the convulsions, which were impostures then
obtruded on the credulity of the French, but which he
proved to have neither certainty nor evidence. All the
above have been translated into Latin, and printed at Sens,
1753, 2 vols. fol.; but this edition of M. Lang.uet’s “Polemical Works,
” was suppressed by a decree of council.
He published also a translation of the Psalms, 12mo; a
refutation of Dom. Claudius de Vert’s treatise “On the
Church Ceremonies,
” 12mo. Several books of devotion;
and “The Life of Mary Alacoque,
” which made much
noise, and is by no means worthy of this celebrated archbishop, on account of its romantic and fabulous style, the
inaccurate expressions, indecencies, dangerous principles,
and scandalous maxims which it contains. Languet is esteemed by the catholics as among the divines who wrote
best against the Anti-constitutionarians, and is only chargeable with not having always distinguished between dogmas
and opinions, and with not unfrequently advancing as articles of faith, sentiments which are opposed by orthodox
and very learned divines.
The principal persons at this time concerned in ecclesiastical affairs were cardinal Wolsey, Warham archbishop of Canterbury, and Tunstal bishop of London; and as Henry VIII.
The principal persons at this time concerned in ecclesiastical affairs were cardinal Wolsey, Warham archbishop of Canterbury, and Tunstal bishop of London; and as Henry VIII. was now in the expectation of having the business of his divorce ended in a regular way at Rome, he was careful to observe all forms of civility with the pope. The cardinal therefore erected a court, consisting of bishops, divines, and canonists, to put the laws in execution against heresy: of this court Tunstal was made president; and Bilney, Latimer, and one or two more, were called before him. Bilney was considered as the heresiarch, and against him chiefly the rigour of the court was levelled; and they succeeded so far that he was prevailed upon to recant: accordingly he bore his faggot, and was dismissed. As for Latimer, and the rest, they had easier terms: Tunstal omitted no opportunities of shewing mercy; and the heretics, upon their dismission, returned to Cambridge, where they were received with open arms by tlicir friends. Amidst this mutual joy, Bilney alone seemed unaffected: he shunned the sight of hi* acquaintance, and received their congratulations with confusion and blushes. In short, he was struck with remorse for what he bad done, grew melancholy, and, after leading an ascetic life for three years, resolved to expiate his abjuration by death. In this resolution he went to Norfolk, the place of his nativity; and, preaching publicly against popery, he was apprehended by order of the bishop of Norwich, and, after lying a while in the county gaol, was executed in that city.
to appear before him; and, when he appealed to his own ordinary, a citation was obtained out of the archbishop’s court, where Stokesley and other bishops were commissioned
His enemies, however, were not thus silenced. The party
against him became daily stronger, and more inflamed. It
consisted in general of the country priests in those parts,
headed by some divines of more eminence. These persons,
after mature deliberation, drew up articles against him, extracted chiefly from his sermons; in which he was charged
with speaking lightly of the worship of saints; with saying
there was no material fire in hell; and that he would rather
be in purgatory than in Lollard’s tower. This charge being
laid before Stokesley bishop of London, that prelate cited
Latimer to appear before him; and, when he appealed to
his own ordinary, a citation was obtained out of the archbishop’s court, where Stokesley and other bishops were
commissioned to examine him. An archiepiscopal citation
brought him at once to a compliance. His friends would
have had him fly for it; but their persuasions were in vain.
He set out for London in the depth of winter, and under
a severe fit of the stone and cholic; but he was more distressed at the thoughts of leaving his parish exposed to
the popish clergy, who would not fail to undo in his absence what he had hitherto done. On his arrival at London, he found a court of bishops and canonists ready to
receive him; where, instead of being examined, as he expected, about his sermons, a paper was put into his hands,
which he was ordered to subscribe, declaring his belief in
the efficacy of masses for the souls in purgatory, of prayers
to the dead saints, of pilgrimages to their sepulchres and
reliques, the pope’s power to forgive sins, the doctrine of
merit, the seven sacraments, and the worship of images;
and, when he refused to sign it, the archbishop with a
frown begged he would consider what he did. “We intend
not,
” says he, “Mr. Latimer, to be hard upon you; we
dismiss you for the present; take a copy of the articles,
examine them carefully; and God grant that, at our next
meeting, we may find each other in a better temper!
”
At the next and several succeeding meet ings the same scene
was acted over again. He continued inflexible, and they
continued to distress him. Three times every week they
regularly sent for him, with a view either to draw something from him by captious questions, or to teaze him at
length into compliance. Of one of these examinations he
gives the following account: “1 was brought out,
” says
he, “to be examined in the same chamber as before; but
at this time it was somewhat altered: for, whereas before
there was a fire in the chimney, now the fire was taken
away, and an arras hanged over the chimney, and the table
stood near the chimney’s end. There was, among these
bishops that examined me, one with whom I have been
very familiar, and whom I took for my great friend, an
aged man; and he sat next the table-end. Then, among
other questions, he put forth one, a very subtle and crafty
one; and when I should make answer, * I pray you, Mr.
Latimer,‘ said he, * speak out, I am very thick of hearing,
and there be many that sit far off.’ I marvelled at this,
that I was bidden to speak out, and began to misdeem,
and gave an ear to the chimney; and there I heard a pen
plainly scratching behind the cloth. They had appointed
one there to write all my answers, that I should not start
from them. God was my good Lord, and gave me answers I could never else have escaped them.
” At length
he was tired out with such usage and when he was next
summoned, instead of going himself, he sent a letter to
the archbishop, in which, with great freedom, he tells him,
that “the treatment he had of late met with, had fretted
him into such a disorder as rendered him unfit to attend
that day that, in the mean time, he could not help taking
this opportunity to expostulate with his grace for detaining
him so long from the discharge of his duty; that it seemed
to him most unaccountable, that they, who never preached
themselves, should hinder others; that, us for their examination of him, he really could not imagine what they
aimed at; they pretended one thing in the beginning,
and another in the progress; that, if his sermons were
what gaveofTence, which he persuaded himself were neither
contrary to the truth, nor to any canon of the church, he
was ready to answer whatever might be thought exceptionable in them; that he wished a little more regard might
be had to the judgment of the people; and that a distinction might be made between the ordinances of God and
man; that if some abuses in religion did prevail, as was
then commonly supposed, he thought preaching was the
best means to discountenance them; that he wished all
pastors might be obliged to perform their duty: but that,
however, liberty might be given to those who were willing;
that, as for the articles proposed to him, he begged to be
excused from subscribing them; while he lived, he never
would abet superstition: and that, lastly, he hoped the
archbishop would excuse what he had written; he knew
his duty to his superiors, and would practise it: but, in
that case, he thought a stronger obligation laid upon
him.
”
lord Cromwell, whose favour with the king was now in its meridian. Next to him in power was Cranmer archbishop of Canterbury, after whom the bishop of Worcester was the most
While his endeavours to reform were thus confined to
his diocese, he was called upon to exert them in a more
public 'manner, by a summons to parliament and convocation in 1536. This session was thought a crisis by the
Protestant party, at the head of which stood the lord
Cromwell, whose favour with the king was now in its meridian. Next to him in power was Cranmer archbishop
of Canterbury, after whom the bishop of Worcester was
the most considerable man of the party; to whom were
added the bishops of Ely, Rochester, Hereford, Salisbury,
and St. David’s. On the other hand, the popish party was
headed by Lee archbishop of York, Gardiner, Stokesley,
and Tunstal, bishops of Winchester, London, and Durham. The convocation was opened as usual by a sermon,
or rather an oration, spoken, at the appointment of Cranmer, by the bishop of Worcester, whose eloquence was at
this time everywhere famous. Many warm debates passed
in this assembly; the result of which was, that four sacraments out of the seven were concluded to be insignificant:
but, as the bishop of Worcester made no figure in them,
for debating was not his talent, it is beside our purpose to
enter into a detail of what was done in it. Many alterations were made in favour of the reformation; and, a few
months after, the Bible was translated into English, and
recommended to general perusal in October 1537.
In the mean time the bishop of Worcester, highly satisfied with the prospect of the times, repaired to his diocese,
having made a longer stay in London than was absolutely
necessary. He had no talents for state affairs, and therefore meddled not with them. It is upon that account that
bishop Burnet speaks very slightingly of his public character at this time, but it is certain that Latimer never desired
to appear in any public character at all. His whole ambition was to discharge the pastoral functions of a bishop,
neither aiming to display the abilities of a statesman, nor
those of a courtier. How very unqualified he was to support the latter of these characters, will sufficiently appear
from the following story. It was the custom in those days
for the bishops to make presents to the king on New-year’sday, and many of them would present very liberally, proportioning their gifts to their expectations. Among the
rest, the bishop of Worcester, being at this time in town,
waited upon the king with his offering; but instead of a
purse of gold, which was the common oblation, he presented a New Testament, with a leaf doubled down, in a
very conspicuous manner, to this passage, “Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
”
re than two years, interfering as little as possible in any public transaction; only he assisted the archbishop in composing the homilies, which were set forth by authority
Immediately upon the accession of Edward VI. he and all others who were imprisoned in the same cause, were set at liberty; and Latimer, whose old friends were now in power, was received by them with every mark of affection. He would have found no difficulty in dispossessing Heath, in every respect an insignificant man, who had succeeded to his bishopric: but he had other sentiments, and would neither make suit himself, nor suffer his friends to make any, for his restoration. However, this was done by the parliament, who, after settling the national concerns, sent up an address to the protector to restore him: and the protector was very well inclined, and proposed the resumption to Latimer as a point which he had very much at heart; but LatinYer persevered in the negative, alleging his great age, and the claim he had from thence to a private life. Having thus rid himself of all incumbrance, he accepted an invitation from Cranmer, and took up his residence at Lambeth, where he led a very retired life, being chiefly employed in hearing the complaints and redressing the injuries, of the poor people. And, indeed, his character for services of this kind was so universally known, that strangers from every part of England would resort to him, so that he had as crowded a levee as a minister of state. In these employments he spent more than two years, interfering as little as possible in any public transaction; only he assisted the archbishop in composing the homilies, which were set forth by authority in the first year of king Edward; he was also appointed to preach the Lent sermons before his majesty, which office he performed during the first three years of his reign. As to his sermons, which are still extant, they are, indeed, far enough from being exact pieces of composition: yet, his simplicity and familiarity, his humour and gibing drollery, were well adapted to the times; and his oratory, according to the mode of eloquence at that day, was exceedingly popular. His action and manner of preaching too were very affecting, for he spoke immediately from his heart His abilities, however, as an orator, made only the inferior part of his character as a preacher. What particularly recommends him is, that noble and apostolic zeal whi^h he exerts in the cause of truth.
, archbishop of Canterbury, was son of William Laud, a clothier of Heading,
, archbishop of Canterbury, was son of William Laud, a clothier of Heading, in Berkshire, by Lucy his wife, widow of John Robinson, of the same place, and sister to sir William Webbe, afterwards lord-mayor of London, in 1591. His father died in 1594, leaving his son, after his mother’s decease, the house which he inhabited in Broad-street, and two others in Swallowfield; 1200l. in money, and the stock in trade. The widow was to have the interest of half the estate during her life. She died in 1600. These circumstances, although in themselves of little importance, it is necessary to mention as a contradiction to the assertion of Prynne, that he was of poor and obscure parents, which was repeated by lord Say, in the house of peers. He was born at Reading, Oct. 7, 1573, and educated at the free-school there, till July 1589; when, removing to St. John’s college, in Oxford, he became a scholar of the house in 1590, and fellow in 1593. He took the degree of A. B. in 1594, and that of master in 1598. He was this year chosen grammarlecturer; and being ordained priest in 1601, read, the following year, a divinity-lecture in his college, which was then supported by Mrs. Maye. In some of these chapel exercises he maintained against the puritans, the perpetual visibility of the church of Rome till the reformation; by which he incurred the displeasure of Dr. Abbot, then vice-chancellor of the university, who maintained that the visibility of the church of Christ might be deduced through other channels to. the time of that reformation. In 1603, Laud was one of the proctors; and the same year became- chaplain to Charles Blonnt, earl of Devonshire, whom he inconsiderately married, Dec. 26, 1605, to Penelope, then wife of Robert lord Rich; an affair that exposed him afterwards to much censure, and created him great uneasiness; in reality, it made so deep an impression upon him, that he ever after kept that day as a day of fasting and humiliation.
, Dr. Bnckeridge, president of St. John’s, being promoted to the see of Rochester, Abbot, newly made archbishop of Canterbury, who had disliked Laud’s principles at Oxford,
He proceeded B. D. July 6, 1604. In his exercise for this degree, he maintained these two points: the necessity of baptism; and that there could be no true church without diocesan bishops. These were levelled also against the puritans, and he was rallied by the divinity-professor. He likewise gave farther offence to the Calvinists, by a sermon preached before the university in 1606; and we are told it was made heresy for any to be seen in his company, and a misprision of heresy to give him a civil salutation; his learning, parts, and principles, however, procured him some friends. His first preferment was the vicarage of Stanford, in Northamptonshire, in 1607; and in 1608 he obtained the advowson of North Kilworth, in Leicestershire. He was no sooner invested in these livings, but he put the parsonage- houses in good repair, and gave twelve poor people a constant allowance out of them, which was his constant practice in all his subsequent preferments. This same year he commenced D. D. and was made chaplain to Neile, bishop of Rochester; and preached his first sermon before king James, at Theobalds, Sept. 17, 1609. In order to be near his patron, he exchanged North Kilworth for the rectory of West Tilbury, in Essex, into which he was inducted in 1609. The following year, the bishop gave him the living of Cuckstone, in Kent, on which he resigned his fellowship, left Oxford, and settled at Cuckstone; but the un-healthiness of that place having thrown him into an ague, he exchanged it soon after for Norton, a benefice of less value, but in a better air. In Dec. 1610, Dr. Bnckeridge, president of St. John’s, being promoted to the see of Rochester, Abbot, newly made archbishop of Canterbury, who had disliked Laud’s principles at Oxford, complained of him to the lord-chancellor Ellesmere, chancellor of the university; alledging that he was cordially addicted to popery. The complaint was supposed to be made, in order to prevent his succeeding Buckeridge in the presidentship of his college; and the lord-chancellor carrying it to the king, all his credit, interest, and advancement, would probably have been destroyed thereby, had not his firm friend bishop Neile contradicted the reports to his discredit. He was therefore elected president May 10, 1611, though then sick in London, and unable either to make interest in person or by writing to his friends; and the king not only con finned his election, after a hearing of three hours at Tichbonrn, but as a farther token of his favour, made him one of his chaplains, upon the recommendation of bishop Neile. Laud having thus attained a footing at court, flattered himself with hopes of great and immediate preferment; but abp. Abbot always opposing applications in his behalf, after three years fruitless waiting, he was upon the point of leaving the court, and retiring wholly to his college, when his friend and patron Neile, newly translated to Lincoln, prevailed with him to stay one year longer, and in the mean time gave him the prebend of Bugden, in the church of Lincoln, in 16 14; and the archdeaconry of Huntingdon the following year.
s, occasioned such animosity between these two prelates as was attended with the worst consequences. Archbishop Abbot also, resolving to depress Laud as long as he could, left
About Oct. 1623, the lord-keeper Williams’s jealousy of Laud, as a rival in the duke of Buckingham’s favour, and other misunderstandings or misrepresentations on both sides, occasioned such animosity between these two prelates as was attended with the worst consequences. Archbishop Abbot also, resolving to depress Laud as long as he could, left him out of the high commission, of which he complained to the duke of Buckingham, Nov. 1624, and then was put into the commission. Yet he was not so attached to Buckingham, as not to oppose the design, formed by that nobleman, of appropriating the endowment of the Charter-house to the maintenance of an army, under pretence of its being for the king’s advantage and the ease of the subject. In December this year, he presented to the duke a tract, drawn up at his request, under ten heads, concerning doctrinal puritanism. He corresponded also with him, during his absence in France, respecting Charles the First’s marriage with the princess Henrietta-Maria; and that prince, soon after his accession to the throne, wanting to regulate the number of his chaplains, and to know the principles and qualifications of the most eminent divines in his kingdom, our bishop was ordered to draw a list of them, which he distinguished by the letter O for orthodox, and P for puritans. At Charles’s coronation, Feb. 2, 1625-6, he officiated as dean of Westminster, in the room of Williams, then in disgrace; and has been charged, although unjustly, with altering the coronationoath. In 1626 he was translated from St. David’s to Bath and Wells and in 1628 to London. The king having appointed him dean of his chapel-royal, in 1626, and taken him into the privy-council in 1627, he was likewise in the commission for exercising archiepiscopal jurisdiction during Abbot’s sequestration. In the third parliament of king Charles, which met March 17, 1627, he was voted a favourer of the Arminians, and one justly suspected to be unsound in his opinions that >vay accordingly, his name was inserted as such in the Commons’ remonstrance and, because he was thought to be the writer of the king’s speeches, and of the duke of Buckingham’s answer to his impeachment, &c. these suspicions so exposed him to popular rage, that his life was threatened . About the same time, he was put into an ungracious office; namely, in a commission for raising money by impositions, which the Commons called excises; but it seems never to have been executed.
that envy and jealousy, already too strong, which at length proved fatal to him. Upon the decline of archbishop Abbot’s health and favour at court, Laud’s concurrence in the
After the duke of Buckingham’s murder, Laud became
chief favourite to Charles I. which augmented indeed his
power and interest, but at the same time increased that
envy and jealousy, already too strong, which at length
proved fatal to him. Upon the decline of archbishop Abbot’s health and favour at court, Laud’s concurrence in the
very severe prosecutions carried on in the high-commission
and star-chamber courts, against preachers and writers,
did him great prejudice with most people. Among these,
however, it has been remarked that his prosecution of the
king’s printers, for leaving out the word “not,
” in the
seventh commandment, cpuld be liable to no just objection. On May 13, 163 3, he left London to attend
the king, who was about to set out for his coronation in
Scotland, and was sworn a privy-counsellor of that kingdom, June 15, and, on the 26th, came back to Fulham.
During his stay in Scotland he formed a resolution of
bringing that cnurch to a conformity with the church of
Englan I; but the king committed the framing of a liturgy
to a select number of Scottish bishops, who, inserting several variations from the English liturgy, were opposed
strenuously but unsuccessfully, by Laud. Having endeavoured to supplant Abbot, “whom,
” as Fuller observes
in his Church History, “he could not be contented to
succeed,
” upon his death in August this year,' he was
appointed his successor. That very morning, August 4,
there came one to him at Greenwich, with a serious offer
(and an avowed ability to perform it) of a cardinal’s hat;
which offer was repeated on the 17th; but his answer both
times was, “that somewhat dwelt within him which would
not suffer that till Home were other than it is.
” On Sept.
14 he was elected chancellor of the university of Dublin.
In 1634 our archbishop did the poor Irish clergy a very important service, by obtaining
In 1634 our archbishop did the poor Irish clergy a very important service, by obtaining for them, from the king, a grant of all the impropriations then remaining in the crown. He also improved and settled the revenues of the London clergy in a better manner than before. On Feb. 5, 1634-5, he was put into the great committee of trade, and the king’s revenue, and appointed one of the commissioners of the treasury, March the 4th, upon the death of Weston earl of Portland. Besides this, he was, tvVo days after, called into the foreign committee, and had likewise the sole disposal of whatsoever concerned the church; but he fell into warm disputes with the lord^Cottington, chancellor of the exchequer, who took all opportunities of imposing upon him . After having continued for a year commissioner of the treasury, and acquainted himself with the mysteries of it, he procured the lord-treasurer’s staff" for Dr. William Juxon, who had through his interest been successively advanced to the presidentship of St. John’s college, deanery of Worcester, clerkship of his majesty’s closet, and bishopric of London, as already noticed in our life of Juxon. For some years Laud had set his heart upon getting the English liturgy introduced into Scotland; and some of the Scottish bishops hud, under his direction, prepared both that book and a collection of canons for public service; the canons were published in 1635, but the liturgy came not in use till 1637. On the day it was first read at St. Giles’s church, in Edinburgh, it occasioned a most violent tumult among the people, encouraged by the nobility, who were losers by the restitution of episcopacy, and by the ministers, who lost their clerical government. Laud, having been the great promoter of that affair, was reviled for it in the most abusive manner, and both he and the book were charged with downright popery. The extremely severe prosecution carried on about the same time in the star-chamber, chiefly through his instigation, against Prynne, Bastwick, and Burton, did him also infinite prejudice, and exposed him to numberless libels and reflections; though he endeavoured to vindicate his conduct in a speech delivered at their censure, June 14, 1637, which was published by the king’s command. Another rigorous prosecution, carried on with his concurrence, in the star-chamber, was against bishop Williams, an account of which may be seen in his article, as also of Lambert Osbaldiston, master of Westminster school.
a certain number, and that none of them should print any books till they were licensed either by the archbishop, or, the bishop of London, or some of their chaplains, or by
In order to prevent the printing and publishing of what
he thought improper books, a decree was passed in the
star-chamber, July 11, 1637, to regulate the trade of printing, by which it was enjoined that the master-printers
should be reduced to a certain number, and that none of
them should print any books till they were licensed either
by the archbishop, or, the bishop of London, or some of
their chaplains, or by the chancellors or vice-chancellors
of the two universities. Accused as he frequently was, of
popery, he fell under the queen’s displeasure this year,
by speaking, with his usual warmth, to the king at the
council- table against the increase of papists, their frequent
resort to Somerset house, and their insufferable misdemeanors in perverting his majesty’s subjects to popery.
On Jan. 3i, 1638-9, he wrote a circular letter to his suffragan bishops, exhorting them and their clergy to contribute liberally towards raising the army against the Scots,
For this he was called an incendiary: but he declares, on
the contrary, that he laboured for peace so long, till he
received a great check; and that, at court his counsels
alone prevailed for peace and forbearance. lu 1639 he
employed one Mr. Petley to translate the liturgy into
Greek; and, at his recommendation, Dr. Joseph Hall,
bishop of Exeter, composed his learned treatise of “Episcopacy by Divine Right asserted.
” On Dec. 11, the same
year, he was one of the three privy-counsellors who advised the king to call a parliament in case of the Scottish rebellion; at which time a resolution was adopted
to assist the king in extraordinary ways, if the parliament
should prove peevish and refuse supplies. A new parliament being summoned, met April 13, 1649, and the convocation the day following; but the Commons beginning
with complaints against the archbishop, and insisting upon
a redress of grievances before they granted any supply,
the parliament was unhappily dissolved, May 5. The
convocation, however, continued sitting; and certain canons
were made in it, which gave great offence. On Laud many
laid the blame and odium of the parliament’s dissolution;
and that noted enthusiast, John Lilburne, caused a paper
to be posted, May 3, upon the Old Exchange, animating
the apprentices to sack his house at Lambeth the Monday
following. On that day above 5000 of them assembled in
a riotous and tumultuous manner; but the archbishop, receiving previous notice, secured the palace as well as he
could, and retired to his chamber at Whitehall, where he
remained some days; and one of the ringleaders was
hanged, drawn, and quartered, on the 21st. In August
following, a libel was found in Covent-garden, exciting
the apprentices and soldiers to fall upon him in the king’s
absence, upon his second expedition into Scotland. The
parliament that met Nov. 3, 1640, not being better disposed
towards him, but, for the most part, bent upon his ruin,
several angry speeches were made against him in the House
of commons.
n three or four days; but he never returned quite three bundles of the papers. In the mean time, the archbishop not complying exactly with the ordinance above-mentioned, all
His enemies, of which the number was great, began then to give full vent to their passions and prejudices, and to endeavour to ruin his reputation.' In March and April, the House of Commons ordered him, jointly with all those that had passed sentence in the Star-chamber against Burton, Bastwick, and Prynne, to make satisfaction and reparation for the damages they had sustained by their sentence and imprisonment and he was fined 20,000l. for his acting in the late convocation. He was also condemned by the House of Lords to pay 500l. to sir Robert Howard for false imprisonment. This person was living in open adultery with lady Purbeck; and both were imprisoned by an order of the high commission court, at the king’s particular command. On June 25, 1641, he resigned his chancellorship of the university of Oxford; and, in October, the House of Lords sequestered his jurisdiction, putting it into the hands of his inferior officers and enjoined, that he should give no benefice without first having the House’s approbation of the person nominated by him. On Jan. 20, 1641-2, they ordered his armoury at Lambeth-palace, which had cost him above 300l. and which they represented as sufficient for 2000 men, to be taken away by the sheriffs of London. Before the end of the year, all the rents and profits of the archbishopric were sequestered by the lords for the use of the commonwealth; and his house was plunv dered of what money it afforded by two members of the House of Commons; and such was their wanton severity, that when he petitioned the parliament afterwards for a maintenance, he could not obtain any, nor even the least part of above two hundred pounds worth of his own wood and coal at Lambeth, for his necessary use in the Tower. On April 25, 1643, a motion was made in the House of Commons, at the instance of Hugh Peters and others of that stamp, to send or transport him to New England; but that motion was rejected. On May 9, his goods and books in Lambeth-house were seized, and the goods sold for scarce the third part of their value, and all this before he had been brought to any trial, the issue of which alone could justify such proceedings. Seven days after, there came out an ordinance of parliament, enjoining him to give no benefice without leave and order of both Houses. On May 31, W. Prynne, by a warrant from the close committee, came and searched his room, while he was in bed, and even rifled his pockets; taking away his diary > private devotions, and twenty-one bundles of papers, which he had prepared for his own defence. Prynne promised a faithful restitution of them within three or four days; but he never returned quite three bundles of the papers. In the mean time, the archbishop not complying exactly with the ordinance above-mentioned, all the temporalities of his archbishopric were sequestered to the parliament June 10, and he was suspended from his office and benefice, and from all jurisdiction whatsoever.
On Oct. 24, an order was brought to the archbishop, from the Lords, with ten additional articles of impeachment
On Oct. 24, an order was brought to the archbishop,
from the Lords, with ten additional articles of impeachment
from the Commons, adding to the charge of treason “other
high crimes and misdemeanours.
” He petitioned for his.
papers, but the committee of sequestrations would not
grant them, nor permit any copies but at his own expence;
and as to any allowance for the charges of his trial, it was
insultingly said by Mr.Glyn, “that he might plead in forma
pauperis.
” At length Mr. Dell, his secretary, was appointed his solicitor, and Mr. Herne, of Lincoln’s-inn, his
counsel; and two more servants were sent to him, for his
assistance. After nearly three years’ imprisonment, on
Nov. 13 the archbishop was brought to the bar of the
House of Lords, and put in his answer in writing, in this
form, “all advantages of law against this impeachment
saved and reserved to this defendant, he pleads, not guilty,
to all and every part of the impeachment, in manner and
form as it is changed in the articles;
” and to this answer
he then set his hand. He then petitioned that his counsel
might be heard, and might advise him, both with regard
to law and fact; which was allowed in things not charged
as treason. On Jan. 8, there was an order for the archbishop’s appearance; but, at his request, it was postponed
to the 16th; when the committee began with the former
general articles, to which the archbishop had put in no
answer, nor even joined issue: therefore he was peremptorily commanded to put in his answer both to the original
and additional articles, in writing; which he did, pleading, in general, not guilty.
opened in form; the original and additional articles of impeachment were read, and, after that, the archbishop’s answer, plea, and demurrer to them. He requested that the
On Tuesday, March 12, 1643-4, the trial was opened in
form; the original and additional articles of impeachment
were read, and, after that, the archbishop’s answer, plea,
and demurrer to them. He requested that the charge and
evidence to all the articles might be given together; and
the articles of misdemeanour separated from those of treason; to which the celebrated lawyer, Maynard, answered,
that, in the earl of Strafford’s trial, he was put to answer
every day the particular evidence given that day; that they
were now only to try matters of fact, not of law, and that
all the articles collectively, not any one separately, made
up the charge of treason. Serjeant Wilde then made a
long speech, upon the charge of high treason, insisting
chiefly upon the archbishop’s attachment to popery, and
his intention to introduce it into England; concluding with
these words, that “Naaman was a great man, but he was
a leper,
” and that the archbishop’s leprosy had so infected
all, “as there remained no other cure but the sword of
justice.
” The archbishop replied to the several charges,
and mentioned various persons whom he had brought back
from the Romish religion, particularly sir William Webbe,
his kinsman, and two of his daughters; his son lui took
from him; and, his father being utterly decayed, bred
him at his own charge, and educated him in the protestant
religion. The trial lasted above twenty days, and on Sept.
2, 1644, the archbishop made a recapitulation of the whole
cause; but, as soon as he came into the House, he saw
every lord present with a new thin book in folio, in a blue
cover; which was his “Diary,
” which Prynne, as already
mentioned, had robbed him of, and printed with notes of
his own, to disgrace the archbishop. On Sept. 11, Mr.
Brown delivered, in the House of Lords, a summary of
the whole charge, with a few observations on the archbishop’s answer. The queries of his counsel on the law of
treason was referred to a committee which ordered his
counsel to be heard on Oct. 11, when Mr. Herne delivered
his argument with great firmness and resolution. The lord
chancellor Finch told archbishop Sancroft that the argument was sir Matthew Hale’s, afterwards lord chief justice;
and that being then a young lawyer, he, Mr. Finch, stood
behind Mr. Herne, at the bar of the house, and took notes
of it, which he intended to publish in his reports. With
this argument, the substance of which may be seen in our
authorities, the trial ended for that day; but, after this, a
petition was sent about London, “for bringing delinquents
to justice;
” and many of the preachers exhorted the people
to sign it; so that with a multitude of hands, it was delivered to the House of Commons, on Oct. 8. The archbishop was summoned on Nov. 2, to the House of Commons, to hear the whole charges, and to make his defence,
which he did at large, Nov. 11. On the following Wednesday Mr. Brown replied and after the archbishop was
dismissed, the House called for the ordinance, and without
hearing his counsel, voted him guilty of high treason.
After various delays, the Lords had a conference with the
Commons, on Dec. 24, in which they declared, “that they
had diligently weighed all things charged against the archbishop, but could not, by any one of them, or all, find
him guilty of treason.
” The judges had unanimously made
the same declaration. At the second conference, on Jan.
2, 1644-5, the reasons of the Commons for the attainder
of the archbishop were communicated to the Lords, who
in a very thin house, passed the ordinance that he should
suffer death by hanging, which was fixed for Friday the
10th. He pleaded the king’s pardon, under the great seal,
which was over-ruled, and rejected, without being read,
and the only favour granted, and that after delay and with
reluctance, was, that his sentence should be changed to
beheading.
The archbishop continued a journal of all the circumstances of his trial and
The archbishop continued a journal of all the circumstances of his trial and imprisonment to January 3; but on hearing that the bill of attainder had passed the Lords, be broke off his history, and prepared himself for death. He received the notice with great composure, and passed the time between his sentence and execution, in prayer and devout exercises. He slept soundly the night before his death, till the time came when his servants were appointed to attend his rising; then he applied himself to his private prayers, and so continued until sir John Pennington, lieutenant of the Tower, came to conduct him to the scaffold, which he ascended with a cheerful countenance, and was beheaded Jan. 10, 1644-5, about 12 o'clock at noon. His body was buried in the church of All-hallows, Barking; but was removed to St. John’s college in 1663, where it was placed in a vault in the chapel.
The few productions we have of archbishop Laud show that his time was more occupied in active life, than
The few productions we have of archbishop Laud show
that his time was more occupied in active life, than in
studious retirement, and demonstrate but little of that
learning which was very justly attributed to him. These
are, 1. “Seven Sermons preached and printed on several
Occasions,
” reprinted in Short Annotations upon the Life and Death of the most august King
James,
” drawn up at the desire of George duke of Bucks.
3. Answer to the Remonstrance made by the House
of Commons in 1628.“4.
” His Diary by Wharton in
1694; with six other pieces, and several letters, especially
one to sir Kenelm Digby, on his embracing Popery.“5.
” The second volume of the Remains of Archbishop
Laud, written by himself,“&c. 1700, fol. 6.
” Officium
Quotidianum; or, a Manual of private Devotions,*' 1650,
8vo. 7. “A Summary of Devotions,
” Vossii Epistol.
” Lond.
Life of Dr. Pocock,
” prefixed to that author’s theological works,
aster’s degree in 1727. During his residence here, he became known to the public by a translation of archbishop King’s (see William King) “Essay upon the Origin of Evil,” with
, bishop of Carlisle, was born in the
parish of Cartmel in Lancashire, in 1703. His father, who
was a clergyman, held a small chapel in that neighbourhood, but the family had been situated at Askham, in the
county of Westmoreland. He was educated for some time
at Cartmel school, afterwards at the free grammar-school
at Kendal; from which he went, very well instructed ia
the learning of grammar-schools, to St. John’s college,
Cambridge. He took his bachelor’s degree in 1723, and
soon after 'was elected fellow of Christ’s-college in that
university, where he took his master’s degree in 1727.
During his residence here, he became known to the public by a translation of archbishop King’s (see William King) “Essay upon the Origin of Evil,
” with copious
notes; in which many metaphysical subjects, curious and
interesting in their own nature, are treated of with great
ingenuity, learning, and novelty. To this work was prefixed, under the name of a “Preliminary Dissertation,
” a
very valuable piece written by Mr. Gay of Sidney-college.
Our bishop always spoke of this gentleman in terms of the
greatest respect. “In the Bible, and in the writings of
Locke, no man,
” he used to say, “was so well versed.
”
ends, than of much advantage to his fortune. By Dr. Cornwallis, then bishop of Lichfield, afterwards archbishop of Canterbury, xvho had been his pupil at Christcollege, he
Dr. Keene held at this time with the bishopric of Chester, the mastership of Peter-house, in Cambridge. Desiring to leave the university, he procured Dr. Law to be
elected to succeed him in that station. This took place
in 1756, in which year Dr. Law resigned his archdeaconry
in favour of Mr. Eyre, a brother-in-law of Dr. Keene.
Two years before this (the list of graduates says 1749) he
had proceeded to his degree of D. D., in his public exercise for which, he defended the doctrine of what is usually
called the “sleep of the soul,
” a tenet to which we shall
have occasion to revert hereafter. About 1760 he was
appointed head librarian of the university; a situation
which, as it procured an easy and quick access to books,
was peculiarly agreeable to his taste and habits. Some
time after this he was appointed casuistical professor. In
1762 he suffered an irreparable loss by the death of his
wife; a loss in itself every way afflicting, and rendered
more so by the situation of his family, which then consisted of eleven children, many of them very young.
Some years afterwards he received several preferments,
which were rather honourable expressions of regard from
his friends, than of much advantage to his fortune. By
Dr. Cornwallis, then bishop of Lichfield, afterwards archbishop of Canterbury, xvho had been his pupil at Christcollege, he was appointed to the archdeaconry of Staffordshire, and to a prebend in the church of Lichfield. By
his old acquaintance Dr. Green, bishop of Lincoln, he
was made a prebendary of that church. But in 1767, by
the intervention of the duke of Newcastle, to whose interest, in the memorable contest for the high stewardship
of the university, he had adhered in opposition to some
temptations, he obtained a stall in the church of Durham.
The year after this, the duke of Grafton, who had a short
time before been elected chancellor of the university, recommended the master of Peterhouse to his majesty for
the bishopric of Carlisle. This recommendation was made,
not only without solicitation on his part, or that of his friends,
but without his knowledge, until the duke’s intention in
his favour was signified to him by the archbishop.
té historique et pratique sur le chant ecciesiastique,” 1741, 8vo. This was dedicated to Vintimille, archbishop of Paris, who had employed him in composing a chant for his
, a French historian and antiquary, was
born at Auxerre in 1687, and became a member of the
academy of belles lettres and inscriptions of Paris in 1750.
He died in 1760, aged 73. Among his productions are,
1. “Recueil de divers Merits servant a Pe‘claircissement de
l’histoire fie France,
” Dissertations sur l'histoire ecclésiastique et civile de Paris;
” to
which are added several matters that elucidate the history
of France; 3 vols. 12mo. 3. “Traité historique et pratique sur le chant ecciesiastique,
” M6moires sur l‘Histoire d’Anxerre,
” Histoire de la ville et de tout le diocese
de Paris,
” 15 vols. 12mo. 6. Several dissertations dispersed in the journals, and in the memoirs of the academy
of which he was member. The learned are indebted to
him likewise for the discovery of a number of original
pieces, which he found in various libraries, where they
had long remained unknown. He was a man of extensive
learning and laborious research; and undertook several
journeys through the different provinces of France for the
purpose of investigating the remains of antiquity. In such
matters he was an enthusiast, and so engaged in them, as to
know very little of the world, being content with the very
small competency on which he lived.
, archbishop of York, was born in 1482, and was the son of Richard Lee, of
, archbishop of York, was born in 1482,
and was the son of Richard Lee, of Lee Magna in Kent,
esq. and grandson of sir Richard Lee, km. twice lordmayor of London. He was partly educated in both universities, being admitted of Magdalen college, Oxford,
about 1499, where he took his degrees in arts, and then
removed to Cambridge, and completed his studies. He
was accounted a man of great learning and talents, which
recommended him to the court of Henry VIII. in which,
among others, he acquired the esteem of sir Thomas More.
The king likewise conceived so high an opinion of his political abilities, that he sent him on several embassies to the
continent. In 1529 he was made chancellor of Sarum, and
in 1531 was incorporated in the degree of D. D. at Oxford,
which he had previously taken at some foreign university.
The same year he was consecrated archbishop of York, but
enjoyed this high station a very short time, dying at York,
Sept. 13, 1544. He was buried in the cathedral. He lived
to witness the dawn of the reformation, but adhered to the
popish system in all its plenitude, except, says his popish
biographer, that he “was carried away with the stream as
to the article of the king’s supremacy.
” He was a zealous
opponent of Luther, and had a controversy with Erasmus,
respecting his annotations on the New Testament. This
somewhat displeased sir Thomas More, who was greatly
attached to Erasmus, but it did not lessen his friendship
for Lee Wood says, “he was a very great divine, and
very well seen in all kinds of learning, famous as well for
his wisdom as virtue, and holiness of life; a continual
preacher of the gospel, a man very liberal to the poor, and
exceedingly beloved by all sorts of men.
” His works
were, 1. “Comment, in universum Pentateuchum,
” ms.
2. “Apologia contra quorundam calumnias, 11 Lovan, 1520,
4to. 3.
” Index annotationum prioris libri,“ibid. 1520.
4.
” Epistola nuncupatoriaad Desid. Erasmum,“ibid. 1520.
3.
” Annot. lib. duo in annotationes Novi Test. Erasmi.“6.
” Epistola apologetica, qua respondet D. Erasmi epistolis.“7.
” Epistolae sexcenta;.' 8. “Epiceuia clarorum
virorum.
” The two last articles are in ms. or partially
printed. Some of his Mss. are in the Harleian, and some
in the Cotton library."
dships he had suffered. He has no works extant, except those already mentioned. He was the father of archbishop Leighton, the subject of the next article.
Be this as it may, after eleven years imprisonment in the Fleet, he was set at liberty by the parliament, 1640, and appointed keeper of Lambeth-palace, which at that time was made use of as a state-prison. There he remained till 1644, when he died rather insane of mind from the hardships he had suffered. He has no works extant, except those already mentioned. He was the father of archbishop Leighton, the subject of the next article.
, sometime bishop of Dunblane, and afterwards archbishop of Glasgow, son to the preceding, was born at London in 1613,
, sometime bishop of Dunblane,
and afterwards archbishop of Glasgow, son to the preceding, was born at London in 1613, but educated at the
university of Edinburgh, where his talents were not more
conspicuous than his piety and humble temper. He afterwards spent some time in France, particularly at Doway,
where some of his relations lived. Our accounts, however,
of his early years, are very imperfect. All we know with
certainty of the period before us is, that when he had
reached his thirtieth year, in 1643, he was settled in Scotland, according to the presbyterian form, as minister of
the parish of Newbottle, near Edinburgh. Here he
remained several years, and was most assiduous in discharging the various duties of his office. He did not, however, conceive it to be any part of that office to add to
the distractions of that unhappy period, by making the
pulpit the vehicle of political opinions. His object was
to exhort his parishioners to live in charity, and not to
trouble themselves with religious and political disputes.
But such was not the common practice; and it being the
custom of the presbytery to inquire of the several brethren,
twice a year, “whether they had preached to the times?
”
“For God’s sake,
” answered Leighton, “when all my
brethren preach to the times, suffer one poor priest to
preach about eternity.
” Such moderation could not fail
to give offence; and finding his labours of no service, he
retired to a life of privacy. His mind was not, however,
indifferent to what was passing in the political world, and
he was one of those who dreaded the downfall of the monarchy, and the subsequent evils of a republican tyranny,
and having probably declared his sentiments on these subjects, he was solicited by his friends, and particularly by
his brother, sir Elisha Leighton, to change his connexions.
For this he was denounced by the presbycerians as an apostate, and welcomed by the episcopalians as a convert. In
his first outset, however, it is denied that he was a thorough
presbyterian, or in his second, entirely an episcopalian;
and it is certain that his becoming the latter could not bo
imputed to motives of ambition or interest, for episcopacy
was at this time the profession of the minority, and extremely unpopular. His design, however, of retiring to
a life of privacy, was prevented by a circumstance which
proved the high opinion entertained of his integrity, learn
ing, and piety. The office of principal in the university
of Edinburgh becoming vacant soon after Leighton’s resignation of his ministerial charge, the magistrates, who
had the gift of presentation, unanimously chose him to
fill the chair, and pressed his acceptance of it by urging
that he might thereby be of great service to the church,
without taking any part in public measures. Such a motive to a man of his moderation, was irresistible; and accordingly he accepted the offer, and executed the duties
of his office for ten years with great reputation. It was
the custom then for the principal to lecture to the students
of theology in the Latin tongue; and Leighton’s lectures
delivered at this period, which are extant both in Latin
and English, are very striking proofs of the ability and assiduity with which he discharged this part of his duty.
Disappointed in his scheme of comprehension, archbishop Leighton endeavoured to execute his office with his usual care,
Disappointed in his scheme of comprehension, archbishop Leighton endeavoured to execute his office with his usual care, doing all in his power to reform the clergy, to promote piety among the people, to suppress violence, and to soothe the minds of the presbyterians. For this last purpose he held conferences with them at Glasgow, Paisley, and Edinburgh, on their principles, and on his scheme of accommodation, but without effect. The parties could not be brought to mutual indulgence, and far less to religious concord. Finding his new situation therefore more and more disagreeable, he again determined to resign his dignity, and went to London for that purpose in the summer of 1673. The king, although he still refused to accept his resignation, gave a written engagement to allow him to retire, after the trial of another year; and that time being expired, and all hope of uniting the different parties having vanished, his resignation was accepted. He now retired to Broadhurst, in Sussex, where his sister resided, the widow of Edward Lightmaker, esq. and here he lived in great privacy, dividing his time between study, devotion, and acts of benevolence, with occasional preaching. In, 1679 he very unexpectedly received a letter, written in the king’s own hand, requesting him to go to Scotland and promote concord among the contending parties, but it does not appear that he complied with his majesty’s pleasure. It is certain that he never again visited Scotland, nor intermeddled with ecclesiastical affairs, but remained quietly in his retirement until near his death. This event, however, did not take place at Broadhurst. Although he had enjoyed this retirement almost without interruption for ten years, he was unexpectedly brought to London to see his friends. The reason of this visit is not very clearly explained, nor is it of great importance, but it appears that he had been accustomed to express a wish that he might die from home, and at an inn; and this wish was gratified, for be died at the Bell-inn, in Warwick-lane, far apart from his relations, whose concern, he thought, might discompose his mind. He was confined to his room about a week, and to his bed only three days. Bishop Burnet, and other friends, attended him constantly during this illness, and witnessed his tranquil departure. He expired Feb. 1, 1684, in the seventy-first year of his age. By his express desire, his remains were conveyed to Broadhurst, and interred in the church; and a monument of plain marble, inscribed with his name, office, and age, was erected at the expence of his sister.
Archbishop Leighton is celebrated by all who have written his life, or
Archbishop Leighton is celebrated by all who have written his life, or incidentally noticed him, as a striking example of unfeigned piety, extensive learning, and unbounded liberality. Every period of his life was marked
with substantial, prudent, unostentatious charity; and that
be might be enabled to employ his wealth in this way,
he practised the arts of frugality in his own concerns. He
enjoyed some property from his futher, but his income as
bishop of Dunblane was only 200l., and as archbishop of
Glasgow about 400l.; yet, besides his gifts of charity during his life, he founded an exhibition in the college of
Edinburgh at the expence of 150l. and three more in the
college of Glasgow, at the expence of 400l. and gave
300l. for the maintenance of four paupers in St. Nicholas’s
hospital. He also bequeathed at last the whole of his
remaining property to charitable purposes. His library
and Mss. he left to the see of Dunblane. His love for
retirement we have often mentioned; he carried it perhaps
to an excess, and it certainly unfitted him for the more
active duties of his high station. Although a prelate, he
nnver seemed to have considered himself as more than a
parish priest, and his diocese a large parish. He was not
made for the times in which he lived, as a public character.
They were too violent for his gentle spirit, and impressed
him with a melancholy that checked the natural cheerfulness of his temper and conversation* As a preacher, he
was admired beyond all his contemporaries, and his works
have not yet lost their popularity. Some of them, as his
“Commentary on St. Peter,
” have been often reprinted,
but the most complete edition, including many pieces never before published, is that which appeared in 1808, in 6
vols. 8vo, with a life of the author by the Rev. G. Jerment. Of this last we have availed ourselves in the preceding sketch, but must refer to it for a more ample account of the character and actions of this revered prelate.
h but labores incepti, begun, not completed. In that light he mentions them himself in an address to archbishop Cranmer, intreating the favour of that prelate’s protection
This event, as his illness before had, was deemed a national misfortune, greatly lamented by contemporaries,
and by succeeding ages. On his demise, Leland’s papers
were sought after by persons of the lirst rank and learning
in the kingdom. King Edward, aware of their value, committed them to the custody of sir John Cheke, his tutor,
who probably would have made some important use of them
had he not been hindered by the confusions which followed
the death of his sovereign. Sir John, being then obliged
to go abroad, left four folio volumes of Leland’s collections
to Humphrey Purefoy, esq. and these descended to Burton,
the author of the History of Leicestershire, who obtained
possession also of eight other volumes of Leland’s Mss.
called his “Itinerary,
” all which he deposited, in Itinerary,
” and “Collectanea,
” both too
well known to require a more minute description. To
these may be added a work not so well edited, “Commentarii tie scriptoribus Britannicis,
” Oxon. De Antiquitate Britannica, sive, Historia
Civilis.
” It also appears that he had made large collections towards the antiquities of London, but these have
long been lost to the public, as well as his quadrate table
on silver, mentioned in the preceding note, and the “Description of England,
” which he said would be published
in twelve months.
esiastical preferments in the gift of the crown, that five bishops should be appointed, of which the archbishop of Canterbury for the time being always to be one, who, upon
In this spirited conduct Leslie acted like a sound divine
and an upright magistrate; but, while he thought himself
authorized to resist the illegal mandates of his sovereign,
be never approved of carrying these principles of resistance so far as to deprive the king of the supreme power;
and persevering steadily in that opinion, he continued,
after the revolution, in allegiance to king James. In consequence, refusingto take the new oaths appointed upon
that change, he lost all his preferments and in 1689,
when the troubles began to arise in Ireland, withdrew, with
his family, into England. Here he employed his time in
writing a great many political pieces in support of the cause
he had embraced; and being confessedly a person of extraordinary wit and learning, he became a very formidable
champion of the nonjurors. His first piece in this cause
was an answer to Abp. King’s “State of the Protestants in
Ireland, under the late King James’s Government,
” in
which he shewed himself as averse from the principles and
practices of the Irish and other Papists, as he was from
those of the author whom he refuted. Neither did his
sufferings make him forget his duty to the church of England; in defence of which he shewed himself a strenuous
champion against the quakers, many of whom were converted by him. But, as these converts were desirous of
returning to presbytery, whence they had last sprung, he
was obliged to treat the subject of church government in
defence of episcopacy. He likewise employed his pen in
the general cause of the Christian religion, against Jews,
Deists, and Socinians. In the mean time, however, these
writings, and his frequent visits to the courts of St. Germain’s and Bar le Due, rendered him obnoxious to the
government; but he became more so upon the publication of the “Hereditary Right of the Crown of England
asserted;
” of which he was the reputed author. Finding
himself, on this account, under a necessity of leaving the
kingdom, he repaired to the Pretender at Bar le Due;
where he was allowed to officiate, in a private chapel, after
the rites of the Church of England; and it is said he took
much pains to convert the Pretender to the Protestant religion, but in vain . However, to promote the said Pretender’s interest, when some hopes of his restoration were
entertained by his party in England, he wrote a letter from
Bar le Due, dated April 23, 1714, which was printed and
dispersed among his adherents, in which, after giving a
flattering description of the Pretender’s person and character, his graceful mien, magnanimity of spirit, devotion
free from bigotry, application to business, ready apprehension, sound judgment, and affability, so that none conversed with him without being charmed with his good
sense and temper; he concludes with a proposal, “on
condition of his being restored to his crown, that, for the
security of the church of England as by law established,
he would so far wave his prerogative, in the nomination of
bishops, deans, and all other ecclesiastical preferments in
the gift of the crown, that five bishops should be appointed,
of which the archbishop of Canterbury for the time being
always to be one, who, upon any vacancy, might name
three persons to him, from whom he would chuse.
” Many
other proposals of the like nature were made soon after,
and several projects were concerted not only in England,
but an actual insurrection begun in Scotland by his party,
in 1715, all which ended in the crushing and dispersing
of the rebels, and in the Pretender’s being obliged to
leave the French dominions.
e two worthies which seems characteristic of both parties. Echard says that Dr. Sharp told him, when archbishop of York, that while he was rector of St. Giles’s in the Fields,
Among others who attacked the character of sir Roger,
was the noted Miles Prance, who was convicted of perjury
in the affair of the murder of sir Edmundbury Godfrey.
Echard, in his History of England, gives us an anecdote of
these two worthies which seems characteristic of both parties. Echard says that Dr. Sharp told him, when archbishop of York, that while he was rector of St. Giles’s in
the Fields, L‘Estrange, the famous Richard Baxter, and
Miles Prance, on a certain sacrament-day, all approached
the communion-table; L’Estrange at one end, Prance at
the other, and Baxter in the middle; that these two by
their situation, were administered to before L‘Estrange, who,
when it came to his turn, taking the bread in his hand,
asked the doctor if he knew who that man (pointing to Prance) on the other side of the rails was, to which the
doctor answering in the negative, L’Estrange replied,
“That is Miles Prance, and I here challenge him, and
solemnly declare before God and this congregation, that
what that man has sworn or published concerning me is
totally and absolutely false; and may this sacrament be
my damnation if all this declaration be not true.
” Echard
adds, “Prance was silent, Mr. Baxter took special notice
of it, and Dr. Sharp declared he would have refused
Prance the sacrament had the challenge been made in time.
”
Sir Roger L'Estrange died Sept. 11, 1704, in the eightyeighth year of his age, during the latter part of which his
faculties were impaired. His corpse was interred in the
church of St. Giles’s in the Fields, where there is an
inscription to his memory. He was author of many political tract*,
and translated several works from the Greek, Latin, and
Spanish. Among his political effusions are, “Roger L'Estrange’s Apology
” “Truth and Loyalty vindicated,
” c<
“The Memento
” “The Reformed Catholic
” “The
free-born Subject
” “Answer to the Appeal,
” &c.; “Seasonable Memorial
” “Cit and Bumpkin,
” in two parts
“Farther Discovery;
” “Case put;
” “Narrative of the
Plot;
” “Holy Cheat;
” “Toleration discussed;
” “Discovery on Discovery;
” “L'Estrange’s Appeal,
” &c.
“Collections in defence of the King
” “Relapsed Apostate
” “Apology for Protestants
” “Richard against Baxter;
” “Tyranny and Popery;
” “Growth of Knavery
”
“L' Estrange no Papist,
” &c. “The Shammer shammed
”
“Account cleared
” “Reformation reformed
” “Dissenters Sayings,
” two parts “Notes on College, i. e
Stephen College;
” the “Protestant Joiner;
” “Zekieland
Ephraim;
” “Papist in Masquerade;
” “Answer to the
Second Character of a Popish Successor;
” “Considerations on lord RussePs Speech.
” All these were printed in
4to. “History of the Plot
” “Caveat to the Cavaliers;
”
“Plea for the Caveat and its Author.
” These were in folio.
His translations were, “Josephus’s Works,
” his best
performance “Cicero’s Offices
” “Seneca’s Morals
”
“Erasmus’s Colloquies
” “Æsop’s Fables
” “Quevedo’s
Visions
” “Bona’s Guide to Eternity
” and “Five Letters from a Nun to a Cavalier.
” Besides these, he wrote
several news-papers, and occasional pieces.
t; and uniformity being strictly pressed, Mr. Lever suffered among others, being convened before the archbishop of Ydrk, and deprived of his ecclesiastical preferments. Many
, a celebrated divine of the sixteenth
century, was born at Little Lever, in Lancashire, and
educated at Cambridge, where after taking his degrees,
he was chosen fellow, and then master of St. John’s college. He was ordained both deacon and priest in 1550,
by bishop Ridley, and became a most eloquent and popular preacher in the reign of king Edward. He is, indeed, on his monument called by way of distinction,
“preacher to king Edward.
” Under his mastership St.
John’s college greatly flourished, and in it the reformation gained so much ground, that on the commencement
of the Marian persecution, he and twenty-four of the fellows resigned their preferments. Mr. Lever went abroad,
and resided with the other exiles for religion at Francfort,
where he in vain endeavoured to compose the differences
which arose among them respecting church discipline and
the habits. He resided also for some time in Switzerland,
at a place called Arrow, where he was pastor to a congregation of English exiles. Here he became so much a favourer of Calvin’s opinions, as to be considered, on his
return to England, as one of the chiefs of the party who
opposed the English church-establishment. The indiscreet
conduct of some of them soon made the whole obnoxious
to government; and uniformity being strictly pressed, Mr.
Lever suffered among others, being convened before the
archbishop of Ydrk, and deprived of his ecclesiastical preferments. Many of the cooler churchmen thought him
hardly dealt with, as he was a moderate man, and not forward in opposing the received opinions, Bernard Gilpin,
his intimate friend, was among those who pitied, and expressed his usual regard for him. His preferments were
a prebend of Durham, and the mastership of Sherburn
hospital; Strype mentions the archdeaconry of Coventry,
but is not clear in his account of the matter. He appears
to have been allowed to retain the mastership of the hospital, where he died in July 1577, and was buried in its
chapel. Baker in his ms collections gives a very high
character of him as a preacher. “In the days of king
Edward, when others were striving for preferment, no man
was more vehement, or more galling in his sermons, against
the waste of church revenues, and other prevailing corruptions of the court; which occasioned bishop Ridley to
rank him with Latimer and Knox. He was a man of as
much natural probity and blunt native honesty as his college ever bred; a man without guile and artifice; who
never made suit to any patron, or for any preferment; one
that had the spirit of Hugh Latimer. No one can read
his sermons without imagining he has something before
him of Latimer or Luther. Though his sermons are bold
and daring, and full of rebuke, it was his preaching that
got him his preferment. His rebuking the courtiers made
them afraid of him, and procured him reverence from the
king. He was one of the best masters of feis college, as
well as one of the best men the college ever bred.
” He
was succeeded in the mastership of his hospital by his brother Ralph, whom some rank as a puritan, although his
title seems doubtful. He was however, of less reputation
than his brother. Mr. Thomas Lever’s printed works are
a few “Sermons,
” which, like Latimer’s, contain many particulars of the manners of the times and three treatises
“The right way from the danger of sin and vengeance in
this wicked world,
” Commentary on the Lord’s
Prayer
” and “The Path-way to Christ.
”
e of a “Summary,” &c. with a preface calculated to injure him. He found a kinder friend, however, in archbishop Tenison, who had heard a good character of him, and granted
Two years after, when he was about sixteen years old,
Mr. Daniel Wigfall, a merchant, took him into his family
as tutor to his sons, and after continuing here until 1694,
he went to Oxford, and was admitted batteler of Exetercollege: but his scanty fortune not allowing him to reside
constantly, he was recommended to Mr. William Churchey,
then minister at Poole, to be assistant in the free-school of
that town. By this gentleman’s indulgence in allowing
him to keep his terms in the university, he proceeded A. B.
in 1697, when he returned to Mr. Russel at Wapping,
and was ordained deacon by bishop Compton soon after.
In April following he took upon him the cure of Acryse in
Kent, and lived at the same time in the family of Philip
Papillon, esq. to whom his behaviour rendered him so acceptable, that although he had left the parish, and was
then chaplain to Paul Foley, esq. upon the recommendation of Dr. Barton, prebendary of Westminster, yet, upon
the death of the incumbent, he procured him a presentation from the lord chancellor Somers, upon which he was
instituted Sept. 4, 1699. He now applied himself to re-,
pair a dilapidated parsonage-house, as well as to discharge
his pastoral duties with all diligence, particularly that of
catechising the young, which he looked upon as a very important part of his ministry. While here, he soon after
met with a singular instance of unfair dealing. Being appointed to preach at the archdeacon’s visitation at Canterbury in 1701, his sermon (on 2 Cor. vi. 4.) was lent to
William Brockman, esq. upon his earnest request, wb.o
printed it under the title of a “Summary,
” &c. with a
preface calculated to injure him.
He found a kinder friend, however, in archbishop Tenison, who had heard a good character of him, and granted
him the sequestration of the little rectory of Hawkinge,
near Dover, in 1702, telling him at the same time, that
he hoped he should live to consider him farther. It was at
that time his acquaintance began with Mr. Johnson of Margate, who recommended him for his successor in that laborious cure; but his old friend and patron Mr. Papillon
being unwilling to part with him, he excused himself to
the archbishop at that time: afterwards, upon Mr. Warren’s resignation, he accepted it in 1705. On his becoming a member of the society for promoting Christian
knowledge, he was desired to draw up a short and plain
exposition of the Church Catechism, fit for the children
educated in charity-schools; and this, which he executed
to the entire satisfaction of the society, has passed through
many editions. In 1706, archbishop Tenison collated him
to the rectory of Saltwood with the chapel of Hythe, and
the desolate rectory of Eastbridge; but, being here disturbed by a dispute with a neighbouring 'squire, his patron removed him to the vicarage of Mynstre, on the cession of Dr. Green, in March 1708, where he rebuilt the
house, in a more elegant and commodious manner.
In May 1712, he was appointed to preach at the archbishop’s visitation, and took his subject from Isa. xi. 9. but such
In May 1712, he was appointed to preach at the archbishop’s visitation, and took his subject from Isa. xi. 9.
but such was the violence of party spirit at that time, that
both he and his sermon were roughly treated by some of
the audience. It was this year that he commenced M. A.
as a member of Corpus Christi college, Cambridge. Not
long after he incurred the displeasure of his friend Mr!
Johnsou by writing against his “Unbloody Sacrifice,
” and
was treated by him with more contempt than he deserved.
Archbishop Tenison, however, and Dr. Bradford approved
of his pamphlet, and Dr. Waterland considered it as containing much in a little, and as being close, clear, and judicious. His sermon preached at Canterbury cathedral on
January 30, 1717, being severely reflected upon, he printed
it in his own defence, and it was so highly approved by
archbishop Wake that he rewarded him with the mastership of Eastbridge- hospital soon after. From that time he
was continually employed on his various publications and
correspondence with the literary men of his time. He died
Jan. 16, 1746, and, at his own desire, was buried in the
chancel of his church at Mynstre (where he had been vicar upwards of thirty-seven years), under a plain black marble
with an inscription.
Archbishop Wake’s character of him was that of vir sobrius, et bonus pradicator:
Archbishop Wake’s character of him was that of vir sobrius, et bonus pradicator: and a considerable dignitary in
the church used to say, that he looked upon his life to have
been spent in the service of learning and virtue, and thought
the world to be more concerned for its continuance than
himself: that it would be happy for us if there were many
more of the profession like him, &c. It was his misfortune, however, to live in a time of much party violence, and
being a moderate man, he met with ill usage from both
parties, particularly from the clergy of his own diocese.
His only object was the security of our church-establishment as settled at the Revolution. He was so diligent a
preacher, that we are told he composed more than a thousand sermons. He was always of opinion that a clergyman
should compose his own sermons, and therefore ordered
his executor to destroy his stock, lest they should contribute to the indolence of others. Having no family, for
his wife died young without issue, he expended a great
deal of money on his library and the repairs of his dilapidated parsonage-houses; and was, at the same time, a liberal benefactor to the poor. His chief, and indeed only,
failing was a warmth of temper, which sometimes hurried
him on to say what was inconsistent with his character and
interest, and to resent imaginary injuries. Of all this, however, he was sensible, and deeply regretted it. Hearne
and Mr. Lewis Vvere, it appears, accustomed to speak,
disrespectfully of each other’s labours, but posterity has
done justice to both. The political prejudices of antiquariss
are of very little consequence.
Mr. Lewis’s works are, 1> “The Church Catechism efcplained,
” already mentioned, 1700, 8vo. 3.
” A serious
Address to the Anabaptists,“a single sheet, 1701, with a
second in 1702. 4.
” A Companion for the afflicted,“1706. 5.
” Presbyters not always an authoritative part of
provincial synods,“1710, 4to. 6.
” An apologetical Vindication of the present Bishops,“1711. 7.
” The Apology
for the Church of England, in an examination of the rights
of the Christian church,“published about this time, or
perhaps in 1714. 8.
” The poor Vicar’s plea against- his
glebe being assessed to the Church,“1712. 9.
” A Guide
to young Communicants,“1715. 10.
” A Vindication of
the Bishop of Norwich“(Trimnell), 1714. 11.
” The
agreement of the Lutheran churches with the church of
England, and an answer to some exceptions to it,“1715.
12.
” Two Letters in defence of the English liturgy and
reformation,“1716. 13.
” Bishop Feme’s Church of England man’s reasons for not making the decisions of ecclesiastical synods the rule of his faith,“1717, 8vo. 14.
” An
Exposition of the xxxivth article of Religion,“1717.
15.
” Short Remarks on the prolocutor’s answer, &c.“16.
” The History, &c. of John Wicliffe, D. D.“1720, 8vo.
17.
” The case of observing such Fasts and Festivals as are
appointed by the king’s authority, considered,“1721. 18.
” A Letter of thanks to the earl of Nottingham, &c.“1721.
19.
” The History and Antiquities of the Isle of Thanet in
Kent,“1723, 4 to, and again, with additions, in 1736. 20.
” A Specimen of Errors in the second volume of Mr. Collier’s Ecclesiastical History, being a Vindication of Bur-net’s
History of the Reformation,“1724, 8vo. 21.
” History and
Antiquities of the abbey church of Faversham, &c.“1727,
$to. 22.
” The New Testament, &c. translated out of the
Latin vulgate by John WicklifFe; to which is prefixed, an
History of the several Translations of the Holy Bible,“&c.
1731, folio. Of this only 160 copies were printed by subscription, and the copies unsubscribed for were advertised
the same year at I/. 1*. each. Of the
” New Testament“the rev. H. Baber, of the British Museum, has lately printed
an edition, with valuable preliminary matter, in 4to. 23.
” The History of the Translations, &c.“reprinted separately in 1739, 8vo. 24.
” The Life of Caxton,“1737,
8vo. For an account of this work we may refer to Dibdiu’s
new edition of Ames. 25.
” A brief History of the Rise
and Progress of Anabaptism, to which is prefixed a defence
of Dr. Wicliffe from the false charge of his denying Infant-baptism,“1738. 26.
” A Dissertation on the antiquity and use of Seals in England,“1710. 27.
” A Vindication of the ancient Britons, &c. from being Anabaptists,
with a letter of M. Bucer to bishop Hooper on ceremonies,“1741. 28.
” A Defence of the Communion office and Catechism of the church of England from the charge of favouring transubstantiation,“1742. 29.
” The Life of Reynold Pecock, bishop of St. Asaph and Chichester,“1744,
8vo. Mr. Lewis published also one or two occasional sermons, and an edition of Roper’s Life of sir Thomas More.
After his death, according to the account of him in the‘
Biog. Britannica (which is unpardonably superficial, as Masters’s History of Bene’t College had appeared some years before), was published
” A brief discovery of some
of the arts of the popish protestant Missioners in England,“1750, 8vo. But there are other curious tracts which Mr.
Lewis sent for publication to the Gentleman’s Magazine,
and which, for reasons stated in vol. X. of that work, were
printed in
” The Miscellaneous Correspondence," 1742
1748, a scarce and valuable volume, very little known to
the possessors of the Magazine, no set of which can be
complete without it. Of these productions of Mr. Lewis,
we can ascertain, on the authority of Mr. Cave, the following: an account of William Longbeard, and of John Smith,
the first English anabaptist; the principles of Dr. Hickes,
and Mr. Johnson; and an account of the oaths exacted by
the Popes. Mr. Lewis left a great many manuscripts, some
of which are still in public or private libraries, and are
specified in our authorities,
applied himself to the study of physic, having, by means of his friend Elias Ashmole, procured from archbishop Sheldon a licence to practise it; and, from Oct. 1670, he exercised
After the restoration, in 1660, being taken into custody, and examined by a committee of the House of Commons, touching the execution of Charles I, he declared, that Robert Spavin, then secretary to Cromwell, dining with him soon after the fact, assured him it was done by cornet Joyce. This year, he sued out his pardon under the broad-seal of England, and continued in London till 1665; when, on the appearance of the plague, he retired to his estate at Hersham. Here he applied himself to the study of physic, having, by means of his friend Elias Ashmole, procured from archbishop Sheldon a licence to practise it; and, from Oct. 1670, he exercised both the faculties of physic and astrology, till his death, which was occasioned by a paralytic stroke, in 1681, at Hersham. He was interred in the chancel of the church at Walton, and a black marble stone, with a Latin inscription, was placed over his grave soon after by Mr. Ashmole, at whose request also Dr. Smalridge, bishop of Bristol, then a scholar at Westminster-school, wrote a Latin and English elegy on his death, both which are annexed to the history of our author’s life and times, from which this memoir is extracted.
lection of Prophecies,” 1646. 7. “A Comment on the white King’s Prophecy,” ib. 8. “The Nativities of archbishop Laud, and Thomas earl Strafford,” ib. 9. “Christian Astrology,”
Lilly was author of many works. His “Observations on
the Life and Death of Charles late King of England,
” if
we overlook the astrological nonsense, may be read with
as much satisfaction as more celebrated histories, Lilly
being not only very well informed, but strictly impartial.
This work, with the Lives of Lilly and Ashmole, written
by themselves, were published in one volume, 8vo, in 1774.
His other works were principally as follow: 1. “Merlinus
Anglicus Junior.
” 2. “Supernatural Sight.
” 3. “The
white King’s Prophecy.
” 4. “England’s prophetical Merlin;
” all printed in The starry Messenger,
”
Collection of Prophecies,
” A
Comment on the white King’s Prophecy,
” ib. 8. “The
Nativities of archbishop Laud, and Thomas earl Strafford,
” ib. 9. “Christian Astrology,
” The third Book of Nativities,
” ib. 11.“The World’s
Catastrophe,
” ib. 12. “The Prophecies of Ambrose Merlin, with a Key,
” ib. 13. “Trithemius, or the Government of the World by presiding Angels.
” See Cornelius
Agrippa’s book with the same title. These three last were
printed together in one volume; the two first being
translated into English by Elias Ashmole, esq. 14. “A Treatise of the three Suns seen in the Winter of 1647,
” printed
in Monarchy or no Monarchy,
” Observations on the Life and Death of Charles, late
King of England,
” ib. and again in True History of King James and
King Charles I.
” &c. 17. “-Annus Tenebrosus or, the
black Year.
” This drew him into the dispute with Gataker,
which our author carried on in his almanack in 16.54.
learned, both at home and abroad, especially in England, where he was much esteemed, particularly by archbishop Tillotson, to whom his history of the inquisition was dedicated,
Having pursued the strictest temperance through life,
he preserved the vigour of his mind, and health of his
body, to a considerable age, but in the autumn of 1711
he was seized with the St. Anthony’s fire which, growing
more violent in the winter, carried him oft, April So, 1713.
His funeral oration was spoken by John Le Clerc, who
gives him the following character: “Mr, Limborch had
many friends among the learned, both at home and abroad,
especially in England, where he was much esteemed, particularly by archbishop Tillotson, to whom his history of
the inquisition was dedicated, and Mr. Locke. With Mr,
Locke he first became acquainted in Holland, and after->
wards held a correspondence by letters, in which, among
other things, he has explained the nature of human liberty,
a subject not exactly understood by Mr. Locke. He was
of an open sincere carriage, which was so well tempered
with humanity and discretion as to give no offence. In
his instructions, when professor, he observed the greatest
perspicuity and the justest order, to which his memory,
which retained whatever he had written, almost to a word,
contributed very much; and, though a long course of teaching had given him an authority with those about him, and
his advanced age had added a reverence to him, yet he
was never displeased with others for differing from him,
but would both censure, and be censured, without chagrin.
Though he never proposed the understanding of languages
as the end of his studies, yet he had made large advances
in them, and read over many of the ancient and modern
writers, and would have excelled in this part of literature,
if he bad not preferred that which was more important.
He bad all the qualifications suitable to the character of a
divine. Above all things, he had a love for truth, and
pursued the search of it, by reading the Scriptures with
the best commentators. As a preacher, his sermons were
methodical and solid, rather than eloquent. If he had
applied himself to the mathematics he would undoubtedly
have excelled therein; but he had no particular fondness
for that study, though he was an absolute master of arithmetic. He was so perfectly acquainted with the history of
his own country, especially for 150 years, that he even
retained the most minute circumstance?, and the very time
of each transaction; so that scarce any one could deceive
him in that particular. In his manner he was grave withput pride or sullenness, affable without affectation, pleasant and facetious, upon occasion, without sinking into a
vulgar lowness, or degenerating into malice or ill-nature.
By these qualifications he was agreeable to all who conversed with him; and his behaviour towards his neighbours
was such, that all who knew him, or had any dealings with
him, ever commended it.
”
t resigned it in half a year. He had other preferments in the church, some of which he received from archbishop Warham, as he gratefully acknowledges in a letter to that prelate.
After receiving all these honours, as attestations and reyards of superior merit in his profession, he resolved to change it for that of divinity. To this study he applied himself in the latter part of his life; and, entering into the priesthood, obtained the rectory of Mersham, October 1509; but, resigning it within a month, he was installed into the prebend of Eaton in the church of Wells, and afterwards, in 1518, into another of York; he was alsa precentor in the latter church, but resigned it in half a year. He had other preferments in the church, some of which he received from archbishop Warham, as he gratefully acknowledges in a letter to that prelate. Dr. Knight informs us, that he was a prebendary of St. Stepiien’s, Westminster; and bishop Tanner writes, that he was also rector of Wigan, in Lancashire. He died of the stone, in great pain and torment, Oct. 20, 1524, and was buried in St. Paul’s cathedral; where a handsome monument was afterwards erected to his memory by his admirer and successor in fame, Dr. Caius.
of Rosen, and which proved envy to be the sole source of his conduct, was, he obtained, through the archbishop’s means, an order from the chancellor to prevent all private
Having learned the art of assaying metals during ten days’ residence at the mines of Biorknas, near Calix, in the course of his tour, he next year gave a private course of lectures on that subject, which had never been taught at Upsal before. The jealousy of Rosen, however, still pursued him; and this rival descended so low as to procure, partly by intreaties, partly by threats, the loan of his manuscript lectures on botany, which Linnæus detected him in surreptitiously copying. Rosen had taken by the hand a young man named Wallerius, who afterwards became a distinguished mineralogist, and for whom he now procured, in opposition to Linnæus, the new place of adjunct, or assistant, in the medical faculty at Lund. But the basest action of Rosen, and which proved envy to be the sole source of his conduct, was, he obtained, through the archbishop’s means, an order from the chancellor to prevent all private medical lectures in the university. Linnæus, deprived of his only means of subsistence, is said to have been so exasperated as to have drawn his sword upon Rosen, an affront with which the latter chose to put up and Linnæus, after having for some time indulged feelings of passionate resentment, entirely subdued these; and Rosen, towards the close of his life, was glad of the medical aid of the man he had in vain endeavoured to crush.
e time of king Edgar, (700 years ago) by >Elfricus Abbas, thought to be the same that was afterwards archbishop of Canterbury,” 1623, 4to. (See jELFRic). This was published
, an English antiquary, was educated
at Eton school, and admitted to King’s -college, Cambridge, in 1584, where he took his degree of M. A. and
became fellow, but quitted his fellowship on succeeding to
an estate at Wilbraham, in Cambridgeshire. He was afterwards appointed one of the esquires extraordinary of
the king’s body, and died in 1637. No farther particulars
of his life are upon record. He published “A Saxon treatise concerning the Old and New Testament; written
about the time of king Edgar, (700 years ago) by >Elfricus Abbas, thought to be the same that was afterwards archbishop of Canterbury,
” Treatise,
”
but the volume is incomplete without “A Testimony of
Antiquity, shewing the ancient faith in the church of England, touching the sacrament of the body and blood of our
Lord
” the “Words of CEilfric abbot of St. Alban’s, &c.
taken out of his epistles written to Wulfsine, bishop of
Scyrburne;
” and “The Lord’s prayer, the creed, and
ten commandments, in the Saxon and English tongue.
”
The work is dedicated to prince Charles, afterwards
Charles I. in a long copy of verses, “by way of eclogue,
imitating the fourth of Virgile.
” To this is added a still
longer preface, or address to the reader, containing some
curious remarks on a variety of topics relating to Saxon
literature, the Bible, the English language, &c. Mr. Lisle
also published Du Bartas’s “Ark, Babylon, Colonies,
and Columns,
” in French and English, The Fair Æthiopian,
”
s principles vanished in James IPs reign, when the nation saw him one of the six prelates, who, with archbishop Sancroft, were committed to the Tower in June 1688, for resisting
* Coleman at that time wrote to the those that require it, on conditions
pope’s internuncio thus: “There is prejudicial to the authority of the pope,
but one thing to be feared (whereof! and so to persecute the rest of them with have a great apprehension) that ran more appearance of justice, and ruin
hinder the success of our designs; which the one half of them more easily than
is, a division among the catholics them- the whole body at once.
” And carselves; by propositions to the parlia- dinal Howard delivered it as their
ment to accord their conjunction to judgment at Rome. ' Division of
CaAll suspicion, however, of his principles vanished in
James IPs reign, when the nation saw him one of the six
prelates, who, with archbishop Sancroft, were committed
to the Tower in June 1688, for resisting his majesty’s
order to distribute and publish in all their churches the
royal declaration for liberty of conscience; and about the
end of the same year, having concurred heartily in therevolution, he was made lord almoner to king William III. In
1692 he was translated to the see of Litchfield and Coventry, and thence to Worcester in 1699. He continued in
the office of lord almoner till 1702, when, together with
his son, having too warmly interested himself in the election for the county of Worcester, a complaint was made to
the House of Commons, and a resolution passed of addressing the queen “to remove William lord bishop of Worcester from being lord almoner to her majesty; and that
Mr. Attorney General do prosecute Mr. Lloyd, the lord
bishop of Worcester’s son, for his said offence, after his
privilege as a member of the lower house of convocation
is out.
” In consequence of this vote, an address Was presented to the queen, with which her majesty complied,
and dismissed the bishop from his office.
el places, first printed in the fine edition of the Bible published in folio, under the direction of archbishop Tenison, in 1701. He left a Bible interlined with notes in short
Besides the “Considerations,
” &c. mentioned above,
he wrote, 1. “The late Apology in behalf of Papists, reprinted and answered, in behalf of the Royalists,
” A seasonable Discourse, shewing the necessity
of maintaining the Established Religion in opposition to
Popery,
” A reasonable Defence of the Seasonable Discourse,
” &c. The difference between the Church and the Court of
Rome considered,
” An Alarm for
Sinners,
” An historical account of Church
Government,
” A Letter to Dr. William
Sherlock, in vindication of that part of Josephus’s History,
which gives an account of Jaddua the high priest’s submitting to Alexander the Great,
” A Discourse of God’s ways of disposing Kingdoms,
” The Pretences of the French Invasion examined,
”
&c. A Dissertation upon Daniel’s 70
Weeks,
” the substance of which is inserted in the chronology of sir Isaac Newton. 12. An exposition of the same
subject, left printed imperfect, and not published. 13.
*‘ A Letter upon the same subject, printed in the ’ Life of
Dr. Humphrey Prideaux,' p. 288, edit. 1758,“8vo. 14.
” A
System of Chronology,“left imperfect, but out of it his
chaplain, Benjamin Marshall, composed his
” Chronological Tables,“printed at Oxford, 1712, 1713. 15.
” A Harmony of the Gospels,“partly printed in 4to, but left imperfect. 16.
” A Chronological account of the Life of
Pythagoras,“&c. 1699. 17. He is supposed to have had
a hand in a book published by his son at Oxford, 1700, in
folio, entitled
” Series Chronologica Olympiadum,“&c.
He wrote also some
” Explications of some of the Prophecies in the Revelations,“and added the chronological dates
at the head of the several columns, with an index to the
Bible, and many of the references and parallel places, first
printed in the fine edition of the Bible published in folio,
under the direction of archbishop Tenison, in 1701. He
left a Bible interlined with notes in short hand, which was
in the possession of Mr. Marshall, his chaplain, who married a relation, and would have published these notes had
he met with encouragement, as Whiston informs us, who
always, even in his index, calls Dr. Lloyd
” the great
bishop,“and in speaking of Wasse says,
” one more
learned than any bishop in England since bishop Lloyd."
ental scholar, was the second son of sir Adam Loftus, and great grandson of Dr. Adam Loftus, who was archbishop of Armagh, then of Dublin, and one of the lords justices, and
, a very learned oriental scholar, was the second son of sir Adam Loftus, and great grandson of Dr. Adam Loftus, who was archbishop of Armagh, then of Dublin, and one of the lords justices, and lord chancellor of Ireland. He was born in 1618, at Rathfarnam, near Dublin, a stately castle built by his ancestor the archbishop, and was educated in Trinity college, where he was admitted fellow- commoner in 1635. About the time he took his first degree in arts, the extraordinary proficiency he had made in languages attracted the notice of arciibishop Usher, who earnestly advised his father to send him to Oxford, where he might improve his oriental learning, a matter which that worthy prelate considered as highly important in the investigation of the history and principles of the Christian religion. Mr. Loftus was accordingly sent by his father to Oxford, and entered of University college, where he was incorporated B. A. in November 1639, About this time he commenced the study of the law, with a view to take his bachelor’s degree in that faculty, but at the persuasion of his friends in University college, took his degree of master of arts in 1641, and then returned to Ireland at the moment the rebellion broke out. His father, who was at that time vice-treasurer, and one of the privy council, procured a garrison to be placed in his castle of Rathfarnam, and gave the command of it to his son Dudley, who displayed his skill and courage, by defending the city from the incursions of the Irish inhabiting the neighbouring mountains. He was afterwards made one of the masters in chancery, vicargeneral of Ireland, and judge of the prerogative court and faculties, all which offices he held to the time of his death. He was also a doctor of the civil law, and esteemed the most learned of any of his countrymen in that faculty. Towards the latter part of his life, his talents and memory were very much impaired, and when about seventy-six years of age, he married a second wife, but died the year following, in June 1695, and was buried in St. Patrick’s church, Dublin.
, that when only twenty years of age, he was able to translate as many languages into English. Among archbishop Usher’s letters is one from him to that prelate, which, although
Mr. Loftus’s greatest excellence lay in the knowledge
of various languages, especially the oriental; and it is
said, that when only twenty years of age, he was able to
translate as many languages into English. Among archbishop Usher’s letters is one from him to that prelate, which,
although short, shews his avidity to search out oriental
books and Mss.; as well as his high respect and gratitude
to Usher, who first directed his attention to the treasures of
the Bodleian library. Yet his character in other respects
does not correspond with his parts or learning. He was
accounted, says Harris, an improvident and unwise man,
and his many levities and want of conduct gave the world
too much reason to think so. The same biographer mentions “a great, but free-spoken prelate,
” who said of Mr.
Loftus, that “he never knew so much learning in the
keeping of a fool.
”
y 15, 1525, Longland preached a sermon, which, with two others on the same occasion, he dedicated to archbishop Warham. He was afterwards employed at Oxford by the king, to
After becoming a fellow of his college, he was in 1505 chosen principal of Magdalen-hall, which he resigned in 1507. In 1510 he was admitted to the reading of the sentences, and took his degree of B. D. and that of D. D. in the following year. In 1514 he was promoted to be dean of Salisbury, and in 1519 had the additional preferment of a canonry of Windsor. At this time he was in such favour with Henry VIII. as to be appointed his confessor, and upon the death of Atwater, bishop of Lincoln, he was by papal provision advanced to this see in 1520, and was consecrated May 3, 1521. In the same year (1520) we find him at Oxford assisting in drawing up the privileges for the new statutes of the university. In 1523 he was at the same place as one of those whom. Wolsey consulted in the establishment of his new college; and when the foundation was laid on July 15, 1525, Longland preached a sermon, which, with two others on the same occasion, he dedicated to archbishop Warham. He was afterwards employed at Oxford by the king, to gain over the learned men of the university fo sanction his memorable divorce. It is said, indeed, that when Henry’s scruples, or, as we agree with the catholic historian, his pretended scruples, began to be started, bishop Longland was the first that suggested the measure of a divorce. The excuse made for him is, that he was himself over-persuaded to what was not consistent with his usual character by Wolsey, who thought that Longland’s authority would add great weight to the cause; and it is said that he expressed to his chancellor, Dr. Draycot, his sorrow for being concerned in that affair. In 1533 he was chosen chancellor of the university of Oxford, to which he proved in many respects a liberal benefactor, and to poor students a generous patron. The libraries of Brazenose, Magdalen, and Oriel colleges, he enriched with many valuable books; and in 1540 he recovered the salary of the lady Margaret professorship, which had almost been lost, owing to the abbey from which it issued being dissolved. It must not be disguised, however, that he was inflexible in his pursuit and persecution of what he termed heresy. In 1531, we find him giving a commission to the infamous Dr. London, warden of New college, and others, to search for certain heretical books commonly sold at St. Frideswyde’s fair near Oxford. He died May 7, 1547, at Wooburn in Bedfordshire, where his bowels were interred; while his heart was carried to Lincoln cathedral, and his body deposited in Eton-college chapel, where it is thought he once had some preferment. He built a curious chapel in Lincoln cathedral in the east part, in imitation of bishop Russel’s chapel, with a tomb, &c. He also gave the second bell at Wooburn church, and built almshouses at Henley, his birth-place.
His works are: 1. “Conciones Tres,” printed by Pynson, fol. dedicated to archbishop Warhatn. 2. “Quinque sermones, sextis quadragesimis feriis,
His works are: 1. “Conciones Tres,
” printed by Pynson, fol. dedicated to archbishop Warhatn. 2. “Quinque
sermones, sextis quadragesimis feriis, coram Hen. VIII.
”
anno 1517, printed also by Pynson, Lond. 1528. 3. “Expositio concionalis Psalmi Sexti,
” Expositio
cone, secundi psalmi pcenitentialis, coram rege,
” Conciones expositive in tertium psalm, pcenit.
” 6,
44 Conciones in 50 psalm, pcenit. coram rege,“1521, 1522.
Most of these sermons were preached in English, but
translated into Latin by Thomas Key, of All Souls college,
and printed by Robert Redman in 1532, fol. 7.
” Sermon before the King on Good-Friday/' Lond. 1538, mentioned by Fox.
born in 1507, at Utrecht, and died in 1543, at Cologn, aged thirty-six. He was physician to Herman, archbishop of that city, and left the following works, “Lexicon Graeco-Latinum,”
, a skilful physician of the sixteenth century, was born in 1507, at Utrecht,
and died in 1543, at Cologn, aged thirty-six. He was physician to Herman, archbishop of that city, and left the following works, “Lexicon Graeco-Latinum,
” Remarks in Latin on Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Plautus, Cornelius Nepos, the Rhetoric of Herennius, and on Laurentius
Valla,
” in several volumes 8vo an edition in Greek and
Latin of the “Life of Apollonius Tyaneus,
” by Philostratus, 8vo, and a Latin translation of Plutarch’s seven
“Gpuscula,
” 8vo Notes on Cicero’s familiar Epistles, and
a second edition of the Council of Nice, &c.
lain to Dr. Terrick, then bishop of Peterborough. In January 1771 he was collated by Dr. Cornwallis, archbishop of Canterbury, to the rectory of St. Matthew, Friday-street,
, a learned and amiable clergyman,
and some time Greek professor of the university of Cambridge, was descended from an ancient family in Pembrokeshire, and was the son of major Lort, of the Welsh
fusileers, who was killed at the battle of Fontenoy, in 1745.
He was born in 1725, and was admitted of Trinity-college,
Cambridge, in 1743, from whence he removed into the
family of Dr. Mead, to whom he was librarian until the
death of that celebrated physician, in 1754; and while in
that situation probably acquired the taste for literary history
and curiosities which enabled him to accumulate a very
valuable library, as well as to assist many of his contemporaries in their researches into biography and antiquities.
In the mean time he kept his terms at college; and proceeded A. B. in 1746; was elected fellow of his college in
1749; and took his degree of M. A. in 1750. In 1755 he
was elected a fellow of the society of antiquaries, and was
many years a vice-president, until his resignation in 1788.
During this time he made some communications to the
“Archxologia,
” vols. IV. and V. In 1759, on the resignation of Dr. Francklin, he was appointed Greek professor
at Cambridge, and in 1761 he took the degree of B. D.
and was appointed chaplain to Dr. Terrick, then bishop of
Peterborough. In January 1771 he was collated by Dr.
Cornwallis, archbishop of Canterbury, to the rectory of St.
Matthew, Friday-street, on which he resigned his Greek
professorship; and in August 1779 he was appointed chaplain to the archbishop, and in the same year commenced
D.D. In April 1780, the archbishop gave him a prebend
of St. Pau Ps (his grace’s option) and he continued at Lambeth till 1783, when he married Susanna Norfolk, one of
the two daughters of alderman Norfolk, of Cambridge. On
the death of Dr. Ducarel, in 1785, he was appointed by
archbishop Moore, librarian to the archiepiscopal library at
Lambeth. He was also for some years librarian to the
duke of Devonshire. In April 1789, he was presented by
Dr. Porteus, bishop of London, to the sinecure rectory Jqf
Fulham, in Middlesex; and in the same year was instituted to the rectory of Mile-end, near Colchester. He
died Nov. 5, 1790, at his house in Savile-row; his death
was occasioned by a fall from a chaise while riding near
Colchester, which injured his kidnies, and was followed
by a paralytic stroke. He was buried at his church in Friday-street, of which he had been rector nineteen years. A
monumental tablet was put up to his memory, which also
records the death of his widow, about fifteen months afterwards. They had no issue.
le, that after he had taken his master’s degree, and had refused to subscribe the canons enjoined by archbishop Laud, relative to the prelates and the Book of Common Prayer,
, a presbyterian divine of considerable tame in the time of Cromw< II, was born at Cardiff in Glamorganshire, in 1618. In his earlier days he was of a dissipated turn; and his religious education, at least, must have been neglected by his parents, if what his biographer says be true, that he was fifteen years of age before he ever heard a sermon. The effect of this sermon, however, preached by Mr. Erbery, was such that he became not only reformed, but so strict and precise in his religious duties, as to give offence to his father, who at length placed him as an apprentice in London. His son, who was averse to this measure, earnestly intreated that he might be sent to the university; to which having obtained a very reluctant consent, he became a servitor of New Inn, Oxford, in 1635. Here, however, as his father denied him a proper support, he subsisted by the help of the above-mentioned Mr. Erbery, and such supplies as his mother could afford. After taking a bachelor’s degree in arts, he went into holy orders, and preached frequently at St. Peter in the Bayley, but his principles were so unacceptable, that after he had taken his master’s degree, and had refused to subscribe the canons enjoined by archbishop Laud, relative to the prelates and the Book of Common Prayer, he was expelled the congregation of masters.
When archbishop Cornwallis died, the king made an offer of the archiepiscopal
When archbishop Cornwallis died, the king made an offer of the archiepiscopal see to Dr. Lowth; but this dignity he declined. He was now advanced in life, and was
h the French translation of Plutarch by the abbe* Tallemant. He also prepared for the press notes to archbishop” Usher’s Chronology;“”A Description of Lapland;“and several
, an Augustine friar, and geographer to the French king, was born at Paris, Jan. 29, 1624,
took the monk’s habit early, passed through all the offices
of his order, became provincial-general of the province of
France, and at last assistant- general of the Augustine
monks of France at Rome. He applied himself particularly to the subject of the benefices of France, and of the
abbies of Italy, and acquired that exact knowledge which
enabled him to compose, both in France and at Rome,
' The Geographical Mercury;“” Notes upon the Roman
Martyrology, describing the places marked in it;“”A
history of the French Abbeys;“” The present state of the
Abbeys of Italy;“” Orbis Augustinianus, or an account
of all the houses of his order;“with a great number of
maps and designs, engraved by himself, a very curious
work in oblong quarto. He also wrote notes upon
” Plutarch’s Lives -,“and we have geographical tables of his,
printed with the French translation of Plutarch by the
abbe* Tallemant. He also prepared for the press notes to
archbishop
” Usher’s Chronology;“”A Description of Lapland;“and several other works; especially
” A Geography of all the places mentioned in the Bible,“which is
prefixed to
” Usher’s Annalsi“He likewise wrote notes
upon.
” Stephanas de urbibus." He died in the convent of
the Augustine fathers in St. Germain, at Paris, March
17, 1695, aged seventy-one.
ons. Soon after, in 1619, he sent. him to Rome, to search for papers and memoirs, which John Magnus, archbishop of Upsal, was said to have conveyed formerly to Rome, and which
, a learned orientalist, was born at Erfurt in Thuringia, June 15, 1624, of one of the best families in the city, then in reduced circumstances. He began
his studies at home, under very insufficient masters, and
having acquired some knowledge of the Greek and Latin
languages, applied himself to the French, Italian, and
Spanish, and afterwards to those of the East. He also
made some progress in physic and law, but without any
view to a profession. In 1645 he went to Leyden, a
studied the languages under Erpenius, Golius, and other:
eminent teachers, and likewise maintained some disputations in law. After residing here ahove a year, he was appointed travelling tutor to a young man of family, with
whom he went to France, and at Caen contracted a friendship with Bochart, and taught t him the elements of the
Ethiopic language. He afterwards went with his pupil to
England but the rebellion being at its height at this time,
he soon returned to Holland. The baron de Rosenhahn,
ambassador from Christina queen of Sweden at the court
of France, happened to have in his retinue a brother of Ludolf, who recommended our author to that nobleman so
effectually, that he sent for him from Holland to Paris, to
be preceptor to his two sons. Soon after, in 1619, he sent.
him to Rome, to search for papers and memoirs, which
John Magnus, archbishop of Upsal, was said to have conveyed formerly to Rome, and which Christina was desirous
to recover. Ludolph performed this journey in company
with two Polish gentlemen, of whom he learned their language. At Rome he found no manuscripts relating to
Sweden; but this journey was not useless to himself, for
by his conversation with four Abyssinians, then at Rome,
be perfected himself in the knowledge of the Ethiopic language. Immediately after his return to Paris he was obliged to go to Sweden with the ambassador, where he found
a great many learned men at queen Christina’s court, and
had an opportunity of learning there the Portuguese, Moscovite, an. I Finland languages. In 1652, Ernest duke of
Saxe-Gotha sent for him to his court, and made him his
Aulic-counsellor, and governor to the princes his sons, and
employed him in various political affairs and negociations.
In 1678 he desired leave to retire, resolving upon a private
life, and went to Fraucfort, where he had a commission
from the dukes of Saxony to act in their names in the conferences held there in 1681 and 1682, in order to settle a
pacification between the emperor, the empire, and France.
The elector palatine likewise gave him the direction of
some of his revenues; and the electors of Saxony honoured
him with the titles of their counsellor and resident. But
Abyssinia was the chief object of the attention of our author,
who concerted measures to form an alliance between that
remote nation and the powers of Europe. He had addressed
himself for that purpose, in 1679, to the court of Vienna,
who referred him to the English and Dutch, as more
capable of contributing to that great design. He vyent, there- i
fore, to England in 168,'i, but did not find any disposition
there to execute his scheme for establishing a commerce
with the Abyssinians, and although he found rather more
encouragement in Holland, the scheme was defeated by
the Abyssinians themselves. In 1684, Ludolph returned
to Francfort, having passed through France, and began to
apply himself vigorously to the writing of his “History of
Ethiopia.
” In
rent countries to preach up these indulgences, and to receive money for them. Albert of Brandenburg, archbishop of Mentz and Magdeburg, who was soon after made a cardinal,
In this manner was he employed when the general indulgences were published in 1517. Leo X. who succeeded
Julius II. in March 1513, formed a design of building the
magnificent church of St. Peter’s at Rome, which was,
indeed, begun by Julius II. but still required very large
sums to be finished. The treasure of the apostolic chamber was much exhausted, and the pope himself, though of
a rich and powerful family, yet was far from being able to
do it at his own proper charge, on account of the excessive
debts he had contracted before his advancement to the
popedom. There was nothing new in the method of raising money by indulgences. This had been formerly on
several occasions practised by the court of Rome; and
none had been found more effectual. Leo, therefore, in
1517, published general indulgences throughout all Europe, in favour of those who would contribute any sum to
the building of St. Peter’s; and appointed persons in different countries to preach up these indulgences, and to
receive money for them. Albert of Brandenburg, archbishop of Mentz and Magdeburg, who was soon after made
a cardinal, had a commission for Germany; and Luther
assures us that he was to have half the money that was to
be raised, which does not seem improbable, for Albert’s
court was at that time very luxurious and splendid; and he
had borrowed 30,000 florins of that opulent family the Fuggers of Augsburg, to pay the pope for the bulls of his archbishopric, which sum he was bound to repay. Be this
however as it will, Albert gave out this commission to John
Tetzel, orTecelius, a Dominican friar, and others of his
order. These indulgences were immediately exposed to
sale; and Tetzel boasted of “having so large a commission from the pope, that though a man should have deflowered the virgin Mary, yet for money he might be pardoned.
” He added further, that “he did not only give
pardon for sins past, but for sins to come.
” A book came
out also at the same time, under the sanction of the archbishop, in which orders were given to the commissioners
and collectors to enforce and press the power of indulgences. These persons performed their offices with great
zeal indeed, but not with sufficient judgment and policy.
They over-acted their parts, so that the people, to whom
they were become very troublesome, saw through the
cheat;' being at length convinced, that under a pretence
of indulgences they only meant to plunder the Germans;
and that, far from being solicitous about saving the souls
of others, their only view was to enrich themselves.
ng indulgences, and the commissioners appointed to publish them, Luther seemed to attack Albert, the archbishop of Ment7, under whose name and authority they were published.
This is the doctrine of Luther’s thesis; in which, if he
does not attack indulgences directly, he certainly represents them as useless and ineffectual. He also condemns
in it several propositions which he attributes to his adversaries, and inveighs against several abuses of which he
affirms them guilty, as for example, “The reserving ecclesiastical penances for purgatory, or commuting them into
the pains of purgatory; teaching that indulgences free men
from all the guilt and punishment of sin; preaching that
the soul, which they please to release out of purgatory,
flies immediately to heaven when the money is cast into
the chest; maintaining, that these indulgences are an
inestimable gift, by which man is reconciled to God; exacting from the poor, contrary to the pope’s intentions;
causing the preaching the word of God to cease in other
churches that they may have a greater concourse of people
in those where indulgences are preached; advancing this
scandalous assertion, that the pope’s indulgences hare
such a virtue, as to be able to absolve a man though he
has ravished the mother of God, which is a thing impossible; publishing, that the cross with the arms of the
pope, is equal to the cross of Christ, &c. Such positions
as these,
” says he, “have made people ask, and justly,
why the pope, out of charity, does not deliver all souls tfut
of purgatory, since he can deliver so great a number for
a little money, given for the building of a church? Whv
he suffers prayers and anniversaries for the dead, which
are certainly delivered out of purgatory by indulgences?
Why the pope, who is richer than several Croesuses, cannot build the church of St. Peter with his own money, but
at the expence of the poor r
” &c. In thus attacking indulgences, and the commissioners appointed to publish them,
Luther seemed to attack Albert, the archbishop of Ment7,
under whose name and authority they were published. Of
this he was himself aware; and, therefore, the very eve
on which he fixed up his thesis, he wrote a letter to him,
in which, after humbly representing to him the grievances
just recited, he besought him to remedy and correct them;
and concluded with imploring pardon for the freedom he
had taken, protesting that what he did was out of duty,
and with a faithful and submissive temper of mind.
es occasioned by these disputes, had been avoided; and did not forgt-t to cast the blame upon Albert archbishop of Mentz, who had increased these troubles by his severity.
While these things passed in Germany, Leo attempted
to put an end to these disputes about indulgences, by a decision of his own; and for that purpose, November the
9th, published a brief, directed to cardinal Cajetan, in
which he declared, that “the pope, the successor of St.
Peter, and vicar of Jesus Christ upon earth, hath power to
pardon, by virtue of the keys, the guilt and punishment
of sin, the guilt by the sacrament of penance, and the
temporal punishments due for actual sins by indulgences;
that these indulgences are taken from the overplus of the
merits of Jesus Christ and his saints, a treasure at the pope’s
own disposal, as well by way of absolution as suffrage; and
that the dead and the living, who properly and truly obtain these indulgences, are immediately freed from the
punishment due to their actual sins, according to the divine justice, which allows these indulgences to be granted
and obtained.
” This brief ordains, that “all the world
shall hold and preach this doctrine, under the pain of excommunication reserved to the pope; and enjoins cardinal
Cajetan to send it to all the archbishops and bishops of
Germany, and c:iuse it to be put into execution by them.
”
Luther knew very well that after this judgment made by
the pope, he could not possibly escape being proceeded
against, and condemned at Rome; and therefore, upon
the 28th of the same month, published a new appeal from
the pope to a general council, in which he asserts the superior authority of the latter over the former. The pope,
foreseeing that he should not easily manage Luther so long
as the elector of Saxony continued to support and protect
him, sent the elector a golden rose, such an one as he
used to bless every year, and send to several princes, as
marks of his particular favour to them. Miltitius, or Miltitz, his chamberlain, who was a German, was intrusted
with this commission; by whom the pope sent also letters
in Jan. 1519, to the elector’s counsellor and secretary, in
which he prayed those ministers to use all possible interest
with their master, that he would stop the progress of Luther’s errors, and imitate therein the piety of his ancestors.
It appears by Sectendorf 's account of Miltitz’s negotiation,
that Frederick had long solicited for this bauble from the
pope; and that three or four years before, when his electoral highness was a bigot to the court of Rome, it had
probably been a most welcome present. Bat it was now
too late: Luther’s contests with the see of Rome had
opened the elector’s eyes, and enlarged his mind; and
therefore, when Miltitz delivered his letters, and discharged
his commission, he was received but coldly by the elector,
who valued not the consecrated rose, nor would receive it
publicly and in form, but only privately, and by his proctor; and to the remonstrances of Miltitz respecting Luther, answered that he would not act as a judge, nor oppress a man whom he had hitherto considered as innocent.
It is thought that the death of the emperor Maximilian,
who expired on the 12th of this month, greatly altered the
face of affairs, and made the elector more able to determine Luther’s fate. Miltitz thought it best, therefore, to
try what could be done by fair and gentle means, and to
that end came to a conference with Luther. He poured
forth many commendations upon him, and earnestly intreated him that he would himself appease that tempest
which could not but be destructive to the church. He
blamed at the same time the behaviour and conduct of
Tetzel; whom he called before him, and reproved with so
much sharpness, that he died of melancholy a short time
after. Luther, amazed at all this civil treatment, which
he had never before experienced, commended Miltitz
highly, owned that, if they had behaved to him so at lirst,
all the troubles occasioned by these disputes, had been
avoided; and did not forgt-t to cast the blame upon Albert
archbishop of Mentz, who had increased these troubles by
his severity. Miltitz also made some concessions; as, that
the people had been seduced by false opinions about indulgences, that Tetzel had given the occasion, that the
archbishop had employed Tetzel to get money, that Tetzel
had exceeded the bounds of his commission, &c. This
mildness and seeming candour on the part of Miltitz gained
so wonderfully upon Luther, that he wrote a most submissive letter to the pope, on March 13, 1519. Miltitz,
however, taking for granted that they would not be contented at Rome with this letter of Luther’s, written, as it
was, in general terms only, proposed to refer the matter
to some othec judgment; and it was agreed between them
that the elector of Triers should be the judge, and Coblentz the place of conference; but this came to nothing;
for Luther afterwards gave some reasons for not going to
Coblentz, and the pope would not refer the matter to the
elector of Triers.
erences with him, and that he had promised JVliltitz to be silent, and submit to the decision of the archbishop of Triers; but that the dispute at Leipsic had hindered the
While Luther was labouring to excuse himself to the
emperor and the bishops of Germany, Eckius had gone to
Rome, to solicit his condemnation: which, it may easily
be conceived, was not now very difficult to be obtained, as
he and his whole party were had in abhorrence, and the
elector Frederic wajs out of favour, on account of the protection which he afforded Luther. The elector excused
himself to the pope, in a letter dated April 1; which the
pope answered, and sent him at the same time a copy of a
bull, in which he was required “either to oblige Luther
to retract his errors, or to imprison him for the disposal of
the pope.
” This peremptory proceeding alarmed at first
the court of the elector, and many German nobles who
were of Luther’s party, but their final resolution was, to
protect and defend him. In the mean time, though
Luther’s condemnation was determined at Rome, Miltitz
did not cease to treat in Germany, and to propose means
of accommodation. To this end he applied to the chapter
of the Augustine friars there, and prayed them to interpose
their authority, and to beg of Luther that he would endeavour to conciliate the pope by a letter, full of submission
and respect. Luther consented to write, and his letter
bears date April the 6th; but matters had been carried too
far on both sides, ever to admit of a reconciliation. The
mischief Luther had done, and continued to do, to the
papal authority, was irreparable; and the rough usage and
persecutions he had received from the pope’s party had
now inflamed his active spirit to that degree, that it was
not possible to appease it, but by measures which the
pope and the court of Rome could never be expected to
adopt. At all events, the letter he wrote at this juncture
could not be attended with any healing ednsequences; the
style and sentiments were too irritating for a less degree of
pride than that which presided at Rome. In this epistle
Luther says, “that among the monsters of the age, with
whom be had been engaged for three years past, he had often
called to mind the blessed father Leo: that now he began
to triumph over his enemies, and to despise them: that,
though he had been obliged to appeal from his holiness to
a general council, yet he had no aversion to him: that he
had always wished and prayed for all sorts of blessings
upon his person and see: that his design was only to defend the truth: that he had never spoken dishonourably of
his holiness, but had called him a Daniel in the midst of
Babylon, to denote the innocence and purity he had preserved among so many corrupt men: that the court of
Rome was visibly more corrupt than either Babylon or
Sodom; and that his holiness was as a lamb among wolves,
a Daniel among lions, and an Ezekiel ampng scorpions:
that there were not above three or four cardinals of any
learning or piety: that it was against these disorders of
the court of Rome he was obliged to appear: that cardinal
Cajftan, who was ordered by his holiness to treat with
him, bad shewn no inclinations to peace: that his nuncio JVliltitz had indeed come to two conferences with
him, and that he had promised JVliltitz to be silent, and
submit to the decision of the archbishop of Triers; but
that the dispute at Leipsic had hindered the execution of
this project, and put things into greater confusion: that
Milt it/ hud applied a third time to the chapter of his order,
at whose instigation he had written to his holiness: and
that he now threw himself at his feet, praying him to impose silence upon his enemies: but that, as for a recantation on his part, be must not insist upon it, unless he
would increase the troubles; nor prescribe him rules for
the interpretation of the word of God, because it ought
not to be limited. Then he admonishes the pope not to
suffer himself to be seduced, by his flatterers, into a persuasion that he can command and require all things, that
he is above a council and the universal church, that he
alone has a right to interpret scripture; but to believe
those rather who debase, than those who exalt him.
”
delphus, king of Egypt. The best edition of “Lycophron,” is that at Oxford, 1697, by Dr. (afterwards archbishop) Potter; re-printed therein 1701, folio. A few years ago, the
, a Greek poet and grammarian, was a
native of Chalcis, in Eubcea, and according to Ovid, was
killed by a shot with an arrow. He flourished about 304
years before Christ, and wrote a poem entitled “Alexandra,
” or Cassandra, containing a long course of predictions, which he supposes to be made by Cassandra, daughter of Priam, king of Troy. This poem has created a great
deal of trouble to the learned, on account of its obscurity,
which procured him the title of “the tenebrous poet.
”
Suidas has preserved the titles of twenty tragedies of his
composing; and he is reckoned in the number of the poets
who were called the Pleiades, and who flourished under
Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt. The best edition
of “Lycophron,
” is that at Oxford, Remarks
” on the “Cassandra,
” which are highly judicious, and his conjectures in illustration of the obscurities
of Lycophron, plausible and happy.
ld certainly have made a provision for him. In 1609, he became acquainted with Dr. Usher, afterwards archbishop of Armagh, who took him into Ireland, and placed him in the
, an eminent English scholar, was
born at Alkrington or Okerton, near Banbury in Oxfordshire, in 1572. His father, observing his natural talents,
sent him to Winchester school, where he was admitted a
scholar on the foundation, at thirteen; and, being elected
thence to New-college in Oxford, was put under the tuition
of Dr. (afterwards sir) Henry Martin, who became so well
known during the rebellion. Mr. Lydiat was made probationer fellow in 1591, and two years after, actual fellow.
Then taking his degree in arts, he applied himself to
astronomy, mathematics, and divinity, in the last of which
studies he was very desirous of continuing; but, finding a
great defect in his memory and utterance, he chose rather
to resign his fellowship, which he could not hold without
entering the church, and live upon his small patrimony.
This was in 1603; and he spent seven years after in finishing and printing such books as he had begun when in college. He first appeared as an author in 1605, by publishing his “Tractatus de variis annorum formis.
” Of this
he published a defence in Emendatio Temporum ab initio mundi hue usque compendio facta, contra Scaligerum et alios,
”
n, joining with Dr. Pink, warden of New-college, and Dr. Usher, paid the debt, and released him; and archbishop Laud also, at the request of sir Henry Martin, gave his assistance
When he came to England, which appears to have been in 1611, he is supposed to have been married, and to Usher’s sister; but for either supposition there seems very little foundation. Soon after his return, however, the rectory of Okerton becoming void, was offered to him; and though while he was fellow of New-college, he had refused the offer of it by his father, who was the patron, yet he now accepted it, and was instituted in 1612. Here he seems to have lived happily for many years: but being imprudently security for the debts of a near relation, which he was unable to pay, he was successively imprisoned at Oxford, the King’s-bench, and elsewhere, in 1629, or 1630, and remained a prisoner till sir William Boswell, a great patron of learned men, joining with Dr. Pink, warden of New-college, and Dr. Usher, paid the debt, and released him; and archbishop Laud also, at the request of sir Henry Martin, gave his assistance on this occasion . He had no sooner got his liberty, than, out of an ardent zeal to promote literature and the honour of his country, he petitioned Charles I for his protection and encouragement to travel into Turkey, Ethiopia, and the Abyssinian empire, in searcli of manuscripts relating to civil or ecclesiastical history, or any other branch of learning, and to print them in England. For the farther advancement of this design, he also requested the king would apply, by his ambassadors and ministers, to such princes as were in alliance with him, for a similar privilege to be granted to Lydiat and his assigns: this was a spirited design, but it was impossible for the king at that unhappy period to pay attention to it.
the labour and expence. In the labour he had none to share with him, but at the time above mentioned archbishop Seeker offered him a subscription of 50l. to forward the work,
Having now qualified himself completely for a work of
that nature, he undertook the arduous task of publishing
the “Etymologicum Anglicanum
” of Francis Junius, from
the manuscript of the author in the Bodleian Library. To
this undertaking he was led, as he tells us in his preface,
by the commendations which Hickes and other learned
antiquaries had given to that unpublished work. In the
seventh year from the commencement of his design, he
published the work, with many additions, and particularly
that of an Anglo-Saxon Grammar prefixed. The work
was received with the utmost approbation of the learned.
In 1750, Mr. Lye became a member of the society of antiquaries, and about the same time was presented by the
earl of Northampton to the vicarage of Yardley Hastings,
on which accession he resigned his former living of Houghton; giving an illustrious example of primitive moderation,
especially as he had hitherto supported his mother, and
had still two sisters dependent upon him. The next publication which he issued, was that of the Gothic Gospels,
undertaken at the desire of Eric Benzelius, bishop of
Upsal, who had collated and corrected them. This, which
he had been long preparing, appeared from the Oxford
press in the same year, with a Gothic Grammar prefixed.
His last years were employed chiefly in finishing for the
press his own great work, the Anglo-Saxon and Gothic
Dictionary, which was destined to owe that to another
editor, which he had performed for Junius. His manuscript was just completed, and given to the printer, when
he died at Yardley Hastings, in 1767; and was there
buried, with a commendatory but just and elegant epitaph.
His Dictionary was published in 1772, in two volumes folio,
by the rev. Owen Manning, with a grammar of the two
languages united, and some memoirs of the author, from
which this account is taken. It appears by some original
correspondence between Mr. Lye and Dr. Ducarel (for the perusal of which we are indebted to Mr. Nichols), that Mr.
Lye had been employed on his dictionary a long time before
1765, and that he had almost relinquished the design from
a dread of the labour and expence. In the labour he had
none to share with him, but at the time above mentioned
archbishop Seeker offered him a subscription of 50l. to
forward the work, and he appears to have hoped for similar
instances of liberality.
and the circumstance does credit to his liberality. The cardinal was not only minister of state, but archbishop of Lyons, when the question was agitated respecting the marriages
His success in these affairs had nearly fixed him in political life, when a dispute with the cardinal changed his
destination, and the circumstance does credit to his liberality. The cardinal was not only minister of state, but
archbishop of Lyons, when the question was agitated respecting the marriages of protestants. The abbe wished
him to view this question with the eyes of a statesman
only, but the cardinal would consider it only as a prince of
the Romish church, and as he persisted in this opinion,
the abbe saw him no more. From this time he gave himself up to study, without making any advances to fortune,
or to literary men. He always said he was more anxious
to merit general esteem than to obtain it. He lived a long
time on a small income of a thousand crowns, and an annuity; which last, on the death of his brother, he gave up
to his relations. The court, however, struck with this disinterested act, gave him a pension of 2800 Jivres, without
the solicitation or knowledge of any of his friends. Mably
not only inveighed against luxury and riches, but showed
by his example that he was sincere; and to these moderate
desires, he joined an ardent love of independence, which
he took every opportunity to evince. One day when a
friend brought him an invitation to dine with a minister of
state, he could not prevail on him to accept it, but at
length the abbe said he would visit the gentleman with
pleasure as soon as he heard that he was “out of office.
”
He had an equal repugnance to become a member of any
of the learned societies. The marshal Richelieu pressed
him much to become a candidate for the academy, and
with such arguments that he could not refuse to accept the
offer; but he had fio sooner quitted the marshal than he
ran to his brother the abbe Condillac, and begged he would
get him released, cost what it would. “Why all this
obstinacy?
” said his brother. “Why!
” rejoined the abbe“Mably,
” because, if I accept it 1 shall be obliged to praise
the cardinal de Uichelieu, which is contrary to my principles, or, it I do not praise him, as I owe every thing to
his nephew, I shall be accused of ingratitude.“In the
same spirit, he acquired a bluntness of manner that was not
very agreeable in the higher circles, where he never tailed
to take the part of men of genius who were poor, against
the insults of the rich and proud. His works, by which
the booksellers acquired large sums of money, contributed
very little to his own finances, for he demanded no return
but a lew copies to give as presents to his friends. He appeared always dissatisfied with the state of public affairs,
and had the credit of predicting the French revolution.
Political sagacity, indeed, was that on which he chiefly
rested his fame, andhaving formed his theory from certain
systems which he thought might be traced to the Greeks
and Romans, and even the ancient Gauls, he went as far
as must of his contemporaries in undervaluing the prerogatives of the crown, and introducing a representative government. In his latter works his own mind appears to
have undergone a revolution, and he pro\ed that if he was
before sincere in his notions of freedom, he was now
equally illiberal. After enjoying considerable reputation,
and bein^ considered as one of the most popular French
writers on the subjects of politics, morals, and history, he
died at Paris, April 23, 1785. The abbe Barruel ranks
him among the class of philosophers, who wished to be
styled the Moderates, but whom Rousseau calls the Inconsistents. He adds, that
” without being impious like a
Voltaire or a Condorcet, even though averse to their impiety, his own tenets were extremely equivocal. At times
his morality was so very disgusting, that it was necessary
to suppose his language was ambiguous, and that he had
been misunderstood, lest one should be obliged to throw
off all esteem for his character." Such at least was the
defence which Barruel heard him make, to justify himself
from the censures of the Sorbonne.
the rebel army, he was obliged to fly to the north of England; where he was invited by Herring, then archbishop of York, to reside with him during his stay in this country.
In 1745, having been very active in fortifying the city
of Edinburgh against the rebel army, he was obliged to fly
to the north of England; where he was invited by Herring, then archbishop of York, to reside with him during
his stay in this country. “Here,
” says he, in a letter to
one of his friends, “I live as happy as a man can do, who
is ignorant of the state of his family, and who sees the ruin
of his country.
” We regret to add, that in this expedition
being exposed to cold and hardships, and naturally of a
weak and tender constitution, he laid the foundation of a
dropsical disorder, which put an end to his life June 14,
1746, aged 48. There is a circumstance recorded of him
during his last moments, which shows that he was the inquiring philosopher to the last: He desired his friend Dr.
Monro to account for a phenomenon he then observed in
himself, viz. flashes of fire seeming to dart from his eyes,
while in the mean time his sight was failing, so that he could
scarcely distinguish one object from another."
, archbishop of Upsal, in Sweden, was born at Lincoping in 1488; was a violent
, archbishop of Upsal, in Sweden, was
born at Lincoping in 1488; was a violent opposer of the
protestant religion, and laboured much, though in vain,
to prevent the king, Gustavus, from introducing it into
his kingdom. Magnus, being persecuted on this account,
retired to Rome, where he was received with great marks
of regard, and died therein 1544. He was author of, 1.
“A History of Sweden,
” in twenty-four books, published
in A History of the Archbishops of
Upsal,
” which he carried down as low as 1544. This was
also in folio, and appeared in 1657 and 1560.
l Manby, and after being educated at the university of Dublin, became chaplain to Dr. Michael Boyle, archbishop of -Dublin, and at length dean of Derry. During the reign of
, a Roman catholic writer, was the son
of lieutenant-colonel Manby, and after being educated at
the university of Dublin, became chaplain to Dr. Michael
Boyle, archbishop of -Dublin, and at length dean of Derry.
During the reign of James II. in 1686, being disappointed
of a bishopric, which he had hopes of obtaining by means
of the lord primate, he attempted to rise by popish interest,
and publicly embraced that religion, in vindication of
which he wrote several books. But the revolution preventing the accomplishment of his wishes, he removed to
France, and thence to England, and died at London in
1697. He wrote “A Letter to a Nonconformist minister,
”
Lond. A brief and practical Discourse on
Abstinence in Lent,
” Dublin, Of Confession to a lawful Priest,
” &c. Lond. The
Considerations which obliged Peter Manby, Dean of Derry,
to embrace the Catholic religion. Dedicated to the Lord
Primate of Ireland,
” Dublin, A reformed Catechism in two Dialogues,
”
the first only of which appeared in
Dr. Mangey married Dorothy, daughter of archbishop Sharp, by whom he had one son, John, vicar of Dunmow in Essex,
Dr. Mangey married Dorothy, daughter of archbishop Sharp, by whom he had one son, John, vicar of Dunmow in Essex, and a prebendary of St. Paul’s. He died in 1782. Mrs. Mangey, widow of the doctor, died in 178O.
terwards duke of Bedford, who had a high respect for him. At this church he had a numerous auditory. Archbishop Usher, who was one of his hearers, used to say that he was one
His ministerial functions were exercised in various places, first at Sowton near Exeter, and then at Colyton in Devonshire, where he was much respected. Removing to London, he became more admired for his talents in the pulpit, and about 1643 was presented to the living of Stoke Newington, by colonel Popham, and here preached those lectures on the epistles of St. James and St. Jude, which he afterwards published in 1651 and 1652, 4to. During his residence at Newington, he often preached in London, and is said to have preached the second sermon before the sons of the clergy, an institution then set on foot, chiefly through the influence of Dr. Hall, son to the bishop, who preached the first. He was also one of those who were called occasionally to preach before the parliament, but being a decided enemy to the murder of the king, he gave great offence by a sermon in which he touched on that subject. In 1651 he shewed equal contempt for the tyranny of the usurpers, by preaching a funeral sermon for Mr. Love (see Christopher Love), and in neither case allowed the fears of his friends to prevent what he thought his duty. In 1650 he removed from Stoke-Newington, on being presented to the living of Covent garden by the earl, afterwards duke of Bedford, who had a high respect for him. At this church he had a numerous auditory. Archbishop Usher, who was one of his hearers, used to say that he was one of the best preachers in England, and had the art of reducing the substance of whole volumes into a narrow compass, and representing it to great advantage. Although he had already, by the two sermons above noticed, shewn that he was far from courting the favours, of government, Cromwell, who well knew how to avail himself of religious influence and popular talents, sent for him in 1653, when he assumed the protectorate, and desired him to pray at Whitehall on the morning of his installation; and about the same time made him one of his chaplains. He was nominated also by parliament one of a committee of divines to draw up a scheme of fundamental doctrines. In the same year he was appointed one of the committee for the trial and approbation of ministers, and appears to have acted in this troublesome office with considerable moderation. What influence he had with Cromwell, he employed for the benefit of others, and particularly solicited him to spare the life of Dr. Hewit, a loyalist, whom Cromwell executed for being concerned in a plot to restore Charles II. In 1660, when the days of usurpation were over, Mr. Manton co-operated openly in the restoration of Charles, was one of the ministers appointed to wait upon his majesty at Breda, and was afterwards sworn one of his majesty’s chaplains. In the same year he was, by mandamus, created doctor of divinity at Oxford.
y with sir Robert Shirley in Leicestershire, where he became acquainted with Dr. Sheldon, who became archbishop of Canterbury. He had afterwards a private congregation in Lincoln,
, an English divine, was born at North Thoresby in the county of Lincoln, in the beginning of 1610, of which place his father, Henry Mapletoft, was many years rector. He was educated at the free grammar school of Louth, and admitted of Queen’s college in Cambridge. When he had taken the degree of B. A. he removed to Pembroke hall, and was there made fellow January 6, 1630; and in or about 1633 was appointed chaplain to bishop Wren. He was one of the university preachers in 1641, and was some time after one of the proctors of the university. In 1644 (being then bachelor in divinity) he was ejected from his fellowship for not taking the covenant. After this he retired, and lived privately among his friends, and particularly with sir Robert Shirley in Leicestershire, where he became acquainted with Dr. Sheldon, who became archbishop of Canterbury. He had afterwards a private congregation in Lincoln, where he used to officiate according to the Liturgy of the church of England: this had like to have produced him much trouble; but it being found that he had refused a considerable sum of money offered him by his congregation, he escaped prosecution. On the restoration he returned to Cambridge, and was re-instated in his fellowship, and was presented by the Crown, August 1, 1660, on the death of Dr. Newell, to the prebend of Clifton in Lincoln cathedral, to which he was installed August 23, 1660: and then resigning it, he was also on the same day installed to the sub-deanery of the same church, which he resigned in 1671; and about the same time he became rector of Clayworth in Nottinghamshire, which living he afterwards exchanged for the vicarage of Soham, in Cambridgeshire. In 1661 he resigned his fellowship, and about that time was invited by archbishop Sheldon to be chaplain to the duchess of York, then supposed to be inclining to popery, and in want of a person of Dr. Mapletoft’s primitive stamp to keep her steady to her religion; but he could not be prevailed upon to accept the appointment. In 1664 he was elected master of Pembroke hall, and became doctor in divinity, and was by the king, August 7, 1667, promoted to the deanery of Ely. He served the office of vice-chancellor of the university of Cambridge in 1671, and died at Pembroke hall, August 20, 1677. His remains, according to his own desire, were deposited in a vault in the chapel of that college, near the body of bishop Wren, the founder of it, his honoured friend and patron, without any memorial.
reat use at this juncture. He took a journey to Paris the same year, and obtained the appoiutment of archbishop of Paris; but died there June 29, 1662, the very day that the
In 1644, de Marca was sent into Catalonia, to perform
the office of visitor-general, and counsellor of the viceroy,
which he executed to the year 1651, and so gained the
affections of the Catalonians, that in 1647, when he was
dangerously ill, they put up public prayers, and vows for
his recovery. The city of Barcelona, in particular, made a
vow to our lady of Montserrat, and sent thither in their name
twelve capuchins and twelve nuns, who performed their
journey with their hair hanging loose, and bare-footed.
De Marca was persuaded, or rather seemed to be persuaded, that his recovery was entirely owing to so many
vows and prayers; and would not leave Catalonia without
going to pay his devotions at Montserrat, in the beginning
of 1651, and there wrote a small treatise, “De origine &
progressu cultûs beatæ Mariæ Virginis in Monteserato,
”
which he left in the archives of the monastery; so little
did he really possess of that liberality and firmness of mind
which is above vulgar prejudice and superstition. In August of the same year, he went to take possession of his
bishopric; and the year after was nominated to the archbishopric of Toulouse, but did not take possession till
1655. In 1656 he assisted at the general assembly of the
French clergy, and appeared in opposition to the Jansenists, that he might wipe off all suspicion of his not being
an adherent of the court of Rome, for he knew that his
being suspected of Jansenism had for a long time retarded
the bull which was necessary to establish him in the archbishopric of Toulouse. He was made a minister of state
in 1658, and went to Toulouse in 1659. In the following
year he went to Roussillon, there to determine the marches
with the commissaries of the king of Spain. In these conferences he had occasion to display his learning, as they
involved points of criticism respecting the language of Pomponius Mela and Strabo. It was said in the Pyrenean
treaty, that the limits of France and Spain were the same
with those which anciently separated the Gauls from Spain.
This obliged them to examine whereabouts, according to
the ancient geographers, the Gauls terminated here; and
de Marca’s knowledge was of great use at this juncture.
He took a journey to Paris the same year, and obtained
the appoiutment of archbishop of Paris; but died there
June 29, 1662, the very day that the bulls for his
promotion arrived. His sudden death, at this time, occasioned
the following jocular epitaph:
the elegies of Ovid, which book was ordered to be burnt at Stationers’-hall, 1599, by command of the archbishop of Canterbury and the bishop of London. Before 1598 appeared
Rape of Helen
” into
English rhyme. He also translated the elegies of Ovid,
which book was ordered to be burnt at Stationers’-hall,
1599, by command of the archbishop of Canterbury and
the bishop of London. Before 1598 appeared his translation of the “Loves of Hero and Leander,
” the elegant
prolusion of an unknown sophist of Alexandria, but commonly ascribed to the ancient Musseus. It was. left unfinished by Marlow’s death; but what was called a second
part, which is nothing more than a continuation from the
Italian, appeared by one Henry Petowe, in 1598. Another
edition was published, with the first book of Lucan, translated also by Marlow, and in blank verse, in 160O. At
length Chapman, the translator of Homer, completed, but
with a striking inequality, Marlow’s unfinished version,
and printed it at London in 1606, 4to. His plays were,
1. “Tamerlane the great Scythian emperor, two parts,
”
ascribed by Phillips erroneously to Newton. 2. “The
rich Jew of Maltha.
” 3. “The Tragical History of the
Life and Death of Dr. John Faustus.
” 4. “Lnst’s Dominion,
” Lond. Abdelazer, or the More’s
Revenge,
” Lond. The Tragedy of King Edward II.
” 6. “The Tragedy of Dido, queen of Carthage,
”
in the composition of which he was assisted by Thomas
Nash, who published it in 1594.
as entered of Lincoln college, Oxford, in 1640; and, about the same time, being a constant hearer of archbishop Usher’s sermons in All-hallows church in that university, he
, an English divine, was born at Barkby in Leicestershire, about 1621, and educated there in grammar learning, under the vicar of that town. He was entered of Lincoln college, Oxford, in 1640; and, about the same time, being a constant hearer of archbishop Usher’s sermons in All-hallows church in that university, he conceived such a high opinion of that prelate, as to wish to make him the pattern of his life. Soon after, Oxford being garrisoned upon the breaking out of the civil wars, he bore arms for the king at his own charge; and therefore, in 1645, when he was a candidate for the degree of bachelor of arts, he was admitted to it without paying fees. Upon the approach of the parliamentary visitors, who usurped the whole power of the university, he went abroad, and became preacher to the company of English merchants at Rotterdam and Dort. In 1661, he was created bachelor of divinity; and, in 1663, chosen fellow of his college, without his solicitation or knowledge. In 1669, while he was at Dort in Holland, he was made doctor of divinity at Oxford; and, in 1672, elected rector of his college, in the room of Dr. Crew, promoted to the bishopric of Oxford. He was afterwards appointed chaplain in ordinary to his majesty, rector of Bladon near Woodstock in Oxfordshire, in May 1680, and was installed dean of Gloucester on April 30, 1681. He resigned Bladon in the year 1682. He died at Lincoln-college in 1685. By his will he gave to the public library at Oxford all such of his books, whether manuscript or printed, as were not then in the library, excepting such only as he had not other-wise disposed of, and the remaining part to Lincoln-college library; in which college also he fitted up the common room, and built the garden-wall.
and the Acts of the Apostles,“Oxf. 1677. 4. He took a great deal of pains in completing” The Life of Archbishop Usher,“published by Dr. Richard Parr, sometime fellow of Exeter
He produced some writings; as, 1. “Observationes in
Evangeliorum versiones perantiquas duas, Gothicas scilicet
& Anglo-Saxonicas,
” &c. Dordrecht, The Catechism set forth in the book of Common Prayer, briefly
explained by short notes, grounded upon Holy Scripture/'
Oxf. 1679. These short notes were drawn up by him at
the desire of Dr. John Fell, bishop of Oxford, to be used
by the ministers of his diocese in catechising their children.
3.
” An Epistle for the English reader, prefixed to Dr.
Thomas Hyde’s translation into the Malayan language of
the four Gospels, and the Acts of the Apostles,“Oxf. 1677.
4. He took a great deal of pains in completing
” The Life
of Archbishop Usher,“published by Dr. Richard Parr,
sometime fellow of Exeter college, Lond. 1686. Wood
tells us,
” that he was a person very well versed in books,
a noted critic, especially in the Gothic and English-Saxon
tongues, a painful preacher, a good man and governor,
and one every way worthy of his station in the church;
and that he Whs always taken to be an honest and conscientious puritan.“Dr. Hickes, in
” The Life of Mr. John
Kettlewell,“p. 3, styles him
” a very eminent person in
the learned world; and observes, that what he has published shewed him to be a great man.“Dr. Thomas Smith
styles him also a most excellent man,
” vir pra’stantissimus," and adds, that he was extremely well skilled in the
Saxon, and in the Eastern tongues, especially the Coptic;
and eminent for his strict piety, profound learning, and
other valuable qualifications.
in queen Mary’s time. Among other instances, he was joined in commission with Story in the trial of archbishop Cranmer at Oxford. His proceedings on that occasion may be seen
, an eminent civilian, the son of
Thomas Martin, was born at Cerne, in Dorsetshire, and
educated at Winchester school, whence he was admitted
fellow of New college, Oxford, in 1539. He applied himself chiefly to the canon and civil law, which he likewise
studied at Bourges, and was admitted doctor. On entering upon practice in Doctors’ Commons, he resigned his
fellowship; and in 1555, being incorporated LL. D. at
Oxford, he was made chancellor of the diocese of Winchester. This he owed to the recommendation of bishop
Gardiner, who had a great opinion of his zeal and abilities,
and no doubt very justly, as he found him a ready and
useful assistant in the persecution of the protestants in
queen Mary’s time. Among other instances, he was joined
in commission with Story in the trial of archbishop Cranmer at Oxford. His proceedings on that occasion may be
seen in Fox’s “Acts and Monuments
” under the years Life of William of
Wykeham,
” the munificent founder of New college, the
ms. of which is in the library of that college. It was first
published in 1597, 4to, and reprinted, without any correction or improvement, by Dr. Nicholas, warden of Winchester, in 1690, who does not seem to have been aware
how much more might be recovered of Wykeham, as Dr.
Lowth has proved. This excellent biographer says that
Martin seems not so much to have wanted diligence in
collecting proper materials, as care and judgment in digesting and composing them. But it is unnecessary to say
much of what is now rendered useless by Dr. Lowth’s work.
Dr. Martin bequeathed, or gave in his life-time, several
valuable books to New college library.
r he had spent five years at Strasburg, he was, through the management of Seymour the protector, and archbishop Cranmer, sent for to England by Edward VI. who made him professor
nience, he went to Lucca, where he was made superior of St. Fridian, a house of his own order; and there he lived with Tremellius and Zanchius, whom he is said to have converted. But, finding himself in more danger here, he left the city secretly, and travelled to Pisa; whence, by letters to cardinal Pole, and to the society of Lucca, he fully explained the reasons of his departure. Then coming to Florence, but making no long stay there, he set forward for Germany; and, passing the Alps, went to Zurich with Ochinus, who had been one of the most celebrated preachers of Italy, but had now forsaken his former superstitions. From Zurich he went to Basil; and thence, by Bucer’s means, was brought to Strasburg; Here he married a young nun that had left her convent, who lived with him eight years, and died at Oxford, as will be noticed hereafter. After he had spent five years at Strasburg, he was, through the management of Seymour the protector, and archbishop Cranmer, sent for to England by Edward VI. who made him professor of divinity at Oxford in 1549. Here he read lectures, to which even the popish party, from the fame of his learning, resorted: and though they could not be easily reconciled to his doctrines, yet they bore him with some patience, till he came to handle that of the Lord’s Supper. Then they began to disturb him in his lectures, to fix up malicious and scandalous libels against him, and to challenge him to disputes; uhich challenges he did not disdain to accept, but disputed, first privately in the vice-chancellor’s lodge, and afterwards in public, before his majesty’s commissioners, deputed for that purpose. His adversaries, finding no advantage could be gained by argument, stirred up the multitude so successfully, that he was obliged to retire to London till the tumult was suppressed. In 1550, the king bestowed on him a canonry of Christ church, on which he returned, and entered on the lodgings belonging to him, near the great gate of Christ church leading into Fish-street. Here being still much disturbed by the rabble, who broke his windows in the night-time, and rendered the situation very uneasy, he was obliged to exchange his lodgings for those in the cloister, where he quietly passed the remainder of his abode in the university. For the more privacy in his studies, he erected a fabric of stone in his garden, situated on the east side of his apartments, in which he partly composed his commentaries on the first epistle to the Corinthians, and his epistles to learned men. This fabric, which contained two stories, remained until 1684, when it was pulled down by Dr. Aldrich, then canon.
until queen Elizabeth was settled on the throne, when a singular act of retaliation took place. The archbishop of Canterbury, bishop of London, and others, having ordered
The body was accordingly taken up and buried in the
dunghill near the dean’s stable, and remained there, until
queen Elizabeth was settled on the throne, when a singular act of retaliation took place. The archbishop of Canterbury, bishop of London, and others, having ordered
some of the society of Christ church to replace the body,
Dr. Calfhill, the subdean, not content with this, made
search for the relics of St. Frideswyde, and having found
them, put them into the coffin along with the remains of
Martyr’s wife, that in time they might become (indistinguishable. In this state the coffin was solemnly interred in Christ church. On this occasion one of the Oxford wits proposed by way of epitaph, “Hie jacet religio cum superstitione.
” Dr. Calfhiil published in the following year (Historia cte
exhuumione Katherinee nuper uxoris Petri Martyris,
”
in 8vo.
treatment of judge Hales, who had strenuously defended her right of succession to the crown; and of archbishop Cranmer, who in reality had saved her life. These actions were
King Edward her brother dying the 6th of July, 1553,
she was proclaimed queen the same month, and crowned
in October, by Stephen Gardiner, bishop of Winchester.
In July 1754, she was married to Philip prince of Spain,
eldest son of the emperor Charles the Fifth; and now
began that persecution against the Protestants, for which
her reign is so justly infamous. Until her marriage with
that tyrant, she appears to have been merciful and humane,
for Holinshed tells us, that when she appointed sir Richard
Morgan chief justice of the Common Pleas, she told him,
“that notwithstanding the old error, which did not admit
any witness to speak, or any other matter to be heard,
(her majesty being party,) her pleasure was, that whatsoever could be brought in favour of the subject should be
admitted to be heard; and moreover, that the justices
should not persuade themselves to put in judgment otherwise for her highness than for her subject.
” Hence some
have carried their good opinion of her so far, as to suppose that most of those barbarities were transacted by her
bishops, without her knowledge or privity; but as this was
impossible, it would be a better defence, if she must be
defended, to plead that a strict adherence to a false religion, and a conscientious observance of its pernicious and
cruel dictates, overruled and got the better of that goodness of temper, which was natural to her. Yet neither
this can be reasonably admitted when we consider her unkind and inhuman treatment of her sister, the lady Elizabeth; her admitting a council for the taking up and burning of her father’s body; her most ungrateful and perfidious
breach of promise with the Suffolk men; her ungenerous
and barbarous treatment of judge Hales, who had strenuously defended her right of succession to the crown; and
of archbishop Cranmer, who in reality had saved her life.
These actions were entirely her own; her treatment of
Cranmer becomes aggravated by the obligations she had
been under to him. Burnet says, “that her firm adherence
to her mother’s cause and interest, and her backwardness in
submitting to the king her father, were thought crimes of
such a nature by his majesty, that he came to a resolution,
to put her openly to death; and that, when all others were
unwilling to run any risk in saving her, Cranmer alone
ventured upon it. In his gentle way he told the king,
That she was young and indiscreet, and therefore it was
no wonder if she obstinately adhered to that which her
mother and all about her had been infusing into her for
many years; but that it would appear strange, if he should
for this cause so far forget the father, as to proceed to
extremities with his own child; that, if she were separated
from her mother and her people, in a little time there
might be ground gained on her; but that to take away her
life, would raise horror through all Europe against him;
”
by which means he preserved her. Queen Catharine,
hearing of the king’s bloody intention, wrote a long letter
to her daughter, in which she encouraged her to suffer
cheerfully, to trust to God, and keep her heart clean.
She charged her in all things to obey the king’s commands,
except in the matters of religion. She sent her two Latin
books; the one, “De vita Christi, with the Declaration of
the Gospels;
” the other, “St. Jerome’s Episles to Paula
and Eustochium.
” This letter of Catharine may be seen
in the Appendix to Burnet’s second volume of the “History of the Reformation.
” She fell a sacrifice, however, at
last to disappointed expectations, both of a public and
domestic kind, and especially the absence and unkindness
of Philip; which are supposed, by deeply affecting her
spirits, to have brought on that fever of which she died,
Nov. 7, 1558, after a reign of five years, four months,
and eleven days. “It is not necessary,
” says Hume,
“to employ many words in drawing the character of this
princess. She possessed few qualities either estimable
or amiable, and her person was as little engaging, as her
behaviour and address. Obstinacy, bigotry, violence,
cruelty, malignity, revenge, tyranny; every circumstance
of her character took a tincture from her bad temper and
narrow understanding. And amidst that complication of
vices, which entered into her composition, we shall scarcely
find any virtue but sincerity; a quality which she seems
to have maintained throughout her whole life; except
in the beginning of her reign, when the necessity of
her affairs obliged her to make some promises to the
Protestants which she certainly never intended to perform. But in these cases a weak bigoted woman, under
the government of priests, easily finds casuistry sufficient
to justify to herself the violation of a promise. She appears
also, as well as her father, to have been susceptible of
some attachments of friendship; and even without the caprice and inconstancy which were so remarkable in the
conduct of that monarch. To which we may add, that in
many circumstances of her life she gave indications of resolution and vigour of mind, a quality which seems to have
been inherent in her family.
”
r truth would be told at last.” This excellent princess was so composed upon her deathbed, that when archbishop Tillotson, who assisted her in her last moments, stopped, with
They were married at St. James’s, Nov. 4, 1677; and,
after receiving the proper congratulations from those who
were concerned to pay them, embarked for Holland about
a fortnight after, and made their entrance into the Hague
with the utmost pomp and magnificence. Here she lived
with her consort, practising every virtue and every duty;
till, upon a solemn invitation from the states of England,
she followed him thither, and arrived at Whitehall, Feb.
12, 1689. The prince of Orange had arrived Nov. 5 preceding; and the occasion of their coming was to deliver
the kingdom from that popery and slavery which were just
ready to oppress it. King James abdicated the crown;
and it was put on their heads, as next heirs, April 11, 1689.
They reigned jointly till Dec. 28, 1694, when the queen
died of the small-pox at her palace of Kensington. It
would lead to an excursion of too much extent, to describe
the many virtues and excellences of this amiable princess;
a picture of her, however, may be seen in Burnet’s Essay
on her memory, printed in 1695, which contains a delineation of every female virtue, and of every female grace.
He represents her saying, that she looked upon idleness as
the great corrupter of human nature, and as believing,
that if the mind had no employment given it, it would
create some of the worst to itself: and she thought that
any thing which might amuse and divert, without leaving
a dreg and impression behind it, ought to fill up those
vacant hours that were not claimed by devotion or business. When her eyes, adds the bishop, were endangered
by reading too much, she found out the amusement of
work; and in all those hours that were not given to better
employments, she wrought with her own hands, and that
sometimes with so constant a diligence, as if she had been
to earn her bread by it. It is said by another writer, that
when reflections were once made before queen Mary of
the sharpness of some historians who had left heavy imputations on the memory of certain princes, she answered,
“that if these princes were truly such as the historians
represented them, they had well deserved that treatment
and others who tread their steps might look for the same
for truth would be told at last.
”
This excellent princess was so composed upon her deathbed, that when archbishop Tillotson, who assisted her in
her last moments, stopped, with tears in his eyes, on
coming to the commendatory prayer in the office for the
sick, she said to him, “My lord, why do you not go on?
I am not afraid to die.
”
s, among other things, a complete refutation of the falsehood propagated about that time, respecting archbishop Parker, who, it was said, had been consecrated at the Nag’s-
, an English divine, and able vindicator of his church, was born in 1566, in the county of Durham, and was educated in grammar learning at home. In
1583, he entered of Merton-college, Oxford, where, after
taking his bachelor’s degree, he was chosen probationerfellow in 1586. He then received orders, and, besides
teing presented to the rectory of Orford, in Suffolk, was
made chaplain to king James I. who, in his punning humour, usually styled him a “wise builder (Mason) in
God’s house.
” In 1619, he was installed archdeacon
of Norfolk. He died 1621, and was buried in the chancel
of the church of Orford, where is a monument to his
memory; and was lamented as a man of learning and piety.
His writings in defence of the church of England, are, 1.
“The authority of the Church in making canons and constitutions concerning things indifferent,
” a Sermon, Lond.
Vindication of the Church
of England concerning the consecration and ordination of
Priests and Deacons, in five books,
” Lond.
e at Vienne, while he was a public teacher of theology; and his funeral oration ou Henri de Villars, archbishop of that city, was universally admired. The fame of this discourse
, an eminent French
preacher, was born in 1663, the son of a notary at Hieres
in Provence In 1681, he entered into the congregation,
of the Oratory, and wherever he was sent gained all hearts
by the liveliness of his character, the agreeableness of his
wit, and a natural fund of sensible and captivating politeness. These advantages, united with his great talents,
excited the envy of his brethren, no less than the admiration of others, and, on some ill-founded suspicions of intrigue, he was sent by his superiors to one of their houses
in the diocese of Meaux. The first efforts of his eloquence
were made at Vienne, while he was a public teacher of
theology; and his funeral oration ou Henri de Villars,
archbishop of that city, was universally admired. The
fame of this discourse induced father de la Tour, then
general of the congregation of the Oratory, to send for
him to Paris. After some time, being asked his opinion
of the principal preachers in that capital, “they display,
”
said he, “great genius and abilities; but if I preach, I
shall not preach as they do.
” He kept his word, and took
up a style of his own, not attempting to imitate any one,
except it was Bourdaloue, whom, at the same time, the
natural difference of his disposition did not suffer him to
follow very closely. A touching and natural simplicity is
the characteristic of his style, and has been thought by
able judges to reach the heart, and produce its due effect,
with much more certainty than all the logic of the Jesuit
Bourdaloue. His powers were immediately distinguished
when he made his appearance at court; and when he
preached his first advent at Versailles, he received this
compliment from Louis XIV. “My father,
” said that monarch, “when I hear other preachers, I go away much
pleased with them; but whenever I hear you, I go away
much displeased with myself.
” On one occasion, the effect of a discourse preached by him “on the small number
of the elect,
” was so extraordinary, that it produced a general, though involuntary murmur of applause in the congregation. The preacher himself was confused by it; but
the effect was only increased, and the pathetic was carried
to the greatest height that can be supposed possible. His
mode of delivery contributed not a little to his success.
“We seem to behold him still in imagination,
” said they
who had been fortunate enough to attend his discourses,
“with that simple air, that modest carriage, those eyes so
humbly directed downwards, that unstudied gesture, that
touching tone of voice, that look of a man fully impressed
with the truths which he enforced, conveying the most
brilliant instruction to the mind, and the most pathetic
movements to the heart.
” The famous actor, Baron, after
hearing him, told him to continue as he had began. “You,
”
said he, “have a manner of your own, leave the rules to
others.
” At another time he said to an actor who was with
him “My friend, this is the true orator; we are mere
players.
” Massillon was not the least inflated by the praises
he received. His modesty continued unaltered; and the
charms of his society attracted those who were likely to be
alarmed at the strictness of his lessons.
In 1717, the regent being convinced of his merits by
his own attendance on his sermons, appointed him bishop
of Clermont. The French academy received him as a
member in 1719. The funeral oration of the duchess of
Orleans in 1723, was the last discourse he pronounced at
Pans. From that time he resided altogether in his diocese,
where the mildness, benevolence, and piety of his character, gained all hearts. His love of peace led him to make
many endeavours to conciliate his brethren of the Oratory
and the Jesuits, but he found at length that he had less
influence over divines than over the hearts of any other
species of sinners. He died resident on his diocese, Sept.
28, 1742, at the age of 79. His name has since been
almost proverbial in France, where he is considered as a
most consummate master of eloquence. Every imaginable
perfection is attributed by his countrymen to his style.
“What pathos
” says one of them, “what knowledge of
the human heart What sincere effusions of conviction
What a tone of truth, of philosophy, and humanity! What
an imagination, at once lively and well regulated
Thoughts just and delicate conceptions brilliant and magnificent; expressions elegant, select, sublime, harmonious;
images striking and natural; representations just and forcible; style clear, neat, full, numerous, equally calculated
to be comprehended by the multitude, and to satisfy the
most cultivated hearer.
” What can be imagined beyond
these commendations? Yet they are given by the general
consent of those who are most capable of deciding on the
subject. His works were published complete, by his nephew at Paris, in 1745 and 1746, forming fourteen volumes
of a larger, and twelve of a smaller kind of 12mo. They
contain, 1. A complete set of Sermons for Advent and
Lent. 2. Several Funeral Orations, Panegyrics, &c. 3,
Ten discourses, known by the name of “Le petit Care'me.
”
4. “Ecclesiastical Conferences.
” 5. Some excellent paraphrases of particular psalms Massillon once stopped
short in the middle of a sermon, from defect of memory;
and the same happened from apprehension in different
parts of the same day, to two other preachers whom he
went to hear. The English method of readitfg their discourses would certainly have been very welcome to all
these persons, but the French conceive that all the fire of
eloquence would be lost by that method: this, however,
seems by no means to be necessary. The most striking
passages and beauties of Massiilon’s sermons were collected
by the abbe de la Porte, in a volume which is now annexed
as a last volume to the two editions of his works; and a
few years ago, three volumes of his “Sermons
” were translated into English by Mr. William Dickson.
ay 27, proceeded doctor. On the 14th of June, 1576, being archdeacon at Bath, he was commissioned by archbishop Grindal, with some others, to visit the church, city, and deanry
, an eminent English prelate, was the son of John Matthew, a merchant of Bristol, and born in that part of the city which lies in Somersetshire, in 1546. He received the first rudiments of learning in the city of Wells, and at the age of thirteen became a student in the university of Oxford, in the beginning of 1558-9. In Christ Church college he took the degree of bachelor of arts, Feb. 11, 1563, and in June 1566, was made master of arts; about which time he entered into holy orders, and was greatly respected for his learning, eloquence, conversation, friendly disposition, and the sharpness of his wit. On the 2nd of November 1569, he was unanimously elected public orator of the university; which office he filled with great applause. In 1570, he was made canon of the second stall in the cathedral of Christy-church, and November 28 following was admitted archdeacon of Bath. In 1571, he petitioned for his degree of bachelor of divinity, but was not admitted to it for two years. In 1572, he was made prebendary of Teynton-Regis with Yalmeten in the church of Salisbury; and in July following was elected president of St. John’s college, Oxford: at which time, being in high reputation as a preacher, he was appointed one of the queen’s chaplains in ordinary. On December lOth, 175S, he was admitted bachelor of divinity; and next year, May 27, proceeded doctor. On the 14th of June, 1576, being archdeacon at Bath, he was commissioned by archbishop Grindal, with some others, to visit the church, city, and deanry of Bristol. In the same year, he was made dean of Christ-church; and then obtained, from the pen of Camden, the distinguished character of " Theologus praestantissimus/' Camden adds, that learning and piety, art and nature, vied together in his composition. Sir John Harrington is also full of his praises, and even Campian the Jesuit speaks highly of his learning and virtues.
In 1579, he served the office of Vice-chancellor of the university. At a convocation held in 1580, archbishop Grindal being then under the queen’s displeasure, it was agreed,
In 1579, he served the office of Vice-chancellor of the
university. At a convocation held in 1580, archbishop
Grindal being then under the queen’s displeasure, it was
agreed, that our prelate, then dean of Christ-church,
should, in the name of that assembly, draw up an humble
address to her majesty, for the archbishop’s restitution;
but it was not favourably received. June 22, 1583, he was
collated to the precentorship of Salisbury; and Sept. 3
following, was made dean of Durham, being then thirtyseven years of age, on which he resigned his precentorship. From this time, says Le Neve, to the twenty-third
Sunday after Trinity in 1622, he kept an account of all the
sermons he preached, the place where, the time when,
the text what, and if any at court, or before any of the
prime nobility; by which it appears, that he preached,
while dean of Durham, seven hundred and twenty-one;
while bishop of Durham five hundred and fifty; and while
archbishop of. York, to the time above mentioned, seven
hundred and twenty-one; in all one thousand nine hundred
and ninety-two sermons; and among them several extempore. This prelate, adds Le Neve, certainly thought
preaching to be the most indispensible part of his duty;
for in the diary before quoted, wherein, at the end of
each year, he sets down how many sermons he had preached at the end of 1619, “Sum. Ser. 32, eheu! An. 1620,
sum. ser. 35, eheu! An. 1621, sore afflicted with a rheume
and coughe diverse months together, so that I never could
preach until Easter-daye. The Lord forgive me!
” On
the 28th of May, 1590, he was inducted to the rectory of
Bishopwearmouth, co. Durham; and in 1595, April 13,
was consecrated bishop of Durham, and resigned Bishopwearmouth.
was also at the Hampton -court conference, in January 1603, of which he gave an account at large to archbishop Button. On the 26th of July, 1606> he was translated to York,
Notwithstanding the unfavourable opinion he had formed of king James VI. when that monarch was on his journey to take possession of the throne of England, our prelate met him at Berwick, and preached a congratulatory
sermon before him. He was also at the Hampton -court
conference, in January 1603, of which he gave an account
at large to archbishop Button. On the 26th of July, 1606>
he was translated to York, and enjoyed that dignity till
March 29, 1628, on which day he died, at Cawood, and
was buried in our lady’s chapel, at the east of York cathedral, with a very prolix Latin epitaph inscribed on his
tomb. He married Frances Barlow, daughter of Barlow
bishop of Chichester, who was first married to Matt. Parker, son of Matthew Parker, archbishop of Canterbury.
She has also a monument in York cathedral, the inscription upon which is too remarkable to be omitted. “Frances Matthew, first married to Matt. Parker, &c. afterwards to Tobie Matthew, that famous archb. of this see.
She was a woman of exemplary wisdom, gravity, piety,
beauty, and indeed all other virtues, not only above her
sex, but the times. One exemplary act of hers, first devised upon this church, and through it flowing upon the
country, deserves to live as long as the church itself. The
library of the deceased archbishop, consisting of about
3000 books, she gave entirely to the public use of this
church: a rare example that so great care to advance
learning should lodge in a woman’s breast; but it was the
less wonder in her, because herself was of kin to so much
learning. She was the daughter of Will. Barlow, bp. of
Chichester, and in k. Henry VIII.'s time ambassador into
Scotland, of the ancient family of the Barlows in Wales.
She had four sisters married to four bishops, one to Will.
Whickham, bishop of Winchester, another to Overton bp.
of Coventry and Litchf. a third to Westphaling bp. of
Hereford, and a fourth to Day, that succeeded Whickham
in Winchester; so that a bishop was her father, an archbishop her father-in-law; she had four bishops her brethren, and an archbishop her husband.
” She died May 10,
1629, in the seventy-sixth year of her age.
; of whom he once said to lord Fairfax, who inquired why he appeared so pensive: “My lord,” said the archbishop, “I have great reason of sorrow with respect to my sons. One
By this lady he had three sons, Tobias, John, and Samuel; of whom he once said to lord Fairfax, who inquired
why he appeared so pensive: “My lord,
” said the archbishop, “I have great reason of sorrow with respect to my
sons. One of them has wit and no grace, the other grace
but no wit, and the third neither grace nor wit.
” Lord
Fairfax replied, “Your grace’s case is sad, but not singular: I am also disappointed in my sons. One I sent into
the Netherlands, to train him up as a soldier, and he makes
a tolerable country-justice, but is a mere coward at fighting: my next I sent to Cambridge; and he proves a good
lawyer, but is a mere dunce at divinity; and my youngest I
sent to the inns of court; and he’s good at divinity, but nobody in the law.
”
Archbishop Matthew appears to have been a man of great wit (including perhaps
Archbishop Matthew appears to have been a man of great wit (including perhaps the punning rage of the time), of a sweet disposition, very bountiful and learned, and as a divine, most exemplarily conscientious and indefatigable both in preaching, and other duties. Preferment never once induced him to desist from preaching, and there was scarcely a pulpit in the dioceses of Durham or York, in which he had not appeared. No imputation, says Mr. Lodge, remains on his memory, except the alienation of York house in the Strand to the duke of Buckingham, for which he is said to have accepted lauds in Yorkshire of inferior value.
has since printed a long letter, which was written by him in the name of the convocation, respecting archbishop Grindal’s suspension; and Dr. Parr another to Usher. Dr. Smith
Notwithstanding Dr. Matthew was so industrious a
preacher, it is rather singular that we have nothing of his
in print, except his “Concio apologetica contra Campianum,
” Illustrations,
” are a few of his letters; and probably many
more, as well as Mss. of other kinds, are among the archives of the cathedral at York, to which, as already mentioned, his widow gave his library.
graciouslyaccepted by the secretary, and no harm threatened him from that quarter. He then waited on archbishop Bancroft, to make his apology for changing his religion, and
In 1606 he returned to London, and wrote to sir Francis Bacon, a kinsman, friend, and servant of secretary
Cecil, desiring him to acquaint the secretary of his conversion, and to assure him at the same time of his loyalty
to the king. This intelligence, he tells us, was graciouslyaccepted by the secretary, and no harm threatened him
from that quarter. He then waited on archbishop Bancroft, to make his apology for changing his religion, and
to request his grace’s interference with his friends. The
archbishop received him courteously, but blamed him for
so sudden a change without hearing both sides, and appointed certain days when he should come to Lambeth and
canvass the matter. Several interviews accordingly took
place, in all which Mr. Matthew would have us believe he
held the better argument. At length the archbishop, by
the king’s order, tendered him the oath of allegiance; and,
upon Matthew’s refusal, committed him to the Fleet prison. Here he remained six months, visited by several
people of rank: bishop Morton, sir Maurice Berkeley, sir
Edwin Sandys, sir Henry Goodyear, &c. &c. Some of
these endeavoured to argue with him, but, according to
his own account, he was able to answer them. The plague
raging in London, his friend sir Francis Bacon procured
him a temporary release; and some time after he was
finally released, on condition of going abroad, and not returning without the king’s leave. Such is his own account.
Mr. Lodge adds another circumstance, that he was a member of parliament, and that the House of Commons silentlyacquiesced in a precedent (his banishment) so dangerous to
their privileges. Be this as it may, he went abroad, and
remained on the continent about twelve years. When in
France he became acquainted with Villiers, afterwards duke
of Buckingham, who, when he came into favour with king
James, obtained leave for Mr. Matthew to return to England, which he did in 1617; and in 1622, by the king’s
command, followed prince Charles into Spain. On their
return, he was received into full favpur with the king, who,
he adds, “managed his parents also to forgive him, and
to take proper notice of him. They rather chose,
” he says,
“to attack me with sighs and short wishes, and by putting
now and then some books into my hands, rather than by
long discourses.
” Yet these efforts of paternal affection
appear to have had no effect on him.
to Lorenzo de Medici. From this copy a Latin translation was made, and published by Cosmus Paccius, archbishop of Florence, in 1519. The work was then published in Greek by
, usually called Maximus Tyrius,
to distinguish him from several other Maximuses of antiquity, though chiefly distinguished by his eloquence, has
obtained some degree of celebrity as a philosopher. According to Suidas, he lived under Commodus; according to
Eusebius and Syncellus, under Antoninus Pius, in the
second century; perhaps he flourished under Antoninus,
and reached the time of Commodus, in both whose reigns
he is said to have made a journey to Rome, but spent his
life chiefly in Greece. We have extant of Maximu> Tyrius forty-one “Dissertations, upon various arguments;
”
a manuscript copy of which was first brought out of Greece
into Italy by Janus Lascaris, and presented to Lorenzo
de Medici. From this copy a Latin translation was made,
and published by Cosmus Paccius, archbishop of Florence,
in 1519. The work was then published in Greek by Henry
Stephens, in 1557 in Greek and Latin by Daniel Heinsius, in 1607 byJ. Davies, of Cambridge, in 1703; by
Markland in 1740, 4to; and by Reiske, in 1774, 8vo. The
French have two good translations by Formey, 1764, and
by Dounous, 1802. Isaac Casaubon, in the epistle dedicatory of his “Commentaries upon Persius,
” calls Maximus Tyrius “mellitissimus Platonicorum;
” and Peter Petit (in his “Misc. Observat.
” lib. i. c. 20.) represents him as
“auctorem imprimis elegantem in Philosophia, ac disertum.
” He has spoken a good deal of himself in his thirtyseventh dissertation, and seemingly in a style of panegyric.
Upon this account his editor Davies has accused him of
vanity, but Fabricius has defended him by observing, that
Davies did not sufficiently attend to Maximus’s purpose in
speaking thus of himself; “which was,
” he says, “not at
all with a view of praising himself, but to encourage and
promote the practice of those lessons in philosophy, which
they heard from him with so much applause.
” These dissertations are for the most part written upon Platonic principles, but sometimes lean towards scepticism.
to be appointed one of the managers of the evidence against the earl of Strafford, and that against archbishop Laud. Yet in 1644 he was appointed, with Bulstrodte Whitlocke,
, a learned English lawyer, the eldest son of Alexander Maynard, esq. of Tavistock, in Devonshire, was born thereabout 1602. In 1618 he entered as a commoner of Exeter college, Oxford, where, as we have often seen in the case of gentlemen of the law, he took only one degree in arts, and then went to the Middle Temple. After the usual routine of study he was called to the bar, and in 1640 obtained a seat in parliament for Totness. The part he took in the political contests of the day, procured him to be appointed one of the managers of the evidence against the earl of Strafford, and that against archbishop Laud. Yet in 1644 he was appointed, with Bulstrodte Whitlocke, at the particular desire of the lord chancellor of Scotland, and other commissioners from that kingdom, to consult with them and general Fairfax concerning the best method of proceeding against Cromwell as an incendiary between the two kingdoms. He was also one of the laymen nominated in the ordinance of the Lords and Commons to sit with the assembly of Divines, whose object was to establish the presbyterian form of church government in England. Notwithstanding this, we find him in 1647 opposing the violence of the parliament-army, for which he and serjeant Glynn were sent to the Tower; and when the parliament voted that no more addresses should be sent to the king, he told them that by such a vote they dissolved themselves. He even went farther, and after being secluded from his seat in the House of Commons for two months, he broke in among them, and pleaded for the life of the king with such strength of reasoning, that Cromwell several times demanded that he should be brought to the bar of the House.
the provostship of Trinity-college, Dublin, into which he had been elected at the recommendation of archbishop Usher, who was his particular friend; as he did also when it
In 1618 he took the degree of bachelor in divinity, but
his modesty restrained him from proceeding to that of
doctor. In 1627, a similar motive induced him to refuse
the provostship of Trinity-college, Dublin, into which he
had been elected at the recommendation of archbishop
Usher, who was his particular friend; as he did also when
it was offered him a second time, in 1630. The height of
his ambition was, only to have had some small donative
sinecure added to his fellowship, or to have been preferred
to some place of quiet, where, retired from the noise and
tumults of the world, and possessed of a competency,
he might be entirely at leisure for study and acts of piety.
When, therefore, a report was spread that he was made
chaplain to the archbishop of Canterbury, he thus expressed
himself in a letter to a friend: that “he had lived, till the
best of his time was spent, in tranquillitate et secessu; and
now, that there is but a little left, should 1,
” said he, “be
so unwise, suppose there was nothing else, as to enter into
a tumultuous life, where I should not have time to think
my own thoughts, and must of necessity displease others
or myself? Those who think so, know not my disposition
in this kind to be as averse, as some perhaps would be
ambitious.
” In the mean time, though his circumstances
were scanty, for he had nothing but his fellowship and the
Greek lecture, his charity was diffusive and uncommon;
and, extraordinary as it may now seem, he devoted the
tenth of his income to pious and charitable uses. But his
frugality and temperance always afforded him plenty. His
prudence or moderation, either in declaring or defending
his private opinions, was very remarkable; as was also his
freedom from partiality, prejudice, or prepossession, pride,
anger, selfishness, flattery, and ambition. He died Oct. 1,
1638, in his 52d year, having spent above two-thirds of
his time in college, to which he bequeathed the residue of
his property, after some small legacies. He was buried
next day in the college chapel. As to his person, he was
of a comely proportion, and rather tall than otherwise. His
eye was full, quick, and sparkling-; his whole countenance
sedate and grave; awful, but at the same time tempered
with an inviting sweetness: and his behaviour was friendly,
affable, cheerful, and upon occasion intermixed with pleasantry. Some of his sayings and bon mots are recorded
by the author of his life; one of which was, his calling
such fellow-commoners as came to the university only to
see it, or to be seen in it, “the university tulips,
” that
made a gaudy shew for a while; but, upon the whole, his
biographers have made a better estimate of his learning
than of his wit. In his life-time he produced three treatises only: the first entitled “Clavis Apocalyptica ex innatis & insitis visionum characteribus eruta et demonstrata,
” Cant. In sancti Joannis Apocalypsin.
commentarius, ad amussim Clavis Apocalypticse.
” This is
the largest and the most elaborate of any of his writings.
The other two were but short tracts: namely, “About the
name vtriao-lyfiov, anciently given to the holy table, and
about churches in the apostles’ times.
” The rest of his
works were printed after his decease; and in the best edition published by Dr. Worthington, in 1672, folio, the
whole are divided into five books, and disposed in the following order. The first book contains fifty-three “Discourses on several texts of Scripture' the second, such
” Tracts and discourses as are of the like argument and
design“the third, his
” Treatises upon some of the prophetical Scriptures, namely, The Apocalypse, St. Peter’s
prophecy concerning the day of Christ’s second coming,
St. Paul’s prophecy touching the apostacy of the latter
times, and three Treatises upon some obscure passages in
Daniel:“the fourth, his
” Letters to several learned men,
with their letters also to him :“the fifth,
” Fragmenta
Sacra, or such miscellanies of divinity, as could not well
come under any of the aforementioned heads.“
These are the works of this pious and profoundly learned
man, as not only his editor calls him in the title-page, but
the best livin: s have allowed him to be. His comments
on the book of Revelation, are still considered as containing the mo-t satisfactory explanation of those obscure
prophecies, so far as they have been yet fulfilled: and, in
every other [>a< t of iiis works, the talents of a sound and
learned divine are eminently conspicuous. It is by no
means the least considerable testimony toiis merit, that
he has been highly and frequently commended by Jortin
but the writer of our times who has bestoweJ most pains on
the character and writings of Mr Mede, and who has done
the most honour to both, is the late learned bishop Hurd.
This prelate has devoted the greater part of his tenth sermon
” On the Study of the Prophecies“to the consideration of the
” Clavis Apocalyptica.“It would be superfluous to extract at much length from a work so well
known; but we may be permitted to conclude with Dr.
Kurd’s manner of introducing Mr. Mede to his hearers.
Sjie iking of the many attempts to explain the Apocalypse,
in the infancy of the reformed church, he says,
” The
issue of much elaborate enquiry was, that the book itself
was disgraced by the fruitless efforts of its commentators,
and on the point of being given up, as utterly impenetrable, when a Sublime Genius arose, in the beginning of
the last century, and surprized the learned world with that
great desideratum, a * Key to the Revelations’." 1
designs were thus entirely frustrated, and summary justice was inflicted on the criminals. Salviati, archbishop of Pisa, was hanged out of the palace window in his sacerdotal
, grandson of
the preceding, was born Jan. 1, 1448. From his earliest
years he gave proofs of a vigorous mind, which was carefully cultivated, and exhibited many traits of that princely
and liberal spirit which afterwards procured him the title of
“Magnificent.
” In polite literature he cultivated poetry,
and gave some proofs of his talents in various compositions. At the death of Cosmo, on account of the infirmities of his father Peter de Medici, he was immediately
initiated into political life, although then only in his sixteenth year. He was accordingly sent to visit the principal courts in Italy, and acquire a personal knowledge of
their politics and their rulers. In 1469 his father died,
leaving his two sons Lorenzo and Julian heirs of his power
and property; but it was Lorenzo who succeeded him as
head of the republic. Upon the accession of Sixtus IV. to
the papal throne, he went, with some other citizens, to
congratulate the new pope, and was invested with the office of treasurer of the holy see, and while at Rome took
every opportunity to add to the remains of ancient art
which his family had collected. One of the first public
occurrences after he conducted the helm of government,
was a revolt of the inhabitants of Volterra, on account of
a dispute with the Florentine republic; by the recommendation of Lorenzo, means of force were adopted, which
ended in the sack of the unfortunate city, an event that
gave him much concern. In 1472, he re-established the
academy of Pisa, to which he removed in order to complete the work, exerted himself in selecting the most eminent professors, and contributed to it a large sum from his
private fortune, in addition to that granted by the state of
Florence. Zealously attached to the Platonic philosophy,
he took an active part in the establishment of an academy
for its promotion, and instituted an annual festival in honour of the memory of Plato, which was conducted with
singular literary splendour. While he was thus advancing
in a career of prosperity and reputation, a tragical incident was very near depriving his country of his future services. This was the conspiracy of the Pazzi, a numerous
and distinguished family in Florence, of which the object
was the assassination of Lorenzo and his brother. In the
latter they were successful; but Lorenzo was saved, and
the people attached to the Medici collecting in crowds,
putto death or apprehended the assassins, whose designs were thus entirely frustrated, and summary justice
was inflicted on the criminals. Salviati, archbishop of
Pisa, was hanged out of the palace window in his sacerdotal robes; and Jacob de Pazzi, with one of his nephews, shared the same fate. The name and arms of the
Pazzi family were suppressed, its members were banished,
and Lorenzo rose still higher in the esteem and affection of
his fellow-citizens. The pope, Sixtus IV. who was deep
in this foul conspiracy, inflamed almost to madness by the
defeat of his schemes, excommunicated Lorenzo and the
magistrates of. Florence, laid an interdict upon the whole
territory, and, forming a league with the king of Naples,
prepared to invade the Florentine dominions. Lorenzo
appealed to all the surrounding potentates for the justice
of his cause; and he was affectionately supported by his
fellow-citizens. Hostilities began, and were carried on with
various success through two campaigns. At the close of
1479, Lorenzo took the bold resolution of paying a visit
to the king of Naples, and, without any previous security,
trusted his liberty and his life to the mercy of a declared
enemy. The monarch was struck with this heroic act of
confidence, and a treaty of mutual defence and friendship
was agreed upon between them, and Sixtus afterwards
consented to a peace. At length the death of Sixtus IV.
freed him from an adversary who never ceased to bear him
ill-will; and he was able to secure himself a friend in his
successor Innocent VIII. He conducted the republic of
Florence to a degree of tranquillity and prosperity which
it had scarcely ever known before; and by procuring the
institution of a deliberative body, of the nature of a
senate, he corrected the democratical part of his constitution.
but Melancthon replied, that he sought not his own glory, but that of truth. In 1543 he went to the archbishop of Cologne, to assist him in introducing a reformation into
His time was now chiefly employed in conferences and
disputes about religion. In 1539, there was an assembly
of the protestant princes at Francfort, concerning a reformation; and another in 1541, at Worms, where there
happened a warm dispute between Melancthon and Eckius
respecting original sin. But, by the command of the emperor, it was immediately dissolved, and both of them
appointed to meet at Reinspurg; where Eckius proposing
a sophism somewhat puzzling, Melancthon paused a little,
and said, “that he would give an answer to it the next
day.
” Upon which Eckius represented to him the disgrace
of requiring so long a time; but Melancthon replied, that
he sought not his own glory, but that of truth. In 1543
he went to the archbishop of Cologne, to assist him in introducing a reformation into his diocese but without
effect. He attended at seven conferences in 1548 and
was one of the deputies whom Maurice, elector of Saxony,
was to send to the council of Trent, in 1552. His last
conference with the doctors of the Romish communion
was at Worms, in 1557. He died at Wittemberg, April
19, 1560, in his sixty-third year; and was buried near
Luther, in the church of the castle, two days after. Some
days before he died, he wrote upon a piece of paper the
reasons which made him look upon death as a happiness;
and the chief of them was, that it “delivered him from
theological persecutions.
” Nature had given him a peaceable temper, which was but ill-suited for the time in
which he lived. His moderation greatly augmented his
uneasiness. He was like a lamb in the midst of wolves.
Nobody liked his mildness it looked as if he was lukewarm and even Luther himself was sometimes angry at
it. It was, indeed, considering his situation, very inconvenient; for it not only exposed him to all kinds of slander, but would not suffer him to “answer a fool according
to his folly.
” The only advantage it procured him, was
to look upon death without fear, by considering, that it
would secure him from the “odium theologicum,
” the
hatred of divines, and the discord of false brethren. He
was never out of danger, but might truly be said, “through
fear, to be all his life-time subject to bondage.
” Thus he
declared, in one of his works, that he “had held his professor’s place forty years without ever being sure that he
should not be turned out of it before the end of the
week.
”
French academy, he was taken into the family of cardinal de Retz, who was then only coadjutor to the archbishop of Paris. In this situation he enjoyed the repose necessary
, called, from his great
learning, the Varro of his times, was born at Angers, Aug.
15, 1613. He was the son of William Menace, the king’s
advocate at Angers; and discovered so early an inclination to letters, that his father was determined to spare
no cost or pains in his education. He was accordingly
taught the belles lettres and philosophy, in which his progress fully answered the expectations of his father, who,
however, thought it necessary to divert him from too severe application, by giving him instructions in music and
dancing; but these were in a great measure thrown away,
and he had so littie genius for music, that he never could
learn a tune. He had more success in his first profession,
which was that of a barrister at law, and pleaded various
causes, with considerable eclat, both in the country, and
in the parliament of Paris. His father had always designed
him for his profession, the law, and now resigned his
place of king’s advocate in his favour, which Menage, as
soon as he became tired of the law, returned to him.
Considering the law as a drudgery, he adopted the vulgar
opinion that it was incompatible with an attention to polite
literature. He now declared his design of entering into
the church, as the best plan he could pursue for the gratification of his love of general literature, and of the company of literary men; and soon after he had interest to
procure some benefices, and among the rest the deanery
of St. Peter at Angers. In the mean time his father, displeased at him for deserting his profession, would not
supply him with the money which, in addition to what his
livings produced, was necessary to support him at Paris.
This obliged him to look out for some means of subsistence
there, independent of his family; and at the recommendation of Chapelain, a member of the French academy, he
was taken into the family of cardinal de Retz, who was then
only coadjutor to the archbishop of Paris. In this situation
he enjoyed the repose necessary to his studies, and had
every day new opportunities of displaying his abilities and
learning. He lived several years with the cardinal; but
having received an affront from some of his dependants, he
desired of the cardinal, either that reparation might be
made him, or that he might be suffered to depart. He
obtained the latter, and then hired an apartment in the
cloister of Notre Dame, where he held every Wednesday
an assembly, which he called his “Mercuriale.
” Here he
had the satisfaction of seeing a number of learned men,
French and foreigners; and upon other days he frequented
the study of Messieurs du Puy, and after their death that
of Thuanus. By his father’s death, which happened Jan.
18, 1648, he succeeded to an estate, which he converted
into an annuity, for the sake of being entirely at leisure
to pursue his studies. Soon after, he obtained, by a decree of the grand council, the priory of Montdidier; which
he resigned also to the abbe de la Vieuville, afterwards
bishop of Rennes, who procured far him, by way of amends,
a pension of 4000 livres upon two abbeys. The king’s
consent, which was necessary for the creation of this pension, was not obtained for Menage, till he had given assurances to cardinal Mazarin, that he had no share in the
libels which had been dispersed against that minister and
the court, during the troubles at Paris. This considerable
addition to his circumstances enabled him to prosecute his
studies with more success, and to publish la great many
works, which he generally did at his own expence. The
excessive freedom of his conversation, however, and his
total inability to suppress a witty thought, whatever hiight
be the consequence of uttering it, created him many enemies; and he had contests with several men of eminence,
who attacked him at different times, as the abbe d'Aubignac, Boileau, Cotin, Salo, Bohours, and Baillet. But all
these were not nearly so formidable to him, as the danger
which he incurred in 1660, by a Latin elegy addressed to
Mazarin; in which, among his compliments to his eminence, it was pretended, that he had satirized a deputation
which the parliament had sent to that minister. It was
carried to the grand chamber by the counsellors, who proposed to debate upon it; but the first president, Lamoignon, to whom Menage had protested that the piece had
been written three months before the deputation, and that
he could not intend the parliament in it, prevented any ill
consequences from the affair. Besides the reputation his
works gained him, they procured him a place in the academy della Crusca at Florence; and he might have been
a member of the French academy at its first institution, if
it had not been for his “Requete des dictionnaires.
” When
the memory of that piece, however, was effaced by time,
and most of the academicians, who were named in it, were
dead, he was proposed, in 1684, to fill a vacant place in
that academy, and was excluded only by the superior interest of his competitor, M. Bergeret: there not being one
member, of all those who gave their votes against Menage,
who did not own that he deserved the place. After this he
would not suffer his friends to propose him again, nor indeed was he any longer able to attend the academy, if he
had been chosen, on account of a fall, which had put his
thigh out of joint; after which he scarcely ever went out of
his chamber, but held daily a kind of an academy there.
In July 1692, he began to, be troubled with a rheum, which
was followed by a defluxion on the stomach, of which he
died on the 23d, aged seventy- nine.
, a cardinal, archbishop of Seville, and afterwards of Toledo, chancellor of Castille
, a cardinal, archbishop of Seville, and afterwards of Toledo, chancellor of
Castille and Leon, was born at Guadalajara, in 142S, of
an ancient and noble family. He made a great progress
in the languages, in civil and canon law, and in the belles
lettres. His uncle, Walter Alvarez, archbishop of Toledo,
gave him an archdeaconry in his church, and sent him to
the court of John II. king of Castille, where his merit soon,
acquired him the bishopric of Calahorra. Henry IV. who
succeeded John, trusted him with the most important
affairs of state; and, besides the bishopric of Siguença,
procured a cardinal’s hat for him from Sixtus IV. in 1473.
When Henry died the year after, he named cardinal Mendoza for his executor, and dignified him at the same time
with the title of the cardinal of Spain. He did great services afterwards to Ferdinand and Isabella, in the war
against the king of Portugal, and in the conquest of the
kingdom of Granada over the Moors. He was then made
archbishop of Seville and Toledo successively; and after
governing some years, in his several provinces, with great
wisdom and moderation, he died Jan. 11, 1495. It is said
that in his younger days he translated “Sallust,
” “Homer’s Iliad,
” “Virgil,
” and some pieces of “Ovid.
”
son whom he described 'as “virum summa eruditione, summo loco” who was afterwards known to have been archbishop Seeker. Some remarks introduced here in opposition to Dr. Gregory
tbor, with whom h appears to have th same work, p. 310.
Oxford, who supplied many of the observations, and by a
person whom he described 'as “virum summa eruditione,
summo loco
” who was afterwards known to have been archbishop Seeker. Some remarks introduced here in opposition
to Dr. Gregory Sharpe’s criticism on the 1-1 Oth Psalm, produced from that gentleman “A Letter to the right rev. the
Lord Bishop of Oxford, from the Master of the Temple,
containing remarks upon some strictures made by his grace
the late archbishop of Canterbury, in the rev. Mr. Merrick’s Annotations on the Psalms,
”
ipline of our church, and to learn the English and Latin languages. For these purposes he applied to archbishop Abbot, who procured him admission into Baliol college, Oxford,
, the patriarch of
Alexandria in the seventeenth century, was sent into England by Cyrillus Lucar, to be instructed in the doctrine and
discipline of our church, and to learn the English and Latin languages. For these purposes he applied to archbishop
Abbot, who procured him admission into Baliol college,
Oxford, where he remained until 1622, at which time he
was chancellor to the patriarch of Constantinople; but on
his return to his own country, was chosen patriarch of
Alexandria. On his way home, and while in Germany, he
drew up “A Confession of Faith of the Greek Church,
”
printed at Helmstadt, Gr. and Lat. in
he discipline of the house, which rose and fell according to his different vice-principals.” In 1704 archbishop Sharp obtained for him from queen Anne, a prebend of Canterbury,
, the learned editor of the Greek Testament, was the son of Thomas Mil!, of Banton or Bampton,
near the town of Snap in Westmoreland, and was born at
Shap about 1645. Of his early history our accounts are
very scanty; and as his reputation chiefly rests on his Greek
Testament, which occupied the greater part of his life,
and as he meddled little in affairs unconnected with his
studies, we are restricted to a very few particulars. His
father being in indifferent circumstances, he was, in 1661,
entered as a servitor of Queen’s college, Oxford, where we
may suppose his application soon procured him respect.
Bishop Kennet tells us, that in his opinion, he “talked
and wrote the best Latin of any man in the university, and
was the most airy and facetious in conversation — in all
respects a bright man.
” At this college he took the degree of B. A. in May 1666, and while bachelor, was selected to pronounce an “Oratio panegyrica
” at the opening of the Sheldon theatre in ready extempore preacher.
” In 1676 his countryman and fellowcollegian, Dr. Thomas Lamplugh, being made bishop of
Exeter, he appointed Mr. Mill to be one of his chaplains,
and gave him a minor prebend in the church of Exeter.
In July 1680 he took his degree of B. D.; in August 1681
he was presented by his college to the rectory of Blechingdon, in Oxfordshire; and in December of that year he
proceeded D. D. about which time he became chaplain in
ordinary to Charles II. by the interest of the father of one
of his pupils. On May 5, 1685, he was elected and admitted principal of St. Edmund’s Hall, a station particularly convenient for his studies. By succeeding Dr. Crossthwaite in this office, bishop Kennet says he had the advantage of shining the brighter; but “he was so much
taken up with the one thing, ‘his Testament,’ that he had
not leisure to attend to the discipline of the house, which
rose and fell according to his different vice-principals.
”
In 1704 archbishop Sharp obtained for him from queen
Anne, a prebend of Canterbury, in which he succeeded
Dr. Beveridge, then promoted to the see of St. Asaph.
He had completed his great undertaking, the new editiuu
of the Greek Testament, when he died of an apop'ectie
fit, June 23, 1707, and was buried in the chancel of Blechingdon church, where, in a short inscription on his monument, he is celebrated for what critics have thought the
most valuable part of his labours on the New Testament,
his “prolegomena marmore perenniora.
”
which he held but a short time, choosing to reside in England. Here he married Edith, a daughter of archbishop Potter, by whose interest he obtained the united rectories of
Bishop Milles left his fortune to his nephew, Jeremiah,
who was born in 1714, and educated at Eton school, when
he entered of Queen’s college, Oxford, as a gentleman
commoner, and took his degrees of M. A. in 1735, and B.
and D. D. in 1747, on which occasion he went out grand
compounder. He was collated by his uncle to a prebend
in the cathedral of Waterford, and to a living near that
city, which he held but a short time, choosing to reside in
England. Here he married Edith, a daughter of archbishop
Potter, by whose interest he obtained the united rectories
of St. Edmund the King and St. Nicholas Aeon in Lombard-street, with that of Merstham, Surrey, and the sinecure rectory of West Terring, in Sussex. To Merstham
he was inducted in 1745. From the chantorship of Exeter
he was promoted to the deanery of that cathedral, in 1762,
on the advancement of Dr. Lyttelton to the see of Carlisle,
whom he also succeeded as president of the society of
antiquaries in 176.5. He had been chosen a fellow of this
society in 1741, and of the Royal Society in 1742. His
speech, on taking upon him the office of president of the
Society of Antiquaries, was prefixed to the first volume of
the Archoeologia. In other volumes of that work are some
papers communicated by him, one of which, “Observations on the Wardrobe Account for the year 1483, wherein are contained the deliveries made for the coronation of
king Richard III. and some other particulars relative to the
history,
” was answered by Mr. Walpole, afterwards lord
Orford, in a paper or essay, very characteristic of his lordship’s ingenuity and haughty petulance. In the early part
of his life, Dr. Milles had made ample collections for a
history of Devonshire, v*hich are noticed by Mr. Gough in
his Topography. Ha was also engaged in illustrating the
Da ish coinage, and the Domesday Survey, on both which
subjects, it is thought, he left much valuable matter. His
worst attempt was to vindicate the authenticity of Rowley’s
poems, in an edition which he printed in 1782, 4to. After
what Tyrwhitt and Warton had advanced on this subject, a
grave answer to this was not necessary; but it was the
writer’s misiortune to draw upon himself the wicked wit
of the author of “An Archaeological Epistle,
” and the more
wicked irony of George Steevens in the St. James’s Chronicle. The dean died Feb. 13, 1784, and was buried in
the church of St. Edmund, which, as well as his other preferments, he retained until his death, with the exception
of the rectory of West Terring, which he resigned to his
son Richard. His character is very justly recorded on his
monument, as one conspicuous for the variety and extent
of his knowledge, and for un remitted zeal and activity in
those stations to which his merit had raised him; nor was
he in private life less distinguished for sweetness of disposition, piety, and integrity.
ce, and the new oaths; with some passages of his lordship’s life,” Lond. 1690, 4to. 7. “A Defence of archbishop Usher against Dr. Cary and Dr. Is. Vossius, with an Introduction
His works are, 1. “Conjectanea in Isaiam ix. 1, 2. Item
in parallela quaedam veteris ac novi testament), in quibus
versionibus LXX interpretum cum textu Hebræo
conciiiatio,
” &c. Lond. 1673, 4to. Dr. Castel, the Arabian professor, called this “a most excellent essay, wherein the
author shewed incredible reading and diligence, in perusing
so many copies, versions, and various lections, with the
best interpreters of sacred writ.
” 2. “A collection of the
Church History of Palestine, from the birth of Christ, to
the beginning of the empire of Diocletian,
” Lond. A short Dissertation concerning the four last
Kings of Judah,
” Lond. Judicium de Thesi Chronologica,
”
&c. 4. “De Nethinim sive Nethinaeis, &c. et de iis qui
se Corban Deo nominabant, disputatiuncula, adversus
Steuch. Eugubinum, Card. Baronium,
” &c. Camb. An Answer to the vindication of a Letter from
a person of quality in the North, concerning the profession of John, late bishop of Chichester,
” Lond. A Defence of the Profession of John (Lake) lord bishop
of Chichester, made upon his death-bed, concerning passive obedience, and the new oaths; with some passages of
his lordship’s life,
” Lond. A Defence of
archbishop Usher against Dr. Cary and Dr. Is. Vossius,
with an Introduction concerning the uncertainty of Chronology, and an Appendix touching the signification of the
words, &c. as also the men of the great Synagogue,
” Camb.
A Discourse of Conscience, &c. with reflexions upon the author of Christianity not mysterious,
” &c.
Lond. A View of the Dissertation upon
the epistles of Phalaris, Themistocles, &c. lately published
by the rev. Dr. Bentley. Also, of the examination of that
Dissertation by the hon. Mr. Boyle,
” ibid. A brief Examination of some passages in the Chronological part of a Letter written to Dr. Sherlock, in his vindication. In a letter to a friend.
” 11. “A further Examination of the Chronological part of that Letter. In a second letter to a friend.
” 12. “An Account of Mr. Locke’s
religion, out of his own writings, and in his own words:
together with observations, and a two-fold appendix,
”
Lond. Animadversions upon Mons. Le
Clerc’s Rejections upon our Saviour and his Apostles, &c.
primitive fathers, &c.
” Camb.
Afterwards he took his master’s degree, and entered into holy orders. He hecame domestic chaplain to archbishop Abbot, and in Dec. 1610 was instituted to the rectory of St.
, warden of All Souls college, Oxford, was born in 1578 in Dorsetshire, and educated first
at Brasenose college, whence in 1599 he was elected a
fellow of All Souls, befng then four years standing in the
degree of B. A. Afterwards he took his master’s degree,
and entered into holy orders. He hecame domestic chaplain to archbishop Abbot, and in Dec. 1610 was instituted
to the rectory of St. Clement’s, Eastcheap, which he resigned in December following. In 1611 he was made rector of St. Michael, Crooked-lane, but resigned it in June
1614, in consequence of having been in April preceding,
elected warden of All Souls, on which occasion he took his
degree of D. D. He held afterwards the rectory of Monks
Risborow, in the county of Buckingham, and of Newington, near Dorchester, in Oxfordshire. He was one of the
king' commissioners in ecclesiastical affairs, and died July
5, 1618, in the fortieth year of his age. Wood seems to
insinuate that his death was hastened by the treatment his
work received. This was a folio published at London in
1616, containing a Latin translation of the Liturgy, Catechisms, 39 articles, ordination book, and doctrinal points
extracted from the homilies, to which he added, also in
Latin, a treatise “de politia ecclesiae Anglicanac.
” The design of this publication was to recommend the formularies
and doctrines of the Church of England to foreign nations;
but, according to Wood, there was such a leaning towards
“Calvin’s Platform,
” that the work was not only called in,
but ordered to be publicly burnt. Heylin, who speaks
highly of the author’s character and good intentions, thinks
that the true cause of this work being so disgraced was,
that in translating the 20th article, he omitted the first
clause concerning the power of the church to decree rites
and ceremonies, &c. His treatise “De Politia
” was reprinted at London in
so extremely affected with the loss of him, that, as a new mark of his favour, he prevailed with the archbishop of Paris not to deny his being interred in consecrated ground.
But, according to the best accounts, Moliere was indisposed before the performance of the play. His wifr, and
Baron the actor, urged him to take some care of himself,
and not to perform that day. “And what then,
” said he,
“is to become of my poor performers I should reproach
myself if I neglected them a single day.
” The exertions
which he made to go through his part, produced a convulsion, followed by a voiniting of blood, which suffocated
him some hours after, in the fifty-third year of his age.
The king was so extremely affected with the loss of him,
that, as a new mark of his favour, he prevailed with the
archbishop of Paris not to deny his being interred in consecrated ground. As Moliere had gained himself many
enemies, by ridiculing the folly and knavery of all orders
of men, and particularly by exposing the hypocrites of the
ecclesiastical order, and the bigots among the laity, in
his celebrated comedy, the “Tartuffe*,
” they therefore
took the advantage of this play, to stir up Paris and the
court against its author; and if the king had not interposed, he had then fallen a sacrifice to the indignation of
the clergy. The king, however, stood his friend now he
was dead; and the archbishop, through his majesty’s intercession, permitted him to be buried at St. Joseph’s,
which was a chapel of ease to the parish church of St.
Eustace.
ear fifteen, and then placed in the university of Dublin, under the care of Dr. PaJliser, afterwards archbishop of Cashell. He distinguished himself here by the probity of
an excellent mathematician and astronomer, was born April 17, 1656, at Dublin, where his father, a gentleman of good family and fortune, lived*. Being of a tender constitution, he was educated under a private tutor at home, till he was near fifteen, and then placed in the university of Dublin, under the care of Dr. PaJliser, afterwards archbishop of Cashell. He distinguished himself here by the probity of his manners as
e success, he quitted the oratory in 1699; and soon after went to Thoulouse, and lived with Colbert, archbishop of that place, who had procured him a priory in 1698. In 1710
, an ingenious and
learned Frenchman, and one of the best writers of his time,
was born at Paris in 1674. At sixteen he entered into the
congregation of the fathers of the oratory, and was afterwards sent to Mans to learn philosophy. That of Aristotle
then obtained in the schools, and was the only one which
was permitted to be taught; nevertheless Mongault, with
some of that original spirit which usually distinguishes men
of uncommon abilities from the vulgar, ventured, in a
public thesis, which he read at the end of the course of
lectures, to oppose the opinions of Aristotle, and to maintain those of Des Cartes. Having studied theology with
the same success, he quitted the oratory in 1699; and
soon after went to Thoulouse, and lived with Colbert,
archbishop of that place, who had procured him a priory
in 1698. In 1710 the duke of Orleans, regent of the kingdom, committed to him the education of his son, the duke
of Chartres; which important office he discharged so well
that he acquired universal esteem. In 1714, he had the
abbey Chartreuve given him, and that of Vilieneuve in
1719. The duke of Chartres, becoming colonel-general
of the French infantry, chose the abbe* Mongault to fill the
place of secretary-general made him also secretary of the
province of Dauphiny and, after the death of the regent,
his father, raised him to other considerable employments.
All this while he was as assiduous as his engagements would
permit in cultivating polite literature; and, in 1714, published at Paris;, in 6 vols. 12mo, an edition of “Tully’s
Letters to Atticus,
” with an excellent French translation,
and judicious comment upon them. This work has been
often reprinted, and is justly reckoned admirable; for, as
Middleton has observed, in the preface to his “Life of
Cicero,
” the abbe Mongault “did not content himself with
the retailing the remarks of other commentators, or out of
the rubbish of their volumes with selecting the best, but
entered upon his task with the spirit of a true critic, and, by
the force of his own genius, has happily illustrated many
passages which all the interpreters before him had given
tip as inexplicable.
” He published also a very good translation of “Herodian,
” from the Greek, the best edition
of which is that of 1745, in 12mo. He died at Paris,
Aug. 15, 1746, aged almost seventy-two.
n, at a free-school of great repute at that time in Threadneedle-street, called St. Anthony’s, where archbishop Whitgift, and other eminent men, had been brought up; and here
, chancellor of England in the
reign of Henry VIII. and one of the most illustrious
characters of that period, was born in Milk-street, London, in
1480. He was the son of sir John More, knight, one of
the judges of the king’s bench, and a man of great abilities and integrity. Sir John had also much of that pleasant wit, for which his son was afterwards so distinguished;
and, as a specimen of it, Camden relates, that he would
compare the danger in the choice of a wife to that of putting a man’s hand into a bag full of snakes, with only one
eel in it; where he may, indeed, chance to light of the eel,
but it is an hundred to one he is stung by a snake. It has
been observed, however, that sir John ventured to put his
hand three times into this bag, for he married three wives;
nor was the sting so hurtful as to prevent his arriving at
the age of ninety; and then he did not die of old age, but of
a surfeit, occasioned by eating grapes. Sir Thomas was
his son by his first wife, whose maiden name was Handcombe. He was educated in London, at a free-school of
great repute at that time in Threadneedle-street, called St.
Anthony’s, where archbishop Whitgift, and other eminent
men, had been brought up; and here he made a progress
in grammar-learning, suitable to his uncommon parts and
application. He was afterwards placed in the family of
cardinal Morton, archbishop of Canterbury, and chancellor
of England: a method of education much practised in
those times, but chiefly in the case of noblemen’s sons,
with whom sir John More might be supposed to rank, from
the high office he held. The cardinal was delighted with
his ingenuous modesty, and with the vivacity and quickness of his wit, of which he gave surprising instances; one
of which was, that while the players in Christmas holidays
were acting there, he would sometimes suddenly step in
among them, and, without any previous study, make a part
of his own, to the great diversion of the audience. The
cardinal indeed conceived so high an opinion of his favourite pupil, that he used frequently to say to those about
him, that “More, whosoever should live to see it, would
one day prove a marvellous man.
”
ngs, an assent to the divorce and the second marriage. When the commissioners, who were Cranmer, now archbishop of Canterbury, the lord chancellor Audley, the duke of Norfolk,
He now resigned himself to that plan of retirement, study,
and devotion, which had always been most agreeable to him;
but he could no longer expect to enjoy this without interruption. He knew the capricious and arbitrary temper of
his royal master, who had already divorced queen Catherine, married Anne Boleyn, and expected that what he
had done should be approved with more than silent acquiescence. The coronation of the new queen being fixed
for May 31, 1533, sir Thomas received an invitation to
attend the ceremony; but this he declined, as he still retained his former opinions on the unlawfulness of the divorce. This, which Henry would naturally construe into
an insult, provoked him extremely, conscious as he was
that the opinions of sir Thomas would have great weight
with the people. Various means were therefore tried to
gain him over, and when these proved ineffectual, a more
^harsh, but in those days, not a very extraordinary proceeding took place. In the ensuing parliament a bill was
: brought into the House of Lords, attainting sir Thomas,
bishop Fisher, and some others, of misprision of treason,
for countenancing and encouraging Elizabeth Barton, tlje
maid of Kent (See Eliz. Barton, vol. IV.) in her treasonable practices. When this bill came to be read a third
time, the House of Lords addressed the king to know his
pleasure, whether sir Thomas might not be suffered to
speak in his own defence; but Henry would not consent to
this, nor when he desired to be admitted into the House
of Commons, to defend himself there, would the king
permit him: but he assigned a committee of the privycouncil to hear his justification. The affair of Barton,
however, was a mere pretence, the object of this committee being to draw from him, either by fair words or
threatenings, an assent to the divorce and the second marriage. When the commissioners, who were Cranmer, now
archbishop of Canterbury, the lord chancellor Audley,
the duke of Norfolk, and secretary Cromwell, found that
their persuasions were of no avail, they told him, that
their instructions were to charge him with ingratitude,
and “to inform him, that his majesty thought there never
was a servant so villainous, or a subject so traitorous to
his prince, as he was;
” and, ft in support of this heavy
charge against him, they were to allege his subtle and sinister devices, in procuring his majesty to set forth a book
to his great dishonour throughout all Christendom: by
which he had put a sword into the pope’s hand to fight against
himself."
ays, in which time it was debated by the king and council -what course it was best to take with him. Archbishop Cranmer, who highly esteemed his virtues and integrity, and
Every persuasion to make him take the oath of succession being ineffectual, he was committed to the custody
of the abbot of Westminster for four days, in which time
it was debated by the king and council -what course it was
best to take with him. Archbishop Cranmer, who highly
esteemed his virtues and integrity, and did much to preserve him, urged that sir Thomas’s proposal of swearing to
the succession, without confining him to the terms of the
prescribed oath, might be accepted; but to this the king
would not agree, and sir Thomas again refusing, was committed to the Tower. Here his characteristic humour did
not forsake him, for when the lieutenant, who had been
under some obligations to him, apologized for not being
able to entertain him as he could wish, without incurring
the king’s displeasure, he said, “Master lieutenant, whenever 1 find fault with the entertainment which you provide
for me, do you turn me out of doors.
” During the first
month of his confinement ne had to resist the importunities
of his wife, who urged his submission to the king upon
worldly considerations, and told her he would not risk the
loss of eternity for the enjoyment of a life that might not
last a year, and would not be an equivalent, if it were to
last a thousand.
s Remuch as the king discovered there a gister, p. 135. time when he wrote an account of his life to archbishop Tenison. Two years before the death of Charles II. that sovereign
* “We think fit to relate here, as a part of the intricate plots of the interthing most remarkable, that on this reign, and likewise the perfidiousness
3^ of May, Mr. Moreland, chief com- of some who owM him, no doubt, the
missioner under Mr. Thurloe, who was greatest fidelity in the world. The
secretary of state unto Oliver Crom- kingreceiv'd him perfectly well, made
well, his chief and most confident mi- him knight, and rendered him this
nister of his tyranny, arrived at Breda, public testimony, that he had received
where he brought divers letters and most considerable services frfm him.
notes of very great importance, foras- for some years past.
” Kennel’s Remuch as the king discovered there a gister, p. 135.
time when he wrote an account of his life to archbishop
Tenison. Two years before the death of Charles II. that
sovereign sent him to France, “about the king’s waterworks;
” but here too he appears to have lost more than
he gained. On his return, king James restored to him his
pensions, which had been, for whatever reason, withdrawn,
and likewise granted him the arrears, but not without deducting the expences of the engine which sir Samuel constructed to supply Windsor castle with water. Water-engines of various sorts employed much of his attention and
capital; and as far back as 1674, we iind in the “Journals
of the House of Commons,
” a notice of a bill to enable
him to enjoy the sole benefit of certain pumps and waterengines invented by him.
melancholy detail of his various disappointments and distresses. In 1689, he wrote a long letter to archbishop Tenison, giving an account of his life, from which we have extracted
Sk Samuel was twice married to his first wife, during
the usurpation but at what precise time, does not appear.
In her naturalization-bill, introduced into the House of
Commons in 1662, she is called Susanne de Milleville,
daughter of Daniel de Milleville, baron of Boessey, and
of thq lady Katherine his wife, of Boessey in France. It
is probable he married her when abroad. After her death,
he was entrapped into a second marriage* with a woman
who pretended to be an heiress of 20,000l. This, he says,
proved his ruin. She was a woman of abandoned conduct,
and probably impaired his property by extravagance; and
although he was divorced from her, for adultery, in 1688,
the rest of his history is but a melancholy detail of his various disappointments and distresses. In 1689, he wrote
a long letter to archbishop Tenison, giving an account of
his life, from which we have extracted many of the above
particulars, and concluding with a declaration that his only
wish was to retire and spend his life “in Christian solitude,
” for which he begs the archbishop’s “helping hand
to have his condition truly represented to his majesty.
”
Tenison probably did something for him, for we find a letter of thanks for “favours and acts of charity,
” contained
of his life to archbishop Tenison, gives Commons, and her age must certainly
of his life to archbishop Tenison, gives Commons, and her age must certainly
eathed his property to Mrs. Zenobia Hough. According to the representation he made of his affairs to archbishop Tenison, this could not have been much. The reason of his d
although the name be different from divorced from one in 168$.
in it, dated March 5, 1695. He died Jan. 1696, probably
in a weak condition, as he was unable to sign the will, by
which he disinherited his only son, or the same name, who
was the second and last baronet of the family, and bequeathed his property to Mrs. Zenobia Hough. According to the representation he made of his affairs to archbishop Tenison, this could not have been much. The reason of his disinheriting his son, appears from a passage in
his letter to the archbishop, in which he is confessing the
sins of iiis past life. “I have been, in my youthful days,
very undutiful to my parents, for which God has given me
a son, altogether void of filial respect or natural affection.
”
The errors of sir Samuel’s life were probably considerable, as he speaks of having* been at one time excommunicated, but some of his writings shew that he was a sincere
penitent, particularly his “Urim of Conscience,
” which
he published a little before his death, written, as the titlfc
says, “in blindness and retirement.
” It consists of a
rhapsody of meditations on the fall of man, the wonderful
structure and powers of the human body, with allusions to
his machines, cautions to those who are in quest of the
perpetual motion, or the philosopher’s stone, and pious
advice to men of all ranks and professions.
respect than has hitherto been paid to him. Granger refers to the account of his life in a letter to archbishop Tenison, but had never seen it, else he could not have divided
As a machinist, however, sir Samuel Morland deserves
more respect than has hitherto been paid to him. Granger
refers to the account of his life in a letter to archbishop
Tenison, but had never seen it, else he could not have
divided him into two persons, sir Samuel, who wrote the
history of the churches of Piedmont, and a son who was
master of mechanics to Charles II. yet in this he is followed
in our Cyclopædias. They allow, however, that he invented the speaking-trumpet, although Kircher laid claim
to it; the fire engine a capstan, to heave up anchors;
and two arithmetical machines, of which he published a
description, under the title of “The description and use
of two Arithmetic Instruments together with a short Treatise, explaining the ordinary operations of Arithmetic, &c.
presented to his most excellent majesty, Charles II. by S.
Morland, in 1662.
” This work, which is exceedingly rare,
but of which there is a copy in the Bodleian, which bears
date, 1673, 8vo, is illustrated with twelve plates, in which
the different parts of the machine are exhibited; and whence
it appears that the four fundamental rules in arithmetic are
very readily worked, and, to use the author’s own words,
“without charging the memory, disturbing the mind, or
exposing the operations to any uncertainty.
” That these
machines were at the time brought into practice, there
seems no reason to doubt, as by an advertisement prefixed
to the work, it appears that they were manufactured for
sale by Humphry Adanson, who lived with Jonas Moore,
esq. in the Tower of London.
. resigned the sub-deanery to which he had been collated in 1450. In October 1472 he was collated by archbishop Bouchier to the rectory of St. Dunstan’s in the East, London,
, an eminent prelate a ntt statesman, in the reign of Henry VII. was the eldest son of Richard Morton, of Milbourtie St. Andrew’s in Dorsetshire, and was born in 1410 at Bere in that county. The first part of his education he received among the monks of Cerne abbey, and thence removed to Baliol college, Oxford, where in 1446 he was one of the commissaries of that university, and had been also moderator of the civil law school, and principal of Peckwater inn in 1453. In 1458 he was collated to the prebend of Fordington with Writhlington in the cathedral of Salisbury, which he resigned in 1476. In the same year he was installed prebendary of Covingham in the church of Lincoln, and on this occasion. resigned the sub-deanery to which he had been collated in 1450. In October 1472 he was collated by archbishop Bouchier to the rectory of St. Dunstan’s in the East, London, which he held only two years; and the same month was collated to the prebend of Isledon in the church of St. Paul, which he exchanged in the following year for that of Chiswick in the same church.
thing as ready to your pleasure as that.” Yet, notwithstanding this apparent civility, Morton, with archbishop Rotheram, lord Stanley, and others, were the same day taken
On this account, however, he was considered in no very
favourable light by the protector, afterwards Richard III.
who had no hopes of alluring him to his interests. When
bishop Morton and others were assembled in the Tower on
June 13, 1483, to consult about the coronation of Edward V. the protector came among them, and after some
general discourse turned to the bishop of Ely, and said,
“My lord, you have very good strawberries in your garden
at Holborn, I require you let me have a mess of them.
”
“Gladly, my lord,
” the bishop answered; “I wish I had
some better thing as ready to your pleasure as that.
” Yet,
notwithstanding this apparent civility, Morton, with archbishop Rotheram, lord Stanley, and others, were the same
day taken into custody, as known enemies to the measures
then in agitation. As soon as this was known, the university of Oxford, to which Morton had been a benefactor,
sent a petition in Latin to Richard, pleading for his liberty;
whether with effect does not appear; but it is certain that
for this or some other reason he was soon released from
prison, and given in ward to the duke of Buckingham, then
a warm partizan of Richard, but completely brought over
to the other side by conversation with the bishop. He was
sent to th.e duke’s castle at Brecknock, whence he escaped
to the isle of Ely, and soon after, disguising himself, went
to the Continent to Henry earl of Richmond; and it was
agreed among the friends of the late king’s family and the
well-wishers to the peace and harmony of the kingdom,
that king Edward’s eldest daughter, Elizabeth, should be
pnited to Henry by marriage; and thus, by joining the interests of the white and red rose in one, a coalition might
be formed between the jarring parties of York and Lancaster. All this is said to have been the plan recommended
by Morton, and he lived to see it happily accomplished.
It is indeed that transactiou of his life which gives him a
very honourable place in English history. Horace Walpole
only, in his “Historic Doubts,
” has obliquely accused him.
of violating his allegiance to Richard III.; but to Richard
III. no allegiance was either due, or paid. As Morton
was imprisoned before Richard was crowned, and never set
at liberty until he made his escape, it seems highly probable that no oath of allegiance was ever tendered to him.
by the usurper.
he was, probably on the king’s recommendation, elected by the prior and convent of Canterbury to be archbishop. In the mean time the king granted him. the whole profits of
Among the public-spirited schemes which his liberality induced him to execute, was the famous cut or drain from Peterborough to Wisbeche, a track of upwards of twelve miles across a fenny country, which proved of great benefit to his diocese and to the public, and was completed entirely at his expence. This still is known by the name of Morton’s Leame, As soon as Henry VII. was seated on the throne, after the death of Richard III. he sent for Morton, who was still abroad, and immediately on his arrival made him one of his privy council; and on the death of cardinal Bourchier, in 1486, he was, probably on the king’s recommendation, elected by the prior and convent of Canterbury to be archbishop. In the mean time the king granted him. the whole profits of the see, until the pope’s confirmation could be obtained, and the disposal of all the preferments annexed to it; and having received the pope’s bull, dated Oct. 6, 1436, he was, by the king, admitted to the temporalities on Dec. 6 following In August 1487 he was constituted lord chancellor of England, which office he retained to his death. In a ms. in the British Museum, (Mss. Harl. 6100. fol. 54.) he is said to have been made chancellor in 1485, which was the first year of Henry VII.; and we have already mentioned, from another authority, that he filled that office while bishop of Ely. In 1493 he was creiited a cardinal by pope Alexander VI. by the title of St. Anastasia. In Hall’s Chronicle this promotion is placed in 1489, which is a mistake.
Leland informs us, that, while archbishop, he employed his fortune in building and repairing his houses
Leland informs us, that, while archbishop, he employed his fortune in building and repairing his houses at Canterbury, Lambeth, Maidstone, Allington park, and Charing; and at Ford he almost built the whole house. At Oxford, too, it is said that he repaired the canon- law school, completed the building of the divinity school, and the rebuilding of St. Mary’s church; in all which places his arms were formerly to be seen, as they are at this day on the stone tower of Wisbeche church, five or six times, either because he built it, which is not improbable, or because he was a benefactor to the tower which thus commemorated his services. In February 1494 he was elected chancellor of the university of Oxford; in which year Fuller says he greatly promoted the re-building of Rochester bridge. One of the last acts of his life was to procure the canonization of Anselm archbishop of Canterbury; and he also endeavoured, but without effect, to procure the same honour for his old master Henry VI. He died, according to the Canterbury obituary, Tuesday 16 kal. Oct.; but, according to the register of Ely, Sept. 15, 1500, and in his ninetieth year. As he had provided for his relations in his life-time, he bequeathed all his remaining wealth to pious uses, or to be distributed among such of his servants as had not yet tasted of his bounty. He founded a chauntry at Bere, his native place, with a chaplain, who was to officiate for twenty years; and for th'e same space of time he bequeathed exhibitions for poor scholars at both the universities, twenty for Oxford and ten for Cambridge. He was interred in Canterbury cathedral, where a heavy but sumptuous monument was erected to his memory. His remains were afterwards disturbed by the falling-in of the pavement upon his coffin, and some of them, wrapt up in cerecloths, were carried away; and the head being almost the only part remaining, it was begged of archbishop Sheldon in 1670, by Ralph Sheldon of Beolie in Worcestershire, esq. who, after preserving it with great reverence till his death, bequeathed it to his niece, Mrs. Frances Sheldon, one of the maids of honour to Catherine of Portugal, wife to king Charles II. What became of this relic afterwards is not known.
Archbishop Morton’s character is highly spoken of by his contemporaries
Archbishop Morton’s character is highly spoken of by
his contemporaries and successors, as a statesman of great
talents and a man of learning, probity, liberality, and
spirit. His life was written by Dr. John Budden in 1607,
8vo; but the eulogium that confers most honour upon him
is that which occurs in sir Thomas More’s “Utopia,
” and
in some of the lives of that illustrious man, who, as we
have noticed in our account, was educated by Morton.
Parker may also be consulted in his “Antiq. Ecclesiast.
”
Although he derived much unpopularity from the high favour he enjoyed with king Henry VII. yet it was owing to
his advice and interference that the exactions made by
that monarch were not far more severe; and he had at all
times the courage to give the king his fair and honest opinion on such measures. The life of Richard III.
attribated to Sir Thomas More, is said to have been written
by our prelate.
Germany. At his return he became chapJain to Roger earl of Rutland, and was afterwards presented by archbishop Matthews to a prebend in the cathedral of York. In 1606 he took
, a learned English bishop in the
seventeenth century, was of the same family with cardinal
Morton, and was the sixth son of nineteen children of Mr.
Richard Morton, an eminent mercer and alderman of York,
by Elizabeth Leedale his wife. He was born at York,
March 20, 1564, and was 6rst educated there under Mr. Pullen, and afterwards at Halifax under Mr. Maud. In 1582
he was sent to St. John’s college in Cambridge, and placed
under the tuition of Mr. Anthony Higgon, afterwards dean
of Rippon, who left him to the care of Mr. Henry Nelson,
afterwards rector of Hougham ia Lincolnshire, who lived
to see his pupil bishop of Durham, and many years after.
In the beginning of November 1584, he was chosen to a
scholarship of Constable’s foundation, peculiar to his native county of York; and in 1586 took the degree of bachelor of arts, and in 1590 that of master, having performed the exercises requisite to each degree with great
applause. He continued his studies at his father’s charge
until March 17, 1592, when he was admitted fellow, of the
foundation of Dr. Keyson, merely on account of his merit,
against eight competitors for the place. About the same
time he was chosen logic lecturer of the university, which,
office he discharged with ^reat skill and diligence, as appeared from his lectures found among his papers. The
same year he was ordained deacon, and the year following
priest by Richard Rowland, bishop of Peterborough. He
continued five years after this in the college, pursuing his
private studies, and instructing pupils. In 1598 he took
the degree of bachelor of divinity; and ahout the same
year was presented to the rectory of Long Marston four
miles from York. He was afterwards made chaplain to the
earl of Huntingdon, lord president of the North, who selected him for his zeal and acuteness in disputing with the
Romish recusants. It was queen Elizabeth’s command to
his lordship, to prefer arguments to force with these people: and this she expressed, as the earl used to say, in the
words of scripture, “Nolo mortem peccatoris.
” Afterwards, when lord Huntingdon was dead, and lord Sheffield
was appointed lord president, Morton held a public conference before his lordship and the council, at the manor-,
house at York, with two popish recusants, then prisoners
in the castle. In 1602, when the plague raged in that
city, he behaved with the greatest charity and resolution.
The year following, the lord Eure being appointed ambassador-extraordinary to the emperor of Germany, and king
of Denmark, Morton attended him as chaplain, along with
Mr. Richard Crakenthorp, and took this opportunity to
make a valuable collection of books, as well as to visit the
universities of Germany. At his return he became chapJain to Roger earl of Rutland, and was afterwards presented
by archbishop Matthews to a prebend in the cathedral of
York. In 1606 he took the degree of doctor of divinity;
and about the same time was sworn chaplain in ordinary to
king James I. and preferred to the deanery of Gloucester,
June 22, 1607. While he was dean there, the lord Eure
above mentioned, then lord president of Wales, appointed
him one of his majesty’s council for the marches. In 1609,
he was removed to the deanery of Winchester; and while
there, the bishop (Bilson) collated him to the rectory of
Alesford. In the same year, Dr. Sutcliff, dean of Exeter,
founding a college at Chelsea, for divines to be employed
in defending the protestant religion against the papists, he
was appointed one of the fellows. About this time, he
became acquainted with Isaac Casaubon. In 1615, he
was advanced to the see of Chester and, in 1618, to that
of Lichfield and Coventry about which time he became
acquainted with Antonio de Dominis, abp. of Spalato,
whom he endeavoured to dissuade from returning to Rome.
The archbishop’s pretence for going thither was, to attempt
an unity between the church of Rome and that of England, upon those terms which he had laid down in his
book entitled “De Repnblica Christiana.
”
is prelate were, 1. “Apologia Catholica,” parti. Lond. 1605, 4to, dedicated to Dr. Richard Bancroft, archbishop of Canterbury. 2. “An exact Discovery of Romish Doctrine in
The works of this prelate were, 1. “Apologia Catholica,
” parti. Lond. An exact Discovery of Romish Doctrine in the case of Conspiracy and
Rebellion or Romish Positions and Practices,
” &c. Lond.
Apologia Catholica,
” part II. Lond.
1606, 4to. 4. “A full Satisfaction concerning a double
Romish Iniquitie, hainous Rebellion, and more than heathenish Æquivocation containing three parts. The two
former belong to the Reply upon the Moderate Answer: the
first for confirmation of the discovery in these two points,
treason and equivocation; the second is a justification of
protestants touching the same points. The third part is a
large discourse confuting the reasons and grounds of other
priests, both in the case of rebellion and ^equivocation:
published by authoritie,
” Lond. Moderate Answer:
” in a book published
under the name of P. R. and entitled “ATreatise, tending
to Mitigation towards Catholic subjects in England, against
Tho. Morton,
” A Preamble unto an Incounter with,
P. R. the author of the deceitful Treatise of Mitigation,
”
Lond.
bjections, which have been urged against it,“Lond, 1610, fol. He was engaged in writing this work by archbishop Bancroft, as he observes in his dedication; and Dr. Thomas James
the temper of the people ia those parts Day“author, father Parsons having made a reply under the title
of
” A sober Reckoning with Mr. Tho. Morton,“printed
in 160y, 4to; the latter wrote, 6.
” The Encounter against
Mr. Parsons,“Lond. 1609, 4to. 7.
” An Answer to the
scandalous Exceptions of Theophiltis Higgons,“London,
1609, 4to. 8.
” A Catholike Appeale for Protestants out
of the Confessions of the Romane Doctors, particularly
answering the misnamed Catholike Apologie for the Romane Faith out of the Protestants, manifesting the antiquitie of our Religion, and satisfying all scrupulous objections, which have been urged against it,“Lond, 1610, fol.
He was engaged in writing this work by archbishop Bancroft, as he observes in his dedication; and Dr. Thomas
James took the pains to examine some of his quotations in
the Bodleian library. It has never yet been answered. 9.
” A Defence of the Innocencie of the three Ceremonies
of the Church of England, viz. the Surplice, Crosse after
Baptisme, and Kneeling at the receiving of the blessed
Sacrament. Divided into two parts. In the former whereof
the generall arguments urged by the nonconformists, and
in the latter part their particular accusations against these
three ceremonies, are severally answered and refuted. Published by authority.“Second edit. London, 1619, in 4to.
This was attacked by an anonymous author, generally supposed to be Mr. William Ames; which occasioned a Defence of it, written by Dr. John Burges of Sutton Colefield in Warwickshire, and printed at London in 1631, 4to,
under the title of
” An Answer to a Pamphlet entitled A
Reply to Dr. Morton’s general Defence of three innocent
Ceremonies.“10.
” Causa Regia,“London, 1620, 4to,
written against cardinal Be) tannin’s book,
” De Officio
Principis Christiani.“11.
” The Grand Imposture of the
now Church of Rome, concerning this Article of their
Creed, The holy Catholic and Apostolic Roman Church.“The second edition enlarged was printed at London in
1628, 4to. There was an answer published to this, under
the name of J. S. and entitled
” Anti-Mortonns.“12.
” Of
the Institution of the Sacrament, &c. by some called the
Mass,“&c. Lond. 1631, reprinted with additions in 1635,
folio. As some strictures were published on the first edition by a Romish author, under the name of an English
baron, Dr. Morton replied in, 13.
” A Discharge of five
Imputations of Mis- allegations charged upon the bishop of
Duresme by an English baron,“London, 1633, 8vo. 14.
” Antidotum adversus Ecclesiae Romans de Merito ex:
Condigno Venenum,“Cambridge, 1637, 4to. 15.
” Replica sive Refutatio Confutationis C. R.“Lond. 1638, 4to.
This is an answer to a piece published by C. R. who was
supposed to be the bishop of Chakedon, against the first
part of our author’s Catholic Apology. 16. A Sermon
preached before the king at Newcastle, upon Rom. xiii. 1.
Lond. 1639, 4to. 17.
” De Eucharistia Controversiae Decisio,“Cambridge, 1640, 4to. 18.
” A Sermon on the
Resurrection,“preached at the Spittle in London April 26.
Lond. 1641, 8vo. 1.9. A Sermon preached at St. Paul’s
June 19, 1642, upon 1 Cor. xi. 16. and entitled
” The Presentment of a Schismatic.!*,“” Lond. 1642, 4to. 20. “Confessions and Proofs of Protestant Divines,
” &c. Oxford,
Ezekiel’s Wheels,
” &c. Lond. some in my custody,
” says
Dr. Barwick, “which 1 found by him at his death; and some
(that I hear of) in the hands of others: all of them once
intended for the press, whereof some have lost their first
perfection by the carelessness and negligence of some that
should have kept them others want his last hand and eye
to perfect them and others only a seasonable time to publish them. And he might and would have left many more,
considering how vigorous his parts were even in his extreme
old age, if the iniquity of the times had not deprived him
of most of his notes and papers.
” Among these unpublished Mss. were: 1. “Tractatus de externo Judice iniallibili ad Doctores Pontificios, imprimis vero ad Sacerdotes Wisbicenses.
” 2. “Tractatus de Justificatione.
”
Two copies, both imperfect. 3. “Some Papers written
upon the Controversy between bishop Montague and the
Gagger.
” 4. “A Latin edition of his book called the
Grand Imposture.
” Imperfect. 5. Another edition of both
the parts of his book called “Apologia Catholica.
” 6. “An
Answer to J. S. his Anti-Mortonus.
” Imperfect. 7. His
treatise concerning Episcopacy above mentioned, revised
and enlarged. 8. A treatise concerning Prayer in art tinknown tongue. 9. A Defence of Infants 1 Baptism against
Mr. Tombes and others. 10. Several Sermons. II. “A
Kelation of the Conference held at York by our author,
with Mr. Young and Mr. Stillington; and a further confutation of R. G. in defence of the Articles of the church
of England.
” Almost the last act of his life was to procure
from the few remaining bishops in England, a refutation
of the fable of the Nag’s Head ordination, which was revived by some of the popish persuasion in 1658. What he
procured on the subject was afterwards published by bishop
Uramhai.
, a celebrated Armenian archbishop, who flourished about the year 462, was esteemed one of the
, a celebrated Armenian archbishop, who flourished about the year 462, was esteemed
one of the most learned men of his nation, having studied
Greek at Athens, from which language he made many versions into the Armenian. His principal work is “A History of Armenia,
” from the deluge to the middle of the
fifth century, first published in Armenian in 1695, by
Thomas Vanandensis, an Armenian bishop, from one single manuscript, and that f a very faulty one. It was reprinted with a Latin version, in 1736, by William and
George, the sons of the famous William Whiston, with a
preface concerning the literature of the Armenians, and
their version of the Bible; and an appendix containing two
epistles, the one of the Corinthians to Paul the Apostle,
the other of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, entire,
from a ms. 4to. Of Moses, Messrs. Whiston say that he
appears to have been a man of probity, simplicity, and
sincerity, but of moderate learning, and rather too credulous. They think it was written in the latter end of the
fifth century. They speak also of “An Abridgment of
Geography,
” published at Amsterdam in Sacred Canticles,
” to be sung in the Armenian language
on the anniversary of Christ’s presentation at the temple.
His history was the first book published in England in the
Armenian language, at a time when no person here understood that language, and but two on the continent, La
Croze, librarian to the king of Prussia, and Schroder, professor of the Oriental languages at Marpurg in Germany.
It is a work now of rare occurrence.
99, he was named preacher-assistant of St. James’s, Westminster, by the rector, Dr. Wake, afterwards archbishop of Canterbury. In April 1701 he was appointed chaplain in ordinary
His first remove from the university was in consequence of his being appointed preacher to the honourable society of Gray’s. Inn, July 11, 1698, which preferment he enjoyed till 1714. In the following year, January 1699, he was named preacher-assistant of St. James’s, Westminster, by the rector, Dr. Wake, afterwards archbishop of Canterbury. In April 1701 he was appointed chaplain in ordinary to king William, and continued in the same office in the following reign. He was one of the chaplains in waiting, when queen Anne, in April 1705, visited the university of Cambridge, and he was on that occasion created D. D. In 1708 he was chosen, by the parish, Tuesday lecturer at St. Lawrence’s Jewry, near Guildhall, in the room of Dr. Stanhope, who then resigned it, and supported the credit and character of that lecture with great approbation until 1727, when his growing infirmities induced him to resign it. In 1708-9 he was involved in a dispute with Dr. Thomas Greene, afterwards bishop of Norwich, but then master of Bene't college, who expected Dr. Moss to resign his fellowship on account of his non-residence and preferments in town. The debate was carried on by letter, and with too much warmth on both sides; but it appears, without ultimately creating any breach of friendship. On the death of Dr. Roderick, in 1712, Dr. Moss was appointed by her majesty to the deanery of Ely, and on this occasion quitted his fellowship in the college, and about 1714- resigned the preachership of Gray’s Inn, and at the same time was collated by Dr. Robinson, bishop of London, to the living of Gilston, alias Geddleston, a small rectory on the Eastern side of Hertfordshire, which, though of no great value, was of great service to him when incapacitated from taking long journeys, being a convenient distance between London and Ely, and an agreeable retirement.
Mr. Mottley received the first rudiments of his education at St. Martin’s library-school, founded by archbishop Tenison; but was placed in the excise-office at sixteen years
, a dramatic and miscellaneous
writer, was the son of colonel Mottley, who was a great
favourite with king James II. and followed the fortunes of
that prince into France. James, not being able himself to
provide for him so well as he desired, procured for him,
by his interest, the command of a regiment in the service
of Louis XIV. at the head of which he lost his life in the
battle of Turin, in 1706. The colonel married a daughter
of John Guise, esq. of Abload’s Court, in Gloucestershire,
with whom, by the death of a brother, who left her his
whole estate, he had a very considerable fortune. The
family of the Guises, however, being of principles diametrically opposite to those of the colonel, and zealous friends
to the revolution, Mrs. Mottley, notwithstanding the tenderest affection for her husband, and repeated invitations
from the king and queen, then at St. Germains, preferred
living at home on the scanty remains of what he had left
behind. The colonel was sent over to England three or
four years after the revolution, on a secret commission
from king James; and during his stay our author was born,
in 1692. Mr. Mottley received the first rudiments of his
education at St. Martin’s library-school, founded by archbishop Tenison; but was placed in the excise-office at
sixteen years of age, under the comptroller, lord viscount
Howe, whose brother and sister were both related by marriage to his mother. This situation he retained till 1720,
when, in consequence of an unhappy contract he had
made, probably in pursuit of some of the bubbles of that
infatuated year, he was obliged to resign it. Soon after
the accession of George I. Mr. Mottley had been promised
by the lord Halifax, at that time first lord of the treasury,
the place of one of the commissioners of the wine-licence
office; but when the day came that his name should have
been inserted in the patent, a more powerful interest, to
his great surprize, had stepped in between him and the
preferment, of which he had so positive a promise. This,
however, was not the only disappointment of that kind
which this gentleman met with; for, at the period above
mentioned, when he parted with his place in the excise,
he had one in the exchequer absolutely given to him by
sir Robert Walpole, to whom he lay under many other
obligations; but in this case as well as the preceding, he
found that the minister had made a prior promise of it to
another, and he was obliged to relinquish it. Other domestic embarrassments induced him to employ his pen,
which had hitherto been only his amusement, for the
means of immediate support; and he wrote his first play,
“The Imperial Captives,
” which met witU tolerable success. From that time he depended chiefly on his literary
abilities for a maintenance, and wrote five dramatic pieces,
with various success. He had also a hand in the composition of that many-fathered piece, “The Devil to Pay.
”
He published in Life of the great Czar Peter,
”
3 vols. 8vo, by subscription, in which he met with the
I sanction of some of the royal family, and great numbers of
the nobility and gentry; and, on occasion of one of his
benefits, which happened Nov. 3, queen Caroline, on the
30th of the preceding month (being the prince of Wales’s birth-day), did the author the singular honour of disposing
of a great number of his tickets, with her own hand, in the
drawing-room, most of which were paid for in gold, into
the hands of colonel Schutz, his royal highness’s privypurse, from whom Mr. Mottley received it, with the addition of a very liberal present from the prince himself. Jn
1744 he published in 2 vols. 8vo, “The History of the
Life and Reign of the empress Catherine of Russia.
” Both
this and the preceding are compilations from the journals
and annals of the day, but are now valuable from the
scarcity of those authorities. He died Oct. 30, 1750. It
has been surmised, with some appearance of reason, that
Mr. Mottley was the compiler of the lives of the dramatic
writers, published at the end of Whincop’s “Scanderbeg.
”
It is certain that the life of Mr. Mottley, in that work, is
rendered one of the most important in it, and is particularized by such a number of various incidents, as it seems
improbable should be known by any but either himself or
some one nearly related to him. Among others he relates
the following humourous anecdote. When colonel Mottley, our author’s father, came over, as has been before
related, on a secret commission from the abdicated monarch, the government, who had by some means intelligence of it, were very diligent in their endeavours to have
him seized. The colonel, however, was happy enough to
elude their search; but several other persons were, at different times, seized through mistake for him. Among the
rest, it being very well known that he frequently supped
at the Blue Posts tavern, in the Hay-Market, with one
Mr. Tredenhatn, a Cornish gentleman, particular directions
were given for searching that house. Colonel Mottley,
however, happening not to be there, the messengers found
Mr. Tredenham alone, and with a heap of papers before
him, which being a suspicious circumstance, they immediately seized, and carried him before the earl of Nottingham, then secretary of state. His lordship, who, however,
could not avoid knowing him, as he was a member of the
House of Commons, and nephew to the famous sir Edward
Seymour, asked him what all those papers contained. Mr.
Tredenham made answer, that they were only the several
scenes of a play, which he had been scribbling for the
amusement of a few leisure-hours. Lord Nottingham then
only desired leave just to look over them, which having
done for some little time, he returned them again to the
author, assuring him that he was perfectly satisfied; “for,
upon my word,
” said he, “I can find no plot in them,
”
Brie, of the family of du Moulin.” This branch came from Denys du Moulin, lord of Fontenay in Brie, archbishop of Thoulouse, patriarch of Antioch, and bishop of Paris, where
, in Latin Molinæus, a celebrated lawyer, was born at Paris in 1500. His family was
noble, and Papyrius mentions “that those of the family of
Moulin were related to Elizabeth queen of England;
”
which she acknowledged herself in 1572, when conversing
with Francis duke of Montmorency, marshal of France and
ambassador to England. This relation probably came by
Thomas Bullen, or Boleyn, viscount of Rochefort, the
queen’s grandfather by the mother’s side; for Sanderus
and others say, “that this Rochefort being ambassador to
France, gave his daughter Anne of Bulloigne to a gentleman of Brie, a friend and relation of his, to take care of
her education; and this gentleman is supposed to be the
lord of Fontenay in Brie, of the family of du Moulin.
”
This branch came from Denys du Moulin, lord of Fontenay in Brie, archbishop of Thoulouse, patriarch of Antioch,
and bishop of Paris, where he died in 1447. The subject
of our memoir was at first educated at the university of
Paris, and afterwards studied law at Poitiers and Orleans,
at the latter of which cities he gave lectures on the subject
in 1521. In the following year he was received as an
advocate of parliament; but, owing to a defect in his speech,
was obliged to give up pleading, and confine himself to
chamber practice, and the composition of those works
which gained him so much reputation. He was an indefatigable student, and set such a value on time, that, contrary to the custom of his age, he had his beard close
shaven, that he might not lose any precious moments in
dressing it; but in his latter days he permitted it again to
grow. From the same love of study, he refused some valuable employments, and even took the resolution never to
marry; and that he might be equally free from every other
incumbrance, he gave the whole of his property to <rn
elder brother, reserving only for his maintenance the profits of his studies. It was not long, however, before he
had cause to repent of this uncommon liberality, as his
brother behaved to him in a brutal and unnatural way. To
revenge himself, he had recourse to an expedient suggested by his professional knowledge. He married, and
having children, he resumed, according to the law, the
possession of that property with which he had parted so
freely when a bachelor. It was in 1538 that he married
Louise de Beldon, daughter of the king’s secretary, a lady
of a most amiable and affectionate temper, who, instead of
being an incumbrance, as he once foolishly thought, proved
the great comfort of his life, and in some respect, the promoter of his studies, by her prudent care of those domestic
affairs of which literary men are generally very bad managers. She was also his consolation in the many difficulties in which he soon became embroiled. He was a man of
an ardent mind and warm temper, totally incapable of concealing his sentiments, particularly in the cause of truth
and justice, or regard to his country. Like many other
eminent men of that age, he embraced the principles of
the reformed religion, first according to the system of Calvin, but afterwards he adopted that of Luther, as contained
in the Augsburgh confession. On this account it is said
that the Calvinists endeavoured to make him feel their resentment, and even suspended their animosity against the
Roman catholics, that they might join with the latter in
attacking Du Moulin.
, an eminent musician, was the son of Leopold Mozart, vice-chapel-master to the prince archbishop of Salzburg. This Leopold, who was born at Augsburg in 1719,
, an eminent musician, was the son of Leopold Mozart, vice-chapel-master to the prince archbishop of Salzburg. This Leopold, who was born at Augsburg in 1719, became early in life a musician and composer; and in 1757 published a treatise on the art of playing the violin; but what, according to Dr. Burney, did him most honour was his being father of such an incomparable son as Wolfgang, and educating him with such care. His son was born at Salzburg, Jan. 17, 1756, and at seven years old went with his father and sister to Paris, and the year following to London. In 1769 he went to Italy; and in 1770 he was at Bologna, in which city Dr. Burney first saw him, and to which city he had returned from Rome and Naples, where he had astonished all the great professors by his premature knowledge and talents. At Rome he was honoured by the pope with the order of Speron d'Oro. From Bologna he went to Milan, where he was engaged to compose an opera for the marriage of the princess of Modena with one of the archdukes. Two other composers were employed on this occasion, each of them to set an opera; but that of the little Mozart, young as he was, was most applauded.
his father in 1778, he was called to Salzburg, and appointed principal concert-master to the prince archbishop, in his stead; but he resigned this office in 1780, and went
He went again to Paris soon after his return from Italy.
But on the death of his father in 1778, he was called to
Salzburg, and appointed principal concert-master to the
prince archbishop, in his stead; but he resigned this office
in 1780, and went to Vienna, where he settled, and was
admired and patronized by the court and city; and in
1788 he was appointed chapel-master to the emperor
Joseph. His first opera at Vienna was the “Rape of the
Seraglio,
” in Le
Nozze di Figaro,
” in four acts. The third, the “Schauspiel Director,
” or the Manager at the Playhouse, in II Don Giovanni,
” in 1787. “La Clemenza di Tito,
”
a serious opera. “Cori Fantutti,
” comic. “Flauto Magico.
” “Idomeneo,
” a serious opera, &c. It was not till
covering and collecting singular plants and flowers. In 1778 don Antonio Caballeroy Gorgora, the new archbishop, on his arrival at Santa Fe, discovered the superior merits
, a learned Spanish physician, divine, and botanist, was born at Cadiz in 1734.
He studied medicine at his native place and at Seville, and
having obtained much reputation, was appointed professor
of anatomy at Madrid, where he signalized himself by his
physiological knowledge. In 1760 the marquis della Vega,
being appointed viceroy of New Granada, solicited Mutis
to accompany him as his physician. On his arrival at
Santa Fe de Bogota, the capital of New Granada, Mutis,
by permission of the viceroy, undertook to introduce the
mathematics as a branch of study in the university, and his
lectures on that subject were heard with attention and admiration, and he was at length, by the authority of the
Spanish government, established professor of philosophy,
mathematics, and natural history, at Santa Fe. While
enjoying this post, some unfortunate speculations in the
mines, which exhausted his pecuniary resources, occasioned his taking orders in the church, and his clerical
duties now shared a considerable portion of his time. Part
of it likewise was employed in botanical researches, and
he corresponded with Linnæus, to whom he sent numerous
specimens [of his own discover) 7 particularly the Mutisia,
so named in honour of him by Linnæus. In 1776 he
settled at Sapo, in the government of Mariquita, where he
had many enviable opportunities of discovering and collecting singular plants and flowers. In 1778 don Antonio
Caballeroy Gorgora, the new archbishop, on his arrival at
Santa Fe, discovered the superior merits of Mutis, and
determined to extricate him from his difficulties, and procure him a pension, with the appointment of botanist and
astronomer to the king. Accordingly, under the patronage of this liberal prelate, he became the superintendant
of a botanical school for investigating the plants of America.
In 1783, attended by some of his pupils, and several
draughtsmen, he made a tour through the kingdom of New
Granada; and by his diligence much new light was thrown
upon the history of the Peruvian bark, and its various
species. He also taught his countrymen the culture and
the value of indigo. His health having suffered from the
climate of Mariquita, he was directed to repair to Santa
F, and to fix on some of his pupils, whose y; uth and
constitutions might be more adequate to such labours. In
1797 he had an opportunity to visit Paris, to consult with
Jussieu, and the other eminent botanists of that capital,
concerning the composition of a “Flora Bogotensis,
” and
to make himself master of all the new improvements and
discoveries. He remained at Paris till 1801, when he went
back to Madrid. Whether he subsequently returned to
his native country, we know not, but in 1804 he was appointed to the professorship of Botany, and superintendance of the royal garden at Madrid. Although his advancing age made repose now in some measure necessary,
he continued to be serviceable to the government of his
native country, and to the prosperity of that in which he
had so long been naturalized. He lived to an advanced
age, but of the precise date of his death we are not
informed.
Immediately after completing the bridge, he was appointed surveyor of St. Paul’s cathedral, by the archbishop of Canterbury, the bishop of London, and the lord-mayor; and
Immediately after completing the bridge, he was appointed surveyor of St. Paul’s cathedral, by the archbishop
of Canterbury, the bishop of London, and the lord-mayor;
and not only directed the repairs that have been found necessary in that noble fabrick, but those temporary erections required by the anniversaries of the sons of the clergy,
and that most interesting spectacle, the annual assemblage
of the charity-children of the metropolis, as well as those
more elegant preparations made for the visits of the royal
family and the two houses of parliament in 1789, 1797,
&c. &c. It was by his suggestion that the noble inscription in honour of sir Christopher Wren, ending, “Si
monumentum requiras,
” &c. was placed over the entrance
of the choir. Among the other edifices which Mr. Mylne
erected, or was concerned in the repairs, we may enumerate Rochester cathedral, Greenwich hospital, of which
he was clerk of the works for fifteen years Kings- Weston,
the seat of lord De Clifford Blaze castle, near Bristol
Addington, the seat of the archbishop of Canterbury;
Wormlybury, sir Abraham Hume’s; Lying-in hospital,
City road the duke of Northumberland’s pavillion, on the
banks of the Thames at Sion general Skene’s house, in
Fifeshire lord Frederic Campbell’s at Ardincaple; Inverary castle, the duke of Argyle’s; the embankment at
the Temple gardens, &c. &c. He was also consulted on
almost all the harbours in England. Mr. Milne died, May
5, 1811, at the New River Head, where he had long resided, as engineer to that company; an office to which
he was appointed in 1762. He was interred, by his own
desire, in St. Paul’s cathedral, near the tomb of his illustrious predecessor, Wren.
apier, and consult him about that alteration, before he set, about making it. Briggs, in a letter to archbishop Usher, March 10, 1615, writes thus: “Napier lord of Markinston,
Whatever might be the inducement, however, Napier
published his invention in 1614, under the title of “Logarithmorum Canonis Descriptio,
” &c. containing the construction and canon of his logarithms, which are those of
the kind that is called hyperbolic. This work coming presently to the hands of Mr. Briggs, then Professor of Geometry at Gresham College in London, he immediately gave
it the greatest encouragement, teaching the nature of the
logarithms in his public lectures; and at the same time recommending a change in the scale of them, by which they
might be advantageously altered to the kind which he afterwards computed himself, which are thence called Briggs’s
Logarithms, and are those now in common use. Mr. Briggs
also presently wrote to lord Napier upon this proposed
change, and made journeys to Scotland the two following
years, to visit Napier, and consult him about that alteration, before he set, about making it. Briggs, in a letter
to archbishop Usher, March 10, 1615, writes thus: “Napier lord of Markinston, hath set my head and hands at
work with his new and admirable logarithms. I hope to see
him this summer, if it please God; for I never saw a book
which pleased me better, and made me more wonder.
”
Briggs accordingly paid him the visit, and staid a month
with him.
and ingenious modes of calculation. 5. His Letter to Anthony Bacon (the original of which is in the archbishop’s library at Lambeth), entitled, “Se”cret Inventions, profitable
The last literary exertion of this eminent person was
the publication of his “Rabdology and Promptuary,
” in
A Plain Discovery of
the Revelation of St. John,
” Logarithmorum
Canonis Descriptio,
” Mirifici Logarithmorum
Canonis Constructio; et eorum ad Naturales ipsorum nu*meros habitudines; una cum appendice, de alia eaque
praestantiore Logarithmorum specie condenda. Quibus accessere propositiones ad triangula sphserica faciliore calculo
resolvenda. Una cum Annotationibus aliquot doctissimi
D. Henrici Briggii in eas, et memoratam appendicem.
”
Published by the author’s son in Rabdologia,
sen Numerations per Virgulas, libri duo,
” Se
”cret Inventions, profitable and necessary in these days
for the Defence of this Island, and withstanding strangers
enemies to God’s truth and religion" dated June 2,
1596.
works of much utility. After having with great skill and industry ranged and methodized the Mss. in archbishop Parker’s library at Bene't college, he printed at the university
Besides an “Assize Sermon
” preached at Wisbeach,
On the Duties of the Overseers of the Poor,
” delivered by him as chairman of the
quarter sessions in 1799; and “An Examination of the
Statutes now in force, relating to the Assize of Bread,
”
Itineraries of
Symon, son of Simeon, and William of Worcester,
” with
a tract on Leonine verses, from Parker’s Mss. About ten
years afterwards he completed his new edition of Tanner’s
“Notitia Monastica,
” to which he made very considerable
additions, but blended with Tanner’s labours in such a way
as to prevent our discovering the new from the old, nor is
it entirely free from errors. It is, however, upon the
whole a very considerable acquisition to the public, and
has of late years, risen in value. It is somewhat remarkable that he laments his not being able to avail himself of
Mr. Cole’s Mss, which were then locked up in the British
Museum, and in which he would have had the pleasure of
reading the greater part of the account we have now given
of his life and works.
h from his mind the difficulties with which he had to struggle. He was aware that de Calonne and the archbishop of Sens had both sunk under the public distress, and the im
, a celebrated statesman and financier
of France, brother to the preceding Louis Necker, was
born at Geneva in 1732. After such an education as might
qualify him for business, he was in his fifteenth year sent
to Paris, where he was employed, first in the bankinghouse of Vernet, and then in that of Thelluson, of which
last he became first cashier, and afterwards a partner.
Upon the death of Thelluson he established a bank of his
own, in partnership with Girardot and Haller, in which,
we have just noticed, his brother had a concern. In 1776,
when the French finances were in a disordered state, he was
appointed director, and soon after comptroller-general of
that department. Besides his reputation for financial
knowledge and probity, which was now at its height, he
had in the reign of Louis XV. adjusted some differences
subsisting between the East India company and the crown
in such a manner as to obtain, what rarely occurs in such
cases, the approbation of both parties. His appointment
to the comptrollership of the finances was hailed as an
instance of enlargement of mind and liberality of
sentiment, and as honourable to the reign of Lewis XVI.;
Necker being the first protestant since the revocation of
the edict of Nantes, who had held any important place in
the French administration. Of the wisdom of his plans, in
this critical situation, various opinions have been entertained, which this is not the place to examine, but it seems
generally agreed that his intentions were pure, and his
conduct disinterested. He refused all emolument for his
services, and advanced a large sum to government from
his private property, which he never drew from the public
funds. His administration was generally popular, but he
had enemies at court, and alter having filled the office of
minister of finance for five years, he resigned. Previously
to this he had published his “Compte Rendu,
” in explanation of his financial system, which was followed by a
work entitled “De P Administration des Finances.
” This
was read and circulated with great avidity, and unhappily
scattered opinions on matters of government, by which
the people knew not how to profit. M. Calonne, who was
his successor, made an attack, before the assembly of
notables, upon the veracity of his statements. Necker
drew up a reply, which he transmitted to the king, who
intimated that if he would forbear making it public, he
should shortly be restored to his place. This he refused,
and appealed to the nation by publishing his defence,
which was so displeasing to the court, that he was exiled
to his country-seat at St. Ouen, at the distance of 120
miles from the capital. During his retreat he wrote his
work entitled “De l'Importance des Opinions R6ligieuses,
”
in which he speaks of religion like one who felt its power
operating on his own mind, and who was fully convinced of
its importance both to individuals and society. Calonne,
however, and Brienne, another minister, finding it impossible to lessen the deficiencies of the revenue, thev resigned in their turn; and in August 1788, Necker was
reinstated in his former post, to the apparent satisfaction
of the court, as well as to the joy of the people; but the
acclamations of the latter could not banish from his mind
the difficulties with which he had to struggle. He was
aware that de Calonne and the archbishop of Sens had both
sunk under the public distress, and the impracticability of
raising the necessary supplies; and he well knew that the
evil was not diminished, and unless some expedient could
be hit on to re-establish public credit, he foresaw his
own fate must be similar to that of his predecessors.
first intentions were to recal the banished members of the
parliament of Paris, and to restore that body to its functions; to replenish the treasury, which he found almost
empty; and to relieve the scarcity of corn under which the
kingdom, and the capital in particular, then laboured.
His next plan was the convocation of the states-general,
which had been already promised by the king, and which,
in fact, proved the immediate fore-runner of the revolution. Necker was particularly blamed for having consented
that the number of members of the tiers etat should be
equal to that of the nobles and clergy united, as the nobility and clergy would very naturally insist on voting by
orders, while the tiers etat would contend with equal
obstinacy for a plurality of voices. The consequences
were therefore exactly such as had been foreseen. When
the assembly of the states opened, Necker addressed them
in a studied speech that pleased no party; even the tiers
etat, already taught the sentiments of democracy, resented
his saying that the meeting was the effect of royal favour,
instead of a right. Nor was he more successful in the plan
of government which he drew up, and which the king was
to recommend in a speech, for this underwent so many
alterations that he absented himself when it was delivered.
At this time the prevalence of the democratic party was
such as to induce the king to assemble troops around Paris,
which measure Necker opposed, and on July 11, 1789,
was therefore ordered to quit the kingdom within twenty four hours. This he immediately obeyed, and went to
Brussels. As soon as his absence was known, the populace assembled, destroyed the Bastille, and proceeded to
such other outrages, that the king thought it necessary to
recal Necker to appease their fury. He accordingly returned in triumph, but his triumph was short. The populace was no longer to be flattered with declamations on their
rights, nor was Necker prepared to adopt the sentiments
of the democratic leaders, while it became now his duty to
propose financial expedients that were obnoxious to the
people. He that had just before been hailed as the friend
of the people, was now considered as an aristocrat, and his
personal safety was endangered. In this dilemma he desired to resign, offering to leave, as pledges for his integrity, the money which he had advanced to government,
viz. about 80,000l. sterling, and his house and furniture.
His resignation being accepted, he left Paris, and in his
retreat he was more than once insulted by the very people
whu, but a few months before, had considered him as their
saviour. Gibbon, who passed four days with him at this
period, says, “I could have wished to have exhibited him
as a warning to any aspiring youth possessed with the
demon of ambition. With all the means of private happiness in his power, he is the most miserable of human
beings; the past, the present, and the future, are equally
odious to him. When I suggested some domestic amusements, he answered, with a deep tone of despair, * in the
state in which I am, I can feel nothing but the blast which
has overthrown me.'
” Shortly after this, his mind was
diverted from public disappointment by the more poignant
grief of domestic calamity; his wife died, after a long illness, in which he had attended her with the most affectionate assiduity. He now had recourse to hia favourite
occupation of writing, and several works of different kinds
were the product of his solitary hours. His principal
pieces are entitled “Sur I' Administration de M. Necker,
par lui-meme;
” “Reflections,
” &c. which were intended
to benefit the king during his captivity and trial; “Du
Pouvoir Exécutif,
” being an essay that contained his own
ideas on the executive part of government; “Dernieres
Vue’s de Politiques, et de Finance,
” of which the chief
object was to discuss what was the best form of government
France was capable of receiving. Besides these, he published a “Course of Religious Morality,
” and a novel,
written at the suggestion of his daughter, entitled “The
fatal Consequences of a single Fault.
” Though deprived
of three- fourths of his fortune, he had sufficient for all his
wants, and also to indulge his benevolent disposition. He
had been placed on the list of emigrants, but the directory
unanimously erased his name, and when the French army
entered Swisserland, he was treated by the generals with
every mark of respect. His talents and conduct have been
alike the subject of dispute, and perhaps the time is not
yet come when the latter can. be fully understood. It is
well known that all who suffered by the revolution blamed
Necker as a principal cause of that event; but it may be
questioned whether any talents, guided by the utmost probity and wisdom, could have averted the evils that had
been prepared by so long a course of infatuation. Necker
passed the latter years of his life in the rational pursuits of
a philosopher and a man of sound judgment and true taste,
His only daughter, who married the baron de Stael, ambassador from Sweden to France, and who has made herself known to the literary world by several publications,
published some “Memoirs of the Character and Private
Life of her Father,
” written in a high style of panegyric.
at Mechlin, and was afterwards archdeacon of Utrecht, and apostolical provincial. James de la Torre, archbishop of Utrecht, being dead, M. de Neercassel was elected in his
, a celebrated bishop of the
catholics in Holland, known by the title of bishop of Castoria, was born at Gorcum in 1626. He entered the congregation of the oratory at Paris, and, having finished his
plan of education there, went to be professor of philosophy
at Saumur, then of divinity at Mechlin, and was afterwards
archdeacon of Utrecht, and apostolical provincial. James
de la Torre, archbishop of Utrecht, being dead, M. de
Neercassel was elected in his place by the chapter of that
city; but, Alexander VII. preferring M. Catz, dean of the
chapter of Harlem, they agreed between them, as a means
to preserve peace, that M. Catz should govern the diocese
of Harlem under the title of archbishop of Philippi, and
M. de Neercassel that of Utrecht, under that of bishop of
Castoria. This agreement being approved by the nuncio
of Brussels, they were both consecrated in the same day at
Cologn, September 9, 1662; but, M. Catz dying a year
after, M. de Neercassel remained sole bishop of all the
catholics in Holland, of which there were above four hundred thousand. He governed them with great prudence,
and, after having discharged the duties of his office in the
most exemplary manner, died June 8, 1686, aged sixty,
in consequence of the fatigues attending the visitation of
his churches. This prelate left three tracts in Latin, the
first “On reading of the Holy Scriptures;
” to which he
has added a dissertation “On the Interpretation of Scripture;
” the second “On the worship of the Saints and the
Holy Virgin;
” the third, enticed “Amor Prerii tens.
” This
last is a treatise on the necessity of the love of God in the
sacrament of penitence. The two first have been translated into French by M. le Roy, abbot of Haute- Fontaine,
2 vols. 8vo, and the third by Peter Gilbert, a Parisian,
1741, 3 vols. 12mo. The best Latin edition of “Amor
Pcenitens
” is that of Amor Prenitens
” condemned at Rome
but pope Innocent XL to whom the application was addressed, declared that “the book contained sound doctrine, and the author was a holy man.
”
pensioner, and afterwards was admitted a fellow commoner. It is not improbable, that Dr. (afterwards archbishop) Tillotson was consulted on this occasion, as he was intimately
, a learned and pious English gentleman, was born June 22, 1656, at London. He was the son of Mr. John Nelson, a considerable Turkey merchant of that city, by Delicia his wife, sister of sir Gabriel Roberts, also a London merchant. His father dying when he was but two years old, he was committed to the care of his mother, and her brother sir Gabriel, who was appointed his guardian. His first education was at St. Paul’s school, London; but, after some time, his mother wishing to have him more under her eye, took him home to her house at Dryfield, near Cirencester, in Gloucestershire, and procured the learned Dr. George Bull, then rector of Suddington in that neighbourhood, to be his tutor. As soon as he was fit for the university, he was sent to Trinity college, Cambridge, first as pensioner, and afterwards was admitted a fellow commoner. It is not improbable, that Dr. (afterwards archbishop) Tillotson was consulted on this occasion, as he was intimately acquainted with the guardian, sir Gabriel Roberts: however, it is certain that Mr. Nelson was early known to that eminent divine, and very much esteemed by him.
Nelson changed his opinion. The friendship between him and Tillotson remained the same; and the good archbishop expired in his friend’s arms in 1694, after which Nelson was
From the Hague he arrived in England in 1691, confirmed in his dislike of the change of government. He had,
while abroad, shewn his regard for king James by holding
a correspondence with the earl of Melfort, his majesty’s
ambassador to the pope, after the revolution; and now
declared himself a nonjuror, and left the communion of the
church of England, although, we think, without being
fully decided. He had, indeed, consulted Tillotson, and
followed his opinion, who thought it no better than a trick,
detestable in any thing, and especially in religion, to join
in prayers where there was any petition which was held to
be sinful. On this subject, however, we shall soon find
that Nelson changed his opinion. The friendship between
him and Tillotson remained the same; and the good archbishop expired in his friend’s arms in 1694, after which
Nelson was very instrumental in procuring Mrs. Tillotson’s
pension from the crown to be augmented from 400l. to
600l. per annum.
Mr. Nelson’s new character unavoidably threw him into
new connections, among whom was Mr. Kettlewel), who
had resigned his living at Coleshill in Warwickshire, on
account of the new oaths, and afterwards resided in London. This pious and learned divine was of his opinion as
to leaving the communion of the established church; yet
persuaded him to engage in the general service of piety
and devotion; observing to him, that he was very able to
compose excellent books of that kind, which too would be
apt to do more good, as coming from a layman. This recomdation was highly agreeable to Mr. Nelson; and indeed it
was their agreement in this, rather than in state-principles,
that first made Kettleweli admire our author, who, in return, is said to have encouraged Kettleweli to proceed in
that soft and gentle manner, in which he excelled, in managing the nonjurors’ controversy; and animated him besides to begin and prosecute some things for the public
good, which otherwise would not have seen the light. Mr.
Kettlewell died in 1695, and left Mr. Nelson his sole executor and trustee in consequence of which he published
his posthumous piece entitled “An Office for Prisoners,
”
&c. in
e use of the charity-schools in and about London.“10. Thomas a Kempis’s Christian Exercise.” 11.“The archbishop of Cambray (Fenelon’s) Pastoral Letter.” 12. “Bishop Bull’s
His publications were, 1. “Transubstantiation contrary
to Scripture; or, the Protestant’s Answer to the Seeker’s
Request, 1688.
” This was at the same time that his lady
engaged on the popish side of the controversy. 2. “A.
Companion for the Festivals and Fasts, 1704,
” 8vo, and
large impressions of it several times since. 3. “A Letter
on Church Government, in answer to a pamphlet entitled
The Principles of the Protestant Reformation,
” Great duty of frequenting the Christian Sacrifice,
” &c.
&c. p. 37, 42d. edit. 1738, 8vo. 5.
” The
Practice of true Devotion, &c. with an office for the Communion,“1708, 8vo. 6.
” Life of Bishop Bull,“&c. 1713,
8vo. 7.
” Letter to Dr. Samuel Clarke,“prefixed to
” The
Scripture doctrine of the most holy and undivided Trinity
vindicated against the misrepresentations of Dr. Clarke,“1713, 8vo. To this Clarke returned an answer; in which
he highly extols Mr. Nelson’s courtesy and candour; which
he had likewise experienced in a private conference with
him upon this subject. 8.
” An Address to Persons of
Quality and Estate,“&c. 1715, 8vo. 9.
” The whole Duty
of a Christian, by way of question and answer, designed
for the use of the charity-schools in and about London.“10. Thomas a Kempis’s Christian Exercise.
” 11.“The
archbishop of Cambray (Fenelon’s) Pastoral Letter.
” 12.
“Bishop Bull’s important points of Primitive Christianity
maintained
” and other posthumous pieces of that learned
prelate.
ee of M. A. there, along with Robert earl of Essex, July 6, 1581. He was one of the learned men whom archbishop Parker retained in his family, and was his secretary at his
, an English poetical writer, was a native of Kent, descended from the
ancient and honourable family of Nevil, was the son of
Richard Nevil of the county of Nottingham, esq. by Anne
Mantel, daughter of sir Walter Mantel, of Heyford in
Northamptonshire, knight. He was born in 1544. If not
educated at Cambridge, his name occurs as having received
the degree of M. A. there, along with Robert earl of Essex,
July 6, 1581. He was one of the learned men whom archbishop Parker retained in his family, and was his secretary
at his grace’s death in 1575. It is no small testimony of
his merit and virtues that he was retained in the same of-,
fice by the succeeding archbishop, Grindal, to whom, as
well as to archbishop Parker, he dedicated his Latin narrative of the Norfolk insurrection under Kett. To this
he added a Latin account of Norwich, accompanied by an
engraved map of the Saxon and British kings. These
were both written in archbishop Parker’s time, who assisted
Nevile in the latter. The title is, “Kettus, sive de furoribus Norfolciensium Ketto duce,
” Lond. Norvicus,
” published with the preceding, is
the first printed account of Norwich; the plates are by
R. Lyne and Rem. Hogenbergius, both attached to the
household of the learned and munificent Parker. There
are copies of almost all the preceding editions in Mr.
Cough’s library at Oxford. Strype has published, in the
appendix to his Life of Parker, an elegant Latin letter from
Nevile to Parker, which is prefixed to the “Kettus.
”
The first Latin edition, printed in Sed enim Kettiani
rati,
” &c, to “Nam prosterquam quod,
” &c. p.
that, therefore, they belonged to the crown: and in resisting these vexations they were supported by archbishop Whitgift. In February 1593, Dr. Nevile quitted the mastership
In 1590, Dr. Nevile was promoted by her majesty to the deanery of Peterborough. In 1592, he joined with the other deans and prebendaries of the late erected churches in a resolution to solicit an act of parliament for the confirmation of their rights. It was necessary, indeed, to check the designs of those who pretended that their revenues arose from concealed lands, and that, therefore, they belonged to the crown: and in resisting these vexations they were supported by archbishop Whitgift. In February 1593, Dr. Nevile quitted the mastership of Magdalen, in consequence of being promoted by her majesty to that of Trinity-college, and in March 1594, resigned the rectory of Doddington, on being presented to that of Teversham near Cambridge.
, and compelled to retract his opinions. The dispute, however, which was referred by both parties to archbishop Whitgift, occasioned the well-known conference of divines at
In 1595, he was concerned in the controversy, which originated at Cambridge, from the public declaration of William Barret, fellow of Caius college, against the doctrine of predestination, and falling from grace. On these points the general persuasion being then favourable to the system of Calvin, Barret was called before some of the heads, and compelled to retract his opinions. The dispute, however, which was referred by both parties to archbishop Whitgift, occasioned the well-known conference of divines at Lambeth, where they agreed on certain propositions, in conformity to Calvin’s principles, commonly called the Lambeth articles. Dr. Nevil, and his brethren, soon after had to complain of Dr. Baro, lady Margaret’s professor of divinity, for maintaining some doctrines respecting universal salvation, diametrically opposite to those of the Lambeth articles in consequence of which he was removed from his station in the university. (See Baro).
anery of Canterbury, in which he was installed June 28, 1597. On her majesty’s death, he was sent by archbishop Whitgift into Scotland to address her successor, in the name
The character of Nevile was now held in such estimation by queen Elizabeth, that, on the death of Dr. Rogers, she promoted him to the deanery of Canterbury, in which he was installed June 28, 1597. On her majesty’s death, he was sent by archbishop Whitgift into Scotland to address her successor, in the name of all the clergy, with assurances of their loyalty and affection. He was also commissioned to inquire what commands his majesty had to enjoin as to causes ecclesiastical; and, at the same time, to recommend the church of England to his favour and protection. To this message James returned an answer, declaring, that he would maintain the government of the church as Elizabeth left it. The king afterwards, when on a visit to Cambridge, in 1615, was entertained at Trinity-college, by Dr. Nevile, who was then much enfeebled by the palsy, and did not long survive the royal visit. He died at Cambridge May 2, 1615, advanced in life, but his age we have not been able to ascertain.
8.” The Consummation, a Sacred Ode on the final Dissolution of the World, inscribed to his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury,“1752, 4to. 9.” A Miscellaneous Collection of
After Dr. Young had published his celebrated satires,
Mr. Newcomb, who was very intimate with him, printed, 1.
“The Manners of the Times, in seven Satires.
” 2. “An
Ode to the Queen, on the happy accession of their Majesties
to the Crown,
” An Ode to the Right Honourable the Earl of Orford, on Retirement,
” A
Collection of Odes and Epigrams, &c. occasioned by the
Success of the British and Confederate Arms in Germany,
”
An Ode inscribed to the Memory of the late
Earl of Orford,
” 1746. 7.
” A
Paraphrase on some Select Psalms.“8.
” The Consummation, a Sacred Ode on the final Dissolution of the World,
inscribed to his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury,“1752,
4to. 9.
” A Miscellaneous Collection of Original Poems,
Odes, Epistles, Translations, &c. written chiefly on political
and moral subjects; to which are added, Occasional Letters
and Essays, formerly published in defence of the present
government and administration,“1756, a large volume in
4to. 10.
” Vindicta Britannicn, an Ode on the Royal Navy,
inscribed to the King,“1759, 4to, 11.
” Novus Epigrammatum Delectus, or Original State Epigrams and Minor
Odes, suited to the Times,“1760, 8vo. 12.
” The Retired
Penitent, being a poetical Version of one of the Rev. Dr.
Young’s Moral Contemplations. Revised, approved, and
published, with the Consent of that learned and eminent
Writer,“1760, 12mo. 13.
” A congratulatory Ode to the
Queen, on her Voyage to England,“1761, 4to. 14.
” On
the Success of the British Arms;, A congratulatory Ode
addressed to his Majesty,“1763, 4to. 15.
” The Death
of Abel, a Sacred Poem, written originally in the German
language, attempted in the style of Milton,“1763, 12mo.
16. In 1757, he published
” Versions of two of Hervey’s
Meditations,“in blank verse. And, in 1764, the whole of
them were printed in two volumes, 12mo, inscribed to the
right hon. Arthur Onslow, sir Thomas Parker, and lady
Juliana Penn. Mr. Nichols also supposes, that Dr. Newcomb was the author of
” A Supplement to a late excellent
poem, entitled Are these things so?“1740; and of
” Preexistence and Transmigration, or the new Metamorphosis;
a Philosophical Essay on the Nature and Progress of the
Soul; a poem, something between a panegyric and a satire," 1743. Dr. Newcomb died probably about 1766^ in
which year his library was sold, an4 when he must have
been in his ninety-first year.
he Promotion of Christian Knowledge, &c.“much to the mortification, as we have heard, of some of the archbishop’s relatives;” nor will our readers fail to sympathize with them,
, an eminent prelate, descended
from a non-conformist family, was born at Barton-le-Clay,
in Bedfordshire, April 10, 1729, and educated at Abingdon school. In 1745 he entered of Pembroke college,
Oxford, but removed some time after to Hertford college,
where he took his degree of M. A. in 1753, and became a
tutor of considerable eminence. Among other pupils who
preserved a high respect for his memory, was the late hon.
Charles James Fox. In 1765 he took his degrees of B. D.
and D. D. and was appointed chaplain to the earl of Hertford, then lord lieutenant of Ireland, who conferred on
him, withiti a year, the see of Dromore. In 1775, he was
translated to Ossoryj and in 1778 produced his first workj
“An Harmony of the Gospels,
” which involved him in a
controversy with Dr. Priestley respecting the duration of
our Lord’s ministry, Dr. Priestley confining it to one year,
while the bishop extended its duration to three years and
a half. In 1779 Dr. Newcome was translated to the see of
Waterford; and in 1782 published “Observations on our
Lord’s conduct as a divine Instructor, and on the excellence of his moral character.
” This was followed, ia An attempt towards an improved version, a metrical
arrangement, and an explanation of the Twelve Minor
Prophets,
” 4to, and in An attempt towards an
improved version, a metrical arrangement, and an explanation of the prophet Ezekiel,
” 4to. He published also
about the same time “A Review of the chief difficulties in
the Gospel history respecting our Lord’s Resurrection,
”
4to, the purpose of which was to correct some errors in his
“Harmony.
” In Art historical view of the English
Biblical translations; the expediency of revising by authority our present translation; and the means of executing
such a work,
” 8vo. Concerning the latter part of this
scheme there are many differences of opinion, and in the
learned prelate’s zeal to effect a new translation, he is
thought, both in this and his former publications, to have
been too general in his strictures on the old. He lived,
however, to witness Dr. Geddes’s abortive attempt towards
a new translation, and the danger of such a work falling
into improper hands. For the historical part, the bishop
is chiefly indebted to Lewis, but his arrangement is better,
and his list of editions more easily to be consulted, and
therefore more useful. Except a very valuable Charge,
this was the last of Dr. Newcorae’s publications which appeared in his life-time. In January 1795 he was translated
to the archbishopric of Armagh. He died at his house in
St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin, Jan. 11, 1800, in the seventy-first year of his age; and was interred in the new
chapel of Trinity college. Soon after his death was published his “Attempt towards revising our English Translation of the Greek Scriptures, or the New Covenant of
Jesus Christ,
” &c. The writer of his life in the Cyclopaedia says that this work “has been made the basis of an
” Improved Version of the New Testament, published by
a Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, &c.“much to the mortification, as we have heard, of some of
the archbishop’s relatives;
” nor will our readers fail to
sympathize with them, when they are told that this “Improved version
” is that which has been so ably and justly
censured and exposed by the Rev. Edward Nares, in his
“Remarks on the Version of the New Testament lately
edited by the Unitarians,
” &c.
to take orders in the church. In 1758 he had received a title to a curacy, but on application to the archbishop of York, Dr. Gilbert, was refused ordination, as it appeared
At length a variety of circumstances concurred to wean him from the sea, and after having been for some time placed in a situation as tidewaiter at Liverpool, he applied with great diligence to his studies, and acquired a competent knowledge of the sacred languages, with a view to take orders in the church. In 1758 he had received a title to a curacy, but on application to the archbishop of York, Dr. Gilbert, was refused ordination, as it appeared that he had been guilty of some irregularities, such as preaching in dissenting meetings, or other places, without ordination of any kind. In April 1764, however, by dint of strong recommendation, and a professed attachment, which he ever most carefully preserved, to the doctrines and discipline of the church, he was ordained by Dr. Green, bishop of Lincoln, to the curacy of Olney, and admitted into priest’s orders in June 1765. The living of Olney was at this time held by the celebrated angler, Moses Brown (see his article), a man who maintained the same evangelical sentiments as Mr. Newton, but had been under pecuniary difficulties, and was glad to accept the chaplaincy of Morden college, Blackheath, leaving the charge of his flock at Olney to Mr. Newton, who remained here for sixteen years.
was made prebendary of Westminster, and at the same time subalmoner, by the interest of Dr. Gilbert, archbishop of York, who held the office of lord almoner, and who likewise
In 1756 he was appointed one of the king’s chaplains, and permitted at the same time by her royal highness the princess of Wales to retain that rank in her service; and he held both stations during the rest of that reign and the beginning of the next. In the spring 1757 he was made prebendary of Westminster, and at the same time subalmoner, by the interest of Dr. Gilbert, archbishop of York, who held the office of lord almoner, and who likewise conferred on him the precentorship of the church of York, one of the most valuablepieces of preferment belonging to it. His account of his second marriage, and the reasons which Jed to it, we shall give in his own words, principally for the outline he has drawn of a clergyman’s wife, which we liope will suit many of our female readers.
ondence with JaUlonski, Osterwald, Wetstein, &c. was presented by his widow Catharine Nichols to the archbishop of Canterbury, Oct. 28,* 1712, to be deposited either in Lambeth
That he deserved more attention, will appear from the
following list of his useful publications. 1. “An Answer
to an Heretical Book called `The naked Gospel,' which
was condemned and ordered to be publicly burnt by the
Convocation of the University of Oxon, Aug. 19, 1690,
with some Reflections on Dr. Bury’s new edition of that
book,
” A short History of Socinianism,
”
printed with the answer before-mentioned; and dedicated
to his patron the earl of Montague. 3, “A Practical
Essay on the Contempt of the World,
” sir John Trevor, master of the rolls,
” to whom
the author acknowledges his obligations for “a considerable preferment, bestowed in a most obliging and generous
manner.
” 4. “The Advantages of a learned Education,
”
a sermon preached at a school-feast, The
Duty of Inferiors towards their Superiors, in five practical
discourses; shewing, I. The Duty of Subjects to their
Princes. II. The Duty of Children to their Parents.
III. The Duty of Servants to their Masters. IV. The
Duty of Wives to their Husbands. V. The Duty of Parishioners and the Laity to their Pastors and Clergy. To
which is prefixed a dissertation concerning the divine
right of Princes,
” 1701, 8vo. 6. “An Introduction to a
Devout Life, by Francis Sales, bishop and prince of Geneva; translated and reformed from the Errors of the
Romish edition. To which is prefixed, a Discourse of the
Rise and Progress of the Spiritual Books in the Romish.
Church,
” A Treatise of Consolation to
Parents for the Death of theirChildren written upon the
occasion of the Death of the Duke of Gloucester and addressed to the most illustrious Princess Anue of Denmark,
”
God’s Blessing on Mineral Waters;
” a
Sermon preached at the chapel at Tunbridge Wells,“1702,
4to. 9.
” A Conference with a Theist, in five parts; dedicated to the Queen’s most excellent Majesty,“1703,
8vo; of which a third edition, with the addition of two
Conferences, the one with a Machiavelian, the other with
an Atheist, all carefully revised and prepared for the pres$
by the author, was published in 1723, 2 vols. 8vo. This
was particularly designed, says Leland, by the learned and
ingenious author, in opposition to the
” Oracles of Reason,“published by Blount; and he has not left any material part of that work unanswered. 10.
” A Practical Essayon the Contempt of the World; to which is prefixed, a Preface to the Deists and vicious Libertines of the
Age,“1704, 2d edit. 8vo. 11.
” The Religion of a Princes
shewing that the Precepts of the Holy Scriptures are the
best maxims of Government,“1704, 8vo, in opposition to
Machiavel, Hobbes, c. and written when the queen gave
up the tenths and first fruits to the inferior clergy. 12.
” Defensio Ecclesiae Anglicanae,“1707, 12mo. 13.
” A
Paraphrase on the Common Prayer, with Notes on the
Sundays and Holidays,“1708, 8vo. 14.
” Afflictions the
lot of God’s children, a Sermon on the Death of Prince
George,“1709, 8vo. 15.
” A Comment on the Book of
Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments,“&c. 1710, folio. This volume has the royal licence prefixed, and a list of more than 900 subscribers. In his
dedication to the queen, he notices, as what never happened before, that all the copies were bespoke or paid for
before the day of publication. It still continues to be
printed in 8vo. The late sir James Stonhouse, in a letter
to the rev. Thomas Stedman, dated 1793, says of this
work,
” I would have you recommend it to every family
in your parish as it will shew them the use of the common
prayer and psalms, as read in our churches, and be a
standard book from father to son.“16.
” A Supplement
to the Commentary on the Book of Common Prayer,“1711, folio. In the preface to this supplement, Dr. Nichols mentions
” a long fit of illness with which God had
pleased to visit him, and a very unestablished state of
health both before and after it.“This illness appears soon
to have ended in his death. 17.
” Historic Sacroe Libri
VII. Ex Antonii Cocceii Sabellici Eneadibus concinnatum,
in usum Scholarurn et Juventutis Christianae,“1711, 12mo.
18
” A Commentary on the first fifteen, and part of the
sixteenth Articles of the Church of England,“1712, fol.
39.
” A Defence of the Doctrine and Discipline of the
Church of England; first written in Latin, for the use of
foreigners, by William Nichols, D. D. and translated into
English by himself,“1715, 12mo. Dr. Nichols was
reckoned a very excellent scholar, and was known abroad as
well as at home by the learned correspondence he kept
with foreigners of eminence. A volume of such correspondence with JaUlonski, Osterwald, Wetstein, &c. was
presented by his widow Catharine Nichols to the archbishop
of Canterbury, Oct. 28,* 1712, to be deposited either in
Lambeth or St. Martin’s library, and is now among the
valuable Mss. at Lambeth, No. 676. He died in the end
of April 1712, and was buried in St. Swithin’s church
May 5. It may not be improper to distinguish this pious
divine from his name-sake William Nichols, M. A. and
rector of Stockport, in Cheshire, who was a student
of Christ church, Oxford, and. published, 1.
” De Literis
jnventis Libri sex ad illustrissinuum Principem Thomam,
Herbertum, Pembrokiae Comitem,“&c. 1711, 8vo. 2.
” Oratio corarn venerabili Spcietate promovenda Religione
Christiana habita Londini, Dec. 29, 171.&,“12mo; and,
3.
” Περι Αρχων Libri Septem. Accedunt Liturgica,"
1717, 12mo.
t, risited Orval, and several other places. A letter, dated July 16, 1679, which he wrote to Harlai, archbishop of Paris, facilitated his return to France: and Robert, canon
, a celebrated French divine, was born at Chartres, Oct. 6, 1625. He was the son of John Nicole above mentioned, who, discovering him to be a youth of promising talents, gave him his first instructions in grammar, and so grounded him in classical knowledge, that at the age of fourteen he was qualified to go to Paris, and commence a course of philosophy; and at its completion, in about two years, he took the degree of M. A. July 23, 1644. He afterwards studied divinity at the Sorbonne, in 1645 and 1646 and, during this course, learned Hebrew, improved himself farther in Greek, acquired a knowledge of Spanish and Italian. He also devoted part of his time to the instruction of the youth put under the care of messieurs de Port-royal. As soon as he had completed three years, the usual period, in the study of divinity,he proceeded bachelor in that faculty in 1649, on which occasion he maintained the theses called the Tentative, He afterwards prepared himself to proceed a licentiate;, but was diverted from it by the dispute which arose about the five famous propositions of Jansenius, added to his connections with Mr. Arnauld. By this means he was at more leisure to cultivate his acquaintance with gentlemen of the Port-royal, to which house he now retired, and assisted Mr. Arnauld in several pieces, which that celebrated divine published in his own defence. They both went to M. Varet’s house at Chatillon near Paris, in 1664, and there continued to write, inconcert. Nicole afterwards resided at several places, sometimes at Port-royal, sometimes at Paris, &c. He was solicited to take holy orders but, after an examination of three weeks, and consulting with M. Pavilion, bishop of Aleth, he remained only a tonsured priest. It has been asserted by some, that having failed to answer properly when examined for the subdeaconship, he considered his being refused admission to it, as a warning from heaven. He continued undisturbed at Paris till 1677, when a letter which he wrote, for the bishops of St. Pons and Arras, to pope Innocent XI. against the relaxations of the casuists, drew upon him a storm, that obliged him to withdraw. He went 6rst to Chartres, where his father was lately dead; and, having settled his temporal affairs, he repaired to Beauvais, and soon after took his leave of the kingdom, in 1679. He retired first to Brussels, then went to Liege, and, after that, risited Orval, and several other places. A letter, dated July 16, 1679, which he wrote to Harlai, archbishop of Paris, facilitated his return to France: and Robert, canon of the church of Paris, obtained leave of that archbishop, some time after, for Nicole to come back privately to Chartres. Accordingly he repaired immediately to that, city, under the name of M. Berci, and resumed his usual employments. The same friend afterwards solicited a permission for him to return to Paris, and having obtained it at length in 1683, he employed his time in the composition of various new works. In 1693, perceiving himself to be grown considerably infirm, he resigned a benefice, of a very moderate income, which her had at Beauvais; and after remaining for about two years more in a very languishing state, died of the second stroke of an apoplexy, Nov. 16, 1695, aged 70 years.
ppointed bishop Nicolson lord high almoner; an office which was resigned in his favour by his friend archbishop Wake. On March 17, 1718, he was nominated to the bishopric of
In 1715, George I. appointed bishop Nicolson lord high almoner; an office which was resigned in his favour by his friend archbishop Wake. On March 17, 1718, he was nominated to the bishopric of Derry in Ireland, but was allowed to be continued bishop of Carlisle and lord almoner till after Easter. On Feb. 9, 1727, he was translated to the archbishopric of Cashel, but died suddenly, on the 14th of that' month, and was buried in the cathedral at Derry, without any monumental inscription. He married Elizabeth youngest daughter of John Archer, of Oxenholme near Kendal, esq. by whom he had eight children. One daughter, Catherine, was living unmarried in 1777, but this family is probably now extinct. He had a brother, who was master of the Apothecaries company, and died in 1723.
The archbishop left three ms volumes, fol. to the dean and chapter of Carlisle,
The archbishop left three ms volumes, fol. to the dean
and chapter of Carlisle, consisting of copies and extracts
from various books, Mss. registers, recorus, and charters,
relating to the diocese of Carlisle, from which many articles in the “History of Cumberland,
” by his nephew
Joseph Nicolson, esq. and Dr. Richard Burn, were transcribed. There is also a large octavo ms. of his, containing miscellaneous accounts of the state of the churches,
parsonage and vicarage houses, glebe lands, and other
possessions, in the several parishes within the diocese, collected in his parochial visitation of the several churches in
1703, 1704, and 1707, which, in 1777, was in the possession of his nephew. Bagford, in his catalogue prefixed
to Gibson’s edition of Camden’s “Britannia,
” Leges Marchiarum,
”
where we find much information respecting the ancient
state of Northumberland, but we are not permitted to
doubt that a separate work was his original design. In
1692 he speaks of his having hopes that his “Essay on the
Kingdom of Northumberland,
” would be completed in a
few months; and that Mr. Ray had promised (in the preface to his late collection of English words), that it should
shortly be published. He informs us also that he was the
author of the “Glossarium Northanhymbricum,
” in Ray’s
work.
it unless cause shown. In the mean time such proceedings alarmed the whole bench of bishops; and the archbishop of Canterbury, Tenison, wrote a circular letter on the subject
The vice-chancellor, who communicated this paper to
bishop Nicolson, added that he would notwithstanding
propose the degree, if “he would please to order him what
to say in answer.
” Nicolson, however, irritated at the
superiority thus given to his antagonist, determined to send
no answer. His own words on this occasion are: “Mr.
Vice-chancellor not having acquainted me who the masters
or members of the venerable convocation are, that presented this libellous memorial to him: the most civil treatment, which (as I thought, by advice of my friends) could
be given to it, was, to take no manner of notice of its
coming to my hand.
” He accordingly applied to Cam-bridge, where the degree in question was readily granted;
and, what must have been yet more gratifying, he received
the same honour from the university of Oxford, on July 25
following. The former refusal seems to have been that of
a party, and not of the convocation at large. In one of
his letters written at this time to Dr. Charlett, master of
University-college, he enters upon a defence of his vindication of the “Historical Library,
” and not unsuccessfully.
The objection that he had called the doctor Mr. Atterbury
was certainly trifling and unjust, for he was Mr. Atterbury
when he wrote against Nicolson. He also alludes to the
coarse treatment of himself in the above paper, where he
is styled only William Nicolson, although at that time a
bishop elect. But whatever may be thought of bishop Nicolson’s conduct, or that of these members of the convocation, it was not to be expected that when Atterbury was
made dean of Carlisle, there could be much cordiality between them. Nicolson knew to whom he had been indebted for the affront he had received from the university;
and Atterbury was equally out of humour with the bishop,
in addition to his usual turbulence of disposition. In 1707,
when the bishop found that Atterbury was continually raising fresh disputes with his chapter, he endeavoured to appease them once for all, by visiting the chapter in pursuance of the power given by the statutes of Henry VIII. at
the foundation of the corporation of the dean and chapter.
But Dr. Todd, already mentioned, one of the prebendaries, was instigated by Atterbury to protest against any
such visitation, insisting upon the invalidity of Henry
VIII's statutes and that the queen, and not the bishop,
was the local visitor. Nicolson, conscious of his strength
in a point which he had probably studied more deeply than
any of the chapter, during the course of his visitation
suspended and afterwards excommunicated Dr. Todd on
which the latter moved the court of common pleas for a
prohibition, and obtained it unless cause shown. In the
mean time such proceedings alarmed the whole bench of
bishops; and the archbishop of Canterbury, Tenison, wrote
a circular letter on the subject to all his suffragans, considering the cause of the bishop of Carlisle as a common
cause, and of great concern to the church, which, he added,
“will never be quiet so long as that evil generation of men
who make it their business to search into little flaws in ancient charters and statutes, and to unfix what laudable
custom hath well fixed, meet with any success.
” Soon
afterwards a bill was carried into parliament, and passed
into a law, which established the validity of the local statutes given by Henry VIII. to his new foundations. Bishop
Nicolson published on this occasion, “Short Remarks on
a paper of Reasons against thepassing of a bill for avoiding
of doubts and questions touching the statutes of divers cathedrals and collegiate churches,
” 4to, in one half sheetj
without date. His triumph was now compleat, and a fevr
years afterwards, when Atterbury was preferred to the
deanry of Christ-church, his old friends of the university
of Oxford had reason to change their sentiments of him.
ad not been in this place many years before he was made, after a series of ecclesiastical dignities, archbishop of Novogorod; and, finally, patriarch of Russia. He was not
, an eminent Russian prelate, was born in a village under the government of Nishnei Novogorod, in
1613. His parents were so obscure that neither their
names nor stations are known. He was educated under
the care of a monk in the convent of St. Macarius, and
here he imbibed a strong and increasing prejudice in fa*vour of the monastic life. In compliance, however, with
the wishes of his family, he married, and was ordained a
secular priest. The loss of his children by death disgusted
him with the world, and he persuaded his wife to take the
veil, whilst he became a monk. He retired into an island
in the White Sea, and instituted a society in this solitude
remarkable for its great austerities. He had not been in
this place many years before he was made, after a series
of ecclesiastical dignities, archbishop of Novogorod; and,
finally, patriarch of Russia. He was not only eminent as
a priest, but discovered the great and energetic talents of
a statesman; and to them he fell a victim. In 1658 he
was compelled to abdicate his dignity of patriarch, on
which he returned to his cell, and lived over his former
austerities; but his degradation did not satisfy the malice
of his enemies, who procured his imprisonment. He obtained, after a number of years, his release, with permission to return to his favourite cell; but, whilst on the road
to this spot, he expired in his 66th year, in 1681. Nicon
did not spend his whole time in the performance of useless
austerities, but occasionally employed himself in compiling
a regular series of Russian annalists from Nestor, the earliest historian of that country, to the reign of Alexey Michaelovitch. This collection is sometimes called, from its
author, “The Chronicle of Nicon,
” and sometimes, from
the place where it was begun and deposited, “The Chronicle of the Convent of Jerusalem.
” It is considered as a
work of authority.
, cardinal and archbishop of Paris, commander of the order of the Holy Ghost, proviseur
, cardinal and archbishop of Paris, commander of the order of the Holy Ghost, proviseur of the house and society of the Sorbonne, and superior of that of Navarre, was the second son of Anne dukede Noailles, peer of France, and born May 27, 1651. In consequence of his birth, he became lord of Aubrach, commander of the order of the Holy Ghost, duke of St. Cloud, and peer of France. He was bred with great care, and his inclination leading him to the church, he took holy orders; and proceeding in the study of divinity, he performed his exercise for licentiate in that science with reputation, and was created D. D. of the Sorbonne, March 14, 1676. Three years afterwards the king gave him the bishopric of Cahors, whence he was translated to Chalons on the Marne, in 1680. He discharged the duties of both these dioceses with a distinguished vigilance, and a truly pastoral charity; so that, the archbishopric of Paris becoming vacant in 1695, by the death of Francis de Harlay, his majesty chose the bishop of Chalons to fill that important see. Invested with this dignity; he applied himself wholly to the affairs of it, and made excellent rules for the reformation of the clergy.
ambridge. Tr.e first church preferment he had was the sine-cure of Llandiuon -in Wales, given him by archbishop Sheldon; on this he quitted his fellowship, and procured himself
In November 1672 he was elected Greek professor at Cambridge. Tr.e first church preferment he had was the sine-cure of Llandiuon -in Wales, given him by archbishop Sheldon; on this he quitted his fellowship, and procured himself to be admitted of Trinity college, for the sake of being more nearly connected with the master, Dr. Isaac Barrow, for whom he had the greatest esteem. About this time he was appointed clerk of the closet to Charles II. who also bestowed on him a prebend in Westminster in Jan. 1673 and on his majesty’s visit to Cambridge he was created D. D. out of respect to the duke of Lauderdale, whose chaplain he then was, and whose character his brother has very weakly endeavoured to defend Among his official duties, it is recorded that in 1676, Dr. North baptised Isabella, second daughter of James duke of York and Mary D'Este.
s likewise brought up to the law, and was attorney-general to James II. and steward of the courts to archbishop Sheldon . He published an “Examen into the credit and veracity
, brother of the preceding, and sixth
son of Dudley lord North, was likewise brought up to the
law, and was attorney-general to James II. and steward of
the courts to archbishop Sheldon . He published an “Examen into the credit and veracity of a pretended complete
History,
” viz. Dr. White Kenneths History of England,
and also the lives of his three brothers, the lord keeper
Guilford, sir Dudley North, and the rev. Dr. John North.
In these pieces little ability is displayed, but there is much
curious and truly valuable information, and which would
have been yet more valuable had not the author’s prejudices led him to defend some of the worst measures and
worst men of Charles II. 's reign. He was also, says Dr.
Burney, a dilettante musician of considerable taste and
knowledge in the art, and watched and recorded its progress during the latter end of the seventeenth, and beginning of the eighteenth century, with judgment and discrimination; leaving behind him at his decease a manuscript,
entitled “Memoirs of Music,
” which Dr. Burney found of
great use in the history of English secular music during
the period to which his memoirs are confined. He lived
chiefly at Rougham, in Norfolk, where his life was extended to the age of eighty-three. He died in 1733. He
had an organ, built by Smith, for a gallery of 60 feet long,
which he erected on purpose for its reception. There was
not a metal pipe in this instrument, in 1752; yet its tone
was as brilliant, and infinitely more sweet, than if the pipes
had been all of metal.
in upon him. On Jan. 1, 1559-60, Grindal collated him to the archdeaconry of Middlesex; in February, archbishop Parker gave him the rectory of Saltwood, with the annexed chapel
On the accession of queen Elizabeth, Nowell returned to England, and was soon fixed upon, with Parker, Bill, Whitehead, Pilkington, Sandys, &c. to be promoted to the chief preferments then vacant. His first employment seems to have been that of one of the commissioners for visiting the various dioceses, in order to introduce such regulations as might establish the Reformation. One of these commissions, in which NowelL's name appears, was dated July 22, 1559. In December of that year, he was appointed chaplain to Grindal, and preached the sermon on the consecration of that divine to the bishopric of London. Preferments now began to flow in upon him. On Jan. 1, 1559-60, Grindal collated him to the archdeaconry of Middlesex; in February, archbishop Parker gave him the rectory of Saltwood, with the annexed chapel of Hythe, in Kent, and a prebend of Canterbury. Saltwood he resigned within the year, as he did a prebend of St. Peter’s Westminster, then erected into a collegiate church; but was promoted to the deanery of St. Paul’s in November 1560, and about the same time was collated to the prebend of Wildland or Willand in the same church.
edral by lightning, June 4, 1561. Such was. his reputation now, that in September of this year, when archbishop Parker visited Eton college, and ejected the provost, Richard
He now became a frequent preacher at St. Paul’s cross,
and on one occasion, a passage of his sermon was much
talked of, and grossly misrepresented by the papists, as
savouring of an uncharitable and persecuting spirit. He
had little difficulty, however, in repelling this charge,
which at least shews that his words were considered as of
no small importance, and were carefully watched. One of
his sermons at St. Paul’s cross was preached the Sunday
following a very melancholy event, the burning of St. Paul’s
cathedral by lightning, June 4, 1561. Such was. his reputation now, that in September of this year, when archbishop
Parker visited Eton college, and ejected the provost,
Richard Bruerne, for nonconformity, he recommended to
secretary Cecil the choice of several persons fit to supply
the place, with this remark, “that if the queen would have
a married minister, none comparable to Mr. Nowell.
” The
bishop of London also seconded this recommendation; but
the queen’s prejudice against the married clergy inclined
her to give the place to Mr. Day, afterwards bishop of
Winchester, who was a bachelor, and in all respects worthy
of the promotion.
In the course of the ensuing year, 1562, No well was
frequently in the pulpit on public occasions, before large
auditories; but his labours in one respect commenced a
little inauspiciously. On the new-year’s day, before the
festival of the circumcision, he preached at St. Paul’s,
whither the queen resorted. Here, says Strype, a remarkable passage happened, as it is recorded in a great
man’s memorials (sir H. Sidney), who lived in those times.
The dean having met with several fine engravings, representing the stories and passions of the saints and martyrs,
had placed them against the epistles and gospels of their
respective festivals, in a Common Prayer-book; which he
caused to be richly bound, and laid on the cushion for the
queen’s use, in the place where she commonly sat; intending it for a new-year’s gift to her majesty, and thinking
to have pleased her fancy therewith. But it had a quite
contrary effect. For she considered how this varied from
her late injunctions and proclamations against the superstitious use of images in churches, and for the taking away
all such reliques of popery. When she came to her place,
and had opened the book, and saw the pictures, she frowned
and blushed; and then shutting the book (of which several took notice) she called for the verger, and bade him bring
her the old book, wherein she was formerly wont to read.
After sermon, whereas she used to get immediately on
horseback, or into her chariot, she went straight to the
vestry, and applying herself to the dean, thus she spoke
to him: “Mr. Dean, how came it to pas’s, that a new service-book was placed on my cushion r
” To which the dean
answered, “May it please your majesty, I caused it to be
placed there.
” Then said the queen, “Wherefore did
you so
” “To present your majesty with a new year?s
gift.
” “You could never present me with a worse.
” “Why
so, madam?
” “You know I have an aversion to idolatry,
to images, and pictures of this kind.
” “Wherein is the
idolatry, may it please your majesty?
” “In the cuts resembling angels and saints; nay, grosser absurdities, pictures resembling the blessed Trinity.
” “I meant nq
harm; nor did I think it would offend your majesty, when
I intended it for a new-year’s gift.
” *“You must needs
be ignorant then. Have you forgot our proclamation
against images, pictures, and Romish reliques, in the
churches? Was it not read in your deanery?
” “It was
read. But be your majesty assured I meant no harm when
I caused the cuts to be bound with the service-book.
” “You
must needs be very ignorant to do this after our prohibition
of them.
” “It being my ignorance, your majesty may the
better pardon me.
” “I am sorry for it; yet glad to hear
it was your ignorance rather than your opinion.
” “Be
your majesty assured it was my ignorance.
” “If so, Mr.
dean, God grant you his spirit, and more wisdom for the
future.
” “Amen, I pray God.
” “I pray, Mr. Dean,
how came you by these pictures who engraved them
”
“I know not who engraved them I bought them.
” “From
whom bought you them
” “From a German.
” “It is
well it was from a stranger. Had it been any of our subjects, we should have questioned the matter. Pray let no
more of these mistakes, or of this kind, be committed
within the churches of our realm for the future.
” “There
shall not.
” Strype adds to this curious dialogue, that it
caused all the clergy in and about London, and the churchwardens of each parish, to search their churches and
chapels; and to wash out of the walls all paintings that
seemed to be Romish and idolatrous; in lieu whereof,
suitable texts of Holy Scripture were written.
inutes of matters to be moved in that synod, we find two memorable papers, both of them noted by the archbishop of Canterbury’s hand (Parker), and one of them drawn up by one
The principal remaining monument of Nowell’s fame is
his celebrated “Catechism,
” of the history of which and of
catechisms in general, his biographer has given a very interesting detail. The precise time when he wrote it has
not been discovered; nor whether, as is not improbable,
he first devised it (or some such summary) for the use of
his pupils in Westminster-school, It is, however, certain that it was composed, and in readiness for publication,
before the convocation sat in 1562, for, among the minutes of matters to be moved in that synod, we find two
memorable papers, both of them noted by the archbishop
of Canterbury’s hand (Parker), and one of them drawn up
by one of his secretaries, in both of which there is express
mention of Nowell’s catechism. For the proceedings of
the convocation on the subject, we must refer to his excellent biographer. The work was not published until
June 1570, 4to. This is what is called his “Larger Catechism,
” and in the preface it is announced that he intended to publish it, reduced into a shorter compass, as
soon as possible. The abridgment accordingly came out
the same year, and both in Latin. They were soon after,
for the sake of more extensive usefulness, translated into
English, by Thomas Norton, of whom we have lately taken
notice, and into Greek by the Dean’s nephew, Whitaker,
but the Greek translation of the larger, which was first
printed (along with the Latin) did not appear until 1573,
and that of the smaller in 1575. His biographer gives
some account of a third Catechism, attributed to Nowell,
but its history seems involved in some obscurity. There
seems reason to think that this was, in whole or in part,
what is now called “The Church Catechism.
” Nowell’s
other catechisms were in such request as to go through a
great many impressions, and long continued to be used in
schools, and the use of them appears to have been frequently enjoined by the founders of schools, and mentioned expressly in the statutes drawn up for such seminaries. What public authority and private influence could
do, was not wanting to recommend these catechisms as
the foundation of religious knowledge. In fact, the church
catechism, the homilies, and Nowell’s catechisms, appear
to have long been the standard books, which were quoted
as authorities for all that the church of England believed and taught; and Nowell’s were within these few
years reprinted in the “Enchiridion Theologicum,
” by
Dr. Randolph, late bishop of London, and by Dr. Cleaver,
late bishop of St. Asaph.
een a sphere of greater usefulness. Near to his friend and patron, the excellently pious and prudent archbishop Parker, and not distant from the court, he was an able coadjutor
Dean Nowell died Feb. 13, 1601-2, in the ninety-fifth
year of his age, almost forty years after he had begun to
reckon himself an old man. “But notwithstanding his very
great age and frequent sicknesses, such was the original
strength of his constitution, and such the blessing of providence on a life of piety, peace, and temperance, that
neither his memory nor any of his faculties were impaired;
and to the last, it is said, he was able to read thesmallest
print without the help of glasses.
” He was interred in St.
Mary’s chapel, at the back of the high altar in St. Paul’s,
in the same grave where, thirty-three years before, he had
buried his beloved brother Robert Nowell. He was twice
married, but had no issue by either of his wives.
ii For the minutiae of his character, the reader will find
ample gratification in the elaborate life lately published by
Mr. Archdeacon Churton. It concerns a long period of
our ecclesiastical history, and in every history indeed mention is made of Nowell’s eminent services in promoting and
establishing the reformed religion. Endowed, says Mr.
Churton, with excellent parts, he was soon distinguished by
the progress he made in the schools of Oxford; where he
devoted thirteen years, the flower of his life and the best
time for improvement, to the cultivation of classical elegance and useful knowledge. His capacity for teaching,
tried first in the shade of the university, became more conspicuous when he was placed at the head of the first seminary in the metropolis; and at the same time his talents
as a preacher were witnessed and approved by some of the
principal auditories of the realm. Attainments such as
these, and a life that adorned them, rendered him a fit
object for Bonner’s hatred; but Providence rescued him
from the fangs of the tyger, in the very act of springing
upon his prey. Retirement, suffering, and study, in the
company of Jewell, Grindal, and Sandys, stimulated by
the conversation and example of Peter Martyr, and other
famed divines of Germany, returned him to his native land,
with recruited vigour and increasing lustre, when the days
of tyranny were overpast. Elizabeth, and her sage counsellor Burghley, placed him at once in an eminent situation among those of secondary rank in the church, and
accumulated other preferments upon him; and would probably have advanced him to the episcopal bench, had not
his real modesty, together with the consciousness of approaching old age, been known to have created in him a
fixt determination not to be raised to a station of greater
dignity which, however, all things considered, could
scarcely, in his case, have been a sphere of greater usefulness. Near to his friend and patron, the excellently pious
and prudent archbishop Parker, and not distant from the
court, he was an able coadjutor to each and to alj, in
bringing forward and perfecting, what they all had at
heart, the restoration of true and pure religion.
, archbishop of Tuam, was otherwise called Maurice de Portu, from having
, archbishop of Tuam, was otherwise called Maurice de Portu, from having been born
near the port of Baltimore, in the county of Cork, though
others say he was born at Down, or Galway. He was
some time a student at Oxford, where he became a Franciscan. He afterwards travelled to Italy, and studied philosophy, and school-divinity at Padua. About 1480 he
removed to Venice, where he was employed by Octavian,
Scott, and Locatelli, as corrector of the press, which was
then considered as an employment worthy of the greatest
scholars. In 1506, after he had taken his degree of D. D.
at Padua, pope Julius II. made him archbishop of Tuam
in Ireland. In 1512 he assisted at the first two sessions of
the Lateran council, and in the following year set out for
Ireland, but died at Galway, May 25, 1513, where he
landed, before he could take possession of his archbishopric. He was at this time not quite fifty years of age. He
was buried in a church at Galway, where his humble monument is yet shown. He was a learned, pious, and amiable prelate, and held in such veneration by some authors,
that they have given him the name of “Flos Mundi,
” the
flower of the world. His works are, 1. “Expositio in questiones dialecticas Divi Joan. Scoti in Isagogen Porphyrii,
”
Ferrara, Commentaria
doct. subtilis Joan. Scoti in XII. lib. metaphysics Aristotelis,
” &c. Venet. 1507, fol. 3. “Epithemata in insigne
formalitatum opus de mente doctoris subtilis,
” &c. Venice,
Theorems for the
explanation of the sense of Scotus.
” 4. “Dictionarium
sacra? scripturee,
” &c. Venice, Enchiridion fidei,
”
ted greatly to the spirited and successful defence made by the inhabitants. In 1553 he was appointed archbishop of Strigonia, and held two national councils at Tyrnau, the
, a learned prelate, was born at
Hermanstadt, in 1493. After various preferments, he was
nominated by Ferdinand, king of Hungary, bishop of Zagrat, and chancellor of the kingdom. He was afterwards
elevated to the see of Agria, and being present at the famous siege of that town by the Turks in 1552, he contributed greatly to the spirited and successful defence made
by the inhabitants. In 1553 he was appointed archbishop
of Strigonia, and held two national councils at Tyrnau, the
acts of which were printed at Vienna in 1560, and was instrumental in founding the first Jesuits’ college in Hungary
$rt Tyrnau. In 1562 he was created palatine of the kingdom, in which quality he crowned Maximilian as king of
Hungary. He died at Tyrnau in 1568; leaving behind
him, as monuments of his industry and learning, “A Chronicle of his own Times:
” “A History of Attila,
” Presb.
A Description of Hungary.
” His life is given
in father Muszka’s history of the Palatines of Hungary,
printed in 1752, folio.
is favour from him, and left him to the censures of the church. He was summoned to appear before the archbishop; and, not appearing, was pronounced contumacious, and excommunicated.
, called the good lord Cobham, the first author, as well as the first martyr, among
our nobility, was born in the fourteenth century, in the
reign of Edward III. He obtained his peerage by marrying the heiress of that lord Cobham, who, with so much
virtue and patriotism opposed the tyranny of Richard IL
and, with the estate and title of his father-in-law, seems
also to have taken possession of his virtue and independent
spirit. The famous statute against provisors was by his
means revived, and guarded by severer penalties. He was
one of the leaders in the reforming party, who drew up a
number of articles against the corruptions which then prevailed among churchmen, and presented them, in the form
of a remonstrance, to the Commons. He was at great expence in collecting and transcribing the works of Wickliff,
which he dispersed among the people; and he maintained
a great number of his disciples as itinerant preachers in
many parts of the country. These things naturally awakened the resentment of the clergy against him. In the
reign of Henry IV. he had the command of an English
army in France, which was at that time a scene of great
confusion, through the competition of the Orleanand Burgundian factions; and obliged the duke of Orleans to raise
the siege of Paris. In the reign of Henry V. he was accused of heresy, and the growth of it was particularly
attributed to his influence. The king, with whom lord
Cobham was a domestic in his court, delayed the prosecution against him; and undertook to reason with him himself, and to reduce him from his errors. Lord Cobham’s
answer is upon record. “I ever was,
” said he, “a dutiful
subject to your majesty, and ever will be. Next to God,
I profess obedience to my king; but as to the spiritual
dominion of the pope, I never could see on what foundation it is claimed, nor can I pay him any obedience. It is
sure as God’s word is true, he is the great antichrist foretold in holy writ.
” This answer so exceedingly shocked
the king, that, turning away in visible displeasure, he withdrew his favour from him, and left him to the censures of
the church. He was summoned to appear before the archbishop; and, not appearing, was pronounced contumacious, and excommunicated. In hopes to avoid the impending storm, he waited upon the king with a confession
of nis faith in writing, in his hand; and, while he was in
his presence, a person entered the chamber, cited him to
appear before the archbishop, and he was immediately
hurried to the Tower. He was soon after brought before
the archbishop, and read his opinion of these articles, on
which he supposed he was called in question, viz. the Lord’s
supper, penance, images, and pilgrimages. Hewas told,
that in some parts he had not been sufficiently explicit
that on all these points holy church had determined by
which determinations all Christians ought to abide and that
these determinations should be given him as a direction of
his faith; and in a few days he must appear again and give
his opinion. At the time, he said among other things,
“that he knew none holier than Christ and the apostles
and that these determinations were surely none of theirs,
as they were against scripture.
” In conclusion, he was
condemned as an heretic, and remanded to the Tower,
from which place he escaped, and lay concealed in Wales.
The clergy, with great zeal for the royal person, informed
the king, then at Eltham, that 20,000 Lollards were assembled at St. Giles’s for his destruction, with lord Cobham at their head. This pretended conspiracy, though
there were not above 100 persons found, and those poor
Lollards assembled for devotion, was entirely credited by
the king, and fully answered the designs of the clergy; but
there is not the smallest authority for it, in any author of
reputation. A bill of attainder passed against lord Cobham; a price of a thousand marks was set upon his head;
and a perpetual exemption from taxes promised to any
town that should secure him. After he had been four years
in Wales, he was taken at last by the vigilance of his enemies, brought to London in triumph, and dragged to execution in St. Giles’s-fields. As a traitor, and a heretic, he
was hung up in chains alive upon a gallows; and, fire
being put under him, was burnt to death, in December,
1417.
esne, and chancellor to the archbishopric: in which post he managed all the affairs of that see, the archbishop being very old and infirm. After the death of this prelate,
, an eminent Polish divine,
was descended from an ancient family in Prussia, and born
about 1618. In the course of his studies, which were passed
at Kalisch, he applied himself particularly to poetry; for
which he had an early taste. After he had finished his
courses of divinity and jurisprudence, he travelled to Italy;
where he visited the best libraries, and took the degree of
doctor of law at Rome. Thence he went to France, and
was introduced at Paris to the princess Mary Louisa; who
being about to marry Ladislaus IV. king of Poland, Olzoffski had the honour of attending her thither. On his arrival, the king offered him the secretary’s place; but he declined it, for the sake of following his studies. Shortly after
he was made a canon of the cathedral church at Guesne,
and chancellor to the archbishopric: in which post he managed all the affairs of that see, the archbishop being very
old and infirm. After the death of this prelate, he was called
to court, and made Latin secretary to his majesty; which
place he filled with great reputation, being a complete master of that language. In the war between Poland and Sweden, he wrote a piece against that enemy to his country,
entitled “Vindiciae Polonicae.
” He attended at the election of Leopold to the imperial crown of Germany, in
quality of ambassador to the king of Poland, and went afterwards in the same character to Vienna, to solicit the withdrawing of the imperial troops from the borders of the Polish territories. Immediately on his return he was invested
with the high office of prebendary to the crown, and promoted to the bishopric of Culm.
After the death of Ladislaus he fell into disgrace with
the queen, because he opposed the design she had of setting a prince of France upon the throne of Poland however, this did not hinder him from being made vice-chancellor of the crown. He did all in his power to dissuade
Casimir II. from renouncing the crown; and, after the resignation of that king, several competitors appearing to fill
the vacancy, Olzoffski on the occasion published a piece,
called “Censura,
” &c. This was answered by another,
entitled “Censura Censurse Candidatorum;
” and the liberty which our vice-chancellor had taken in his “Censura
”
brought him into some danger. It was chiefly levelled
against the young prince of Muscovy, who was one of the
competitors, though no more than eight years of age; and
the czar was highly incensed, and made loud complaints
and menaces, unless satisfaction were given for the offence.
Upon the election of Michel Koribut to the throne, Olzoffski was dispatched to Vienna, to negotiate a match between the new-elected king and one of the princesses of
Austria; and, on his return from that embassy, was made
grand chancellor of the crown. He did not approve the
peace concluded with the Turks in 1676, and wrote to the
grand vizir in terms of which the grand seignor complained
to the king of Poland.
of Koribut, Olzoffski had a principal share in procuring the election of John Sobieski, who made him archbishop of Guesne, and primate of the kingdom; and he would have obtained
After the death of Koribut, Olzoffski had a principal
share in procuring the election of John Sobieski, who made
him archbishop of Guesne, and primate of the kingdom;
and he would have obtained a cardinal’s hat, if he had not
publicly declared against it. However, he had not been
long possessed of the primacy before his right to it was
disputed by the bishop of Cracow; who laid claim also to
other prerogatives of the see of Guesne, and pretended to
make the obsequies of the Polish monarchs. On this Olzoffski published a piece in defence of the rights and privileges of his archbishopric. He also some time afterwards
published another piece, but without putting his name to
it, entitled “Singularia Juris Patronatus R. Poloniae,
” in
support of the king of Poland’s right of nomination to the
abbeys. In 1678, going by the king’s command to Dantzic, in order to compose certain disputes between the senate and people of that city, he was seized with a disorder
which carried him off in three days, aged about 60. He
was particularly distinguished by eloquence, and love for
his country and his death was lamented throughout all' the
palatinates.
lege of Adrian, and at the seminary of Malines; but was driven from thence by Humbert de Precipiano, archbishop of that city, for his attachment to the Jansenists; and was
, an eminent divine, was born Oct.
3, 1651 at Beringhen, a small town in the county of Liege,
He was admitted a licentiate in divinity at Louvain in 1681,
and afterwards taught theology in the college of Adrian,
and at the seminary of Malines; but was driven from
thence by Humbert de Precipiano, archbishop of that city,
for his attachment to the Jansenists; and was banished in
1704, having declared himself one of Steyaert’s principal
adversaries; but, after two years, Louvain becoming part
of the emperor’s dominions, M. Opstraet was appointed
principal of the college de Faucon, which office he held
till his death, November 29, 1720. His Latin works are
numerous, and in request among the disciples of Jansenius and Father Quesnel, but are rather scarce in France.
The principal are, “A Theological Dissertation on the
Method of administering the Sacrament of Penitence,
”
against Steyaert; “Vera Doctrina de Baptismo LaborantiunV' 3 vols. 12mo, against Steyaert;
” Theological Instructions for young divines;“” The good Shepherd,“which treats on the duties of pastors, and has been translated into French, 2 vols. 12mo;
” The Christian Divine,“translated into French by M. de S. Andre de Beauchene,
under the title of,
” Le Directeur d'un jeune The*ologien,“1723, 12mo;
” Theological Instructions concerning human Actions,“3 vols. 12mo;
” A System of dogmatical,
moral, practical, and scholastic Theology," in 3 vols, with
others enumerated in our authorities.
f Salisbury. With a view of pleasing the king, he was weak enough to desert the cause of Anselm, his archbishop; but, repenting almost immediately, he requested absolution
, a celebrated bishop of Salisbury, in
the eleventh century, was born of a noble family in Normandy. He possessed great learning, joined to great prudence, and accompanied with talents for military affairs;
and his life, says Butler, was that of a saint, in all the difficult states of a courtier, soldier, and magistrate. In
his early years he succeeded his father in the earldom of
Séez, but distributed the greatest part of his revenues to
the church and poor, and followed William the Conqueror
into England in 1066. This prince rewarded Osmund by
making him earl of Dorset, then chancellor, and afterwards bishop of Salisbury. With a view of pleasing the
king, he was weak enough to desert the cause of Anselm,
his archbishop; but, repenting almost immediately, he requested absolution from him, and obtained it. He built,
or rather completed, the first cathedral of Salisbury, begun
by his predecessor, and dedicated it in 1092; and it being
destroyed by lightning, he rebuilt it in 1099, and furnished
it with a library. To regulate the divine service, he compiled for his church the breviary, missal, and ritual, since
called “The Use of Sarum,
” which was afterwards adopted
in most dioceses in England, until queen Mary’s time,
when several of the clergy obtained particular licences to
say the Roman breviary, but many of them were printed
even in her reign. The first Salisbury missal is dated
1494, and was printed abroad. The last was printed at
London in 1557. Osmund died Dec. 3, 1099. In 1457,
his remains were removed to our lady’s chapel in the present cathedral, where they are covered with a marble slab,
with only the inscription of the year 1099. His sumptuous
shrine was destroyed in the reign of Henry VIII.
n him by Don Lewis infant of Portugal; and, soon after, the archdeaconry of Evora by cardinal Henry, archbishop of that province, and brother to king John; and at last he was
, a learned Portuguese divine, descended from an illustrious family, was born at Lisbon in 1506. Discovering an extraordinary inclination for literature, he was sent, at thirteen, to the university of Salamanca; where having studied Greek and Latin, and law, he removed at nineteen to Paris, to be instructed in Aristotle’s philosophy, which was then the vogue. From Paris he went to Bologna, where he devoted himself to the study of the sacred Scriptures, and the Hebrew language; and he acquired such reputation, as a theologist, that, on his return home, John III. king of Portugal appointed him professor of divinity at Coimbra, Taking priest’s orders, the care of the church of Tavora was given him by Don Lewis infant of Portugal; and, soon after, the archdeaconry of Evora by cardinal Henry, archbishop of that province, and brother to king John; and at last he was nominated to the bishopric of Sylves in Algarva, by Catharine of Austria, that king’s widow, who was regent of the kingdom during the minority of her grandson Sebastian. When this prince became of age to take the administration of the kingdom into his own hands, he resolved upon an expedition against the Moors in Africa, much against the persuasions of Osorio who, to avoid being an eye-witness of the calamities he dreaded, made various pretences to go to Rome. Here pope Gregory XIII. gave him many testimonies of his esteem: but he had not been absent above a year, when the king recalled him home; and not long after, Sebastian was killed in the battle of Alcazer, against the Moors, Aug. 4, 1578. During the tumults in Portugal which succeeded this fatal event, Osorio took every means to prevent the people of his diocese from joining in them; but the miseries of his country at this juncture are said to have broke his heart, and he died of grief, Aug. 20, 1580, aged seventy-four.
This was the first step towards making his fortune; for the same friend being afterwards made archbishop of Thoulouse, and appointed by Henry III. ambassador in ordinary
This was the first step towards making his fortune; for the same friend being afterwards made archbishop of Thoulouse, and appointed by Henry III. ambassador in ordinary at the court of Rome in 1580, engaged D‘Ossat to be secretary to the embassy; and the archbishop dying in 1581, his secretary was employed in the same character by cardinal d’Este, protector of the French affairs at Rome. He continued in this service till the death of the cardinal protector, in 1586; who by will left him 4000 crowns, and offered him a diamond worth 20,000 crowns, to keep as a security till the legacy should be paid; but D‘Ossat generously refused the pledge, though he had no hopes of ever receiving the legacy. Before this time he had entered into the church, and been ordained priest; and during his residence with the cardinal, acquired a knowledge of the intrigues of the court of Rome, and displayed so much political ability, that he was -continued in the secretaryship under cardinal de Joyeuse, who succeeded d’Este. This was done by the express command of Henry ill. that he might be a kind of political tutor to that cardinal, who, being then only twenty-six years of age, had not gained sufficient experience; and he conducted himself so agreeably to Joyeuse, that he presented him in 1588 to the priory of St. Martyn du Vieux Bellesme; and the same year he was a second time invested with the post of counsellor to the praesidial court of Melun, which he had obtained before he left Paris.
nnaire Historique, but we suspect that this John Baptist was either the John Henry Ott, librarian to archbishop Wake, or his brother. Of this last we are told, that archbishop
, a learned Swiss divine, was born
in the canton of Zurich in 1617, where he was first educated, but in 1635 was sent to study at Lausanne, Geneva,
and Groningen, and afterwards at Leyden and Amsterdam.
After this he visited England and France; and upon his
return to his native country, obtained the living of Dietlickon, which he held for twenty-five years. In 1651 he
was nominated to the professorship of eloquence at Zurich
in 1655, to that of Hebrew and in 1668, to that of ecclesiastical history. He died in 1682, leaving behind him several works which indicate great learning and acquaintance
with ecclesiastical history. Of these which are written in
Latin, the principal are, a treatise “On the Grandeur of
the Church of Rome;
” “Annals relating to the History of
the Anabaptists;
” “A Latin Discourse in favour of the
Study of the Hebrew Language;
” “A Latin Treatise oh
”
Alphabets, and the Manner of Writing in all Nations.“He
had a son, John Baptist Ott, born in 1661, who acquired
great celebrity by his knowledge of the oriental languages
and antiquities. He was pastor of a church at Zollicken,
and afterwards professor of Hebrew at Zurich. In 1715 he
was promoted to the archdeaconry of the cathedral in that
city. He was the author of several works of considerable
reputation: as,
” A Dissertation on Vows;“” A Letter on
Samaritan Medals, addressed to Adrian Reland:“both
these are written in the Latin language; a treatise in German,
” On the manuscript and printed Versions of the
Bible before the era of the reformation;“and
” A Dissertation on certain Antiquities discovered at Klothen, in 1724."
Thus far we learn from Moreri and the Dictionnaire Historique, but we suspect that this John Baptist was either
the John Henry Ott, librarian to archbishop Wake, or his
brother. Of this last we are told, that archbishop Wake
had received many civilities from his father in the early
part of his life, and recollecting this, and that he had many
children, appointed his son John Henry, whom he found in
England, to be Dr. Wilkins’s successor, as librarian at Lambeth. He also ordained him deacon and priest, and in.
June 1721, collated him to the rectory of Blackmanston, Kent. Mr. Ott obtained other promotions, the last
of which, in 1730, was a prebend of Peterborough. He
continued librarian till archbishop Wake’s death, in 1737.
The time of his own death we have not been able to ascertain.
d, where it was generally embraced a few years afterwards, chiefly by the authority and influence of archbishop Laud. Overall had a particular friendship with Gerard Vosius
, an English bishop, and styled by
Camden a “prodigious learned man,
” was born in 1559,
and, after a proper foundation in grammar-learning, at
Hadley school, was sent to St. John’s college, Cambridge,
and became a scholar there: but, afterwards removing to
Trinity-college, was chosen fellow of that society. In
1596 he was appointed regius professor of divinity, when
he took the degree of D. D. and, about the same time,
was elected master of Catharine-hall in the same university.
In 1601 he had the honour to succeed the celebrated Dr.
Alexander Nowell in the deanry of St. Paul’s, London, by
the recommendation of his patron sir Fulk Greville, and
queen Elizabeth; and, in the beginning of James’s reign,
he was chosen prolocutor of the lower house of convocation. In 1612 he was appointed one of the first governors
of the Charter-house hospital, then just founded by Thomas Sutton, esq. In April 1614, he was made bishop of
Litchfield and Coventry; and, in 1618, translated to Norwich, where he died May 12, 1619. He was buried in
that cathedral, where he lay unnoticed till some time after
the restoration of Charles II. when Cosin, bishop of Durham, who had been his secretary, erected a monument in
1669, with a Latin inscription, in which he is declared
to be, “Vir undequaque doctissimus, et omui enconiio
major.
”
Wood observes, that he had the character of being the
best scholastic divine in the English nation; and Cosin,
who perhaps may be thought to rival him in that branch
of learning, calls himself his scholar, and expressly declares that he derived all his knowledge from him. He is
allso celebrated by Smith, for his distinguished wisdom,
erudition, and piety. In the controversy, which in his
time divided the reformed churches, concerning predestination and grace, he held a middle opinion, inclining rather to Arminianism , and seems to have paved the way
for the reception of that doctrine in England, where it
was generally embraced a few years afterwards, chiefly by
the authority and influence of archbishop Laud. Overall
had a particular friendship with Gerard Vosius and Grotius; and was much grieved to see the love of peace, and
the projects of this last great man to obtain it, so ill requited. He laboured heartily himself to compose the differences in Holland, relative to the Quinquarticular controversy; as appears in part by his letters to the two learned
correspondents just mentioned, some of which are printed
in the “Præstantium et eruditorum virorum epistolæ
ecclesiasticæ et theologicæ,
” published by Limborch and
Hartsoeker, as an historical defence of Arminianism.
tion entering into such a theory of politics, so he wrote a long letter to Abbot, who was afterwards archbishop of Canterbury, but was then in the lower-house. By it he desired
But our bishop is known in England chiefly by his “Convocation-Book,
” of which Burnet gives the following account: “There was a book drawn up by bishop Overall,
four-score years ago, concerning government, in which its
being of a divine institution was positively asserted. It
was read in convocation, and passed by that body, in order
to the publishing of it; in opposition to the principles laid
down in the famous book of Parsons the Jesuit, published
under the name of
” Doleman.“But king James did not
like a convocation entering into such a theory of politics,
so he wrote a long letter to Abbot, who was afterwards
archbishop of Canterbury, but was then in the lower-house.
By it he desired that no further progress should be made
in that matter, and that this book might not be offered to
him for his assent; there that matter slept. But Sancroft,
archbishop of Canterbury, had got Overall’s own book into
his hands; so, in the beginning of this (K. William’s) reign,
he resolved to publish it, as an authentic declaration that
the Church of England had made in this matter; and it was
published, as well as licensed, by him a very few days before he came under suspension, for not taking the oaths
(October 1689). But there was a paragraph or two in it
that they had not considered, which was plainly calculated
to justify the owning the United Provinces to be a lawful
government; for it was there laid down, that when a
change of government was brought to a thorough settlement, it was then to be owned and submitted to as a work
of the providence of God; and part of king James’s letter
to Abbot related to this.
” But what gave this book much
consequence on its revival was, that the celebrated Dr.
Sherlock acknowledged that he became reconciled to take
the oaths to the new government, at the revolution, by
the doctrines above-mentioned in Overall’s work.
his heir, as his father had a large family. About this time, we are told by most of his biographers, archbishop Laud, who was also chancellor of Oxford, imposed several superstitious
He remained here till the age of twenty-one, maintained chiefly by an uncle, a gentleman of a good estate in Wales, who having no children of his own, intended to have made him his heir, as his father had a large family. About this time, we are told by most of his biographers, archbishop Laud, who was also chancellor of Oxford, imposed several superstitious rites on the university, upon pain of expulsion, and that Mr. Owen had then received such light, that hifr conscience would not submit to these impositions; but what these impositions, or superstitious rites were, they have not informed us. It is probable they related to the academical habits, the wearing of which Laud enjoined very strictly, but which will scarcely now be thought of sufficient importance to trouble the conscience of any man. Mr. Owen, however, like many other good and wise men of his party, began with scruples on small matters, which obstinacy and perseverance magnified into objects of the most serious importance. That he was serious could not be doubted, for his hopes of rising could no longer be indulged; his friends, we are told, forsook him as one infected with puritanism, and he became so much the object of resentment from the Laudensian party, as they were called, that he was forced to leave college.
y able performance, but at that time was thought particularly seasonable, Arminianism, and the steps archbishop Laud took to encourage such opinions, having engaged the attention
Mr. Owen was admitted into orders about the time he
took his master’s degree, but had as yet obtained no preferment. During his abode in London, however, he wrote
his “Display of Arminianism,
” which was published in
for purging the
church of scandalous ministers;
” and Mr. White, the chairman of this committee, sent a special messenger to Mr.
Owen, to present him with the living of Fordham in Essex;
which offer he the more cheerfully embraced, as it gave
him an opportunity for the regular exercise of his ministry,
and he went thither to the great satisfaction, not only of
that parish, but of the country round. He continued at
this place about a year and a half, where his preaching was
so acceptable, that people resorted to his ministry from
other parishes. Soon after he came to Fordham, he married a lady, whose name is supposed to have been Rooke,
by whom he had several children, none of whom survived
him. In 1644 he published his discourse, “Of the Duty
of Pastors and People.
”
of this publication was somewhat singular. The point in dispute was at this time eagerly contested. Archbishop Abbot did not think it of sufficient importance to be allowed
Dr. Page was thought well versed in the Greek fathers,
an able disputant, and a good preacher. He wrote “A
Treatise of justification of Bowing at the name of Jesus, by
way of answer to an appendix against it,
” Oxford, Examination of such considerable reasons as
are made by Mr. Prynne in a reply to Mr. Widdowes concerning the same argument,
” printed with the former.
The fate of this publication was somewhat singular. The
point in dispute was at this time eagerly contested. Archbishop Abbot did not think it of sufficient importance to
be allowed to disturb the peace of the church, and, by his
secretary, advised Dr. Page to withdraw his work from the
press, if already in it. Laud, on the contrary, who was
then bishop of London, ordered it to be printed, viewing
the question as,a matter of importance, it being a defence
of a canon of the church; and it accordingly appeared.
Dr. Page was also the author of “Certain animadversions
upon some passages in a Tract concerning Schism and
Schismatics,
” by Mr. Hales of Eton, Oxon. The Peace Maker, or a brief motive to unity and charity
in Religion,' 1 Loud. 1652, I6mo; a single sermon, and a
translation of Thomas a Kempis, 1639, 12mo, with a large
epistle to the reader. Wood mentions
” Jus Fratrum, or
the Law of Brethren," but is doubtful whether this belongs
to our Dr. Page, or to Dr. Samuel Page, vicar of Deptford, who died in 1630, and was the author of some pious
tracts. It belongs, however, to neither, but to a John
Page, probably a lawyer, as the subject is the power 6f
parents in disposing of their estates to their children.
ramo, from the city where he was born in 1349, chose the ecclesiastical profession, was successively archbishop of Tarento, Florence, and Spoletto, had the administration of
, known also by the name of
James de Teramo, from the city where he was born in
1349, chose the ecclesiastical profession, was successively archbishop of Tarento, Florence, and Spoletto, had
the administration of the duchy for pope Alexander V. and
John XXIII. and was sent as legate into Poland in 1417,
where he died the same year. He wrote some forgotten
works enumerated by Marchand, but is most known by his
religious romance, entitled “J. de Teramo compendium
perbreve, consolatio Peccatorum nuncupatum, et apud nonnullos Belial vocitatum; id est, Processus Luciferi contra
Jesum,
” Ausb. Bibliotheca Spenceriana,
” and Marchand has discussed the
history of the work at great length. It was reprinted several times since in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries,
and in a collection entitled “Processus juris joco-serii,
”
Hanovise, the Process of Sataii against the Virgin,
” by Barthole, and “Les
Arrets d'Amour.
” Peter Farget, an Augustine, has translated “Belial’s trial
” into French, Lyons,
was educated at St. John’s college, Cambridge, but was afterwards chosen fellow of Queen’s. In 1626 archbishop Abbot licensed him to preach a lecture at St. Alphage’s church
, a learned and pious divine, was
the second son of sir Thomas Palmer, knt. of Wingham, in
Kent, where he was born in 1601. He was educated at
St. John’s college, Cambridge, but was afterwards chosen
fellow of Queen’s. In 1626 archbishop Abbot licensed
him to preach a lecture at St. Alphage’s church in Canterbury, every Sunday afternoon; but three years after, he
was silenced, on a charge of nonconformity, for a time, but
was again restored, the accusation being found trifling.
Although a puritan, his character appeared so amiable that
bishop Laud presented him in 1632 with the vicarage of
Ashwell, in Hertfordshire, and when the unfortunate prelate
was brought to his tri,.l, he cited this as an instance of his
impartiality. At Ashwell Mr. Palmer became no less popular than he had been at Canterbury. In the same year
he was chosen one of the preachers to the university of
Cambridge, and afterwards one of the clerks in convocation. In 1643, when the depression of the hierarchy had
made great progress, he was chosen one of the assembly of
divines, in which he was distinguished for his moderation,
and his aversion to the civil war. He preached also at
various places in London until the following year, when
the earl of Manchester appointed him master of Queen’s
college, Cambridge. He preached several times before
the parliament, and appears to have entered into their
views in most respects, although his sermons were generally
of the practical kind. He did not live, however, to see the
issue of their proceedings, as he died in 1647, aged fortysix. Granger gives him the character of a man of uncommon learning, generosity, and politeness, and adds, that he
spoke the French language with as much facility as his
own. Clark enters more fully into his character as a
divine. His works are not numerous. Some of his parliamentary sermons are in print, and he had a considerable
share in the “Sabbatum Redivivum,
” with Cawdry; but
his principal work, entitled “Memorials of Godliness,
”
acquired great popularity. The thirteenth edition was
printed in 1708, 12mo.
ch was bestowed upon him in April 1514, and the living of St. Dunstan’s in the East, given to him by archbishop Cranmer in 1553. In 1531, he settled at Oxford for some time,
, a polite scholar, who flourished
in the reigns of Henry VII. and VIII. was a native of
London, and educated there in grammar. He afterwards
studied logic and philosophy at Cambridge, at which university he resided till he had attained the degree of bachelor of arts; after which he went to Paris, where he spent
several years in the study of philosophical and other learning, took the degree of master of arts, and acquired such
excellence in the French tongue, that, in 1514, when a
treaty of marriage was negotiated between Louis XII. kinpr
of France, and the princess Mary, sister of king Henry
VIII. of England, Mr. Palsgrave was chosen to be her
tutor in that language. But Louis XII. dying almost immediately after his marriage, Palsgrave attended his fair
pupil back to England, where he taught the French language to many of the young nobility, and was appointed
by the king one of his chaplains in ordinary. He is said
also to have obtained some church preferments, but we
know only of the prebend of Portpoole, in the church of
St. Paul’s, which was bestowed upon him in April 1514,
and the living of St. Dunstan’s in the East, given to him
by archbishop Cranmer in 1553. In 1531, he settled at
Oxford for some time, and the next year was incorporated
master of arts in that university, as he had before been in
that of Paris; and a few days after was admitted to the
degree of bachelor of divinity. At this time he was
highly esteemed for his learning; and was the first author
who reduced the French tongue under grammatical rules,
or that had attempted to fix it to any kind of standard. This
he executed with great ingenuity and success, in a large
work which he published in that language at London, entitled “L'Eclaircissement de la Language Fran9ois,
” containing three books, in a thick folio, Acolastus,
” written by
Fullonius, and published it in Epistles.
”
ard to be walled up, January 27, 1732. Some time before, several curates solicited M. de Vintimille, archbishop of Paris, by two requests, to make judicial inquiry into the
, usually called the Abbe Paris, would
not have deserved notice here unless for certain impostures
connected with his name, in which, however, he had no
hand. He was born at Paris, and was the eldest son of a
counsellor to the parliament, whom he was to have succeeded in that office; but he preferred the ecclesiastical
profession; and, when his parents were dead, resigned
the whole inheritance to his brother, only reserving to
himself the right of applying for necessaries. He was a
man, says the abb UAvocat, of the most devout temper,
and who to great candour of mind joined great gentleness
of manners. He catechized, during some time, in the
parish of St. Come; undertook the direction of the clergy,
and held conferences with them. Cardinal de Noailles, to
whose cause he was attached, wanted to make him curate
of that parish, but found many obstacles to his plan; and
M. Paris, after different asylums, where he had lived extremely retired, confined himself in a house in the fauxbourg St. Marcoul, where, sequestered from the world, he
devoted himself wholly to prayer, to the practice of the
most rigorous penitence, and to labouring with his hands,
having for that purpose learnt to weave stockings. He
was one of those who opposed the bull Unigenitus, and
was desirous also to be an author, and wrote “Explications
of St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans,
” to the “Galatians,
”
and “An Analysis of the Epistle to the Hebrews;
” but
acquired no reputation by these. He died May I, 1727,
at Paris, aged thirty-seven, and was interred in the little
church-yard belonging to St. Medard’s parish. Though
M. Paris had been useless to the Jansenists while alive, they
thought proper to employ him in working miracles after
his death; and stories were invented of miraculous cures
performed at his tomb, which induced thousands to flock
thither, where they practised grimaces and convulsions in
so ridiculous and disorderly a manner, that the court was
at last forced to put a stop to this delusion, by ordering
the church-yard to be walled up, January 27, 1732. Some
time before, several curates solicited M. de Vintimille, archbishop of Paris, by two requests, to make judicial inquiry
into the principal miracles attributed to M. Paris; and that
prelate appointed commissioners who easily detected the
impostnre, which would not deserve a place here had it
not served Hume and some other deists with an argument
against the real miracles of the gospel, the fallacy of which
argument has been demonstrated with great acuteness by
the late bishop Douglas, in his “Criterion.
”
, the second protestant archbishop of Canterbury, a very learned prelate, and a great benefactor
, the second protestant archbishop of Canterbury, a very learned prelate, and a great benefactor to the literature of his country, was born in the parish of St. Saviour’s, Norwich, Aug. 6, 1504. He was of ancient and reputable families both by the father’s and mother’s side. His father dying when he was only twelve years of age, the care of his education devolved on his mother, who appears to have spared no pains in procuring him the best tutors in such learning as might qualify him for the university, to which he was removed in September 1521. He was entered of Corpus Christi or Bene't college, Cambridge, and was at first maintained at his mother’s expense, but in six months after admittance that expense was in some measure relieved, by his being chosen, a scholar of the house, called a bible clerk. In 1524 he took his degree of bachelor of arts, and in 1526 was made subdeacon, under the titles of Barnwell, and the chapel in Norwich fields. While at college, he had for his contemporaries Bacon and Cecil, Bradford and Ridley, afterwards men of great eminence in state and church, and the two latter distinguished sufferers for the sake of religion.
s offer, as did, at the same time, his celebrated predecessor Cranmer, then on the eve of being made archbishop of Canterbury.
In April 1527 he was ordained deacon, in June priest, and in September created master of arts, and chosen fellow of the college, having approved himself to the society by his regular and studious behaviour. He now studied the Scriptures, fathers, and ecclesiastical writers, with such diligence and attention, that in a few years he made great progress in every branch of knowledge necessary for a divine; and began to be so much noticed on that account, that when cardinal Wolsey was looking out for men of the greatest learning and character, to fill his new college at Oxford, Mr. Parker was one of those whom he selected for this mark of distinction; but, through the persuasion of his friends, he declined the cardinal’s offer, as did, at the same time, his celebrated predecessor Cranmer, then on the eve of being made archbishop of Canterbury.