ering soon after into orders, he became an eminent tutor in his college. Feb. 1681, he was installed canon of Christ Church; and in May accumulated the degrees of B. and
, an eminent scholar and divine,
was son of Henry Aldrich of Westminster, gentleman, and
born there in 1647. He was educated at Westminster
under the celebrated Busby, and admitted of Christ Church,
Oxford, in 1662. Having been elected student, he took the
degree of M. A. in April 1669; and, entering soon after into
orders, he became an eminent tutor in his college. Feb.
1681, he was installed canon of Christ Church; and in
May accumulated the degrees of B. and D. D. In the
controversy with the papists under James II. he bore a
considerable part; and Burnet ranks him among those
eminent clergj T men who “examined all the points of popery with a solidity of judgment, a clearness of arguing, a
depth of learning, and a vivacity of writing, far beyond
any thing which had before that time appeared in our language.
” In short, he had rendered himself so conspicuous,
that, at the Revolution, when Massey, the popish dean of
Christ Church, fled beyond sea, the deanry was conferred
upon him, and he was installed in it June 17, 1689. In
this station he behaved in a most exemplary manner, zealously promoting learning, religion, and virtue in the college where he presided. In imitation of his predecessor
bishop Fell, he published generally every year some Greek
classic, or portion of one, as a gift to the students of his
house. He wrote also a system of logic, entitled “Artis
Logicae compendium;
” and many other things. The
publication of Clarendon’s History was committed to him
and bishop Sprat; and they were charged by Oldmixon
with having altered and interpolated that work; but the
charge was sufficiently refuted by Atterbury. In the same
year that he became dean of Christ Church he was appointed one of the ecclesiastical commissioners who were
to prepare matters for introducing an alteration in some
parts of the church service, and a comprehension of the
dissenters. But he, in conjunction with Dr. Mew, bishop
of Winchester, Dr. Sprat, bishop of Rochester, and Dr.
Jane, regius professor of divinity in the university of Oxford, either did not appear at the meetings of the committee, or soon withdrew from them. They excepted to
the manner of preparing matters by a special commission,
as limiting the convocation, and imposing upon it, and
they were against all alterations whatever. Besides attainments in polite literature, classical learning, and an elegant turn for Latin poetry, of which some specimens are in
the Musae Anghcanae, he possessed also great skill in architecture and music; so great, that, as the connoisseurs
say, his excellence in either would alone have made him
famous to posterity. The three siues of the quadrangle
of Christ Church, Oxford, called Peck water-square, were
designed by him; as was also the elegant chapel of Trinity
college, and the church of All-Saints in the High-street;
to the erection of which Dr. Ratcliff, at his solicitation,
was a liberal contributor. He cultivated also music, that
branch of it particularly which related both to his profession and his office. To this end he made a noble collection of church music, and formed also a design of writing
a history of the science; having collected materials, which
are still extant in the library of his own college. His
abilities indeed as a musician have caused him to be
ranked among the greatest masters of the science: he
composed many services for the church, which are well
known; as are also his anthems, to the number of near 20.
In the “Pleasant Musical Companion,
” printed Hark the bonny Christ
Church Bells,
” the other entitled “A Smoking Catch;
”
for he himself was, it seems, a great smoaker. Besides
the preferments already mentioned, he was rector of Wem
in Shropshire. He was elected prolocutor of the convocation in February 1702, on the death of Dr. Woodward,
dean of Sarum. He died at Christ Church, December
14, 1710. The tracts he published in the popish controversy were two, “Upon the Adoration of our Saviour in
the Eucharist,
” in answer to O. Walker’s discourses on the
same subject, printed in 1687, and 1688, 4to. We have
not been able to get an account of the Greek authors he
published, except these following: 1. Xenophontis Memorabilium, lib. 4, 1690, 8vo. 2. Xenophontis Sermo de
Agesilao, 1691, 8vo. 3. Aristese Historia 72 Interpretum,
1692, 8vo. 4. Xenophon, de re equestri, 1693, 8vo. 5.Epictetus etTheophrastus, 1707, 8vo. 6. Platonis, Xenopliontis,
Plutarchi, Luciani, Symposia, 1711, 8vo. This last was
published in Greek only, the rest in Greek and Latin, and
all printed at Oxford. His logic is already mentioned.
He printed also Elements of Architecture, which was elegantly translated and published in 1789, 8vo. with architectural plates, by the rev. Philip Smyth, LL. B. fellow
of New College, and now rector of Worthing, Shropshire.
He had a hand in Gregory’s Greek Testament, printed at
Oxford in 1703, folio; and some of his notes are printed
in Havercamp’s edition of Josephus.
Soon after the restoration, Mr. Allestry was made a canon of Christ-church; at the same time he undertook one of the
Soon after the restoration, Mr. Allestry was made a canon of Christ-church; at the same time he undertook one of the lectureships of the city of Oxford, but never received any part of the salary; for he ordered it to be distributed amongst the poor. In October 1660, he took the degree, of D.D. and was appointed one of the king’s chaplains in ordinary, and in Sept. 1663, regius professor of divinity, in which chair he sat seventeen years, and acquitted himself with honour. In 1665 he was appointed provost of Eton college, where he raised the school, which he found in a low condition, to an uncommon pitch of reputation. The west side of the outward quadrangle of that college was built from the ground at his expense. The excellent Dr. Hammond, who was his intimate friend, left him his valuable library, which he bequeathed himself to his successors in the divinity chair. His eagerness for study 3 and his intention of mind while he was employed in it was so great, that it impaired his constitution, and hastened his death. In 1680, finding his health and sight much weakened, he resigned his professorship of divinity to Dr. Jane. And now the decay of his constitution terminating in a dropsy, he removed to London, to have the advice of physicians; but medicines proving ineffectual, he died January 27th, 1680; and was buried in EJton chapel, where a marble monument, with an, elegant Latin inscription, was erected to his memory.
Christ-church, took the degree of M.A. May 23, 1764, and LL.D. Feb. 29, 1772. In In 1771 he was made canon of Christ-church in the room of Dr. Moore, the late archbishop
, an English prelate, son of sir Walter Bagot, bart. and brother to the first lord Bagot, was born Jan. 1, 1740. He was educated at Westminster school, and chosen thence student of Christ-church, took the degree of M.A. May 23, 1764, and LL.D. Feb. 29, 1772. In In 1771 he was made canon of Christ-church in the room of Dr. Moore, the late archbishop of Canterbury, and the same year he married Miss M. Hay, niece to the earl of Kinnoul. He was installed dean of Christ- church, Jan. 25, 1777, on the translation of Dr. Markham to the see of York, about which time he resigned the livings of Jevington and Eastbourne in Sussex, in favour of his nephew, the Rev. Ralph Sneyd. In 1782 he was promoted to the see of Bristol, translated to Norwich the year following, and thence to St. Asaph in 1790, where he rebuilt the palace on an uncommon plan, but necessary for the situation, where, among the mountains, and in the vicinity of the sea, storms are often violent. The palace, therefore, is low; and being on the assent of a hill, the vestibule, dining-room, and drawing-room, which occupy the whole front of the building, are on a level with the first floor in the other apartments, two of which, on the ground-floor, are a neat domestic chapel and a library.
he was called to be a nun, and that Dr. Bocking was to be her ghostly father. This Dr. Bocking was a canon of Christ church in Canterbury, and an associate in carrying
, commonly called “The holy-Maid of Kent,
” a religious impostor in the reign of Henry
VIII. was a servant at Aldington in Kent, and had long
been troubled with convulsions, which distorted her limbs
and countenance, and threw her body into the most violent
agitations; and the effect of the disorder was such, that,
even after she recovered, she could counterfeit the same
appearance. Masters, the minister of Aldington, with
other ecclesiastics, thinking her a proper instrument for
their purpose, persuaded her to pretend, that what she
said and did was by a supernatural impulse, and taught her
to act her part in a manner well calculated to deceive the
public. Sometimes she counterfeited a trance; then coming to herself, after many strange contortions, would break
out into pious ejaculations, hymns, and prayers, sometimes
delivering herself in set speeches, sometimes in uncouth
monkish rhymes. She pretended to be honoured with visions and relations, to hear heavenly voices, and the most
ravishing melody. She declaimed against the wickedness
of the times, against heresy and innovations, exhorting the
people to frequent the church, to hear masses, to use frequent confessions, and to pray to our lady and all the saints.
All this artful management, together with great exterior
piety, virtue, and austerity of life, not only deceived the
vulgar, but many far above the vulgar, such as sir Thomas
More, bishop Fisher, and archbishop Warham, the last of
whom appointed commissioners to examine her. She was
now instructed to say, in her counterfeit trances, that the
blessed Virgin had appeared to her, and assured her that
she should never recover, till she went to visit her image,
in a chapel dedicated to her in the parish of Aldington.
Thither she accordingly repaired, processionally and in
pilgrimage, attended by above three thousand people and
many persons of quality of both sexes. There she fell into one of her trances, and uttered many things in honour of
the saints and the popish religion; for herself she said, that
by the inspiration of God she was called to be a nun, and
that Dr. Bocking was to be her ghostly father. This Dr.
Bocking was a canon of Christ church in Canterbury, and an
associate in carrying on the imposture. In the mean time
the archbishop was so satisfied with the reports made to
him about her, as to order her to be put into the nunnery
of St. Sepulchre, Canterbury, where she pretended to have
frequent inspirations and visions, and also to work miracles
for all such as would make a profitable vow to our lady at
the chapel in the parish of Aldington. Her visions and
revelations were also carefully collected and inserted in a
book, by a monk called Deering.
The priests, her managers, having thus succeeded in the
imposture, now proceeded to the great object of it;
Elizabeth Barton was directed publicly to announce, howGod had revealed to her, that “in case the king should
divorce queen Catherine of Arragon, and take another
wife during her life, his royalty would not be of a month’s
duration, but he should die the death of a villain.
” Bishop
Fisher, and others, in the interest of the queen, and of the
Romish religion, hearing of this, held frequent meetings
with the nun and her accomplices, and at the same time
seduced many persons from their allegiance, particularly
the fathers and nuns of Sion, the Charter-house, and
Sheen, and some of the observants of Richmond, Greenwich, and Canterbury. One Peto, preaching before the
king at Greenwich, denounced heavy judgments upon him
to his face, telling him that “he had been deceived by
many lying prophets’, while himself, as a true' Micaiah,
warned him that the dogs should lick his blood, as they had
licked the blood of Ahab.
” Henry bore this outrageous
insult with a moderation not very usual with him; but, to
undeceive the people, he appointed Dr. Cunvin to preach
before him the Sunday following, who justified the king’s
proceedings, and branded Peto with the epithets of “rebel, slanderer, dog, and traitor.
” Cur win, however, was
interrupted by a friar, and called “a lying prophet, who
sought to establish the succession to the crown by adultery;
” and proceeded with such virulence, that the king
was obliged to interpose, and command him to be silent;
yet though Peto and the friar were afterwards summoned
before the council, they were only reprimanded for their
insolence.
, prebendary of Canterbury, and archdeacon of the diocese, and died Oct. 10, 1708. Dr. Thomas Terry, canon of Christ-church, Oxford, published Dr. Battely’s “Antiquitates
, an English antiquary, was
born at St. Edmund’s Bury, in Suffolk, in 1647. He was
some time fellow of Trinity college, Cambridge, and chaplain to archbishop Sancroft, afterwards, by his grace’s favour, rector of Adisham, in Kent, prebendary of Canterbury, and archdeacon of the diocese, and died Oct. 10,
1708. Dr. Thomas Terry, canon of Christ-church, Oxford, published Dr. Battely’s “Antiquitates Rutupinae,
”
in Antiquitates
St. Edmondburgi,
” an unfinished history of his native
place, and its ancient monastery, down to the year 1272.
This was published by his nephew, Oliver Battely, with
an appendix also, and list of abbots, continued by sir
James Burrough, late master of Caius college, Cambridge.
The doctor’s papers are said, in the preface, to remain in
the hands of his heirs, ready to be communicated to any
who will undertake the work. In 1774, Mr. John Duncombe published a translation of the “Antiquitates Rutupinae,
” under the title of “The Antiquities of Richborough and Reculver, abridged from the Latin of Mr.
Archdeacon Battely,
” Lond. Somner’s Antiquities of Canterbury,
” and wrote some
papers and accounts of Eastbridge hospital, in Canterbury,
which are printed in Strype’s life of Whitgift.
, canon of Christ-church, Oxford, and king’s professor of divinity in
, canon of Christ-church, Oxford, and king’s professor of divinity in that university,
was born in the college at Ely, July 23, 1707. His father,
Mr. Samuel Bentham, was a very worthy clergyman, and
vicar of Witchford, a small living near that city; who having a numerous family, his son Edward, on the recommendation of Dr. Smalridge, dean of Christ-church, was
sent in 1717 to the school of that college. Having there
received the rudiments of classical education, he was in
Lent term 1723, when nearly 16 years of age, admitted of
the university of Oxford, and placed at Corpus-Christi
college under his relation Dr. John Burton. In this situation, his serious and regular deportment, and his great
proficiency in all kinds of academical learning, recommended him to the notice of several eminent men; and,
among others, to the favour of Dr. Tanner, canon of
Christ-church, by whose death he was disappointed of a
nomination to a studentship in that society. At CorpusChristi college he formed a strict friendship with Robert
Hoblyn, esq. of Nanswydden in Cornwall, afterwards representative for the city of Bristol, whose character, as
a scholar and a member of parliament, rendered him deservedly esteemed by the lovers of literature and of their
country. In company with this gentleman and another
intimate friend, Dr. Ratcliff, afterwards master of Pembroke college, Mr. Bentham made, at different times, the
tour of part of France, and other countries. Having taken
the degree of B. A. he was invited by Dr. Cotes, principal
of Magdalen-hall, to be his vice-principal; and was accordingly admitted to that society, March 6, 1730. Here
he continued only a short time, for, on the 23d of April
in the year following, he was elected fellow of Oriel college. In act term, 1732, he proceeded to the degree of
M. A. and, about the same time, was appointed tutor in
the college; in which capacity he discharged his duty, in
the most laborious and conscientious manner, for more
than twenty years. March 26, 1743, Mr. Bentham took
the degree of B. D.; and April 22, in the same year, was
collated to the prebend of Hundreton, in the cathedral
church of Hereford. July 8, 1749, he proceeded to the
degree of D. D.; and in April 1754 was promoted to the
fifth stall in that cathedral. Here he continued the same
active and useful course of life for which he had always
been distinguished. He served the offices of sub-dean
and treasurer, for himself and others, above twelve years.
The affairs of the treasury, which Dr. Bentham found in
great confusion, he entirely new modelled, and put into a
train of business in which they have continued ever since,
to the great ease of his successors, and benefit of the society. 80 intent was he upon the regulation and management of the concerns of the college, that he refused several preferments which were offered him, from a conscientious persuasion that the avocations they would produce
were incompatible with the proper discharge of the offices
he had voluntarily undertaken. Being appointed by the
king to fill the divinity chair, vacant by the death of Dr.
Fanshavve, Dr. Bentham was, with much reluctance, and
after having repeatedly declined it, persuaded, by archbishop Seeker and his other learned friends, to accept of
it; and, on the 9th of May, 1763, he was removed to the
8th stall in the cathedral. His unwillingness to appear in
this station was increased by the business he had to transact in his former situation, and which he was afraid would
be impeded by the accession of new duties: not to say
that a life spent in his laborious and sedentary manner had
produced some unfavourable effects on his constitution,
and rendered a greater attention than he had hitherto shewn
to private ease and health, absolutely necessary. Besides,
as the duties, when properly discharged, were great and
interesting, so the station itself was of that elevated and
public nature to which his ambition never inclined him:
66 latere maluit atque prodesse.“The diffidence he had of
his abilities had ever taught him to suspect his own sufficiency; and his inauguratory lecture breathed the same
spirit, the text of which was,
” Who is sufficient for these
things?" But whatever objections Dr. Bentham might have
to the professorship before he entered upon it, when once
he had accepted of it, he never suffered them to discourage
him in the least from exerting hi* most sincere endeavours
to render it both useful and honourable to the university.
He set himself immediately to draw out a course of lectures for the benefit of young students in divinity, which
he constantly read at his house at Christ-church, gratis-^
three times a week during term-time, till his decease. The
course took up a year; and he not only exhibited in it a
complete system of divinity, but recommended proper
books, some of which he generously distributed to his auditors. His intense application to the pursuit of the plan
he had laid clown, together with those concerns in which
his affection for his friends, and his zeal for the public
good in every shape, involved him, proved more than a
counterbalance for all the advantages of health and vigour
that a strict and uniform temperance could procure. Jt is
certain that he sunk under the rigorous exercise of that
conduct he had proposed to himself: for though 6-; years
are a considerable proportion in the strongest men’s lives,
yet his remarkable abstemiousness and self-denial, added to
a disposition of body naturally strong, promised, in the
ordinary course of things, a longer period. Dr. Bentham
was a very early riser, and had transacted half a day’s
business before many others begin their day. His countenance was uncommonly mild and engaging, being strongly
characteristic of the piety and benevolence of his mind;
and at the same time it by no means wanted expression,
but, upon proper occasions, could assume a very becoming and affecting authority. In his attendance upon the
public duties of religion, he was exceedingly strict and
constant; not suffering himself ever to be diverted from it
by any motives, either of interest or pleasure. Whilst he
was thus diligent in the discharge of his own duty, he was
not severe upon those who were not equally so in theirs.
He could scarcely ever be prevailed upon to deliver his
opinion upon subjects that were to the disadvantage of
other men; and when he could not avoid doing it, his sentiments were expressed with the utmost delicacy and candour. No one was more ready to discover, commend, and
reward every meritorious endeavour. Of himself he never
was he? rd to speak and if his own merits were touched
upon in the slightest manner, he felt a real uneasiness.
Though he was not fond of the formalities of visiting, he
entered into the spirit of friendly society and intercourse
with great pleasure. His constant engagements, indeed,
of one kind or other, left him not much time to be devoted
to company; and the greater part of his leisure hours he
spent in the enjoyment of domestic pleasures, for which
his amiable and peaceable disposition seemed most calculated.
, D. D. an eminent Hebrew critic, canon of Christ church, regius professor of Hebrew in the university
, D. D. an eminent Hebrew critic, canon of Christ church, regius professor of Hebrew in
the university of Oxford, 1787, and rector of Polshot, was
first of Worcester college, where he proceeded M. A. 1753;
afterwards fellow of Hertford college, where he took the
degree of B. D. 1768, and of D. D. 1787 and was installed
Hebrew professor Dec. 7. of that year. He was also some
time a Whitehall preacher. He distinguished himself
greatly as a scriptural commentator and translator. He
published, 1. “A dissertation, by way of enquiry into the
true import and application of the Vision related Dan. is.
20 to the end, usually called Daniel’s Prophecy of Seventy
Weeks with occasional remarks on Michaelis’s letters to sir
John Pringle on the same subject, 1775,
” 4to. 2. “Jereiniah and Lamentations, a new translation, with notes critical, philosophical, and explanatory, 1784,
” 8vo. 3. “The
Sign given to Ahaz, a discourse on Isaiah vii. 14, 15, 16,
delivered in the church of St. John, Devizes, at the
triennial visitation of Shute, lord bishop of Sarum, July 26,
1786 with a proposed emendation of a passage in his dissertation on Daniel,
” Christ the greater
glory of the temple, a sermon, preached before the university of Oxford, at Christ church, Nov. 9, 1788,
” 4to.
J. “Zechariah, a new translation, with notes critical,
philosophical, and explanatory and an Appendix, in
reply to Dr. Eveleigh’s Sermon on Zechariah i. S 1 1 (to which is added, a new edition, with alterations, of the dissertation on Daniel), 1797,
” 4to. In this dissertation
on Daniel the study and criticism of this learned divine
produced a translation very different from that in the common English Bible, as well as from that of Michaelis. It
.
is less liable to objection, particularly as it has no recourse
to that ingenious but uncertain and unsatisfying method of
computation by lunar years; it extends also to those verses
of the chapter which Dr. Michaelis seemed to give up as
inexplicable, almost in despair of ever attaining a probable
solution of the difficulty. The translation of Jeremiah and
Lamentations is on the plan of Dr. Lowth’s Isaiah, and
does credit to its author both as a translator and a critic.
The same may be said respecting the translation of Zechariah and it may be added, that the candour and liberality which Dr. Blayney opposes, in this instance, to the intemperance and acrimony of one of his antagonists, do him
great honour. The doctor also took uncommon pains in
correcting the text of the edition of the common version of
the English Bible, which was printed at the Clarendon
press in 1769, 4to. He made a great number of additional
references in the margin, and produced the most correct
Bible in our language; but, unfortunately, a large part of
the impression was soon after burned at the Bible warehouse in Paternoster row, and it is now ranked among the
most scarce and valuable editions.
Dr. John Morris, canon of Christ- church, bequeathed by his will to the university
Dr. John Morris, canon of Christ- church, bequeathed by
his will to the university five pounds per annum, for a
speech to be made by a master of arts in praise of sir Thomas Bodley; the person who made the speech to be nominated by the dean of Christ-church, and confirmed by
the vice-chancelor for the time being. But this gift was
not to take place till the death of Dr. Morris’s widow;
which happening in November, 1681, the annuity then
fell to the university, and the year following, Dr. John
Fell, dean of Christ-church, nominated Thomas Sparke,
A. M. of his college who, being approved by the vicechancellor, made a solemn speech in the schools, the 8th
of November, 1682. This is continued annually on the
day when the visitation of the library is made. His
statutes for the regulation of the library were translated
out of English into Latin by Dr. John Budden, principal of
Broadgate-hall (now Pembroke college), and incorporated
with the university statutes. Sir Thomas wrote his own
life to the year 1609, which, together with the first draught of
his statutes, and a collection of his letters, were published
from the originals in the Bodleian library, by Hearne, under
the title of “Reliquiae Bodleianse, or, some genuine remains of sir Thomas Bodley,
” London,
y a Master of Arts.” Dr. Burton’s Life was written in Latin by Dr. Edward Bentham, his relation, and canon of Christ church, under the title “De Vita et moribus Johannis
Dr. Burton is understood to have been the author, under
the name of “Phileleutherus Londinensis,
” of “Remarks
on Dr. King’s Speech before the University of Oxford, at
the Dedication of Dr. Radcliff’s Library, on the 13th of
April, 1749.
” This produced from Dr. King, “Elogium
Famæ inserviens Jacci Etonensis, sive Gigantis; or, The
Praises of Jack of Eton, commonly called Jack the Giant;
collected into English metre, after the manner of Thomas
Sternhold, John Hopkins, John Burton, and others. To
which is added, a dissertation on the Burtonian style. By
a Master of Arts.
” Dr. Burton’s Life was written in Latin
by Dr. Edward Bentham, his relation, and canon of Christ
church, under the title “De Vita et moribus Johannis Burtoni,
”
he declined, and returned to England in 1691, bringing with him letters from Graevius to Dr. Pocock, canon of Christ-church, and regius professor of Hebrew, and to Dr.
, a very eminent divine among the
nonconformists, grandson to Mr. Edmund Calamy, minister
of Aldermanbury, by his eldest son Mr. Edmund Calamy
(who was ejected out of the living of Moreton in Essex, on St. Bartholomew’s day, 1662), was born April 5, 1671.
Having made a considerable progress in grammar learning
at several private schools, and under Mr. Hartcliffe at Merchant Taylors, where he contracted a close friendship with
Mr. Dawes, afterwards sir William Dawes, and archbishop
of York, as also with Mr. Hugh Boulter, the primate of
Ireland, he went through a course of logic, natural philosophy, and metaphysics, under the tuition of Mr. Samuel
Craddock at the academy kept by him at Wickham Brook
in Suffolk. In March 1688, he went over to the university of Utrecht, where he studied philosophy under De
Vries, and civil law under Vander Muyden, and attended
Graevius’s lectures upon Sophocles and Puffendorf’s Introduction. His application to his studies at this place
was so great, that he spent one whole night every week
among his books; and his proficiency gained him -the
friendship of two of his countrymen at that university, who
rose afterwards to very high stations in church and state,
lord Charles Spencer, the famous earl of Sunderland, and
his tutor Mr. Charles Trimnell, afterwards successively
bishop of Norwich and of Winchester, with both of whom
he kept up his acquaintance as long as he and they lived.
Whilst he resided in Holland, an oiler of a professor’s chair
in the university of Edinburgh was made him by Mr. Carstairs, principal of that university, sent over on purpose to
find a person properly qualified lor such an office; which
he declined, and returned to England in 1691, bringing
with him letters from Graevius to Dr. Pocock, canon of
Christ-church, and regius professor of Hebrew, and to Dr.
Edward Bernard, Savilian professor of astronomy, who obtained leave for him to prosecute his studies in the Bodleian
library; and his resilience at Oxford procured him the acquaintance of the learned Mr. Henry Dodvvell. Having
resolved to make divinity his principal study, he entered
into an examination of the controversy between the conformists and nonconformists, and was led to join the latter.
Coming to London in 1692, he was unanimously chosen
assistant to Mr. Matthew Sylvester at Blackfriars; and oa
June 22, 1694, was ordained at Mr. Annesley’s meetinghouse in Little St. Helen’s, which was the first public transaction of the kind, after the passing of the act of uniformity, and was not undertaken without some timidity on
the part of the elder nonconformists, such as Mr. Howe
and Dr. Bates, who seemed afraid of giving offence to government. Six other young ministers were ordained at
the same time, and the ceremony lasted from ten o'clock
in the morning to six in the evening. He was soon after
invited to become assistant to Mr. Daniel Williams in
Hand-alley, Bishupsgate-street. Oct. 20, 1702, he was chosen
one of the lecturers at Salters’-lmll, and in 1703 succeeded
Mr. Vincent Alsop, as pastor of v. congregation in Westminster. He drew up the table of contents to Mr. Baxter’s
History of his life and times, which was sent to the press
in 1696, made some remarks on the work itself, and added
to it an index; and reflecting on the usefulness of the
book, he saw the expediency of continuing it, for Mr.
Baxter’s history came no lower than 1684. Accordingly
he composed an abridgment of it; with an account of many
others of those ministers who were ejected after the restoration of Charles II. their apology for themselves and their
adherents; containing the grounds of their nonconformity
and practice, as to stated and occasional communion witlx
the church of England; and a continuation of their history
till the year 1691. This work was published in 1702. The
following year Mr. Hoadly (afterwards bishop of
Winchckter) published the two parts of his “Reasonableness of
Conformity to the Church of England, &c. in answer to Mr.
Calamy’s Abridgement of Mr. Baxter’s history, &c.
” As a
reply to these treatises, Mr. Calamy published the same
year, “A Defence of moderate Nonconformity;
” and soon
after Mr. Hoadly sent abroad, “A serious admonition to
Mr Calamy,
” occasioned by the first part of his “Defence,
of moderate Nonconformity.
”
place, he removed to Broadgate-hall, now Pembroke college, by the invitation of Dr. Thomas Thornton, canon of Christ church, his patron and tutor, and who had the honour
From this school he was removed when about fifteen, years old, in 1566, to Oxford, and entered as a servitor at Magdalen college; and in the school belonging to that college perfected himself in grammar learning under Dr. Thomas Cooper, afterwards bishop of Lincoln and Winchester; but being disappointed of a demi’s place, he removed to Broadgate-hall, now Pembroke college, by the invitation of Dr. Thomas Thornton, canon of Christ church, his patron and tutor, and who had the honour to be tutor both to Camden and to sir Philip Sidney. Camden left behind him in Broadgate-hall a signal mark of the respect paid him by his contemporaries in the short Latin graces composed by him, which were used many years after by the scholars of this society. Three years after he removed from hence to Christ church, on the promotion of Dr. Thornton to a canon ry there. This kind patron provided for him during the rest of his continuance at the university, and he lived in his patron’s lodgings. At this time his acquaintance commenced with the two Carews, Richard and George; the latter of whom was by James I. created baron Clopton, and by Charles I. earl of Totness; and it has been supposed, as they were both antiquaries, their conversation might give Mr. Camden a turn to that study, which he himself informs us he had strongly imbibed before he left school, and improved at Oxford. He was also acquainted with John Packington, Stephen Powel, and Edward Lucy, knights.
1667, he was made master of St. Crosse’s hospital near Winchester. On May 24, 1669, he was installed canon of Christ church, in the room of Dr. Heylin deceased; and two
, an eminent prelate of the church of England, was the youngest son of the preceding Spencer second earl of Northampton, and born at Compton in 1632. Though he was but ten years old when his father was killed, yet he received an education suitable to his quality; and when he had gone through the grammarschools, was entered a nobleman of Queen’s college, Oxford, in 1649. He continued there till about 1652; and after having lived some little time with his mother, travelled into foreign countries. Upon the restoration of Charles II. he returned to England; and became a cornet in a regiment of horse, raised about that time for the king’s guard: but soon quitting that post, he dedicated himself to the service of the church; and accordingly went to Cambridge, where he was created M, A. Then entering into orders, when about thirty years of age, and obtaining a grant of the next vacant canonry of Christ church in Oxford, he was admitted canon-commoner of that college, in the beginning of 1666, by the advice of Dr. John Fell, then dean of the same. In April of the same year, he was incorporated M. A. at Oxford, and possessed at that time the rectory of Cottenham in Cambridgeshire, worth about 500l. per annum. In 1667, he was made master of St. Crosse’s hospital near Winchester. On May 24, 1669, he was installed canon of Christ church, in the room of Dr. Heylin deceased; and two days after took the degree of B. D. to which, June 28 following, he added that of doctor. He was preferred to the bishopric of Oxford in December 1674; and about a year after was made dean of the chapel royal, and was also translated to the see of London.
t forgotten by the king f. In that very year, 1660, he took his degree of D. D. on being appointed a canon of Christ Church, Oxford. In the same year he was also presented
When the regal government was restored, for the sake of which Mr. Dolben had so often hazarded his life, his zeal for the cause and sufferings in it were not forgotten by the king f. In that very year, 1660, he took his degree of D. D. on being appointed a canon of Christ Church, Oxford. In the same year he was also presented to the rectory of Newington-cum-Britwell, in Oxfordshire, in the gift of the archbishop of Canterbury. His preferments and honours now succeeded each other rapidly; the time of trial was past, and the time of reward had arrived. In 1661 he became a prebendary of St. Paul’s (the prebend of Cadington major), and was one of those who signed the revised Liturgy, which passed the house of convocation December iiotb, in that year. In 1662 he was appointed archdeacon of London, and presented to the vicarage of St. Giles’s, Cripplegate; but resigned both a short time after, with his other parochial preferment, on being installed dean of Westminster. He was chosen prolocutor of the lower house of convocation in 1664, and soon after became clerk of the closet to- the king. In 1666 he was consecrated bishop of Rochester, and allowed to hold the deanery of Westminster in commendam. In 1675 he was
nd about that time became minister of Freshwater in the Isle of Wight. In May 1619, he was installed canon of Christ Church, and the same year proceeded doctor in divinity,
a learned divine, was born in
the parish of St. Clement Danes, London, 1594; elected
student of Christ Church from Westminster school in
1601; took a master of arts degree in 1608, served the
office of proctor in 1614, and the year following was admitted bachelor of divinity; and about that time became
minister of Freshwater in the Isle of Wight. In May 1619,
he was installed canon of Christ Church, and the same
year proceeded doctor in divinity, being about that time
domestic chaplain to James I. In 1626, he was made
Margaret professor of divinity, and consequently had a
prebend of Worcester, which was about that time annexed
to the professorship. He was then a Calvinist, but at
length, renouncing the opinions so called, he was, through
Laud’s interest, made dean of Lichfield in 1637; and the
year following, dean of Christ Church. In 1645, he was
appointed vice-chancellor, which office he served also in
1647, in contempt of the parliamentary visitors, who at
length ejected him from that and his deanery, and their
minions were so exasperated at him for his loyalty to the
king, and zeal for the church, that they actually sought
his life: and being threatened to be murdered, he was
forced to abscond. He died broken-hearted, Feb. 1, 1648-9;
that being the very day he was made acquainted with the
murder of his royal master king Charles. He was buried
in the chancel of Sunning-well church, near Abingdon, in
Berkshire (where he had been rector, and built the front of the parsonage-house) with only this short memorial, on a
small lozenge of marble laid over his grave, “Depositum
S. F. February 1648.
” He was a public-spirited man, and
had the character of a scholar. Wood, though he supposes
there were more, only mentions these two Small productions of his; viz. “Primitiae; sive Oratio habita Oxoniae in
Schola TheologiiE, 9 Nov. 1626,
” and, “Concio Latina
ad Baccalaureos die cinerum in Coloss. ii. 8.
” They were
both printed at Oxford in
A.fter the restoration he was made prebendary of Chichester, and canon of Christ Church, in which last place he was installed July
A.fter the restoration he was made prebendary of Chichester, and canon of Christ Church, in which last place
he was installed July 27, 1660; and in Nov. following was
made dean, being then D. D. and chaplain in ordinary to
the king. As soon as he was fixed, he earnestly applied
himself to purge the college of all remains of hypocrisy
and nonsense, so prevalent in the late times of confusion,
and to improve it in all sorts of learning as well as true
religion. Nor was he more diligent in restoring its discipline, than in adorning it with magnificent buildings, towards which he contributed very great sums. By his own
benefactions, and what he procured from others, he completed the north side of the great quadrangle, which had
remained unfinished from Wolsey’s time, and in which his
father had made some progress when interrupted by the
rebellion. He rebuilt also part of the lodgings of the
canon of the second stall, the east side of the chaplain’s
quadrangle, the buildings adjoining fronting the meadows,
the lodgings belonging to the canon of the third stall, and
the handsome tower over the principal gate of the college;
into which, in 1683, he caused to be removed out of the
steeple in the cathedral, the bell called “Great Tom of
Christ Church,
” feaid to have been brought thither with
the other bells from Oseney-abbey, which he had re-cast
with additional metal, so that it is now one of the largest
bells in England. Round it is this inscription: “Magnus
Thomas Clusius Oxoniensis, renatus April viii. MDCLXXX.
regnante Carolo Secundo, Decano Johanne Oxon. Episcopo, Subdecano Gulielmo Jane S. S. Theol. Professore,
Thesaurario Henrico Smith S. S. Theol. Professore, cura
et arte Christopher! Hodson.
” Sixteen men are required
to ring it; and it was first rung out on May 29, 1684.
From that time to this it has been tolled every night, as a
signal to all scholars to repair to their respective colleges
and halls; and so it used to be before its removal.
esident of Magdalen, Dr. Owen, dean of Christ Church, and Cromwell’s brother-in-law, Peter French, a canon of Christ Church, to act as his delegates in all matters relating
, an English physician and chemist, and promoter of the royal society, was the son of a rich ship-builder at Deptford, and born at Greenwich about 16 17. Being industrious and of good parts, he made a quick progress in grammar-learning, and was entered a commoner at Magdalen-hall, Oxford, in 1632. He staid at the university about four years, applying himself to physic; and then left it, without taking a degree, to travel abroad, as was at that time the custom, for farther improvement in his faculty. At his return, not being qualified, according to the statutes, to proceed in physic at Oxford, he went to Cambridge, and took the degree of bachelor in the faculty, as a member of Christ college, in 1638; after which, intending to settle in London, without waiting for another degree, he engaged in a formal promise to obey the laws and statutes of the college of physicians there, Nov. 1640. Having by this means obtained a proper permission, he entered into practice; but being still sensible of the advantage of election into the college, he took the first opportunity of applying for his doctor’s degree at Cambridge, which he obtained, as a member of Catherine-hall, in 1643; and was chosen fellow of the college of physicians in 1646. In the mean time, he had the preceding year engaged in another society, for improving and cultivating experimental philosophy. This society usually met at or near his lodgings in Wood-street, for the convenience of making experiments; in which he was very assiduous, as the reformation and improvement of physic was one principal branch of this design. In 1647, he was appointed lecturer in anatomy at the college; and it was from these lectures that his reputation took its rise. As he, with the rest of the assembly which met at his lodgings, had all along sided with the parliament, he was made head-physician in the army, and was taken, in that station, by Cromwell, first to Ireland in 1649, and then to Scotland the following year; and returned thence with his master; who, after the battle of Worcester, rode into London in triumph, Sept. 12, 1651. He was appointed warden of Merton-college, Oxon, Dec. 9th following, and was incorporated M. D. of the university, Jan. 14th the same year. Cromwell was the chancellor; and returning to Scotland, in order to incorporate that kingdom into one commonwealth with England, he appointed our warden, together with Dr. Wilkins, warden of Wadham, Dr. Goodwin, president of Magdalen, Dr. Owen, dean of Christ Church, and Cromwell’s brother-in-law, Peter French, a canon of Christ Church, to act as his delegates in all matters relating to grants or dispensations that required his assent. This instrument bore date Oct. 16, 1652. His powerful patron dissolving the long parliament, called a new one, named the Little Parliament, in 1653, in which the warden of Merton sat sole representative of the university, and was appointed one of the council of state the same year.
school in 1714, student of Christ church, Oxford; became rector of Semly in Wiltshire; was installed canon of Christ church, June 8, 1736, and dean, May 18, 1756. He was
Dr. David Gregory married, in 1695, Elizabeth, the daughter of Mr. Oiiphant of Langtown in Scotland. By this lady he had four sons, of whom, the eldest, David, was elected, from Westminster school in 1714, student of Christ church, Oxford; became rector of Semly in Wiltshire; was installed canon of Christ church, June 8, 1736, and dean, May 18, 1756. He was appointed the first professor of modern history and languages on the foundation of that professorship by George 1. prolocutor of the lower house of convocation, and master of Sherburn hospital, near Durham. He died and was interred in Christ church cathedral, 1767, in the seventy -first year of his age, in the same grave with his wife Mary (Grey), who died in 1762.
st the learned to search into this branch of literature. Dr. Altham, regius-professor of Hebrew, and canon of Christ-church, being, on some dispute about the oaths, removed
About this time Hyde became known to Mr. Boyle, to
whom he was very useful in communicating from Oriental
writers several particulars relating to chemistry, physic,
and natural history. In Oct. 1666, he was collated to a
prebend in the church of Salisbury. In 1674, he published “A Catalogue of the books in the Bodleian library.
”
In Itinera
Mundi
” of Abraham Peritsol, the son of Mordecai Peritsol,
a very learned Jew. This was done to supply in some
measure the Arabic geography of Abulfeda, which, at the
request of Dr. Fell, he had undertaken to publish with a
Latin translation: but the death of his patron putting an
end to that work, he sent this smaller performance abroad,
and dedicated it to the earl of Nottingham, then secretary
of state, in hopes that it might excite a stronger curiosity
amongst the learned to search into this branch of literature.
Dr. Altham, regius-professor of Hebrew, and canon of
Christ-church, being, on some dispute about the oaths,
removed from both preferments, Hyde became possessed
of both, as they are always annexed, in July 1697.
in to king James I. He was afterwards made archdeacon of Colchester; residentiary of St. Paul’s, and canon of Christ church. On May the 19th, 1625, he took the degree
, bishop of Chichester in the seventeenth
century, was eldest son of the preceding, by Jane, daughter of Mr. Henry Freeman of Staffordshire, and was born
at Wornall in Buckinghamshire in January 1591, and educated in grammar learning partly in the free-school at
Thame in Oxfordshire, and partly at Westminster-school,
from which he was elected a student of Christ church in
1608. On June the 19th, 1611, he took the degree of
bachelor of arts and July the 7th, 1614, that of master.
He then entered into holy orders, and became an eminent
preacher, and chaplain to king James I. He was afterwards made archdeacon of Colchester; residentiary of St.
Paul’s, and canon of Christ church. On May the 19th,
1625, he took the degree of doctor of divinity. He was
afterwards chaplain to king Charles I. and February the
6th, 1638, was installed in the deanery of Rochester. In
1641 he was advanced to the see of Chichester, to which
he was consecrated December 19th of that year. But
though he was always esteemed a puritan, and had been
promoted to that see in order to please that party; yet
upon the breaking out of the civil wars, and the dissolution of episcopacy, he was treated by them with great severity; “nor was he suffered to live quietly at his friend’s
house (for some time, at least), when they could discover
him.
” He lived for the most part with sir Richard Hobart,
who had married his sister, at Langley in Buckinghamshire,
by whom he was supported. At the restoration he recovered his bishopric. Wood tells us, that “he was esteemed by many persons of his neighbourhood and diocese,
the epitome of all honours, virtues, and generous
nobleness, and a person never to be forgotten by his tenants and
by the poor.
” He died October the 1st, 1669, and was
interred on the south side of the choir belonging to his
cathedral of Chichester, where a monument was erected
to him, with an inscription, in which it is said, that he
was “antiqua, eaque regia Saxon urn apud Dan monies in
Agro Devoniensi prosapia oriundus,
” and that he was
“natalium splendore illustris, pietate, doctrina & virtutibus illustrior,
” &c. He married Anne, daughter of sir
William Russel of Strensham in Worcestershire, bart. who
after the bishop’s decease married sir Thomas Millington
the physician.
, who became a student of Christ church in 160$, and was afterwards public orator of the university, canon of Christ church in 1624, and the year following doctor of divinity
He published several works, viz. 1. “Sermons,
” printed
at different times. 2. “Exposition of the Lord’s Prayer,
”
The Psalms of David, from the
new translation of the Bible, turned into Metre, &c.
” A deep Groan fetched at the Funeral of the
incomparable and glorious monarch king Charles J.
” Poems, Elegies, Paradoxes, Sonnets,
”
Life of Hooker.
” The merit of his poems,
with extracts, has been ably discussed by Headley, Ellis,
and Park, as appears by our authorities. He had a brother,
John, who became a student of Christ church in 160$,
and was afterwards public orator of the university, canon
of Christ church in 1624, and the year following doctor of
divinity and canon of Windsor, and about that time prebendary of St. Paul’s, and rector of Remenham in Berkshire. He died January 2, 1638-9, and was interred at
Christ church in Oxford. He published a single sermon,
and one or two Latin orations.
the Greek words falsely accented in Dr. Sherlock’s books. This so pleased Dr. South, who was then a canon of Christ church, Oxford, that he made him a canoneer student
, an eminent classical editor,
of a foreign family, was born in 1668. He was educated
at Westminster school, under Dr. Busby, who kept him
to the study of Greek and Latin some years longer than
usual. He then gained another powerful friend in Dr.
South, for whom he compiled a list of the Greek words
falsely accented in Dr. Sherlock’s books. This so pleased
Dr. South, who was then a canon of Christ church, Oxford,
that he made him a canoneer student (i. e. one introduced by a canon, and not elected from Westminster school),
where he took the degree of M. A. March 23, 1696. From
1695 till 1699, he was second master of Westminsterschool which was afterwards indebted to him for “Græcæ
Linguæ Dialecti, in usum Scholas Westmonastcriensis,
”
1706, 8vo , (a work recommended in the warmest terms by Dr. Knipe to the school over which he presided, “cui se sua omnia debere fatetur sedulus Author
”) and for
“The English Grammar, applied to, and exemplified in,
the English tongue,
” Catalogus Librorum
Manuscriptorum Angliae & Hiberniae,
” Oxon. Librorum Manuscriptorum Ecclesiae
Westmonasteriensis Catalogus. Accurante viro erudito
Michaele Mattaerio.
” But before the volume was published, the whole collection, amounting to 230, given by
bishop Williams, except one, was destroyed by an accidental fire in 1694. In 1699 he resigned his situation at
Westminster-school; and devoted his time solely to literary pursuits. In 1711, he published “Remarks on Mr.
Whision’s Account ef the Convocation’s proceedings with
relation to himself: in a Letter to the right reverend Father in God, George, Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells,
”
8vo; and also “An Essay against Arianism, and some
other Heresies; or a Reply tp Mr. William Whiston’s Historical Preface and Appendix to his Primitive Christianity
revived,
” 8vo. In Stephanorum Historia, vitas ipsorum ac libros complectens,
” 8vo; which was followed in Historia
Typographorum aliquot Parisiensium, vitas & libros complectens,
” 8vo. In Annales Typographic! ab artis
inventae origine ad annum MD. Hagae Com.
” 4to. To this
volume is prefixed, “Epistolaris de antiquis Qnintiliani
editionibus Disseitatio, clarissimo viro D. Johanni Clerico.
”
The second volume, divided into two parts, and continued
to 1536, was published at the Hague in 1702; introduced
by a letter of John Toland, under the title of “Conjectura
verosimilis de prima Typographies Inventione.
” The third
volume, from the same press, in two parts, continued to
1557, and, by an Appendix, to 1564, in 1725. In 1733
was published at Amsterdam what is usually considered as
the fourth volume, under the title of “Annales Typographic! ab artis inventae origine, ad annum 1564, opera Mich.
Maittaire, A. M. Editio nova, auctior & emendatior, tomi
priori pars posterior.
” In 1741 the work was closed at
London, by “Annalium Typographicorum Tomus Quintus
& ultimus; indicem in tomos quatuor praeeuntes complectens;
” divided (like the two preceding volumes) into two
parts.
of Edward Austen, esq.) was buried there in 1668. His last wife, who was daughter of Ambrose Upton, canon of Christ- church, Oxford, and relict of sir Charles Vermuyden,
In March 1689, sir John was appointed one of the lords commissioners of the great seal of England, and next year was chosen member of parliament for Plymouth; but being now very infirm, he resigned his commissioner’s place, and returned to his house at Gunnersbury, near Ealing, where he died Oct. 9, 1690. He was thrice married. Elizabeth, his first wife, was buried at Ealing in 1654-5. Jane, his second wife (daughter of Cheney Selherst, esq. and relict of Edward Austen, esq.) was buried there in 1668. His last wife, who was daughter of Ambrose Upton, canon of Christ- church, Oxford, and relict of sir Charles Vermuyden, survived him many years, and died in 1721, being then the widow of Henry earl of Suffolk.
In the beginning of 1708, he succeeded Dr. Jane as regius professor of divinity, and canon of Christ Church, who brought him back to Oxford. This promotion
In the beginning of 1708, he succeeded Dr. Jane as regius professor of divinity, and canon of Christ Church,
who brought him back to Oxford. This promotion he
owed to the interest of the celebrated duke of Marlborougb,
and to the opinion held concerning him that he was a
Whig; whereas Dr. Smalridge, whom the other party
wished to succeed in the professorship and canonry, had
distinguished himself by opposition to the whig-measures
of the court. In point of qualification these divines might
be equal, and Dr. Potter certainly, both as a scholar and
divine, was liable to no objection. It was probably to the
same interest that he owed his promotion, in April 1715, to
the see of Oxford. Just before he was made bishop he
published, what had occupied his attention a very considerable time, his splendid and elaborate edition of the
works of Clemens Alexandrinus, 2 vols. fol. Gr. and Lat.
an edition, says Harwood, “worthy of the celebrity of the
place where it was published, and the erudition of the very
learned prelate, who has so happily illustrated this miscellaneous writer.
” In this he has given an entire new version
of the “Cohortations,
” and intended to have done the
same for the “Stromata,
” but was prevented by the duties
of his professorship. In his preface he intreats the reader’s
candour as to some typographical errors, he being afflicted
during part of the printing by a complaint in his eyes,
which obliged him to trust the correction of the press to
others.
t Abbot to the bishopric of Sarum, he was made regius professor of divinity, and consequently became canon of Christ-church, and rector of Ewelme in Oxfordshire; and afterwards
, a learned English bishop, was born
at Stowford, in the parish of Harford, near Ivy-bridge in
Devonshire, Sept. 17, 1578, and was the fourth of seven
sons of his father, who being in mean circumstances, with
so large a family, our author, after he had learned to write
and read, having a good voice, stood candidate for the place
of parish-clerk of the church of Ugborow near Harford.
Mr. Price informs us, that “he had a competitor for the
office, who had made great interest in the parish for him*
self, and was likely to carry the place from him. The
parishioners being divided in thematter, did at length
agree in this, being unwilling to disoblige either party, that
the Lord’s-day following should be the day of trial; the
one should tune the Psalm in the forenoon, the other in
the afternoon; and he that did best please the people,
should have the place. Which accordingly was done, and
Prideaux lost it, to his very great grief and trouble. Upon,
which, after he became advanced to one of the first dignities of the church, he would frequently make this reflection, saying,
” If I could but have been clerk of Ugborow,
I had never been bishop of Worcester.“Disappointed in
this office, a lady of the parish, mother of sir Edmund
Towel, maintained him at school till he had gained some
knowledge of the Latin tongue, when he travelled to Oxford, and at first lived in a very mean station in Exetercollege, doing servile offices in the kitchen, and prosecuting his studies at his leisure hours, till at last he was taken
notice of in the college, and admitted a member of it in
act-term 1596, under the tuition of Mr. William Helme,
B. D. On January the 31st, 1599, he took the degree of
Bachelor of Arts, and in 1602 was chosen probationer fellow of his college. On May the 11th, 1603, he proceeded
Master of Arts, and soon after entered into holy orders.
On May the 6th, 1611, he took the degree of Bachelor of
Divinity; and the year following was elected rector of his
college in the room of Dr. Holland; and June the 10th,
the same year, proceeded Doctor of Divinity. In 1615,
upon the advancement of Dr. Robert Abbot to the bishopric of Sarum, he was made regius professor of divinity,
and consequently became canon of Christ-church, and
rector of Ewelme in Oxfordshire; and afterwards discharged the office of vice-chancellor of the university for
several years. In the rectorship of his college he behaved
himself in such a manner, that it flourished more than any
other in the university; more foreigners coming thither for
the benefit of his instruction than ever was known; and in his
professorship, says Wood,
” he behaved himself very plausible to the generality, especially for this reason, that in
his lectures, disputes, and moderatings (which were always frequented by many auditors), he shewed himself a
stout champion against Socinus and Arminius. Which
being disrelished by some who were then rising, and in
authority at court, a faction thereupon grew up in the
university between those called Puritans, or Calvinists, on
the one side, and the Remonstrants, commonly called Arminians, on the other: which, with other matters of the
like nature, being not only fomented in the university, but
throughout the nation, all things thereupon were brought
into confusion.“In 1641, after he had been twenty- six
years professor, he was one of those persons of unblemished reputation, whom his majesty made bishops, on the
application of the marquis of Hamilton, who had been one
of his pupils. Accordingly, in November of that year, he
was elected to the bishopric of Worcester, to which he
was consecrated December the 19th following; but the rebellion was at that time so far advanced, that he received
little or no profit from it, to his great impoverishment.
For adhering stedfastly to his majesty’s cause, and pronouncing all those of his diocese, who took up arms against
him, excommunicate, he was plundered, and reduced to
such straits, that he was obliged to sell his excellent library. Dr. Gauden said of him, that he now became literally a helluo librorum, being obliged to turn his books
>nto bread for his children. He seems to have borne this
barbarous usage with patience, and even good humour.
On -one occasion, when a friend came to see bim, and asked
him how he did? he answered,
” Never better in my life,
only I have too great a stomach, for 1 have eaten the little
plate which the sequestrators left me; I have eaten a great
library of excellent books; I have eaten a great deal of
linen, much of my brass, some of my pewter, and now am
come to eat my iron, and what will come next I know
not." So great was his poverty about this time that he
would have attended the conferences with the king at the
Isle of Wight, but could not afford the means of travelling.
Such was the treatment of this great and good man, one
of the best scholars and ablest promoters of learning in the
kingdom, at the hands of men who professed to contend for
liberty and toleration.
professor of Greek. In the same year he was presented to a prebend of Salisbury; and in 1783 became canon of Christ church, regius professor of divinity, and rector of
, the late bishop of London, was
the younger son of the preceding, and was born July 6,
1749. He became a student of Corpus Christi college,
Oxford, and took his degrees at the usual periods that of
M. A. in 1774; B. D. in 1782 D. D. by diploma, in 1783.
In 1776 he was appointed prselector of poetry, and in 1782
regius professor of Greek. In the same year he was
presented to a prebend of Salisbury; and in 1783 became
canon of Christ church, regius professor of divinity, and
rector of Ewelnoe. In the year 1799 he was elevated to
the bishopric of Oxford; translated to that of Bangor in
1807; and thence to London in 1809. He was elected
F. R. S. in 1811. He passed a great part of his life in the
university of Oxford, and it was generally believed that
when he was raised to the see of Oxford, the university
was complimented with the nomination by the crown. His
lordship was author of many single sermons, and charges
delivered on different occasions: also of “De Grsecae Linguae Studio Prselectio habita in Schola Linguarum,
” Concio ad Clerum in Synodo Provinciali Cantuariensis Provincial ad D. Pauli,
” whose
latest employment had been to state, for the information
qf the public, the progress of a work to which he had contributed his time, his labour, and his counsels. The
committee therefore could not fail to entertain a common
sentiment of profound regret for the loss which they have
sustained, and to cherish in their minds the liveliest recollection of the service which has been so successfully fulfilled by him in this second report. They wish, therefore,
to add to this document, designed for general circulation,
their sense of what is due from the public, and themselves,
to the. memory of one who was a constant and assiduous
promoter of this salutary institution, from its first establishment to the last hour of his life. The committee trust,
that this testimony, though limited to a single object in
the large field of pastoral duty in which he was incessantly
engaged, may serve to denote the benefits which have resulted from his prompt, unwearied, and effectual exertions.
” The following is the character drawn of him by
Mr. archdeacon Jefferson, and which alludes to his zeal for
the church, of which he was an active member: “Fearless
now of being censured for mercenary adulation, or reproved by unconscious merit, a just tribute may be paid to
the character of that departed and exalted prelate, who is,
and will be, most lamented where he was best and most
entirely known. This opportunity, therefore, is willingly
embraced of offering a heartfelt condolence to the ministry
of the diocese on the affecting and important loss, which,
in these perilous times of contending sects and unsettled
opinion, has arisen to them, and to the church: To them,
in the premature privation of a diocesan, firm in his support of ecclesiastical authority, but considerate in its application; eminently versed in the letter of ecclesiastical
law, but liberal in its practical construction, reluctant in
interference, but determined in duty, slow in the profes-.
sion of service, but prompt in its execution; disinterested,
in patronage, unwavering in measures, correct in judgment, attentive in council, and kind and compassionate to
distress: To the church, in the premature privation of a
father, diligent in her rites and services, but unostentatious
in piety and devotion; sound and unrelaxing in her doctrines and faith, but discreet in zeal, and comprehensive
in charity; ever vigilant in defending her interests, ever
forward in asserting her privileges, and ever able in the
assertion and the defence.
” This high character, how-,
ever, has been thought capable of abatement. It was
perhaps unfortunate that he succeeded a prelate of the
mild and conciliating temper of Dr. Porteus, and that he
undertook the government of a diocese, which, above all
others, requires such a temper. It was, perhaps, not less
unfortunate that in his first charge to the clergy of this
diocese, he betrayed no little ignorance of the state of
religious opinions, and the creeds of those sectaries against
whom he wished to warn his clergy.
road. On October 14, 1748, he took the degree of doctor of divinity; and on January 28, 1749, became canon of Christ Church in Oxford. In the year 1760 he was advanced
nesses ofthe Resurrection, &c. Revised nesses." This was either written by by the Author ofthe Trial ofthe Wit- the bishop, or under his inspection. 1743, he was installed a prebendary in the cathedral church of Winchester; and in March 1745 was appointed chaplain to the duke of Cumberland, to attend him abroad. On October 14, 1748, he took the degree of doctor of divinity; and on January 28, 1749, became canon of Christ Church in Oxford. In the year 1760 he was advanced to the deanery of Winchester, and at the same time was permitted by dispensation to retain the livings of Silchester and Chilbolton. His last preferment took place in the year 1769, when on the death of bishop Newcombe he was promoted to the bishopric of St. Asaph, in which he remained until his death, which took place at his house in Bolton-row, Piccadilly, Dec, 9, 1788. He was buried at Twyford, near Winchester.
On the accession of queen Mary, he returned to England, was restored to his professorship, made canon of Christ-church, and chaplain to her majesty. One of his principal
On the accession of queen Mary, he returned to England, was restored to his professorship, made canon of
Christ-church, and chaplain to her majesty. One of his
principal appearances on record was at Oxford, where,
when the bishops Ridley and Latimer were brought to the
stake, he preached a sermon on the text, “If I give my
body to be burnt, and have not charity, it profiteth me
nothing.
” This discourse, which lasted only about a quarter of an hour, was replete with invectives against the
two martyrs, and gross assertions, which they offered to
refute on the spot, but were not permitted. He was also
one of the witnesses against archbishop Cranmer, who had
done him many acts of friendship in the preceding reign.
For this conduct he was deprived of all his preferments
when queen Elizabeth came to the throne in 1559, and
was committed to the custody of archbishop Parker, by
whose persuasion he recanted part of what he had written
in defence of the celibacy of the clergy. He then contrived to make his escape, and went to Doway in Flanders,
where he obtained the deanery of St. Peter’s church, and
a professorship. He died in 1563. He wrote about sixteen tracts in favour of popery, some of which were answered by Peter Martyr. A list of them may be seen in
Dodd or Wood. They are partly in Latin and partly in
English, the latter printed in London, and the former at
Lovaine.
t earl’s retirement into France in 1G67, became chaplain to James duke of York. In 1670, he was made canon of Christ church, Oxibrd. In 1676, he attended as chaplain Laurence
Afterwards he had a sinecure in Wales bestowed upon
him by his patron the earl of Clarendon and, at that earl’s
retirement into France in 1G67, became chaplain to James
duke of York. In 1670, he was made canon of Christ
church, Oxibrd. In 1676, he attended as chaplain Laurence Hyde, esq. ambassador extraordinary to the king of
Poland; of which journey he gave an account, in a letter
to Dr. Edward Pocock, dated from Dantzick the 16th of
Dec. 1677; which is printed in the “Memoirs of his Life.
”
In 167S, iie was nominated by the dean and chapter of
Westminster to the rectory of Islip in Oxfordshire; and, in
16SO, rebuilt the chancel of that church, as he did afterwards the rectory-house. He also allowed an hundred
pounds per annum to his curate, and expended the rest in
educating and apprenticing the poorer children of the parish. Jn I6bl he exhibited a remarkable example of accommodating his principles to those of the times. Being
now one of the king’s chaplains in ordinary, he preached
before his majesty upon these words, “The lot is cast into
the lap, but the disposing of it is of the Lord.
” In this
sermon he introduced three remarkable instances of unexpected advancements, those of Agathocles, Massaniello,
and Oliver Cromwell. Of the latter he says, “And who
that had beheld such a bankrupt beggarly fellow as Cromwell, first entering the parliament house with a threadbare
torn cloak, greasy hat (perhaps neither of them paid for),
could have suspected that in the space of so few years, he
should, by the murder of one king, and the banishment of
another, ascend the throne r
” At this, the king is said to
have fallen into a violent tit of laughter, and turning to Dr.
South’s patron, Mr. Laurence Hyde, now created lord Rochester, said, “Odds fish, Lory, your chaplain must be a
bishop, therefore put me in mind of him at the next
death!
”
bendary of Ely, Sept. 10, 1713, (which he quitted in 1723); made archdeacon of Norfolk, Dec. 7, 1721 canon of Christ-church, Feb. 3, 1723-4; and prolocutor of the lower
, an excellent antiquary, was the
son of a father of both his names, vicar of Market Lavington in Wilts, and was born in 1674. He became a student in Queen’s-college, Oxford, in Michaelmas-term,
1689; admitted clerk in that house, 1690; B. A. 1693;
entered into holy orders at Christmas, 1694; and became
chaplain of All-souls-college in January following; chosen
fellow of the same, 1697; chancellor of Norfolk, and rector of Thorpe near Norwich in 1701. He was installed
prebendary of Ely, Sept. 10, 1713, (which he quitted in 1723); made archdeacon of Norfolk, Dec. 7, 1721 canon
of Christ-church, Feb. 3, 1723-4; and prolocutor of the
lower house of convocation, which was convened anno
1727. To this honour he was unanimously elected on account of his great abilities, however contrary to his own
inclinations; and was consecrated bishop of St. Asaph,
Jan. 23, 1732. Bishop Tanner died at Christ-church, Oxford, Dec. 14, 1735; and was buried in the nave of that
cathedral, near the pulpit; without any funeral pomp, according to his own direction. He ordered his body to be
wrapped up in the coarsest crape, and his coffin to be
covered with serge, not cloth: the pall-bearers to have
each of them one of Baskett’s folio bibles; the underbearers a Sherlock upon Death; to the dean of Christchurch, he left five pounds; to the eight canons five shillings each; eighty pounds to buy coats for eighty poor
men; and one hundred pounds to the college, towards
their library then building. A monument to his memory
is affixed to one of the pillars, with an inscription. Another
in>cription, and a translation of it, may be seen in the
“Anecdotes of Bowyer.
” He was thrice married, first, to
Rose, eldest daughter of Dr. Moore, bishop of Ely, and
by <her, who died March 15, 1706, aged twenty-five, he
had a daughter who died in her infancy; secondly, to
Frances, daughter of Mr. Jacob Preston, citizen of London. She died June 11, 1718, aged forty, and left two
daughters, who both died young, and his son and heir, the
rev. Thomas Tanner, who died in 1760, at that time precentor of St. Asaph, rector of Kessingland, and vicar of
Lowestoff. The bishop married, thirdly, in 1733, Miss
Elizabeth Scottow, of Thorpe, near Norwich, with a fortune of 15,000l. She survived him, and married Robert
Britiffe, esq. recorder of Norwich, and M. P. She died
in 1771.
w, Elizabeth French, who was niece to Oliver Cromwell; for she was the daughter of Dr. Peter French, canon of Christ church in Oxford, by Robina, sister to Cromwell, which
The same year, 1666, he took a doctor of divinity’s degree; and in 1668 preached the sermon at the consecration
of Wilkins to the bishopric of Chester. He was related to
Wiikins, by having, Feb. 23, 1664, married his daughterin-law, Elizabeth French, who was niece to Oliver Cromwell; for she was the daughter of Dr. Peter French, canon
of Christ church in Oxford, by Robina, sister to Cromwell,
which Robina was re- married, about 1656, to Dr. Wilkins,
then warden of Wad bam college. In 1670, he was made
a prebendary of Canterbury; and, in 1672, advanced to
the deanery of that church: he had some ti ue before been
preferred to a prebend in the church of St. Paul. He had
now been some years chaplain to the king, who is yet supposed, by Burnet and others, to have had no kindness for
him; his zeal against popery was too great for him to be
much of a favourite at court. When a declaration for
liberty of conscience was published in 1672, with a view to
indulge the papists, the bishops were alarmed, and directed
Uieir clergy to preach against popery; the king complained
to archbishop Sheldon of this, as done on purpose to inflame the people, and alienate them from himstU and hit
government; on which that prelate called together some of
the clergy, to consider what he should say to his majesty,
if he pressed him any farther on that head. Dr. Tillotson
suggested this answer, that, “since his majesty professed
the protestant religion, it would be a thing without precedent, that he should forbid his clergy to preach in clefence
of it.' 1 In the mean time, he observed great moderation
towards the protestant dissenters, and, early in 1668, had
joined in a treaty for a comprehension of such as could be
brought into the communion of the church; but this attempt proved abortive, as did another made in 1674. In
1675, he published
” The Principles of Natural Religion,
by bishop Wilkins,“who had died at his house in 1672,
and committed all his papers to him, to dispose of as he
pleased. The first twelve chapters only having been transcribed by Wilkins for the press, he finished the remainder
out of the bishop’s papers, and wrote a preface. In 1630,
he published
” The Treatise of the Pope’s Supremacy, by
Dr. Barrow," who dying in 1677, left all his manuscripts to
the care of Dr. Tillotson. He had the year before converted
Charles earl of Shrewsbury, afterwards created a duke by
king William, to whom he was secretary of state, from
popery to the protestant religion.
Wake, rector of Billing, in Northamptonshire, master of the hospital of St. John at Northampton, and canon of Christ Church; and was born, it is supposed, at Billing,
, a learned politician, was the son of Arthur Wake, rector of Billing, in Northamptonshire, master of the hospital of St. John at Northampton, and canon of Christ Church; and was born, it is supposed, at Billing, about 1575. He became a member of the university of Oxford in 1593, and in 1598 was elected probationer-fellow of Merton college. In 1604 he was chosen public orator, and in that capacity had frequent opportunities, sometimes before the king and court at their visits to the university, of delivering speeches in a pure and eloquent style. In 1609 he travelled in France and Italy, and after his return was made private secretary to sir Dudley Carleton, one of the chief secretaries of state, and discovering, in this situation, talents which might qualify him for diplomatic commissions, his majesty (James I.) employed him as ambassador to Venice, Savoy, and other courts. Previous to his setting out for Savoy in 1619, he received the order of knighthood. In 1625 he sat as member of parliament for the university of Oxford, and his speeches added considerably to his reputation. His accomplishments likewise, both as a scholar and a gentleman, were greatly admired. He died in 1632, while at Paris, in the service of Charles I. and his body being brought to England, was interred in the chapel at Dover castle. His funeral, which was very magnificent, was expressly at the charge of the king, who had intended him for the place of secretary of state had he lived.
, an eminent Oriental scholar, canon of Christ Church, Regius professor of Hebrew, and Laudian professor
, an eminent Oriental scholar, canon
of Christ Church, Regius professor of Hebrew, and Laudian
professor of Arabic in the university of Oxford, was
born in 1746, of parents in low circumstances in Gloucester, where his father was a journeyman-weaver, and brought
up his son to the same business. Being however a sensible
man, he gave him what little learning was in his power at
one of the charity-schools at Gloucester. This excited a
thirst for greater acquisitions in the young man, who employed all the time he could spare in the study of such
books as fell in his way. His attainments at length attracted
the notice of a neighbouring gentleman of fortune, who
sent him to the university of Oxford, where he was entered
of Wadham college. He took the degree of M. A. Feb. 19,
1773; and about that time engaged in the study of the
Oriental languages, to which he was induced by the particular recommendation of Dr. Moore, afterwards archbishop
of Canterbury. He had before acquired a tolerable share
of Hebrew learning, by which his progress in the other
Oriental languages was greatly facilitated. In 1775, he
was appointed archbishop Laud’s professor of Arabic; on
entering upon which office he pronounced a masterly oration, which was soon afterwards printed with the title of
f ' De Utilitate Ling. Arab, in Studiis Theologicis, Oratio
habita Oxoniis in Schola Linguarum, vii Id. Aprilis, 1775,“4to. He was at this time fellow of his college, being
elected in 1774. In 1778, Mr. White printed the Syriac
Philoxenian version of the Four Gospels (the ms. of which Dr. Gloster Ridley had given to New college), entitled,
<c Sacrorum Evangeliorum Versio Syriaca Philoxeniana, ex
Codd. Mss. Ridleianis in Bibl. Coll. Nov. Oxon. repositis,
nunc primum edita, cum Interpretatione et Annotationibus
Josephi White,
” &c. 2 vols. 4to. On November 15, 1778,
he preached a very ingenious and elegant sermon before
the university, which was soon afterwards printed, under
the title of “A revisal of the English translation of the Old
Testament recommended. To which is added, some
account of an antient Syriac translation of great part of Origen’s Hexaplar edition of the LXX. lately discovered in
the Ambrosian Library at Milan,
” 4to. About this time he
was appointed one of the preachers at Whitehall chapel.
In 1779, he took the degree of bachelor of divinity; and
in the same year published “A Letter to the bishop of
London, suggesting a plan for a new edition of the
LXX; to which are added, Specimens of some inedited
versions made from the Greek, and a Sketch of a Chart
of Greek Mss.
” In 1780, Mr. White published, “A Specimen of the Civil and Military Institutes of Tjmour, or
Tamerlane; a work written originally by that celebrated
Conqueror in the Magul language, and since translated
into Persian. Now first rendered from the Persian into
English, from a ms. in the possession of William Hunter,
M.D.; with other Pieces,
” 4to. The whole of this work
appeared in 1783, translated into English by major Davy,
with Preface, Indexes, Geographical Notes, &c. by Mr.
White, in one volume, 4to. In Easter term, 1783, he was
appointed to preach the Bampton lecture for the following
year. As soon as he was nominated, he sketched out the
plan; and finding assistance necessary to the completion
of it in such a manner as he wished, called to his aid Mr.
Samuel Baclcork and Dr. Parr. Although his own share of
these labours was sufficient to entitle him to the celebrity
which they procured him, he bad afterwards to lament that
he had not acknowledged his obligations to those elegant
scholars, in a preface to the volume, when it was published. As soon as the lectures were delivered, the applause
with which they were received was general throughout the
university. They were printed the same year, and met with
universal approbation. A second edition appeared in 1785;
to which the author added a sermon, which he had recently
preached before the university, on the necessity of propagating Christianity in the East Indies. Mr. White’s reputation was now established, and he was considered as one
of the ablest vindicators of the Christian doctrines which
modern times had witnessed. Lord Thnrlow, then lord
chancellor, without any solicitation, gave him a prebend
in the cathedral of Gloucester, which at once placed him
in easy and independent circumstances. In 1787 he took
his degree of D. D. and was looked up to with the greatest
respect in the university, as one of its chief ornaments. In
the year 1788, the death of Mr.Badcock was made the
pretence for an attack on Dr. White’s character both as an author and a man, by the late Dr. R. B. Gabriel, who published a pamphlet, entitled, “Facts relating to the Rev. Dr.
White’s Bampton Lectures.
” By this it appears that there
was found among the papers of the deceased Mr. Badcock,
a promissory note for 500l. from Dr. White for literary aid;
the payment of which was demanded, but refused by him
on the ground that it was illegal in the first instance, as
not having the words “value received,' 7 and, secondly, it
was for service to be rendered in the History of Egypt,
which the doctor and Mr. Badcock had projected. The
friends of the deceased, however, were of a different
opinion; and the doctor consented to liquidate the debt.
This he informs us he did,
” partly because he apprehended
that his persisting to refuse the payment of it might tend
to the disclosure of the assistance which Mr. Badcock had
given him in the Bampton Lectures; and partly, because
he was informed that the note, by Mr. Badcock’s death,
became a part of his assets, and, as such, could legally be
demanded.“But whoever reads Dr. White’s
” Statement
of Literary Obligations“must be convinced that he was
under no obligation to have paid this money, and that his
opponents availed themselves of his simplicity and the
alarm which they excited for his literary character. Gabriel, however, a man neither of literary talents or character, was at the head of an envious junto who were determined to injure Dr.White if they could; and notwithstanding his payment of the money, printed all Mr, Badcock’s
letters in the above pamphlet, in order, as he said, to vindicate the character of the deceased, as well as his own,
both of which he ridiculously pretended had been assailed
on this occasion. In consequence of this publication, Dr.
White printed
” A Statement of his Literary Obligations
to the Rev. Mr. Samuel Badcock, and the Rev. Samuel
Parr, LL.D,“By this it appeared, that, though Mr. Badcock’s share in the Lectures was considerable, yet that it
was not in that proportion which had been maliciously represented, the plan of the whole, and the execution of the
greatest part, being Dr. White’s, and Dr. Parr’s being
principally literal corrections. This statement gave sufficient satisfaction to the literary world at large. But the
malice of his enemy was not yet satiated, as may appear
by the following correspondence, which having been circulated chiefly at Oxford, may be here recorded as an
additional defence of Dr. White.
”A printed paper, entitled ‘Minutes of what passed at
three interviews which lately took place between Dr. White
and Dr. Gabriel in London and in Bath,’ and signed
rs of the new college. With some reluctance, and by the persuasion of his friend. Alexander Belsire, canon of Christ-church, and first president, Sir Thomas was induced
St. Bernard’s college was founded by archbishop Chichele for scholars of the Cistertian order who might wish to study in Oxford, but had no place belonging to their order in which they could associate together, and be relieved from the inconveniencies of separation in halls and inns, where they could not keep up their peculiar customs and statutes. On representing this to the king, Henry VI. he granted letters patent, dated March 20, 1437, giving the archbishop leave to erect a college to the honour of the Virgin Mary and St. Bernard in Northgate-street, in the parish of St. Mary Magdalen, on ground containing about five acres, which he held of the king in capite. According to Wood, quoted by Stevens, it was built much in the same manner as All Souls college, but the part they inhabited was only the front, and the south-side of the first court, as the hall, &c. was not built till 1502, nor the chapel completed and consecrated until 1530. Their whole premises at the dissolution were estimated at only two acres, and to be worth, if let to farm, only twenty-shillings yearly, but as the change of owners was compulsory, we are not to wonder at this under-valuation. It was granted by Henry VIII. to Christ-church, from whence it came to sir Thomas White, who obtained from Christ-church a grant of the premises, May 25, by paying twenty shillings yearly for it, and they covenanted with him that he should chuse his first president from the canons or students of Christ-church, and that afterwards the fellows of St. John’s should chuse a president from their own number, or from Christ-churcb, to be admitted and established by the dean and chapter, or in their absence by the chancellor or vice-chancellor of Oxford; and they farther wished to covenant that the dean and chapter should be visitors of the new college. With some reluctance, and by the persuasion of his friend. Alexander Belsire, canon of Christ-church, and first president, Sir Thomas was induced to consent to these terms, but the last article respecting the visitor must have been withdrawn, as he appointed sir William Cordall, master of the Rolls, visitor for life; and the right of visitation was afterwards conferred on the bishops of Winchester.
m, and in 1590 was made treasurer of the church of Sarum by the queen’s letters. In 1591 he was made canon of Christ Church, and in 1593, canon of Windsor. He died March
, founder of Sion college, London,
the.son of John White, was born in Temple parish, in the
city of Bristol. His family was a branch of the Whites
of Bedfordshire. He was entered of Magdalen Hall, Oxford, about 1566, took his degrees in arts, was ordained,
and became a noted and frequent preacher. He afterwards
settled in London, where he had the living of St. Gregory’s, near St. Paul’s, and in 1575 was made vicar of St.
Dunstan’s, Fleet-street, where his pulpit services were much
admired. In 1584 he was licensed to proceed in divinity,
and commenced doctor in that faculty. In 1588 he had the
prebend of Mora/ in the church of St. Paul, conferred
upon him, and in 1590 was made treasurer of the church of
Sarum by the queen’s letters. In 1591 he was made canon
of Christ Church, and in 1593, canon of Windsor. He
died March 1, 1623-4, according to Reading, but Wood
says 1622-3; and was buried in the chancel of St.
DunStan’s church. In his will he ordered a grave-stone to be
placed over his remains, with a short inscription, but this
was either neglected, or has been destroyed. As soon as
an account of his death arrived at Oxford, the heads of the
university, in honour of his memory as a benefactor, appointed Mr. Price, trie first reader of the moral philosophy
lecture, to deliver an oration, which, with several encomiastic verses by other members of the university, was
printed under the title of “Schola Moralis Philosophise
Oxon. in funere Whiti pullata,
” Oxon.
hen enjoined by the powers in being. In 1656, he married Robina, the widow of Peter French, formerly canon of Christ-church, and sister to Oliver Cromwell, then lord-protector
, an ingenious and learned English
bishop, was the son of Mr. Walter Wilkins, citizen and
goldsmith of Oxford, and was born in 1614, at Fawsley,
near Daventry, in Northanvptonshire, in the house of his
mother’s father, the celebrated dissenter Mr. John Dod.
He was taught Latin and Greek by Edward Sylvester, a
teacher of much reputation, who kept a private school in
the parish of All-Saints in Oxford and his proficiency
was such, that at thirteen he entered a student of New-innhall, in 1627. He made no long stay there, but was removed to Magdalen-hall, under the tuition of Mr. John
Tombes, and there took the degrees in arts. He afterwards entered into orders; and was first chaplain to William lord Say, and then to Charles count Palatine of the
Khine, and prince elector of the empire, with whom he continued some time. To this last patron, his skill in the mathematics was a very great recommendation. Upon the
breaking out of the civil war, he joined with the parliament,
and took the solemn league and covenant. He was afterwards made warden of Wadham-college by the committee
of parliament, appointed for reforming the university; and,
being created bachelor of divinity the 12th of April, 1648,
was the day following put into possession of his wardenship. Next year he was created D. D. and about that time
took the engagement then enjoined by the powers in being.
In 1656, he married Robina, the widow of Peter French,
formerly canon of Christ-church, and sister to Oliver Cromwell, then lord-protector of England: which marriage being
contrary to the statutes of Wadham-college, because they
prohibit the warden from marrying, he procured a dispensation from Oliver, to retain the wardenship notwithstanding. In 1659, he was by Richard Cromwell made master
of Trinity-college in Cambridge; but ejected thence the
year following upon the restoration. Then he became
preacher to the honourable society of Gray’s-inn, and rector of St. Lawrence-Jewry, London, upon the promotion
Dr. Seth Ward to the bishopric of Exeter. About this
time, he became a member of the Royal Society, was
chosen of their council, and proved one of their most eminent members. Soon after this, he was made dean of Rippon; and, in 1668, bishop of Chester, Dr. Tillotson, who
had married his daughter-in-law, preaching his consecration sermon. Wood and Burnet both inform us, that he
obtained this bishopric by the interest of Villiers duke of
Buckingham; and the latter adds, that it was no stnall prejudice against him to be raised by so bad a man. Dr. Walter Pope observes, that Wilkins, for some time after the
restoration, was out of favour both at Whitehall and Lambeth, on account of his marriage with Oliver Cromwell’s
sister; and that archbishop Sheldon, who then disposed of
almost all ecclesiastical preferments, opposed his
promotion; that, however, when bishop Ward introduced him
afterwards to the archbishop, he was very obligingly received, and treated kindly by him ever after. He did not
enjoy his preferment long; for he died of a suppression of
urine, which was mistaken for the stone, at Dr. Tiilotson’s
house, in Chancery-lane, London, Nov. 19, 1672. He was
buried in the chancel of the church of St. Lawrence Jewry;
and his funeral sermon was preached by Dr. William Lloyd,
then dean of Bangor, who, although Wilkins had been
abused and vilified perhaps beyond any man of his time,
thought it no shame to say every thing that was good of
him. Wood also, different as his complexion and principles were from those of Wilkins, has been candid enough
to give him the following character “He was,
” says he,
“a person endowed with rare gifts he was a noted theologist and preacher, a curious critic in several matters, an
excellent mathematician and experimentist, and one as well
seen in mechanisms and new philosophy, of which he was
3 great promoter, as any man of his time. He also highly
advanced the study and perfecting, of astronomy, both at
Oxford while he was warden of Wadham-college, and at
London while he was fellow of the Royal Society; and I
cannot say that there was any thing deficient in him, but a
constant mind and settled principles.
”
of Magdalen college (which, Wood says, he kept till he married a holy woman called the Lady Carr), a canon of Christ church, doctor of divinity, and, after Cheynel’s departure,
With this encouragement Wilkinson went on preaching
what he pleased without fear, but removed to London, as
the better scene of action, where he was made minister of
St. Faith’s, under St. Paul’s, and one of the assembly of
divines. He was also a frequent preacher before the parliament on their monthly fasts, or on thanksgiving days. In
1645 he was promoted to the rectory of St. Dunstan’s in
the West. Soon after he was constituted one of the six
ministers appointed to go to Oxford (then in the power of parliament), and to establish preachings and lectures upon
presbyterian principles and forms. He was also made one
of the visitors for the ejection of all heads of houses, fellows, students, &c. who refused compliance with the now
predominant party. For these services he was made a
senior fellow of Magdalen college (which, Wood says, he kept till he married a holy woman called the Lady Carr),
a canon of Christ church, doctor of divinity, and, after
Cheynel’s departure, Margaret professor. Of all this he
was deprived at the restoration, but occasionally preached
in or about London, as opportunity offered, particularly
at Clapham, where he died in September 1675, and his
body, after lying in state in Drapers’ hall, London, was
buried with great solemnity in the church of St. Dunstan’s.
His printed works are entirely “Sermons
” preached before
the parliament, or in the “Morning Exercise
” at Cripplegate and Southwark, and seem to confirm part of the character Wood gives of him, that “he was a good scholar,
always a close student, an excellent preacher (though his voice was shrill and whining),
” yet, adds Wood, “his sermons were commonly full of dire and confusion, especially
while the rebellion lasted.
”
iderable variation between the account given by the historian of Oxford, and that by Leonard Hutten, canon of Christ Church, in 1599, and many years sub-dean. His manuscript,
With respect to the constitution of this college, there is a considerable variation between the account given by the historian of Oxford, and that by Leonard Hutten, canon of Christ Church, in 1599, and many years sub-dean. His manuscript, now in the possession of the college, and quoted in the Monasticon, states that, according to Wolsey’s design, it was to be a perpetual foundation for the study of the sciences, divinity, canon and civil law, also the arts, physic, and polite literature, and for the continual performance of divine service. The members were to be, a dean, and sixty regular canous, but no canons of the second order, as Wood asserts.