, one of the learned divines who was contemporary with Cudworth, Whichcot,
, one of the learned divines who was
contemporary with Cudworth, Whichcot, Tillotson, and
Worth ington, at the university of Cambridge, was a native of that town, and educated at Christ’s college, of which
he became fellow, and probably took his degrees at the
usual periods, though we do not find his name in the list of
graduates published some years ago. Mr. Joseph Glanvil,
in his preface to Dr. Rust’s “Discourse of Truth,
” tells us
that, when at the university, he “lived in great esteem
and reputation for his eminent learning and virtues, and
was one of the first in the university who overcame the prejudices of the education of the times before the restoration,
and was very instrumental to enlarge others. He had too
great a soul for the trifles of that age, and saw early the
nakedness of phrases and fancies. He out-grew the pretended orthodoxy of those days, and addicted himself to
the primitive learning and theology, in which he even then
became a great master.
” In 1651 he delivered in his own.
chapel a discourse upon Proverbs xx. 27, which in 1655
he preached again at St. Mary’s in Cambridge. This piece
was first published by Mr. Joseph Glanvil at London in
1682, in 8vo, under the title of “A Discourse of Truth,
”
in a volume entitled “Two choice and useful Treatises;
the one Lux Orientalis: or an inquiry into the opinion of
the Eastern sages concerning the pre-existence of souls:
being a key to unlock the grand mysteries of Providence
in relation to man’s sin and misery.
” The other, “A Discourse of Truth, by the late reverend Dr. Rust, lord bishop
of Drornore in Ireland. With annotations on them both.
”
The annotations are supposed to be written by Dr. Henry
More, to who-e school Dr. Rust appears to have belonged.
On the restoration, bishop Jeremy Taylor, foreseeing the
vacancy in the deanery of Connor in Ireland, sent to Cambridge for some learned and ingenious man, who might be
fit for that dignity. The choice tell upon Dr. Rust, which
corresponding with the great inclination he had to be conversant with that eminent prelate, he gladly accepted of it,
hastened to Ireland, and landed at Dublin about August
1661. He was received with great kindness and respect
by bishop Taylor, and preferred to the deanery of Connor
as soon as it was void, which was shortly after, and in 1662
to the rectory of the island of Magee in the same diocese.
Upon the bishop’s death, August 13, 1667, he preached his
funeral sermon, which was printed. The bishoprics were
now divided; Dr. Boyle, dean of Cork, was nominated
bishop of Down and Connor, and Dr. Rust, bishop of Dromore, in which he continued till his death, which was occasioned by a fever in Dec. 1670. He was interred in the
choir of the cathedral of Dromore in a va'ult made for his
predecessor bishop Taylor, whose body was deposited there.
Mr. Glanvil, who was very particularly acquainted with
him, tells us “that he was a man of a clear mind, a deep
judgment, and searching wit, greatly learned in all the best
sorts of knowledge, old and new, a thoughtfql and diligent
inquirer^ of a free understanding and vast capacity, joined
with singular modesty and unusual sweetness of temper,
which made him the darling of all that knew him. He was
a person of great piety and generosity, a hearty lover of
God and man, an 'excellent preacher, a wise governor, a
profound philosopher, a close reasoner, and above all, a
true and exemplary Christian. In short, he was one, who
had all the qualifications of a primitive bishop, and of an
extraordinary man.
” Dr. Rust’s other works were, “A
Letter of Resolution concerning Origen and the chief of
his opinions,
” Lond. 1661, 4to; two sermons, one at the
funeral of the earl of Mount-Alexander, the other on the
death of bishop Taylor; and “Remains,
” published by
Henry Hallywell, Lond.