John Barnard

or Bernard the son of a father of both his names Gent, was born in a Market Town in Lincolnshire, called Castor, educated in the Grammar School there, whence going to Cambridg he became a Pensioner of Queens Coll, and thence journying to Oxon to obtain preferment from the Visitors there, appointed by Parliament, in the latter end of 1647, was actually created Bach. of Arts in the Pembrokian creation, 15. Apr. 1648, and on the 29 of Sept. following, he was by order of the said Visitors then bearing date, made fellow of Linc. Coll. In 1651 he proceeded in Arts, and about that time became a preacher in, and near, Oxon. At length wedding the dau. of Dr. Pet. Heylyn then living at Abendon, became Rector of a rich Church in his own Country called Waddington near Lincoln, the perpetual advowson of which he purchased, and held for some time with it the Sinecure of Gedney in the same County. After his Majesties restauration he conformed, and not only kept his Rectory, but was made Preb. of Asgarby in the Church of Lincoln. In 1669 he took the degrees in Divinity, being then in some repute in his Country for his learning and orthodox Principles. He hath written,

Censura Cleri: or, against scandalous Ministers, not fit to be restored to the Churches livings, in point of prudence, piety and fame. Lond. 1660 in 3 sh. in qu. This was published in the latter end of 1659 or beg. of 1660 to prevent such from being restored to their Livings that had been ejected by the Godly party, an. 1654. 55, &c. His name is not set to this pamphlet, and he did not care afafterwards, when he saw how the event proved, to be known that he was the author.

Theologo-Historicus: or, the true life of the most rev. Divine and excellent Historian Peter Heylyn D. D. Sub-Dean of Westminster. Lond. 1683 oct. Published, as the author pretended, to correct the errours, supply the defects and confute the calumnies of a late writer, viz. George Vernon M. A. Rector of Bourton on the Water in Gloucestershire, who had before published the said Doctors life.

Answer to Mr. Baxter’s false accusations of Dr. Heylyn—Printed with the Theologo-Historicus, &c.

Catechisme for the use of his Parish.—This I have not yet seen, and therefore cannot tell you when or where ’twas printed. This Dr. Barnard died at Newarke in his journey to the Spaw, on the 17. of August in sixteen hundred eighty and three,1683. and was buried in the Chancel of his Church at Waddington before mention’d, as I have been enformed by his son of both his names, lately Fellow of Brasn. Coll, who also told me that he left behind him a Manuscript chiefly against Socinianisme, which is not yet printed.