Richard Byfield

half Brother to Nich. Byfield mentioned under the year 1622, was born in Worcestershire and at 16 years of age in 1615 became either a Servitour or Batler of Queens Coll. in Mich. term. Afterwards taking the degrees in Arts, he left the University, and through some petite employments (of which the Curacy or Lectureship of Istleworth was one) became Rector of Long Ditton in Surrey, a leading man for carrying on the blessed cause, a reformer of his Church of Superstition (as he called it) by plucking up the steps leading to the Altar and levelling it lower than the rest of the Chancel, by denying his Parishioners (particularly his Patron that gave him L. Ditton) the Sacrament, unless they would take it any way, except kneeling, &c. He was one of the Assemb. of Divines a great Covenantier, an eager Preacher against Bishops, Ceremonies, &c. and being a frequent and constant holder forth was followed by those of the vicinity, especially such who were of his perswasion. In 1654 he was appointed an Assistant to the Commissioners of Surrey for the ejecting of all such whom they then called ignorant and scandalous Ministers and Schoolmasters, and was not wanting in any thing, whereby he might express his zeal for the aforesaid cause. His works are these.

The light of faith and way of holiness, shewing how and what to believe in all estates and conditions. Lond. 1630. oct.

Doctrine of the Sabbath vindicated: or, a confutation of a Treatise of the Sabbath, written by Mr. Edw. Brerewood against Mr. Nich. Byfield. Lond. 1632. qu.

The Power of the Christ of God: or, a Treatise of the power, as it is originally in God the Father, and by him given to Christ his Son, &c. Lond. 1641. qu.

Several Sermons as (1) Zions answer to the Nations Embassadors, &c. Fast Sermon before the H. of Commons 25 June 1645 on Isay 14.32. Lond. 1645. qu. (2) Sermon on 1. Cor. 3.17. Lond. 1653. qu. &c.

The Gospels Glory without prejudice to the Law, shining forth in the Glory of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for the Salvation of sinners, who through grace do believe according to the draught of the Apostle Paul in Rom. 3.34. Lond. 1659.

Beginning of the Doctrine of Christ. Lond. 1660 in tw. Whether any other matters were by him published, I know not, nor any thing else of him, only that after he had been ejected from Long Ditton for Nonconformity, he retired to Mortclack in Surrey where dying in December, in sixteen hundred sixty and four, was buried in the Church there, leaving this character behind him among the Godly, 1664. and such that frequented his Conventicles, that he was a pious, good, and harmless man. He had another Brother called Adoniram Byfield, who became first to be known for the love he bore to the righteous cause, by being Chaplain to Colonel Cholmondiley’s Regiment, in the Army of Robert Earl of Essex the Generalissimo for the Parliament, in 1642, and soon after for his being one of the scribes to the Assemb. of Divines, and a most zealous Covenantier. He was afterwards Minister of one of the Collingborns in Wilts, was an Assistant to the Commissioners of that County for the ejection of such whom they then (1654) called scandalous, ignorant, and insufficient Ministers and Schoolmasters. He died about the time of his Majesties restauration, as it seems, for on the 12 of Feb. 1660 Catherine his Relict had letters of administration granted to her, to administer the goods, debts, &c. of him the said Ad. Byfield of the Parish of S. Martins in the Fields in Middlesex lately deceased.