Richard Capel

was born of good Parentage within the City of Glocester, educated in Grammar Learning there, became a Commoner of S. Albans Hall in the beginning of the year 1601, and in that of his age 17, elected Demy of Magd. Coll. soon after, and in the year 1609 he was made perpetual Fellow of that House, being then Mast. of Arts, which was the highest degree he took in this University. While he continued there, his eminency was great, was resorted to by noted men, especially of the Calvinian Party, had many Pupils put to his charge, of whom divers became afterwards noted for their Learning, as Accepted Frewen Archb. of York, Will. Pemble, &c. Afterwards leaving the Coll. upon the obtaining of the Rectory of Eastington in his own Country, became eminent there among the puritannical Party for his painful and practical way of preaching, his exemplary life and conversation, and in doing many good offices for those of his function. When the book concerning Sports on the Lords day was ordered to be read in all Churches, an. 1633, he refused to do it, and thereupon willingly resigning his Rectory, obtained licence to practice Physick from the Bishop of Glocester: so that setling at Pitchcomb near to Strowd in the said County, (where he had a temporal Estate) was resorted to, especially by those of his opinion, for his success in that faculty. In the beginning of the grand Rebellion he closed with the Presbyterians, was made one of the Ass. of Divines, but refused to sit among them, and was, as I conceive, restored to his Benefice, or else had a better confer’d on him. He was esteemed by those of his opinion an excellent Preacher, and one that kept close to the footings of Jo. Dod, Rob. Cleaver, Arth. Hildersham and Jo. Rainolds; of the last of whom he would often say, that He was as learned a man as any in the world, as godly also as learned, and as humble as godly. He hath written,

God’s valuation of mans soul, in two sermons on Mark 8.36. Lond. 1632. qu.

Tentations; their nature, danger, and cure; in four parts. Lond. 1650. oct. &c. Each part came out by it self before that time.

Brief dispute touching restitution in the case of usury.—Printed with the Tentations. This Brief dispute, with the Short discourse of Usury, by Rob. Bolton, and the Usurer cast, by Chr. Jellinger, M. A. are replyed upon by T. P.—Lond. 1679.

Apology in defence of some Exceptions against some particulars in the book of Tentations. Lond. 1659. oct.

Remaines: being an useful Appendix to his excellent Treatise of Tentations, &c. Lond. 1658. oct. He paid his last debt to nature at Pitchcomb before mention’d on the 21 of Sept. in sixteen hundred fifty and six,1656. and was buried within the Precincts of the Church there. His Fathers name was Christopher Capel a stout Alderman of the City of Glocester, and a good friend to such Ministers that had suffer’d for Nonconformity. He was born at Hoo-capel in Herefordshire, and by Grace his Wife daughter of Rich. Hands, had issue Rich. Capel before mention’d.