Richard Carpenter

, a Cornubian born, became a Batler of Exeter coll. in the beginning of of 1592. and four years after Fellow, being then B. of Arts. Afterwards proceeding in that faculty, he solely dedicated his studies to Theology, by the advice and directions of Holland the Rector of his college, and proved in few years after learned and profound in that faculty, and an excellent preacher. In 1611. he was admitted to the reading of the Sentences, and about that time was made Rector of Sherwill, and of Loxhore adjoyning, near to Barnestaple in Devonshire; both which he kept without any other preferment, (except the Benefice of Ham, near unto Sherwill, which he enjoyed for some years) to the time of his death. Afterwards he proceeded in Divinity and became much esteemed for his learning (c)(c) Vide in lib. 2. & 3. Affaniarum Caroli Fitzgeofridi, edit. 1601: octa [•] . by Scholars, and by others, for those things that he published, which are.

Various Sermons, as (1) The Souls Sentinel, &c. at the funeral solemnities of Sir Arthur Acland Kt. 9. Jan. 1611. on Job. 14. verse 14. Lond. 1612. oct. (2.) A Pastoral charge, faithfully given and discharged at the Triennial visitation of William B. of Exon. at Barnstaple, 7. Sept. 1616. on Acts. 20. 28. Lond. 1616. oct. (3) Christs Larambell of love resounded, &c. on Joh. 15. 12. Lond. 1616. oct. (4.) The conscionable christian. &c. Three Assize Sermons at Taunton and Chard in Somersetshire, 1620. on Acts 24. 16. Lond. 1623. qu. Which three Sermons are mostly concerning the keeping of a good conscience. He paid his last debt to nature on the 18. 1627 of Decemb. in sixteen hundred twenty and seven aged 52. and was buried in the Chancel of the Church of Loxhore before mentioned. Over his grave is a large Epitaph in Prose and Verse, some of which runneth thus. Richardus Carpenter S. Theol. D. ab eruditione multiplici venerandus, pietate vitae, integritate, morumque comitate valde clarus. Hujus & Ecclesiae Sherwillensis pastor fidus, &c. The reader is now to know that there was another Rich. Carpenter a Divine, both after the former in time, and much inferior as to learning. He was educated in the School at Eaton coll. near Windsore and thence was elected Scholar of Kings coll. in Cambridge 1622. where continuing about two or three years, left it, his friends, and Country, went beyond the Seas and studied in Flanders, Artois, France, Spain, Italy, and at length received holy Orders at Rome from the hands of the Popes substitute. Soon after he was sent into England to gain Proselites, being then, as I have been told, a Benedictine Monk. In which employment continuing an year and upward, return’d to the Protestant Religion, and had by the Archbishop of Canterburies endeavours the Vicaridge of an obscure and small Village called Poling by the Sea side near Arundel Castle in Sussex bestowed on him. But before he was warm in that Seat, he received many abuses and affronts from certain Rom. Priests, and Laymen of their profession living in those parts, particularly by Franc. a S. Clara, who being sometimes in the neighbourhood by the name of Hunt, would be very free with and expose, him, to scorn before his parishioners. In the year 1642. and that of his age 33. or rather more, he published a treatise intit. Experience, History and Divinity, in five books. Printed at Lond. in a thick oct. and by the said author dedicated to the Parliament then sitting: In which Treatise p. 32. 37. &c. are many things spoken of himself. This book came out again, or rather had a new title to it of The Downfal of Antichrist, &c. an. 1648. What preferment he had afterwards I cannot tell, yet sure I am, that in the time of the Civil War he left the Nation and retired to Paris, where he became a railer against the Protestants. Afterwards he return’d to his old trade of Independancy in England, and about that time published The perfect Law of God, being a Sermon and no Sermon, preached and yet not preached. Printed 1652. in oct. He lived then, and after, at Aylesbury in Bucks, where he had kindred living, and would preach there very fantastically to the great mirth of some of his Auditors. After his Maj. Restauration, he published a Comedy intit. The Pragmatical Jesuit, with his picture before it, represented in very gentile Lay-habit, whereas his picture before his Experience, History and Divinity, represents him to be a formal Clergy man, with a mortified countenance. He was living at Aylesbury before mention’d in 1670. But before his death (which was elsewhere) he was (as some of his acquaintance hath told me) returned to Popery and caused his pretended Wife, to be of his perswasion, in which Faith he died. Those that knew him, have often told me that he was an impudent fantastical man, that changed his mind with his cloaths, and that for his juggles and tricks in matters of Religion, he was esteemed a Theological Mountebank. I find one or more of both his names, that have been writers, which I shall now pass by, and one Rich. Carpenter who had a publick dispute with one Gibs concerning Infant Baptism, in the times of Usurpation; which probably may be the same with him before mentioned.