Nicholas Fuller

, the most admired Critick of his time, Son of Rob. Ful. a French-man born, (or at least a borderer on France, and by profession a Carver of wood or stone,) by Catherine his Wife, descended from the ancient and worshipful house of the Cressets of Shropshire, was born in the ancient Borough of Southampton, educated in Lat. and Gr. in the Free-School there, first under John Hurloke, then under Dr. Hadrian Saravia. At length being made ripe for the University, he was taken from School into the Family of Dr. Rob. Horne B. of Winchester, where spending some time in study, was by him made his Secretary, and after his death was continued in that office under Dr. Joh. Watson his Successor, at the request of Dr. W. Barlow Brother-in-Law to Horne. But Watson dying also after he had sate three years, our author Fuller, as being weary of civil affairs, retired to his home with a resolution to follow those studies which his Genie did then very much direct him to. But before he was setled, he was invited to instruct in juvenile learning Henry, William, and Oliver, Wallop, the Sons of a Knight of Hampshire. With the two former he afterwards went as a Tutor to this University, and in the beginning of Mich. Term, 1584. they were all matriculated as Members of St. Jo [•] ns coll. our author Fuller being then 27 years of age. But his Pupils remaining there but a little while, William [〈◊〉] to his home, and our author with Hen. Wallop translated themselves to Hart hall; where, without any neglect of his precious time, he improved his studies to a miracle. took both the degrees in Arts, and then retired to his own Country. At length taking the Sacred Function upon him, he became Rector of a small Village called Allington alias Allington near to Amesbury in Wilts. but so small was his Benhce, that it could not maintain an ingenion person in common necessaries. Here he was as a Candle put under a Bush [•] l, so private was his place and employment, yet so dear were his studies to him, that by passing through all difficulties, he attained to so great a proficiency in the Tongues, and was so happy in pitching upon useful difficulties, tending to the understanding of the Scripture, that he surpassed all Criticks of his time. Afterwards he was made Prebendary of Vlfcomb in the Church of Salisbury, and Rector of Bishops-Waltham in [〈◊〉] Which last he obtained, as ’tis said, by the [〈◊〉] of Dr. [〈◊〉] B. of Winton. This most renowned [〈◊〉] hath written these things following.

[〈…〉] lib. [〈◊〉] Heidelb. 1612. oct. To which he added a fourth book, published with the former three at Oxon. 1616. and at Lond. 1617. qu. But these [〈◊〉] coming soon after into the hands of Joh. Drusius an old [〈…〉] (whom I have before mentioned,) he gr [•] w angry and jealous, as one (*)(*) Tho. Fulier in his Worthie. tells us, [〈◊〉] he should be out-shined in his own sphere. Whereupon he spared not to cast some drops of ink upon him for being his Plagiary, and taking his best notes from him without any acknowledgment. But our author knowing himself guiltless, as having never seen Drusius his works, added a fifth and sixth book to the former, intit.

Miscellanea Sacra, cum Apologia contra V. Cl. Johan. Drusium. Lugd. Bat. 1622. qu. and at Argent. 1650. &c. All which Miscellanies are remitted into the ninth vol. of the Criticks, and scattered and dispersed throughout the whole work of M. Poole’s Synopsis. He hath also written,

Exposition of Rabbi Mordochie Nathans Hebr. roots, with notes upon it.—MS. in the Archieves of Bodies Library. Which book doth shew his excellent skill in the Hebrew, and in other Philological learning.

Lexicon.—MS. Which, had he lived, he would, with his Exposition, have published. At length breathing out his divine Soul at Allington before-mentioned, about the tenth day of Febr. in sixteen hundred twenty and two,1622-3. was buried in the middle of the Chancel of the Church there, on the 13. of the same month, and thereupon his Prebendship of Sarum was conferred on one Tho. Clerk, 28. Apr. 1623. Besides this Nich. Fuller, was another of both his names and time, Son of Nich. Fuller of the City of London Merchant, younger Son of Thom. Fuller of Neats hall in the Isle of Shepy; which Nich. having received education in one of the Universities, (in Cambridge as it seems, where he was a Benefactor to Eman. coll.) went afterwards to Grays Inn, of which he was at length a Counsellour of note, and a Bencher. But being always looked upon as a noted Puritan, and Champion of the Nonconformists, pleaded in behalf of his two Clients Tho. Lad and Rich. Maunsell, (who had been imprisoned by the High Commission,) and endeavoured to prove that the Ecclesiastical Commissioners had no power by virtue of their Commission to imprison, to put to the Oath ex officio, or to fine any of his Majesty’s Subjects. Whereupon a legal advantage being given to Archb. Bancroft, Fuller was imprisoned by him, and continued in custody several years. He hath written, An argument in the case of Tho. Lad and Rich. Maunsel his Clients, proving that Ecclesiastical Commissioners have not power by virtue of their Commission to imprison, to put to the Oath ex officio, or to fine any of his Majesty’s Subjects. Lond. 1607. and 1641. qu. He died in durance on the 23. of Feb. 1619. aged 76 years, and was buried towards the east end of the south Isle joyning to the Church of Thatcham in Berks, (in which Parish his Seat called Chamber-house is situated.) leaving then behind him two Sons, Nicholas and Daniel, besides Daughters. Nicholas, who had been a Student in Queens coll. in this Univ. of Oxon, was a Knight while his Father lived, but dying 30. of July 1621. was buried near to the grave of his said Father.