Thomas Godwin

second Son of Anthony Godw. of Wookey in Somersetshire, and he the second Son of Will. Godw. of the City of Wells, was born in that County, became a Student in Magd. hall in the beginning of the year 1602. and in that of his age 15. Four years after he was made Demie of Magd. Coll, where following the studies of Philology and the Tongues with unwearied industry, became at length, after he was Master of Arts, chief Master of Abendon School in Berks: Where, by his sedulous endeavours, were many educated, that were afterwards eminent in the Church and State. In the year 1616, being then, and some years before, Chaplain to Dr. Montague Bishop of Bathe and Wells, he was admitted to the reading of the Sentences, and in 1636, was licensed to proceed in Divinity. Before which time, he being, as ’twere, broken, or wearied out, with the drudgery of a School, had the Rectory of Brightwell near Wallingford in Berks. confer’d upon him, which he kept to his dying day. He was a person of a grave and reverend aspect, was a grace to his Profession, was most learned also in Latin, Greek and Hebrew antiquity, and admirably well versed in all those matters trequisite for the accomplishment of a Rector of an Academy. He hath transmitted to Posterity.

Romanae Historiae Anthologia. An English exposition of the Roman antiquities, wherein many Roman and English offices are parallel’d, and divers obscure phrases explained. In 3 books. Oxon 1613, &c. qu.

Synopsis Antiquitatum Hebraicarum ad explicationem utriusque Testamenti valde necessaria, &c. lib 3. Oxon. 1616. &c. qu. Dedicated to Dr. Jam. Montague B. of B. and Wells, and Dean of his Majesties Chappel.

Moses and Aaron, Civil and Ecclesiastical rites, used by the ancient Hebrews, observed, and at large opened, for the clearing of many obscure texts throughout the whole Scripture, in six books.—Printed 1625. in qu.

Florilegium Phrasicon, Or a Survey of the Latine Tongue—When this book was first printed I know not, for I do not remember that I ever yet have seen the first edition.

Three arguments to prove Election upon foresight of Faith—which coming in Ms. into the hands of Twisse of Newbury were by him answered. Soon after that answer being sent to our Author Godwin, he made a Reply, which was confuted by the Rejoynder of Twisse. The Presbyterian ((a))((a)) George Kendal in Tuissii Vita & Victoria, &c. and Sam. Clarke in his Lives of Eminent persons, &c. printed 1683. fol. p. 16. writers say that tho Dr. Godwin was a very learned Man in the antiquities of the Hebrews, Greeks, and Latines, yet he was fitter to instruct Grammarians, than deal with Logicians, and had more power as Master of a School at Abendon, than as a Doctor of Divinity. They further add also that Twisse did by his writings and disputes whip this old Schoolmaster, and wrested that Ferula out of his hands which he had enough used with pride, and expos’d him to be derided by boyes. Dr. Godwin, after he had for some years enjoyed himself in great repose, in requital of his many labours, surrendred up his soul to God,1642/3. 20. March in sixteen hundred forty and two, and was buried in the Chancel belonging to his Church of Brightwell beforemention’d. He then left behind him a wife named Philippa Tesdale of Abendon, who at her own charge caused a Marble stone to be laid over his grave: the inscription on which, you may read in Hist. & Antiq. Univ. Oxon, lib. 2. p. 201. a.