George Gyffard

or Gifford was a Student in Hart hall several years before 1568, (10. Elizab.) at which time did also study there others of his Sirname and allies, as Humphrey, Walter, and Rob. Gifford, but whether our author George was originally of this University, or that he took a degree in Arts, Law, Physick, or Divinity therein, it doth not at all (perhaps by the imperfectness of the registers) appear. Several persons in his time and before, did, tho they were beneficed, retire to this University purposely to improve themselves in learning and by conversation, and ’tis supposed that this Gifford did the like. Afterwards he became Minister of Maldon in Essex, a very noted preacher, and one most admirably well vers’d in several sorts of learning, which were rare and much in esteem in his time, but withal a great Enemy to Popery. His works are,

Country divinity, containing a discourse of certain points of Religion, which are among the common sort of Christians, with a plain confutation thereof. Lond. 1581. 1. oct.

Dialogue between a Papist and a Protestant, applied to the capacity of the unlearned. Lond. 1583. oct.

Against the Priesthood and Sacrifice of the Church of Rome, wherein you may perceive their impiety, in usurping that office and action, which ever appertaineth to Christ only. Lond. 1584. oct.

Catechism, giving a most excellent light to those that seek to enter the path-way to salvation. Lond. 1586. oct.

Discourse of the subtile practices of Devils by Witches and Sorceres, &c. Lond. 1587. qu.

Short treatise against the Donatists of England, whom we call Brownists; wherein by answer unto their writings, their heresies are noted. Lond. 1590. qu.

Plain declaration that our Brownists be full Donatists, by comparing them together from point to point out of the writing of Augustin. Lond. 1591. qu. Reply to Mr. Joh. Greenwood and Hen. Barrow touching read Prayer, wherein their gross ignorance is detected—These two last are dedicated to Sir Will. Cecill Lord Burleigh Chanc. of Cambridge.

Dialogue concerning Witches and Witchcrafts. In which is laid open how craftily the Devil deceiveth, not only the Witches, but many other, &c. Lond. 1593. and 1603. qu.

Treatise of true fortitude. Ibid. 94. oct.

Comment. or Sermons on the whole book of the Revelations Ibid. 96. qu.

Exposition on the Canticles. Lond. 1612. oct. Besides all these books he hath,

Several Sermons extant, as (1) Sermon on the parable of the Sower on Math. 13. ver. 1. to 9. Lond. 1581. oct. (2) Sermon on 2 Pet. ver. 1. to 11. Lond. 1584. oct. (3) Serm. on Jam. 2. ver. 14. to 26. Ibid. 86. oct. (4) Sermon on the first four chapt. and part of the 5. of Ecclesiastes, &c. Pr. at the same place 1589. oct. (5) Serm. at Paul’s cross, on Psal. 133. Lond. 1591. oct. (6) Two Sermons on 1 Pet. 5. 8, 9. wherein is shewed that the Devil is to be resisted only by a stedfast faith, &c. Lond. 1598. oct. (7) Four Sermons upon several parts of Scripture. Lond. 1598. oct. The first Sermon is on 1 Tim. 6, 17, 18, 19. &c. (8) Fiveteen Sermons on the Song of Solomon. Clar. 1620. Lond. 1620. oct. He also translated into English Prelections upon the sacred and holy Revolations. Lond. 1573. qu. Written in latin by Dr. Will. Fulke of Cambridge. This George Gifford hath written, and translated other things, which I have not yet seen, and lived to a good old age, but when he died it appears not.