Samuel Hoard

a Londoner born, became either Clerk or Chorister of Allsoules Coll. in 1614, aged 15 years, where continuing till he was standing for the degree of Bach. of Arts, he retired to S. Maries Hall, and as a Member thereof took the degrees in Arts. Afterwards being made Chaplain to Robert Earl of Warwick, was by him presented to the Rectory of Moreton near Ongar in Essex, and about the same time was admitted Bach. of Divinity. He was well read in the Fathers and Schoolmen, was a good Disputant and Preacher, a zealous Calvinist in the beginning, but a greater Arminian afterwards. He hath written,

Gods Love to Mankind, manifested by disproving his absolute decree for their damnation. Lond. 1633. qu. 1673. oct. Answer’d by Twysse of Newbury and Davenant B. of Salisbury. Which book being quoted by Edw. Reynolds in some controversial Writings between him and Th. Pierce of Magd. College, the latter therefore upon that occasion sent for the book, and found ((b))((b)) See his Divine purity defended, chap. 6. p. 53. therein that the Author of it was a Convert from the Calvinistical Sect, which he there opposeth, and that he professeth in the entrance to give the reasons by which he was moved to change his opinion in some Controversies debated between the Remonstrants and their Opposites.— “Behold the liberal and ingenious confession of that conscientious and learned Calvinist; (saith Pierce ((c))((c)) ibid p. 54. of Hoard) first I say conscientious, because he was not ashamed to retract his Errors, nor to publish his retraction; nor did he fear what might follow by his contracting the displeasures of a revengeful party. Next I say learned, because he confuteth his former judgment, in an unanswerable manner, which is the likelier to be so, because an Answer hath been attempted by the learned men of that Party, who could arrive no higher than to attempt it (neither of them avowing the very same Doctrines which he opposed) and betray a dissatisfaction in other performances, why else was it attempted by more than one? Last of all I say Calvinist, and then discover the reasons why the motives to his Repentance must needs presede his change of life. He disliked that Sect, before he left it, however his leaving of it might tread upon the heels of his dislike, &c. He hath also published,”

Several sermons, as (1) The Churches Authority asserted, on 1 Cor. 14 4. Lond. 1634. qu. preached at Chelmsford at the metrapolitical Visitation of William L. Archb. of Cant. (2) The soules misery and recovery: or, the grieving of the spirit, how it is caused and how redressed, on Ephes. 4.30. Lond. 1636. oct. and 1657 in qu. with many additions, &c. He departed this mortal life on the 15 of Febr. in sixteen hundred fifty and seven, and was buried in the Chancel of the Church of Moreton before mention’d. At which time,1657/8. as I have been credibly informed, he left other things fit for the Press; but m whose hands they are detained, I could never yet learn.