George Hughes

, distinguished, while living, from others of his sirname, by the addition of Plymouth to his, was born ((a))((a)) Lib. matric. PP. fol. 78. b. of a Plebeian family in Surrey, particularly, as I have been informed by a learned ((b))((b)) Dr. Lazarus Seaman. Nonconformist, in the Borough of Southwark, was sent by his relations to Corp. Ch. Coll. in the beginning of the year 1619, where continuing in the condition of a Clerk or Chorister till he had compleated his Bachelaurs degree by Determination, translated himself to Pembroke Coll, took the degree of Master of Arts as a member thereof, entred into the sacred function, and for a time exercised the Ministry in, and near, Oxon. Afterwards he was Lecturer of Allhallows Church in Breadstreet within the City of London, took the degree of Bach. of Div. in the year 1633, and about that time became Vicar of S. Andrews Church in the then factious town of Plymouth in Devon. where continuing in great liking among the godly party, did, for benefit and interest sake, side with the Presbyterians in the beginning of the most wicked rebellion raised by them, was a zealous and forward man against the King, his Party, and Bishops, took all oaths that followed, was an enemy to the Orthodox Clergy, and in 1654 was one of the Assistants to the Commissioners of Devon. to eject such who were then called scandalous and ignorant Ministers and Schoolmasters. In 1662 when the Act of conformity took place, he left his cure in Plymouth, lived there, and exercising his function in private, that is in Conventicles, among the Brethren, contrary to the Act, was, with Tho. Martin the late Lecturer of that Church (a Conventicler also) conveyed into S. Nicholas Island near Plymouth, an. 1665, where they remained about 9 Months. In which time our author Hughes wrot an answer to Joh. Serjeants book entit. Sure-footing. At length his health being much impaired, as the Brethren reported, and his legs black and swoln, he was offer’d his liberty, upon condition of giving security of a 1000 l, not to live within 20 miles of Plymouth: Which being accordingly effected by the Brethren without his knowledge, he retired to Kingsbridge in Devonsh, found entertainment in the house of one Daniel Elley a Brother, and was much frequented to the last by the fanatical party. He was the most noted Presbyterian (if not Independent) of his time in Devonshire, and a most eager defender of his, against the prelatical, party, and ceremonies of the Church of England. His works are these.

Several Sermons as (1) Fun Sermon on 2. Kings 13.14. Printed 1632. qu. (3) Fun. Sermon on Psal. 16.10.—Pr. 1642. qu. (4) Drie rod blossoming, printed 1644. qu. (5) Vae-eugae-tuba: or, the Wo-joy-trumpet, &c. Fast serm. before the H. of Commons 26. May 1647. on Rev. 11.15. Lond. 1647. qu. &c.

Exposition on the small prophets. Lond. 1657. fol.

Sure footing in Christianity examined. Lond. 1668. oct.

Exposition on the book of Job. Lond. 1669. fol.

Aphorismes, or select propositions of the Scripture truly determining the doctrine of the Sabbath—Printed 1670. 71. oct.

Exposition on Genesis, and on 23 Chapters of Exodus Amsterd. 1672. fol. and other things which I have not yet seen. He paid his last debt to nature in the house of D. Elley of Kingsbridge before mention’d in the beginning of July in sixteen hundred sixty and seven, and was buried in the Church there near to the Pulpit.1667. Over his grave is this inscription fastned to a pillar just opposite to the Pulpit. In memoriam suaveolentem aeternùm colendam viri desideratissimi Georgii Hughes SS. Th. B. Plymudensium nuper pastoris vigilantissimi, sacrae sensus paginae penitiores eruere, homines concione flectere, precibus Deum, mirè edocti. Qui (solis aemulum) ab oriente auspicatus cursum (ortu Londinâs) occidentale dehinc sidus diu claruit, lucem in vitâ spargens undique, moriens luctum: Vitaeque (verè vitalis) curriculo in an. lxiv perducto optima perfunctus, perpessus mala, requiem tandem invenit; animo quidem in caelis, corpori verò in subjacente tumulo, ipsis Julii nonis, an. salutis MDCLXVII. Symmistae longè charissimi Georgii Geofridi A. M. cujus exuviae ante ter-novem annos ibidem sitae, nunc primum in cineres solvuntur, novis miscendos.

The said Tho. Crispin a rich Fuller of Exeter, and founder of a Free-school in Kingsbridge about the year 1670. was at the charge of setting up the said marble monument, and Mr. Joh. Howe who married Hughes his daughter drew up the inscription, as I have been informed by a neighbouring Minister of that place.