Henry Hurst

a late noted Preacher of the Nonconformists party, son of Hen. Hurst somtimes Vicar of Mickleton in Glocestershire, was born there, entred a Batler of Madg. Hall after the surrender of the Garrison of Oxon to the Parliament forces; and being Puritannically educated from his childhood, he submitted to the power of the Visitors when they came to reform, or rather deform the University, an. 1648. In the latter end of the next year he was made by them Probationer-Fellow of Mert. College, where, as in the public Schools, he shew’d himself a quick, dexterous and smart Disputant. After he had taken the degrees in Arts, he became a frequent preacher in these parts, (without any Orders from a Bishop) especially in the Church or Chappel of S. Cross of Halywell in the Suburbs of Oxon, where he was much frequented by those of his perswasion, and somtimes by others too, for his edifying way of Preaching. Much about the time of his Majesties restauration he left the College and preached in London with the good approbation of those of his party. So that upon the vacancy of the Church of S. Matthew in Fridaystreet in London, he was, by the majority of the Parishoners votes, elected the Rector thereof. In 1662 he was ejected at Barthelmew-tide for Nonconformity; whereupon taking all opportunities, he preached in Conventicles, for which he was somtimes brought into trouble. In the latter end of the year 1671. when then an Indulgence of Liberty was granted to Nonconformists, he preached openly in London and somtimes at his native place, where those of his party would usually say that the Gospel was then come among them: But that Indulgence being soon after annul’d upon the petition of the Parliament made to his Majesty, he return’d to his customary preaching in private, and about 1675 his preaching being much admired by Elizabeth Countess or Anglesey, he was taken into the service of her Family and made Chaplain to her Lord; with whom he continued several years. Upon the breaking out of the Popish Plot in Sept. 1678 he shewed himself very active in aggrevating the concerns thereof in his preachments and common discourses: And it was usual with him to vent his mind in Conventicles, (not without some passion,) many things savouring of Treason. But when the Fanatical, which was generally call’d the Presbyterian, Plot broke out in June 1683 he sculk’d, being closely sought after, and was several times in danger of being brought into trouble. When K. Jam. 2. came to the Crown, and another Indulgence was soon after allowed, he preached openly again and continued his Lectures in and near London to the time of his death. His works are these.

Several Sermons as (1) The inability of the highest improved natural man to attain a sufficient and right knowledge of indwelling sin, discovered in three Sermons preached at S. Maries in Oxford, all on Rom. 7. latter part of the 7 verse. Oxon. 1659. oct. The running title on the top of every page is The natural mans blindness. In an Epistle to the Reader set before them, (which cut the very sinews, as tis said, of Pelagius and Socinus in some of their doctrines) written by one of the authors perswasion named Hen. Wilkinson D. D. Princ. of Magd. Hall, is this Character given of the author, viz. that he was sufficiently known to him and many others to be a godly, learned, and orthodox Divine, and that through his modesty, and low opinion of himself, did deny, for a long time, his consent to the making of those Sermons of publick use, &c. (2) Whether well composed religious vowes, do not exceedingly promote religion? on Psal. 116.12. and 14.—This is the thirteenth Sermon in The Morning Exercise at Cripplegate, preached in Sept 1661—Lond. 2661. qu. (3) Kings and Emperours not rightful Subjects to the Pope, on Acts 26.2.—This is the third Sermon in The Morning Exercise against Popery, preached by Nonconformists in Conventicles in Southwark—Lond. 1675. qu. (4) The faithful and diligent Servant of the Lord, a funeral discourse on the death of Mr, Tho. Cawton, on Luke 12.43. Lond. 1677. qu. (5) How we may best cure the love of being flattered? on Prov. 26.28, in the continuation of The Morning Exercise, 1682. (6) How we may enquire after news, not as Athenians, but as Christians, for the better managing our prayers and prayses for the Church of God? on Acts 17.21.—Preached in Oct. 1689.

The revival of Grace, in the vigour and fragrancy of it, by a due application of the blood of Christ, a Sacrifice, a Testator, and bearing a curse for us; particularly each for the exciting and increasing the graces of the believing Communicant. Lond. 1678. oct. Dedicated to his Patron Arthur Earl of Anglesie.

Annotations upon Ezekiel and the twelve lesser Prophets—In continuation of M. Poole’s Annotations of the holy Scripture. At length this learned and religious Nonconformist preaching on the Lords day in a Conventicle or Meeting-House in, or near, Covent Garden within the Liberty of Westminster, on a Lords day Apr. 13, was taken with an apoplectical fit: whereupon being conveyed to a Goldsmiths house adjoyning, expired the next day, ascending, as twere, from the Pulpit to the Throne, in sixteen hundred and ninty, aged 61, or thereabouts.1690. Afterwards his body was buried in the yard (near the Sun-Dial within the Railes) belonging to the Church of S. Paul within the said Cov. Garden, (wherein he before had buried 3 of his children) at which time Rich. Adams M. A. somtimes Fellow of Brasn. Coll. (a Nonconformist Divine) preached his funeral Sermon. Which being extant the Reader may see more of the person at the latter end thereof, p. 21.22. &c.