Henry Jacob

, was a Kentish man born, entred a Commoner or Batler in S. Maries hall 1579. aged 16, took the degrees in Arts, holy Orders and became beneficed in his own Country, particularly, as I have been informed, at Cheriton, but upon search into that Parish register, wherein are the names of all the Rectors of that Church set down since 1591. H. Jacob. occurs not, as having been perhaps Rector before that time. He was a person most excellently well read in Theological authors, but withal was a most zealous Puritan, or as his Son Henry used to say the first Independant in England. His writings against Francis Johnson a Brownist (exile for Jesus Ch. as he stiles himself) and Tho. Bilson Bishop of Winton. speak him learned. With the former he controverted concerning the Churches and Ministers of England, and with the other concerning Christs suffering and descention into Hell. Which controversie, though eagerly bandied to and fro between them, yet it was afterwards plyed more hotly in both the Unisities, in 1604. and after; where Bilsons doctrine was maintained and held up, yet publickly opposed by many of our Zealots, both at home and abroad. At home by Gabr. Powell a stiff Puritan (mentioned under the year 1607.) and abroad by Hugh Broughton and Rob. Parker, I mean that Robert a Divine, sometimes of Wilton in Wilts, who leaving the Nation for conscience sake, died at Deusbourgh in Gelderland, in Autumn time or after, an, 1630. leaving behind him a Widdow named Dorothie, and a Son named Thomas, author of De traductione peccatoris. There were two more brethren at least of the separation, who opposed Bilson’s doctrine, but their names I cannot now justly tell you. The works of our author Hen. Jacob are these.

Treatise of the sufferings and victory of Christ in the work of our redemption. &c. written against certain errours in these points publickly preached in Lond. 1597. Lond. 1598. oct. The points we [•] e (1) That Christ suffered for us the wrath of God, which we may well term the pains of Hell, or hellish sorrows. (2) That Christ after his death on the Cross, went not into Hell in his Soul.

Defence of the Church and ministry of England, against Francis Johnson Brownist. Middleburg 1599. qu. They had several disputes in Amsterdam about the Church of England being a true Church.

Defence of a treatise touching the sufferings and victory of Christ in the work of our redemption—Printed 1600. qu.

Reasons taken out of Gods word and the best humane testimonies, proving a necessity of reforming our Churches of England, &c.—Printed 1604. qu.

A position against vain glorious, and that which is falsly called, learned, preaching—Printed 1604. oct.

The divine beginning and institution of Christs true visible and material Church. Leyden 1610. oct.

Plain and cleer exposition of the second commandement.—Printed 1610. oct.

Declaration and opening of certain points, with a sound confirmation of some others, in a treatise entit. The divine beginning, &c. (as before)—Middleburg 1611. He hath written and published other things, as the Counter poyson, &c. which being printed by stealth, or beyond the Seas, 1621 are rare to be either seen, or procured. He departed this mortal life, in sixteen hundred twenty and one, or thereabouts, aged 60. years, or more, but where buried, unless in London, where he began to gather a congregation in the year 1616. I cannot tell. He left behind him a Son of both his names, who was afterwards Fellow of Mert. coll. and a prodigy for curious and critical learning, as I shall tell you at large when I come to him.