Andrew Kingsmyll

Son of John Kingsmyll of Sidmanton in Hampshire, was born there, or in that County, elected Fellow of Allsouls Coll. from that of Corp. Chr. in 1558, studied the Civil Law, wherein he attained to a considerable knowledge, and was admitted to the reading of any Book of the Institutions in that faculty, in the beginning of the Year 1563. About that time also he exercised himself much in the Scriptures, and having a great memory, could readily rehearse memoriter in the Greek tongue St. Pauls Epistles to the Romans and Galatians, and St. Johns first Canonical Epistle, besides other Chapters of the Old and New Test. and several Psalmes. He exercised himself also by writing of sundry matters that he might grow in judgment, readiness, and aptness to teach others, if at any time he should be called thereunto; whereof a little treatise entit. A view of Mans estate, &c. yieldeth some proof, which he wrot at about 22 years of Age. He esteemed not so much the preferment and profit, whereunto many ways he might easily have attained by the profession of the Law, as the comfortable assurance (which he usually urged) and blessed hope of life eternal. Wherefore to further himself therein, he sought not only the exact knowledge of the Greek and Hebrew tongues, but also for a time to live in some one of the best reformed Churches, where he might both by the doctrine and discipline of the Gospel, be dayly confirm’d in the true worship of God, and well prepared for the Ministry of the Church. For this end he settled in Geneva, where he remained the space of three years, being well liked by the learned and godly there. From thence he removed to Losanne; where being too good for this world, ended this mortal life, leaving behind him a rare example of godliness among the Calvinistical Brethren there. He hath written.

A view of mans estate, wherein the great mercy of God in mans free justification is shewed. Lond. 1574. 1580 &c. oct.

A godly advice touching marriage. Lond. 1580. oct.

Excellent and comfortable treatise for all such as are any manner of way either troubled in mind or afflicted in body. Lond. 1578. oct.

Godly and learned exhortation to bear patiently all afflictions for the Gospel of Jes. Ch. (on Gal. 6. 14.)

Conference between a godly learned Christian and an afflicted conscience concerning a conflict had with Satan. All which, and I think a Sermon on S. Joh. 3. 16. printed in oct. were published, after the Authors death, by his friend and contemporary Franc. Mylls a Kentish Man, M. of A. and Fel. of Alls. C. As for the Author, he surrendred up his last breath, in the prime of his years, at Losanne, (and therefore the more lemented by the brethren,) in the Month of Sept. in Fifteen hundred sixty and nine, 1569 leaving behind him an excellent pattern of his virtues and piety, which all should, but few did, imitate. It must be now known that in the beginning of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, the Univ. of Oxon was so empty (after the R. Cath. had left it upon the alteration of Religion) that there was very seldom a Sermon preached in the University Church called Sr. Mary, and what was done in that kind, was sometimes by Laurence Humphrey President of Magd. C. and Thom. Sampson Dean of Ch. Ch. But they being often absent, a young Man of Allsouls Coll. would often step up and Preach to the admiration of all his auditors. This young Man, whom, as Sir Hen. Savile Warden of Merton Coll. (who came to the University in 1561.) use to stile the young Bachelaur of Alls. Coll. I take to be Andrew Kingsmyll Bach. of Law, and none else.