Nicholas Lockyer

son of VVill. Lock. of Glastenbury in Somersetshire, was born in that County, entred either Batler or Commoner of New Inn, in 1629 aged 17 years, took the degree of Bach. of Arts, but whether that of Master it appears not: And about the same time entring into holy Orders according to the Church of England, had some Cure conferr’d on him, but upon the change of the times, occasion’d by the iniquity of the Presbyterians, he closed with, preached frequently among, them, took the Covenant, and afterwards preaching among the Independents he took the Engagement. On the 10 of Dec. 1653 he was one of the Independent Ministers that were presented to the Parliament to be sent Commissioners by three in a Circuit for the ejecting and setling of Ministers according to the rules then prescribed, but that project taking not effect, he was appointed one of the Commissioners by Oliver in the latter end of the said year for the approbation of publick Preachers. In June 1654, he being then Fellow of Eaton Coll, in great favour with Oliver, (to whom he was Chaplain) and entrusted in several Commissions, the then Delegates of the University ordered that he the said Mr. Lockyer sometimes of New Inn and Master of Arts of 12 years standing might have the degree of Bach. of Divinity confer’d on him, but whether he was admitted to that degree, or was ever Master of Arts of this University, it appears not, as it is told you before. In the latter end of 1658, he became Provost of Eaton Coll. in the place of Franc. Rouse deceased, was deprived of it at his Majesties restauration, and two years after, when the act of Conformity was published he lost an Ecclesiastical Benefice: So that carrying on the trade of conventicling and plotting, he was shrewdly suspected, with Ph. Nye, to have had a hand in that stupendious Tragedy intended to be acted by the satanical saints, on the King, royal Family, Court and Loyal party, in Nov. 1662, for which George Phillips, Tho. Tongue, &c. suffered death. He hath written.

Several Sermons as (1) Fast Sermon before the House of Commons 28 Oct. 1646. on Isa. 53.10. Lond. 1646. qu. (2) Fast Serm. bef. the H. of Com. 3. Aug. 1659—This I have not yet seen, and therefore know not the Text. The summ of other Sermons do here follow.

A divine discovery of sincerity, according to its proper and peculiar nature, &c. Lond. 1643. oct, delivered in three Sermons on 2. Cor. 11.12.

Baulme for bleeding England and Ireland: or, seasonable instructions for persecuted Christians, &c. Lond. 1643. 49. oct, contained in the sum or substance of 20 Sermons on Colos. 1.11.12.

England faithfully watcht with, in her wounds: or Christ as a father sitting up with her Children in their sowning state. Lond. 1646. qu, painfully preached on Colos. 1.

Christ communion with his Church Militant. Lond. 1647. oct. and 1672, which is the fifth edition: First preached and afterwards published for the good of Gods Church in general. The said fifth edit. which is in oct. also, hath the authors picture before it, in a cloak, with 4 verses engraven under it. The two first of which run thus,

Note well the substance of this shade so bright,

Lo, ’tis a burning and a shining light.

An olive leaf: or a bud of the spring, viz. Christs resurrection, and its end, viz. the correction of sinners and a Christians compleat relief. Lond. 1650 oct.

A Stone cut out of the mountain: A lecture sermon preached at Edenburgh concerning the matter of visible Church—Printed in tw. Refuted by Jam. Wood a Scotch man in his Pamphlet published 1654. qu. I mean the same James Wood who was afterwards Professor of Div. and Provost of S. Salvators Coll. in the University of St. Andrew, who died about the year 1664. Whether he be the same Jam. Wood who was Chaplain to, and a constant companion with the most noble James Marquess of Montross when he made his first war against the Covenanteers in Scotland, and accompanied him when he left that Nation, after his Maj. K. Ch. 1, had commanded him to lay down his armes and disband, I know not. Quaere.

Spiritual inspection: or, a review of the heart, needful for this loose and lascivious season—Pr. in oct.

The young mans call and duty—Pr. in a small oct.

Useful instructions for the People of God, in these evil times. Lond. 1656. oct. Delivered in 22 Sermons.

A memorial of Gods judgments spiritual and temporal: or sermons to call to remembrance &c. Lond. 1671. oct. First preached in six sermons, and then published for publick use. What other things he hath published I cannot tell, nor do I know any thing else of him, only that he spending his last days at Woodford in Essex, where he kept, or at least frequented, Conventicles, died a wealthy man on the 13. of March or thereabouts,1684/ [•] . in sixteen hundred eighty and four: whereupon his body was buried some days after in the Church of S. Mary of Mountfallon, commonly called Whitechappel near London, leaving then behind him two Daughters called Abigail and Elizabeth.