William Lyford

son of Will. Lyf. Rector of Peysmere near to Newbury in Berks. was born there, (to the poor of which place he was an especial benefactor at the time of his death) became a Commoner of Magd. Hall in Lent term 1614, aged 16 or thereabouts, Demie of Magd. Coll. 1617, and perpetual Fellow five years after, he being then Master of Arts. Afterwards he took holy Orders and exercised his Function for some time in, and near, Oxford. In 1631 he was admitted to the reading of the Sentences, and about that time became Minister of Shirebourne in Dorsetshire by the favour of John Earl of Bristow, where he was much resorted to for his edifying and practical way of preaching. At length the Civil War breaking forth and the Presbyterians carrying all before, he sided with, them, was made one of the Assembly of Divines, but sate not among them. He hath written and published several theological Tracts, which savour much of great Piety, Zeal, and sincerity to Religion, but withal they shew him to have been a zealous Calvinist. The Titles are these.

Principles of Faith and good Conscience; digested into a catechistical form. Lond. 1642. Oxon. 1652. in oct. &c.

An Apology for our publick Ministry and Infant-baptism. Lond. 1652. 53. &c. qu.

Several Sermons, as (1) The translation of a Sinner from death to life, by the free grace of God, Serm. at S. Maries in Oxon, on Tit. 3.5. Oxon. 1648. qu. (2) Serm. on Dan. 3. from ver. 14. to 18. Lond. 1654. qu. (3) Serm. on 2 Cor. 2.15.16. Lond. 1654. qu. (4) Serm. on Heb. 5.13.14. Lond. 1655. qu. One of these last two, if I am not mistaken, is intit. The matching of the Magistrates Authority and the Christians true liberty in matters of Religion.

Plain mans Senses exercised to discern both good or evil: or, a discovery of the Errors, Heresies, and Blasphemies of these times, &c. Lond. 1655. qu.

His Legacy: or, an help for young people to prepare them for the Sacrament. Lond. 1656. 58 oct.

Cases of Conscience propounded in the time of Rebellion, resolved. Lond. 1661. oct.

Conscience informed touching our late Thanksgivings, in a plain and modest discourse. Lond. 1661. This I have not yet seen, and therefore cannot tell you in what Vol. ’twas printed. At length this person, who was of great Modesty and Vertues, being tormented with a painful and sharp disease, by the Witchcraft, as ’tis said, of certain Quakers, surrendred up his pious soul to God, on the third day of Octob. in sixteen hundred fifty and three,1653. and was buried under the Communion Table in the Chancel of the Church at Shirebourne before mention’d. By his last Will and Test. he bequeathed to Magd. Coll. 120 l. towards the maintenance of a godly poor Scholar thereof, in way of restitution for a sum of money, which, according to a corrupt custom of his time, he did receive for the resignation of his Fellowship of that College. You may see more of him, his holy life and conversation, in some Memorials of him delivered, after his funeral sermon, by W. H. D. of D. prefixed to The plain mans senses exercised, &c. before mention’d.