George Newton

a Ministers son, was born in Devonshire, entred a Batler of Exet. Coll. in Mich. tetm 1617 aged 16 years or thereabouts, took the degrees in Arts, that of Master being compleated in 1624, entred into holy orders, became Minister of Hill-Bishops near Taunton, and in Apr. 1631 was made Vicar of Taunton S. Magd. by the presentation of Sir Will. Portman Bt, and Rob. Hill Gent. After his settlement in that Vicaridg he behaved himself conformible for a time; but upon the breaking out of the rebellion, he sided with the Presbyterians, having alwaies been puritanically educated, preached against the K. and his followers when Taunton was garrison’d for the Parliament, and became a mighty man in that interest and much followed and adored by factious people. In 1654. he was by ordinance appointed one of the Assistants to the Commissioners for the ejecting of such whom the godly party called scandalous, ignorant and insufficient Ministers and Schoolmasters; in which employment he sufficiently gave an helping hand to the undoing of many loyal persons; and afterwards by his and the preaching of other Presbyterians and Independents, (who ridiculously make preaching only, their religion) the said Town of Taunton became the most factious place in all the Nation. In 1662 about S. Bartholmews day, he was deprived of his Vicaridg for Nonconformity, and for the present that place was supplied by Mr. Thom. James fellow of Alls. Coll. in Oxon, much frequented by the loyal party there, and by the Gentry adjoyning. Afterwards our author Newton preaching in several Conventicles very seditiously, he was seised on, imprison’d for several years, and justly suffer’d as a mover of sedition. He hath written and published,

An exposition with notes unfolded and applyed on Joh. 17, delivered in sermons preached weekly on the Lords day in the Congregration in Taunton Magdelene. Lond. 1660 in a pretty large fol. It is dedicated to Col. John Gorges Governour of the City of London-Derry in Ireland, whom the author calls his brother.

Several Sermons as (1) Magna Carta: or, the Christians charter epitomized, on Psal. 91.16. Lond. 1661. in tw. (2) Serm. at the fun. of Mr. Jos. Allein, on Luke 23.28. Lond. 1672. and 77. oct. &c.

An account of the godly life and practice of Mr. Joseph Allein and of the course of his Ministrie in Taunton. Lond. 1672. and 77. oct. See more in Jos. Allein among these writers, p. 299.300. This G. Newton died in sixteen hundred eighty and one,1681. and was buried in the Chancel of the Church of Taunton S. Magd. Soon after was a mon, with inscription put over his grave: the contents of which follow. Hic jacet corpus Georgii Newton Artium Magistri, qui obiit 12. Junii, 1681, anno aetatis 79, postquam officium Evangelistae in hoc oppido (viz. Taunton) per 50 annos fideliter prestiterat.

Non fictis maestam lachrymis conspergite tumbam,

Pastoris vestri nam tegit ossa pii.

Vestra Salutifero planxit peccata flagello

Delicti sensu corda gravata levans.

Absolvet pensum sancti & mercede recepta

Nunc caeli regno, ut stella corusca micat.