Vavasor Powell

, having often told his friends, and the Brethren, not without boasting, that he was once a member of Jesus Coll. in Oxon, I shall therefore upon his word number him among these writers. Be it known therefore that this person who was famous in his generation for his ill name among those that were not of his opinion, was born in the borough of Knacklas in Radnorshire, Son of Rich. Howell an Ale-keeper there, by Penelope his Wife, Daughter of Will. Vavasor of Newtowne in Montgomeryshire He was brought up a Scholar saith the publisher ((a))((a)) Edw. Bagshaw, as ’tis reported, pag. 106. of his life, but the writer ((b))((b)) Alex. Griffith, p. 1.2. of Strena Vavasoriensis tells us that his employment was to walk Guests horses, by which finding no great gain at such a petty Ale-house, he was elevated in his thoughts for higher preferment, and so became an Hostler (I would say Grooms) to Mr. Isaac Thomas an Inn-keeper and Mercer in Bishops Castle in Shropshire, &c. The time that he came to the said Coll. must be, if true, about 1634, at which time he was 17 years of age, being then encouraged in his studies and exhibited to by his Uncle ((c))((c)) Ib. in E. Bagshaw. Erasmus Howell, but whether he was matriculated, or avoided it to save a little money, as many have done that intend to take no degree, I know not, nor what stay or progress he made in his studies in the said Coll. Sure it is, that soon after, his said Uncle got him to be setled at Clun in Shropshire, where he taught School first, and then was Curat, or as Strena ((d))((d)) pag. 2. saith “took upon him the habit of Sir John, and lest without ordination (under the Episcopal government) he might incur the danger of suspension, borrowed of an old decayed Minister (his near kinsman) his letters of Orders, raiseth out the other, and inserts his own, name, and under colour of these counterfeit letters, he goes unsent, and begins to thunder out of the pulpits as if he had been a fiery spirit raised out of hell. But by reason of his inconformity, and the many errors he had broached, his calling was question’d, and the orders being well scan’d, were found spurious and counterfeit, and he bound to appear at the next great Sessions to be held for the County of Radnor; (where he frequently preached after he had left Clun) so that upon his appearance and indictment for nonconformity, forging of orders and seditious doctrine, he was with much ado reprieved from the Gallows” — Being thus disinabled to preach in Churches, he exercised his function in houses, railing always much against the Common prayer, and when hunted from thence he would preach in fields, under hedges, on the side of hills, and in obscure valleys, “so that Radnorshire which before was a dark country (saith the canting and ridiculous account of his life) came to have much light, and in short space many eminent professors were begotten in it: at which Satan began to rage exceedingly, and stirred up some of his instruments to persecute the truth, laying wait for his time and liberty, some by a judicial way, some by violence till they drove him out of his Country” —He therefore finding the persecution so hot against him (so are his ((d))((d)) In the Account of his Conversion and Ministry, p. 11. own words) that he could not be permitted to serve the Lord there, he did by the advice of his brethren, leave his native Country of Wales, and by the guidance and providence of God was carried and conducted safely to London, where he arrived in Aug. 1642. Being therefore setled in that place (then free for all opinions) he preached for two years together almost every day, either in Churches or Houses, venting with great malice all that he read or heard against the King and his proceedings, thundred out strange notions and unheard of blasphemies, and took all occasions to promote the blessed and righteous cause. At two years end he setled at Dartford in Kent, where he spread his errors for two years more, to the great ((e))((e)) Strena Vav. p. 3. cheating and seducing poor souls. No sooner was Wales reduced under the power of the Parliament, an. 1646, but he received a call, and was desired to exercise his gifts in his own Country: Whereupon he retired to the Synod, that is the Ass. of Divines, to gain a Testimonial from them, but Steph. Marshall questioning him about his ordination, told him that unless he would be ordained, or take Orders from the Presbytery, they could not approve of him. To which he answer’d that he was willing to be tried as a Christian, and as a Scholar, but had some doubts about ordination, &c. At length after some arguings about that matter, they gave him a certificate of his religious and blameless conversation, and of able gifts for the work of the Ministry, subscribed by Herle the Prolocutor and 17 of the Assembly, 11. Sept. 1646, being by that time patched up with several notorious Independents, of whom Philip Nye, Pet. Sterry, &c. were of the number. Upon his return into Wales, in the latter end of the said month, there was great joy expressed among the Brethren, but the honest and loyal party perceived full well that “he returned ((f))((f)) Ibid. See also in Merc. Cambro-Britannus: or, News from Wales, touching the miraculous propagation of the Gospel there, &c. Lond. 1652. not out of any affection to the cause, but for his own designs, security and advantage, and became as active and vigorous as the perpetual motion of a tongue, or the invention of a wicked brain could possibly be for the rooting out of the Ministry, branding the calling as Anti-christian, and rendring their persons by all scandalous aspersions to become odious to the people. And for the more speedy effecting thereof, he, together with others of the same cut promoted the Act for propagation of the Gospel in Wales, so really intended by the pious care and charity of those members of Parliament, yet by the unworthy managing thereof by our author and his fellow Itinerants, it proved like another Ephesian image of Diana for the benefit only of this Demetrius and his tradesmen, the silver shrines taking up the whole devotion of that worship, &c.” By virtue of the said Act most of the Ministers and Schoolmasters were silenced, and none were left to preach the Gospel save only Vav. Powell and certain ignorant Itinerants, who were, as ’twere, his Journey-men. There was not one day but he rode about the Country like an Apostle to scatter his doctrine among simple people, insomuch ((g))((g)) So in his Life before quoted p. 107. that there was but few, if any, of the Churches, Chappels, Town halls in Wales wherein he did not preach Christ: yea very often upon Mountains and very frequent in Fairs and Markets, &c. For his encouragement in this he had a stipend and salary of an hundred pound yearly, allowed him out of the Prebends, Deans, and Chapters and other tithes, besides the vast emoluments of many other sequestred benefices in North Wales, and the wages of divers of the Itinerants and Schoolmasters, who were the Journey-men and Stipendiaries, he being accounted the Metropolitan of them. Farther also he and they, or such as were their Agents, had ((h))((h)) Strena, p. 5. the disposal of above forty thousand pounds per an. in Tithes, Gleabes, Impropriations, Rents reserved, and other ecclesiastical Benefices and Promotions from the year 1649 inclusive, till the latter end of 1653, at which time it was unaccounted for. In that, and the year after, he spoke against Oliver to his face, preached publickly against, and wrot letters to, him, for assuming to himself the office of a single person, that is, the Protectorship, for which he was more than once imprison’d, to the terror of his party. In the latter end of 1654 he raised and headed a party of Phanaticks on the rising of the Cavaliers at Salisbury, and did all his endeavours to keep down their rising in Wales: So that by his great Authority and gains in those parts, he, from a poor boy, (a Groom or Ostler, as the Author of Strena tells you) became great and wealthy, purchased some of the Kings Fee-farm Rents and Lordships, for the most part in another mans name, and to perpetuate his memory built for himself a very fair and sumptuous house in Kerry in Montgomeryshire. In 1657 I find him in Oxford, where, being minded to shew his parts, he did, by the help of some of the Brethren there, get into Allsaints Pulpit on Wednesday 15 July the same year; and having got together a great Auditory in a very short time as well of Scholars as Layicks (many of whom came purely out of novelty) he did first of all very plentifully rail against the Universities and humane Learning, and then against certain persons in Oxon: among which was Mr. Hen. Hickman Fellow of Magd. Coll, for whom he told the Auditory that the Pope would provide for him a Miter, and the Devil a Frying-pan, &c. said upon no other account, as was conceived, but because the said Mr. Hickman spoke publickly in the Divinity-school in the last Vespers when he disputed upon this question An Ministri Anglicani habeant validam ordinationem? that the Church of Rome for ought he knew, was a true Church, or to that effect; not that he was drawn to say so by force of argument, but opinion. Upon the approach of the Kings restauration, he was seized upon and imprison’d at Shrewsbury, and according to the opinion of those of his perswasion, he suffered much: of which matter hear what one ((i))((i)) Hen. Jessey in his book intit. The Lords loud Call to England, &c. printed 1660. p. 13. of his mind doth cantingly deliver, “Mr. Vav. Powell who is accounted by many Ministers and others, that knew him well, to be a man of God, mighty in Scriptures, an able and painful Preacher of the Gospel in a great part of North and South Wales, usually preaching as that learned, eminent and holy man of God John Calvin did, six or seven times, or oftner every week, to the saving of many from their sins and from hell and swift destruction thereby, was seized upon and imprison’d at Shrewsbury, as also many of his friends in several northern Counties in Wales, not for any crime committed by him or them; yea and divers of their houses plundered by Soldiers, shewing no warrant for their proceedings therein. This was about the latter end of Feb. 1659, &c. ” He tells us also, that in South Wales some of the Congregation, with that precious man of God Mr. Jenkin Jones, who preached the Gospel in several Counties as Mr. Vavasor Powell did, was imprisoned also, as was Thom. Gwinn a Gentleman Cavalier in Wales, who about 1657, was wrought upon by the Ministry of the said Jones, and brought over to his party: But the said Jones and Gwinn were not imprisoned till his Maj. Restauration. About that time all the lands and tenements that had been purchased by V. Powell were taken from him, and he removed from Shrewsbury where he was much haunted by his party, into Mountgomeryshire, and there kept in close custody, and from thence to the Prison called the Fleet in London. In 1662 he was translated thence to Southsea Castle near Portsmouth, where continuing 5 years, became intimate with Edw. Bagshaw of Ch. Ch, who also was committed Prisoner to that place while Powel was there. In 1667 he was removed by Habeas Corpus obtained in Mich term; and being set at liberty, he retired to Wales; but before ten months end, falling to the trade of conventicling and preaching Sedition, he was made Prisoner again at Cardiff 1668, and the year following was sent to the Fleet again, (being then at Lambeth, because not then rebuilt, after it had been burnt down by the dismal Conflagration that hapned in Lond. 1666) where he continued till he was discharged by death. He was a person of good natural parts, but a grand Schismatick, a busie body, pragmatical, bold, and an indefatigable enemy to Monarchy and Episcopacy. What his Religion was I cannot justly tell you: some held him to be an Anabaptist, others a Fifth-monarchy man and a Millinary: sure it is he was neither Presbyterian or Independent, but a most dangerous and pestilent man, and one that did more mischief to his native Country of Wales, than can be imagined. As for those Books and Pamphlets which go under his name, they are these.

Disputation between him and Joh. Goodwin concerning universal Redemption, held in Colemanstreet, Lond. 31 Dec. 1649. Lond. 1650. qu. The Reader may be pleased now to know that V. Powell, upon this dispute, supposing himself able to encounter any Minister in Wales, did after his settlement there send a bold challenge to any Minister or Scholar, that opposed him or his brethren, to dispute on these two questions, (1) Whether your calling or ours (which you so much speak against) be most warrantable, and nearest to the word of God? (2) Whether your mixt ways, or ours of Separation, be nearest the word of God? This Challenge being sent flying abroad 11 of June 1652, it came into the hands of Dr. George Griffith of Llanymynech in Shropsh. who looking upon it as sent to him, he returned an answer in Latin two days after, with promise on certain conditions, to dispute with him, either in private or publick. On the 19 of the same month, V. Powell returned a reply in Lat. from Redcastle, but so full of barbarities, that any School-boy of 10 years of age might have done better. After this the Doctor made a rejoynder in elegant Latine, wherein he corrected Powell for his false Grammar, Barbarisms and Solecisms, and did set a day whereon they should meet to dispute on the aforesaid questions: but the time, place, and method, with conveniences being discussed and delayed from time to time, the disputation was not held till the 23 of July following. At that time both parties meeting in the company of their frends, Powell’s cause fell to the ground, meerly, as ’twas conceived, for want of Academical learning, and the true way of arguing. So that he being then much guilty of his own weakness, endeavoured to recover it and his reputation by putting a relation of the Dispute in the News-book called the Perfect Diurnal, as if he had been the Conqueror. Which relation redounding much to the dishonour of the Doctor, he the said Doctor did publish a Pamphlet intit. Animadversions on, &c. See more in George Griffith among these Writers, an. 1666. p. 270. V. Powell hath also written and published,

Scriptures concord: or, a Catechisme compiled out of the words of the Scripture, &c. Lond. 1647. oct. sec. edit. ibid. 1653. fifth edit.

Several Sermons, as (1) Christ exalted by the Father, God the Father glorified, and Mans redemption finished, preached before the L. Mayor of Lond. Lond. 1649. qu. &c.

Christ and Moses excellency: or, Sion and Sinah’s glory; being a triplex treatise, distinguishing and explaining the two Covenants of the Gospel and the Law, &c. Lond. 1650. oct.

Dialogue between Christ and a Publican, and Christ and a doubting Christian.

Common-prayer book no divine service. A small curb to the Bishops career, &c. Lond. 1660. in 5 sh. in qu.

The bird in the cage chirping, &c. Lond. 1661—2. oct. Written while he was in Prison.

The Sufferers Catechisme—Written also when he was in Prison.

Brief Narrative concerning the proceedings of the Commissioners in Wales against the ejected Clergy—Written upon the spreading of a report that he was put in the Fleet Prison for a great part of the Revenew of the Tythes of Wales: from which aspersion, as the Brethren called it, tho a friend of his had written a Pamphlet called Examen & purgamen Vavasoris an. 1653, yet not knowing how far such a report might influence to the reproach of the Gospel, he did publish the said Pamphlet.

The young-mans conflict with the Devil—Printed in oct. This I have not yet seen.

Sinful and sinless swearing.

An Account of his Conversion and Ministry. Lond. 1671. oct. ’Tis a canting and enthusiastical piece.

A confession of Faith concerning the holy Scriptures—Printed with the said Account, as also two little Appendices.

Some gracious, experimental, and very choice Sayings and Sentences.—Pr. also with the said Account.

Certain Hymns.—There also.

His death-bed Expressions.

A new and useful Concordance of the Bible: with the chief acceptations and various significations contained therein. Also marks to distinguish the commands, promises and threatnings. Lond. 1671 and 73. oct. This was mostly done by V. Powell, but finished by N. P. and J. F. &c. Commended to the world by Edw. Bagshaw and J. Hardcastle, and afterwards by Jo Owen D. D.

Collection of those Scripture-Prophecies which relate to the call of the Jews, and the glory that shall be in the latter days.—Printed at the end of the said Concordance, to which was afterwards (1673) added near nine thousand Scriptures omitted in the former Edition: with the addition of the Scripture Similies, &c.—The most ingenious Mrs. Kath. Philipps of the Priory of Cardigan hath among her Poetry a Poem upon the double murder of K. Ch. 1, in answer to a libellous copy of rimes made by V. Powel, but in what book those rimes are, or whether they were printed by themselves, I cannot tell. He died in the Fleet prison before mention’d on the 27 of Oct. in sixteen hundred and seventy, and was buried at the lower or west end of the fanatical burial place near to Bunhill and the New Artillery garden in the Suburb of London in the presence of innumerable Dissenters that then followed his corps.1670. Over his grave was soon after erected an altar-monument of free stone; on the plank of which, was engraven this epitaph made by his dear friend E. Bagshaw before mention’d. Vavasor Powell, a successful teacher of the past, a sincere witness of the present, and an useful example to the future, age, lies here interred, who in the defection of so many, obtained mercy to be found faithful; for which being called to several prisons, he was there tried, and would not accept deliverance, expecting a better resurrection. In hope of which he finished this life and testimony together, in the eleventh year of his imprisonment, and in the 53 year of his age, Octob. 27. an. 1671.

In vain Oppressors do themselves perplex,

To find out arts how they the Saints may vex.

Death spoils their plots, and sets the oppressed free,

Thus Vavasor obtain’d true liberty.

Christ him releas’d, and now he’s joyn’d among

The martyr’d Souls, with whom he cries How long!

I have been informed by M. Ll, who knew and was acquainted with V. Powell, that he was wont to say that there were but two sorts of people that had Religion, viz. the gathered Churches and the Rom. Catholicks, and would not allow it to the Church of England men or to the Presbyterians. He farther informed me, that when he preached, a mist or smoak would issue from his head, so great an agitation of spirit he had, &c. and therefore ’twas usually reported by some, especially those that favoured him, that he represented the Saints of old time, that had rayes painted about their heads.