William Sedgwick

son of Will. Sedgw. of Lond. Gent. was born in Bedfordshire, became a Com. of Pemb. Coll. in Mich. term, an. 1624 aged 15 years: Where being put under the tuition of George Hughes profited more in Div. than Philosophy. After he had taken the degrees in Arts, he entred into the sacred function, and became Rector of Farnham in Essex where he behaved himself conformable to the Ch. of England, but upon the turn of the times in 1 [•] 41, he closed with the Presbyterians, (having before been instructed in their principles by his Tutor) put in a Curate into Farnham, and became Chaplain to the Regiment of Sir Will. Constable a Parliamentarian Commander, the same who was afterwards one of the Judges of K. Ch. 1. After the loyal Clergy had been ejected from their Livings, he became the chief Preacher of the City of Ely, and was commonly called The Apostle of the isle of Ely, but what he enjoyed there and elsewhere for several years he lost after his Maj. restauration for want of conformity. He was a conceited whimsical person, and one very unsetled in his opinions: sometimes he was a Presbyterian, sometimes an Independent, and at other times an Anabaptist. Sometimes he was a Prophet and would pretend to foretel matters in the pulpit to the great distraction of poor and ignorant people. At other times, having received revelations, as he pretended, he would forewarn people of their sins in publick discourses, and upon pretence of a vision that Doomesday was at hand, he retired to the house of Sir Franc. Russell in Cambridgshire (whose daughter, Henry, the son of great Oliv. Cromwell had married) and finding divers Gentlemen there at Bowles, called upon them to prepare themselves for their dissolution, telling them that he had lately received a revelation that Doomesday would be some day the next week. At which the Gentlemen being well pleased, they, and others, always after called him Doomesday ((*))((*)) See in the second part of Hudibras.—Lond. 1674. Cant. 3. p. 352. and in the annotations at the end. p. 408. Sedgwick, and the rather for this reason that there were others of his sirname that pretended to prophecy also. He hath written and published,

Several Sermons as (1) Zions deliverance, and her friends duty: or the grounds of expecting, and means of procuring Jerusalems restauration: Preached at a publick Fast 29. June 1642 before the House of Commons, on Isaiah 62.7. Lond. 1643. qu. (2) Some flashes of Lightning in the Son of man; in eleven Sermons. Lond. 1648. oct. These Sermons seem to have been preached on Luke 17.20.21.22. &c.

The Leaves of the tree of Life, for the healing of the nations, opening all wounds of this Kingdom, and of every party, and applying a remedy to them &c. Lond. 1648 qu. This book, as soon as ’twas published (which was in the latter end of 1647) the author went to Carisbrook Castle in the Isle of Wight, and desired the Governours leave to address himself to K. Ch. 1. then a Prisoner there. Mr. Jam. Harrington one of the Grooms of the Bedchamber being acquainted with the occasion, told his Maj. that a Minister was purposely come from London to discourse with him about his spiritual concerns, and was also desirous to present his Maj. with a book he had lately written for his Majesties perusal; which, as he said, if his Majesty would please to read, might, as he imagined, be of much advantage to him, and comfort in that his disconsolate condition. The King thereupon came forth, and Sedgwick in decent manner gave his Maj. the book. After he had read some part thereof, he returned it to the author, with this short admonition and judgment. By what I have read in this book, I believe the author stands in some need of sleep. These words being taken by the author in the best sense, he departed with seeming satisfaction. The next day came one John Harrington Esq. Son of Sir John Harrington and Epigrammatist in the time of Queen Eliz. and K. James 1. and being admitted into the Castle upon the like charitable account, desired to have some discourse with his Majesty, but his Maj. having heard some odd things of him from Jam. Harrington before mention’d, that he was a canting and prophetical Presbyterian, thanked him likewise for his good intentions, without discoursing with him upon any point. Whereupon Harrington wishing his Maj. much happiness, withdrew.

Justice upon the Army-remonstrance: or, a rebuke of that evil spirit that leads them in their Councils and actions. With a discovery of the contrariety and enmity in their ways &c. Lond. 1649 qu.

A second view of the Army-remonstrance: or, justice done to the Army; wherein their principles are new model’d, brought out of obscurity into clearer light, &c. Lond. 1649. in 5. sh. in qu. This last seems somewhat to contradict the former, but in such a canting fashion, that I know not what to make of it, unless the Author meant to claw with them in their own way.

Animadversions on a letter and paper, first sent to his Highness (Oliv. Cromwell) by certain Gentlemen and others in Wales: And since printed and published to the world by some of the subscribers &c. Lond. 1656 qu.

Animadversions upon a book intit. Inquisition for the blood of our Soveraign. Lond. 1661. oct. What other things this our author hath written and published I know not, Clar. 1669. nor any thing else of him, only that after the return of K. Ch. 2. he lived mostly at Leusham in Kent, but leaving that place about 1668, retired to London, where he soon after died. I have been several times promised an account of his death and burial, but my friend Dr. S. C. of Gr. in Kent stands not to his word.