William Thomas

was born in a mercate Town in Shropshire called Whitchurch, and educated in Gram. learning in the Free-school there. In 1609, May 17, he was admitted a Student of Brasn. Coll. aged 16 years, took the degrees in Arts, that of Master being compleated in 1615, and in the year 1616 Jan. 4. he was admitted Rector of Ubley alias Obley near to Pensford in Somersetshire, by the free and unsolicited bounty of Th. Egerton Baron of Ellesmere and Lord Chancellor of England. This person Will. Thomas, being always a Puritan, closed with the Presbyterians when they raised a Rebellion against his Majesty, 1642, was a frequent preacher against his Cause and Followers, and was esteemed one of the chief Ministers in his time of that perswasion in the neighbourhood where he lived. He afterwards took the Engagement, as before he had the Covenant, and in 1654 1654 he was appointed an Assistant to Olivers Commissioners for the ejecting such whom they then called scandalous, ignorant, and insufficient Ministers and Schoolmasters. Afterwards he ran thro the remaining part of the changes, and took the Oaths again, after his Maj. return, of Allegiance and Supremacy. His works are these.

The dead speaking: or the living names of two deceased Ministers of Christ, viz. Mr. Sam. Oliver Pastor of Wells, and Mr. Sam. Croke, &c. containing two several speeches delivered at the funerals of them. Lond. 1653, qu. With them is printed a Sermon preached at the funeral of Sam. Oliver, by Joh. Chetwind sometimes of Exeter Coll. then a godly brother, and after the Kings return Prebendary of Bristow.

Rayling rebuked: or a defence of the Ministers of this Nation, by way of answer to the unparalelled calumnies cast upon them in an Epistle lately published by Tho. Speed Merchant of Bristow, unhappily became the Quakers Advocate, &c. Lond. 1656. qu. Answer’d by George Fox Quaker, in his book intit. The great mystery of the great whore unfolded, &c. Lond. 1659. fol. p. 237. &c.

The Protestants practice: or the compleat Christian, being a true and perfect way to the celestial Canaan Lond. 1656. in tw.

A vindication of Scripture and Ministry, in a rejoynder to a reply not long since published by Tho. Speed, formerly (but unsutably) Merchant in the City of Bristol, and a Preacher lately (but more sadly) Merchant and Quaker, &c. Lond. 1657. qu. Answer’d also by G. Fox in the aforesaid book, p. 104 105. &c.

A preservative of piety, in a quiet reasoning for those duties of Religion that are the means and helps appointed of God for the preserving and promoting of Godliness, &c. Lond. 1662. qu.

Exposition on Ruth. Lond. 166 ... in tw.

The Countries sense of Londons sufferings in the late most lamentable fire, discovered in the opening and improving the lamentation of Jeremiah. Lond. 1667. oct.

Scriptures opened, and sundry cases of conscience resolved, in plain and practical answers to several questions upon the Proverbs of Salomon, Jerem. Lam. Ezeck. and Daniel. Lond. 1675 and 83. oct. He died at Ubley before mention’d in sixteen hundred sixty and seven, and was buried in the Chancel of the Church there.1667. Over his grave was soon after a Mon. put up by his son Mr. Sam. Thomas with this inscription following. Hic jacet Gulielmus Thomas ecclesiae hujus Rector plus quàm quadragenarius, qui populum docuit, publicè & domatim, sermone & exemplo. Quem non tam mors rapuit quàm ille mortem; munere scilicet, priùs cedere coactus, quàm mundo, vitam, quam pro grege diutius insumere, ut Pastor, non potuit, avidissimè summo pastori reddidit, Nov. 15. an. dom. 1667. aetat. 74. I shall make mention of another William Thomas, under the year 1689.