William Twisse

written and called by some Outlanders and others, Twissius and Tuissius, was born at Speenhamlands in the Parish of Speen near Newbury in Berkshire. His Grandfather was by nativity a Teutonic, but in the prime of his years, he setled himself with his Family (upon what account I know not) in England: which probably may be the reason why Franc. Annatus a Jesuit, Antagonist to our Author Twissius, should say that he was natione Teutonicus, fortunâ Batavus, religione Calvinista, &c. His Father, who was a sufficient Clothier of Newbury, perceiving this his Son to have pregnant parts, sent him to the College at Winchester, where being elected a Child, and soon made ripe for the University in the School there founded by Will. of Wykeham, was elected Probationer-Fellow of New Coll. in the year 1596, and two years after (having by that time shaken off his wild extravagancies) was admitted Verus Socius; after which he diligently applied himself to the Theological Faculty for 16 years together. In 1604 he proceeded in Arts, and about that time taking Holy Orders, became a frequent and diligent Preacher in these parts, noted to the Academians for his subtile wit, exact judgment, exemplary life and conversation, and for the endowment of such qualities that were befitting men of his Function. In 1614 he proceeded Doct. of Divinity and about that time went into Germany as Chaplain to Princess Elizabeth Daughter of King James I. and Consort of the Prince Palatine, where continuing for some time, did improve himself much by the conversation he had with German Divines. After his return he exchanged the Rectory of Newton Longvill in Bucks, which the Society of New Coll. gave him before his departure beyond the Sea, for Newbury near to the place of his Nativity, with Dr. Nathan. Giles Canon of Windsor: where, being setled, he laid a foundation of his doctrine, and the seeds of his zealous opinion, tho not improved by his Auditors according to his wish. His plain preaching was good, his solid disputations were accounted by some better, and his pious way of living by others (especially the Puritans) best of all: yet some of New Coll. who knew the Man well, have often said in my hearing, that he was always hot-headed and restless. The most learned men, even those of his adverse party, did confess that there was nothing extant, more accurate, exact, and full touching the Arminian controversies, than what was written by this our Author Twisse. He also, if any one (as those of his persuasion say) hath so cleared and vindicated the cause from the objected absurdities and calumnies of his Adversaries, as that out of his labours, not only the learned, but also those that are best vers’d in Controversies, may find enough, whereby to disintangle themselves from the snares of Opposites. The truth is, there’s none almost that have written against Arminianism since the publishing any thing of our Author, but have made very honourable mention of him, and have acknowledged him to be the mightiest man in those Controversies, that his age hath produced. Besides Newbury, he was offer’d several preferments, as the Rectory of Benefield in Northamptonshire, a Prebendship in the Church of Winchester, the Wardenship of Wykehams Coll. there, and a Professors place at Franeker in Frisland. But the three last were absolutely refused, and the first he would not accept, unless he could obtain liberty of his Majesty (in whose gift Newbury was and is) to have had an able man to succeed him there. Besides also, upon conference with Dr. Davenant Bishop of Salisbury, Ordinary of that place, the King was well satisfied concerning Twisse, that he was unwilling to let him go from Newbury. In the beginning of the Civil War, began by the Presbyterians, an. 1641. -2. he sided with them, was chose one of the Assembly of Divines, and at length Prolocutor of them. Among whom speaking but little, some interpreted it to his modesty, as those of his persuasion say, as always preferring penning before speaking, and others to the decay of his intellectuals. But polemical Divinity was his Faculty, and in that he was accounted excellent. While he was Prolocutor he was one of the three Lecturers in S. Andrews Church in Holborn near London, which was given to him for his losses he sustained at Newbury, being forced thence, as his brethren said, by the Royal Party. He hath written,

Vindiciae gratiae, potestatis ac providentiae dei. Hoc est ad examen libelli Perkinsiani (Gul. Perkins) de praedestinationis modo & ordine, institutum à Jacobo Arminio, responsio Sholastica, tribus libris absoluta. Una cum digressionibus ad singulas partes accommodatis, &c. Amstel. 1632. 1648. fol.

A discovery of Dr. Jacksons vanities, &c.—Printed (beyond the Sea) 1631. qu. This was written against Dr. Tho. Jackson’s Treatise of divine Essence and attributes, but the Doctor made no reply.

Dissertatio de Scientiâ mediâ tribus libris absolutâ, &c. Arnhem. 1639. fol. Wherein Gabr. Penots book intit. Libertatis humanae propugnaculum, and that of Franc. Suarez De Scientia dei, are answer’d.

Digressiones. Printed with the Dissertatio.

Of the morality of the fourth commandment, as still in force to bind Christians: delivered by way of answer to the Translator ((*))((*)) See in Dr. Pet. Heylyn, an. 1662. of Dr. Prideaux his Lecture concerning the doctrine of the Sabbath. Divided into two parts (1) An answer to the preface (2) A consideration of Dr. Prideaux his Lecture. Lond. 1641. qu.

Treatise of Reprobation, in answer to Mr. Jo. Cotton. Lond. 1646. qu.

Animadversiones ad Jacobi Arminii Collat. cum Franc. Junio & Joh. Arnold Corvin. Amstel. 1649. fol. published. by Andr. Rivet.

The doubting conscience resolved, in answer to a (pretended) perplexing question, &c. Wherein is evidently proved that the Holy Scriptures (not the Pope) is the foundation whereon the Church is built, &c. Lond. 1652. oct. published by Sam. Hartlib.

The riches of Gods love unto the Vessels of Mercy, consistent with his absolute hatred or reprobation of the Vessels of Wrath: Or, an answer to a book intit. Gods love to mankind manifested by disproving his absolute decree for their damnation: in two books. One against Mr. Sam. Hoard and the other against Mr. Hen. Mason Rector of S. Andrews Undershaft London. Oxon. 1653. fol.

Two tracts in answer Dr. to H. (Hammond) the one concerning Gods decree definite or indefinite, the other about the object of predestination—Printed with the former book.

The Synod of Dort and Ales reduced to practice, with an answer thereunto.

The Scriptures sufficiency to determine all matters of Faith, made good against the Papists. Lond. in tw.

Christian Sabbath defended against the crying evil in these times of the Antisabitarians of our age; shewing that the morality of the Fourth Commandment is still in force to bind Christians unto the sanctification of the Sabbath day. Lond. 165.. qu.

Fiveteen Letters to Mr. Joseph Mede—See in the 4 book of the said Mr. Medes works. Besides these, and something upon the Commandments, that are printed, he left behind him many Manuscripts (mostly compleat) of his own composition, which were carefully kept in the hands of his Son ((†))((†)) The said Rob. Twisse was Author of Englands breath stop’d, being the counter part of Judahs miseries, lamented publickly in the new Church at Westm. 30. Jan. being the Anniversary of King Charles I. on Lament. 4.20.—Lond. 1665. qu. Rob. Twisse a Minister in Westminster, but what became of them after his death, which hapned in the latter end of the year 1674, I know not. Among them are (1) Examen Historiae Pelag, written by Ger. Jo. Vossius: put after the Authors death into the hands of Dr. G. Kendall to perfect, and afterwards to publish it, but never done. (2) Answer to a book intit. A Conference with a Lady about choice of Religion. Written by Sir Ken. Digby (3) Answer to the respective books concerning the Sabbath, written by Dr. Fr. White, Dr. Gilb. Ironside and Mr. E. Breerword. He hath also either answer’d, or animadverted upon certain matters of Nich. Fuller, Jos. Mede, the famous Mr. Rich. Hooker, Dr. Christ. Potter, Dr. Tho. Godwin, Dr. Tho. Jachson, and Mr. Joh. Goodwin, the Titles of which I shall now pass by for brevity sake. At length after he had lived 71 years. departed this mortal life in Holborn, in sixteen hundred forty and five,1645. and was buried on the 24 of July the same year near to the upper end of the poor folks Table, next the Vestry in the Collegiat Church of S. Peter within the City of Westminster. On the 14 of Sept. 1661 his body [•] ith those of Thom. May the Poet, Will. Strong, Steph. Marshall, Ministers, &c. which were buried in the said Church of S. Peter, were taken up and buried in one large pit in the Ch. yard of S. Margaret, just before the back door of the Lodgings belonging to one of the Prebendaries of Westminster, having been unwarrantably buried there during the times of Rebellion and Usurpation.