him aside and fell into a large commendation of him at length told him what pity it was that such a man as he should be a companion for Papists and that upon a Saturday when he should be preparing for the Sabbath-day Master Rothwel sleighted his words and checked him for his medling The good old man left him went home and prayed privately for him Master Rothwel when he was retired from that company could not rest Master Midglys words struck so deep in his thoughts The next day he went to Rachdale Church to hear Master Midgley where it pleased God to blesse that Ordinance so as Master Rothwel was by that Sermon brought home to Christ. He came after Sermon to Master Midgley thanked him for his reproof and besought his direction and prayers for he was in a miserable condition of nature and under the spirit of bondage he lay for a time till afterwards and by Master Midgleys hands also he received The Spirit of Adoption wherewith he was so sealed that he never lost his assurance to his dying day Though he was a man subject to many temptations the devil assaulting him very much yet God was mightily with him that out of his own experience he was able to comfort many He esteemed and counted Master Midgley ever afterward for his spiritual Father This makes me think upon Augustines speech to God when he came to hear Ambrose preach non ut Doctorem veni but upon another account ad eum per te ducebar nescius ut ad te per eum sciens ducerer So did the Lord by Master Midgleys plain kind of teaching put forth the evidence of his spirit upon this mighty and learned Rabbi Whether it was before or after this his Convesion that he went a Souldier and Chaplain to a Regiment under the Earl of Essex into Ireland I know not but there he was and did very great things And certainly his wisdome and courage were so eminent in him that there were few of his Calling his equals I think none at all his Superiours He now becomes another man forsakes all his wonted courses and companions preacheth in another manner then formerly opens the depths of Satan and deceitfulnesse of the heart so as he was called the Rough Hewer He had the power of God that went with his Ministry when he preached the Law to make men tremble yea sometimes to cry out in the Church and when he preached the Gospel he was another Barnabas and had great skill in comforting afflicted consciences He studied now the point of Non-conformity which was as the joynts in Ahabs armour through which the Prelates hit and deprived so many godly and able Ministers in those times In these Controversies he was so well versed that he satisfied many and silenced any that disputed with him He was so fixed in his judgment that he would never either marry expecting daily persecution and the word he used in all his Books was Persecutio pignus futurae felicitatis nor take any Benefice though divers great livings were proffered him because he would still say My head is too big to get into a Church-door But he betook himself first to a Chappel in Lancashire as a Lecturer and afterward to decline the storm of the Prelates to be a Domestick Chaplain to the Earl of Devonshire and at â—hat time I first knew him and came I blesse God acquainted with him There now ran nothing more in his mind but why the Bishop should forbid him preaching upon those Scriptures before mentioned and he began to conceive that there was sure something there could he find it which would mightily batter bown their Hierarchy He prayed therefore much to God wherein he was mighty and studied them and God opened those mysterious passages of his Book to him more then to other men that he seldom preached abroad out of any other Scriptures and did write an exact Commentary upon Moses Types which he unveiled with very much profit and delight to the Reader but that Book is lost to the great losse of Gods Church thereby Learned and godly Master Cotton enquired of me whether that or any thing else might not be found amongst his papers after his death I told him there was little found but what was in Characters He prayed me to send him what I could gather to Boston where men were that were expert in Characters I did so but I believe they could make nothing of them That and some other of his learned and judicious labours he hath lent out I suppose and I fear they will not be recovered Learned men that have seen them judge them a rare treasure He had some contests with the Prelates especially with Bishop Neal then of Litchfield afterwards of Durham in the which the Bishop I dare say was more afraid of him then he was of the Bishop But I forbear that story At length he came to spend most part of his time in the Bishoprick of Durham by means of an honourable and Elect Lady the Lady Bowes afterwards the Lady Darcy in the North. Of whom it was truly preached at her Funeral Alas that it was at her Funeral Wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached in the whole world there shall also this that this woman hath done be told for a memorial of her She gave about one thousand pounds per annum to maintain Preachers where there were none nor any means for them and all her Preachers were silenced men by reason of Non-conformity Such as Master Baynes Master Dike c. She would lay out all her interest to get them their liberty and then she would dispose of them where there needed in the North or in the Peak in Darbyshire or other places and allow them pensions O! That God would raise out of the ashes of this Phoenix some more such Mothers in Israel Sir William Bowes her husband dying his Funerals were kept at Bernards-Castle where he had some honour Master Dike Father of the Writers of that name was then her houshold Chaplain and went into the North to that Funeral at his return he represented the state of the people destitute of a Minister to my Lady who would have sent him thither but he told her he durst not venture on so surly a People but commended Master Rothwel to her She sent to him then at the Earl of Devonshires house and proffered him this employment His answer was he would go thither and if the people called him he would then accept of her motion At his first dayes labour they all desired him he returned to the Lady and told her he would go she replyed though for their sakes she was glad yet she was afraid to send him understanding that they were of a fierce disposition and having never heard the Gospel might deal unkindly with him he answered Madam If I thought I should never meet the devil there I would never come there he and
of the Queen and State wrote to Master Cartwright earnestly requesting him to undertake the work assuring him also of such aid as should further him in the finishing thereof for which end he sent him one hundred pounds towards the charges of buying Books and procuring Writers which were to be employed by him therein This was Anno 1583. The same year also he was earnestly sollicited by the most learned men of the University of Cambridge by a solemn Epistle with joynt consent written to him to undertake the answer wherein amongst other passages they have these expressions With you we are earnest most Reverend Cartwright that you would set your self against the unhallowed endeavours of these mischievous men either by refuting the whole Book or at least some part thereof It is not for every man Work-man-like to frame Gods Tabernacle but for Bazaleel and Aholiab neither is every one rashly to be thrust forth into the Lords battels but such Captains are to be chosen from amongst Davids Worthies Of which as we acknowledge you to be one by the former battels undergone for the wals of our City the Church we doubt not if you will enter this War which truly you ought to 〈◊〉 according to the Zeal and Piety you bear to your Countrey and Religion but that you fighting for Conscience and Countrey yea even for the very inmost holy place of the Temple will be able to tread underfoot the forces of the Jebusites which set themselves to assault the Tower of David Moreover which may marvellously sharpen the edge of your courage you are not now to fight with a Brother or fellow of the same Religion which maketh the Conflict more faint but with the most inveterate enemies of Jesus Christ c. Then they thus conclude You see to what an honourable fight we invite you Christs business shall be undertaken against Satans Champions We stir you up to fight the battels of our Lord where the Victory is certain which the triumph and applause of the Angels will ensue Our Prayers shall never be wanting unto you Christ without doubt whose cause is defended will be preset with you The Lord Jesus much increase your courage and strength and keep you very long in safety for his Churches good Vale. This was subscribed by Roger Goad William Whittaker Thomas Crook John Ireton William Fulk John Field Nicholas Crane Giles Seintler Richard Gardener William Charke c. But besides these the Reverend Ministers of London and Suffolk did by their several letters earnestly exhort him to this work and Master Cartwright was at last by these importunities drawn to undertake it and neither diligence nor constancy was wanting in him to have carried it on to perfection but he met with such great discouragements and hinderances from Potent Adversaries that he was forced often to lay pen aside yea Arch-Bishop Whitgift sent him a positive command that he should deal no further in it yet afterwards by an Earl and privy Counsellor of great note and some other noble Personages he was at last drawn to take pen in hand again But receiving new discouragements and having such continual employment in the Ministry he lived not to perfect that work Whilst he was at Warwick being silenced by the Bishops he was requested by the Lord Zouch Governour of Gernsey to go with him into that Island with whom he continued some time and in the mean space he substituted one Master Lord a godly and holy Minister then living at Woolstone in his room at the Hospital in Warwick allowing him the greatest part of the profits of the place during his abode there and the rest he caused to be distributed amongst the poor He was far from seeking after great places or great things in the world and for riches he sought them not yea he rejected many opportunities whereby he might have enriched himself His usual manner was when he had good summes of gold sent him to take only one piece lest he should seem to slight his Friends kindnesse and to send back the rest with a thankfull acknowledgement of their love and his acceptance of it professing that for that condition wherein God had set him he was as well furnished as they for their high and great places His manner was not to keep any more money in his purse but what might serve for charitable uses He was very bountifull to poor Schollers He distributed money every Sabbath-day amongst the poor of the Town of Warwick besides what he gave to the Prisoners and upon other occasions both at home and abroad For his Houshold affairs he never troubled himself with them but wholly left them to be ordered and managed by the Prudence of his Wife He was very carefull to regulate and order the businesses of the Hospital for the best advantage of the poor Brethren He continued his diligence and assiduity in his studies even in his old age and his usual manner was to rise at two three and four a clock in the morning at the latest both summer and winter notwithstanding that his bodily infirmities were such that he was forced to study continually kneeling upon his knees He was of a very meek and quiet spirit as appears in those conflicts which he had with Doctor Whitgift and Doctor Sutcliffe wherein he used soft words and hard arguments he could not endure so much as in private to hear his adversaries reproached and if any in his presence used disgracefull speeches of them he would sharply reprove them for it saying That it 's a Christians duty to pray for and not to reproach his adversaries and when Martin Mar-Prelates Book came forth he shewed much dislike of the Satyrical and tart language used therein He was also very humble not enduring to hear any thing spoken in his own commendation or any titles given him which in the least measure savoured of ambition He affected not popularity but avoided it as much as possibly he could Indeed all his ambition was to advance the Kingdom and cause of our Lord Jesus Christ and to promote Gods glory It was the great joy and rejoycing of his heart to hear of the welfare and prosperity of the Churches at home and abroad for this he earnestly and daily prayed and when he heard any ill tydings with Nehemiah he sate down and mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of Heaven so that all that conversed with him might easily discern that nothing did affect him in any degree like the good or ill tydings of the Churches state He was frequent in Prayer every day and in his younger years hath risen many times in the night to seek our private places to pray in And as his labours were very great in the work of the Ministry so it pleased the Lord to make them very successefull for the conversion and confirmation of many and for terrour and restraint
was drawn over to Steeple-Morden in the same shire by one Master Martin an ingenuous Gentleman who enjoying the appropriation entertained him as a Lecturer in regard of the infirmity of the party that was possessed of the Vicarage But while he was thus taken up with employments abroad there arose a storm against him at home and that upon this occasion About that time two Leicestershire Ministers of his acquaintance Master Darrel and Master Moor being questioned about the dispossession of William Somers and Thomas Darling besides some others supposed to be by evil spirits possessed the one of them to wit Darling stood stiffely in avowing the truth of the thing and refused to acknowledge any deceit or collusion therein yea though many slights were used to enduce him thereunto and Letters forged and tendered to him in Master Darrels name as beginning to grow somewhat suspitious of the businesse yet nothing could prevail with him but the other to wit Somers being in like manner dealt with and enticed by large Promises of such provision to be made for him that he should be sure not to want nor should need to go down into his own Countrey again was perswaded to accuse Master Darrell to have set him on work and taught him how to act sundry strange feats and gestures whereby he might be deemed to be a Demoniak Whereupon some of the Bishops London specially in whose house the boyes had been kept apart eagerly pursuing the business the two Ministers were cited into the High Commission Court and there being charged with imposture were suspended and imprisoned untill further cognizance and Master Harsnet Londons Chaplain mean while set on work to pen and publish a virulent Pamphlet against Master Darrell traducing him therein as a Grand Impostour and Jugler and the whole action about the possession and dispossession of William Somers as a meer Puppet-play Hence Master Darrell thus traduced was enforced to write and publish something for the defence of himself and clearing of his guiltlesness herein and so did first in a briefer Narrative concerning the manner of their proceedings with him entituled his Triall and afterward in a larger Answer to Harsnet in way of farther Apology for himself Of these Books some Copies being sent down to Cambridge were directed to Master Bradshaw and a parcell of them by him delivered to one Underwood a Taylor who dispersed of them as well in the Colledges as in the Town Intimation hereof being given to Bishop Bancroft at London that such Books were in divers hands at Cambridge he writes to the Vicechancellor to make diligent enquiry after the dispersers of them He lights on Underwood whom upon examination confessing that he had received a certain number of them from Master Bradshaw he bindeth in a bond to appear upon warning before the High Commission and chargeth him withall not to give notice of ought to Master Bradshaw The next morning by seven of the clock Letters came from the Vice-chancellor to the Master of the Colledge requiring him at eight of the clock to repair unto him and to bring Master Bradshaw with him About the same time that these Letters came to the Master an unknown Scholar repairing to Master Bradshaws Chamber telleth him that Underwood was in trouble and he should do well to look to himself Master Bradshaw upon these tydings thus brought him went presently to Master Wright the Senior Fellow of the house to ask advice of him what to do in this case he wished him to withdraw himself and withall directed him to Gransden a Town about nine miles distant from Cambridge as a fit place of retire where one Master Castle a Gentleman well-affected and Master Wrights Brother-in-law he well knew would be right-willing to receive him But Master Bradshaw resolved first to have an assay made by some other whereby it might be discovered what the Masters mind herein was Hereupon Master Ward was sent for who being requested to break the matter to the Master was right-willing and ready to undertake that Office The Master mean while upon receit of the Vicechancellours Letter had sent his man presently to enquire for Master Bradshaw at Master Gatakers Chamber which in his absence then discontinuing he had the charge of and kept most in being more convenient then his own he not finding him there was returned back just as Master Ward came in to the Master Who upon his repair to him having but named Master Bradshaw the Master before he could deliver any part of his errand demandeth of him where Master Bradshaw was and saith he must speak with him Master Ward told him It was not safe for Master Bradshaw to come to him because he was in danger of the Vicechancellour The Master replied That therefore he must come for that he had Letters from the Vicechancellour to bring him presently to him Which Letters while he stept into his closet to fetch that he might shew them to him Master Ward a fast and true-hearted friend more carefull of Master Bradshaws safety then fearfull of the Masters displeasure and his own danger stayed not the Masters return but slipt away with all speed to acquaint Master Bradshaw how things stood The Master at hs return missing Master Ward was exceedingly enraged against him and threatned to punish him by setting a deep fine for example upon him But the hour being now elapsed which the Vicechancellour had set the Master wrote back to him that Master Bradshaw could not as yet be found Master Bradshaw hereof advertised albeit that all his friends there were earnest with him to withdraw yet for the present refused and requested Master Wright to repair to the Master that by him he might understand from him what his resolute will was which he purposed not to withstand Master Wright according to his request repairing to the Master found him in much heat no nay he would have but Master Bradshaw must needs go it would else endanger him and endanger the Colledge c. Master Bradshaw enformed hereof by Master Wright not at all fearing to suffer in a good and just cause as he deemed it to be and no less loath to have any other endamaged or endangered for him notwithstanding that his friends were all utterly against it without farther dispute or delay went presently to the Master and presented himself to him who entertaining him with hot and high terms the good man answered him in a calm and meek manner that he had no cause to be so much offended with him or incensed against him he knew not of any such Commission that he had when he sent at first to him but sent only to him for counsell in that case deeming it better for him to do it by some other rather then by himself and being loath to come into trouble in those turbulent times for the Earl of Essex his business was then on foot and that so soon as he understood his pleasure he
readily condescended thereunto The Master thereupon charged him by the authority of his place to bring him all Master Darrels Books that he had in his hands and to go presently with him unto the Vicechancellour which without farther reply he yeelded unto But while he was gone to fetch the Books the Vicechancellour sent his servant to the Master desiring him to come to himself and the Master his man to Master Bradshaw charging him to stay within untill he returned At his return Master Bradshaw of his own accord repaired to him who then charged him at twelve of the clock to repair to his Chamber that he might take his Answer and a Bond for his forth-coming But Doctor Barwell Master of Christs Colledge in the mean space coming to him whether about that business or upon some other occasion uncertain by his advice it seems the Master altered his mind and in likelihood the rather after much mutual consultation and better consideration past between them because both the Masters had themselves bought of the Books for he sends for Master Wright and now tells him that it would be the best course for Master Bradshaw to go out of the way which accordingly he did The Bishop of London not long after wrote again to the Vicechancellour to imprison Underwood and to make farther enquiry after Master Bradshaw concerning whom the Master being by the Vicechancellour demanded made answer that he was not in the Colledge whereunto he replied that it was best so for him not willing as may be deemed to be used as an instrument in molesting him if it might be avoided The carriage of this business together with the several overtures and circumstances of it is out of a Narrative of his own the more particularly related to shew both the discreet and modest and yet ingenuous and couragious disposition of this Servant of God and the remarkeable passages of Gods Providence in a concurrence of occurents so unexpectedly managed that he should thereby be kept out of the clutches of those that were so exceeding thirsty to seize on him and so fiercely bent against him Master Bradshaw being thereof informed by some Friends and considering how the Bishop persisted in enquiry after him conceived that Cambridge for the present could be no safe or quiet place for him and having therefore withdrawn himself though retaining his place still there he spent his time for the space of some moneths partly with Master Pigot at Abington and partly at Morden with Master Martine in which places he had formerly exercised his Ministry and as occasion required so still did Thus there hovering in a Letter to a speciall Friend whose good opinion of him he much valued he thus writes I fear it will be somewhat offensive unto you and that you will condemn me for being too rash and indiscreet in this matter But I trust you will consider that the thing I have done was to pleasure most good and Christian Friends that the cause it is the cause of God and the glory of God hath been much increased by it by reason of the truth of God shining therein unto which I could not perform a less duty there being nothing in the Books as I am perswaded against the State howsoever there are many hot words that might have been spared though none that have not been deserved I wish they had past my poor censure before the coming forth of them they should not then have given so much advantage to the enemies of the truth I will God willing flie the danger as much as I can especially in these troublesome and tragicall times which seem of purpose to be chosen that they might do the more injury and the speech may be the less And in another to the same party My danger for Master Darrel troubleth me not a whit I thank God neither do I repent of any thing I have therein done so long as you think never the worse of me other matters trouble my mind more yet such is the goodness of God that though they distract my mind from other studies needfull for me to wade into yet when I come to exercise my poor Ministry and to study for my Sermons my mind is free enough Thus is the Lord wont in more special manner to support the spirits of his servants for such particular imployments as he hath more specially assigned them unto The matter that more troubled him was concerning his entrance into any setled place for the exercise of his Ministry which he supposed would be and upon some triall indeed found every way so obstructed that albeit places of imployment enough were offered and his imployment in them much desired yet he could not conceive how it might be cleared in regard of the tenderness of his conscience and scruple of some things that he stuck at which were like to be tendred unto him and pressed upon him before admission thereunto and that the rather in probability in regard of the prejudice now had of him for the business concerning those Books For he had been offered the Rectory of Abington by Master Pigot the Patron who would have compounded with the present Incumbent for the bringing of him in And Master Wendy likewise a Religious Gentleman in those parts had together with some others been endeavouring to bring him in at Basingborn but neither of them took effect He was invited also to New-Castle in Staffordshire whither also he repaired but found not matters to his liking there and after unto Yarmouth to be Lecturer with them with assurance of a liberall maintenance from them for they very much affected him But that their design was crossed by the Bishop of the Diocesse having a jealous eye as well on them as on him and being desirous to prefer and place a Chaplain of his own therefore there To the Colledge he returned again after some time spent abroad the storm seeming now to be over-blown and howsoever there he met with no renewed molestation about the fore-mentioned business yet had he no heart at all there to continue partly in regard of the departure thence of a special friend whom he intirely affected of whose return thither being now elsewhere setled he was wholly out of hope and partly because he perceived that the Master did not then so affect him as formerly he had done Amidst these distractions a Preachers place falling vacant at Chatham in Kent where a great part of the Navy Royal and Officers of the same attending did usually reside the business of supplying them with an able and faithfull Teacher was by general consent referred to Master Chaderton being at that time in Kent not far from thence thither drawn over from Cambridge about the consummating of a marriage between that reverend man of God Master Josias Nicols who had passed many sharp bickerings and brunts in those times and the relict of that famous worthy Doctor Whitaker deceased He commended Master Bradshaw to them Concerning whom the
russet cloak is reported by some that were then in company with him to have said to them Do you see the man that goeth yonder in that plain habit and in that self-neglecting garb and posture he hath more sound learning in his head then twenty of us have And that famous Professor Doctor Prideaux after his decease in some company hearing his Son yet surviving then present there named demanded of him whether that Master Bradshaw that wrote the Treatise of Justification were his Father and being informed that he was he professed himself heartly glad to see the Son of that man for the old acquaintance he had not with his Father himself but with that work of his for those were the Doctors own words Hereunto may be added the Verdict of that great and grave Counsellour of State so much esteemed for his judgment in Law-Cases the Lord Cook who visiting the Gentlewoman by the marriage of her daughter to his Sonne noe neerly linked to him at her house where Master Bradshaw then lay sick and finding the Book lying accidentally in a window after the perusall of some good part of it freely professed That he had seldome read a thing more pithily and pregnanly written Nor was this work of his in such esteem at home only but with other learned also abroad Among whom Master Lewis Cappel a man of speciall note for variety of learning and Professor of Divinity at Salmure in France having received the Book sent him from London by Master Aaron Cappel his kinsman then Minister of the French Church there returneth him many thanks for it requesting him withall to enquire after the Authors place of abode and convey from him unto him the Letter enclosed In the Superscription whereof he stileth him Doctissimum ornatissimun clarissimúmque virum and in the Subscription out of his respect to him and estimation yea admiration of him in regard of that piece alone thus writes of himself Tui non studiosus modò sed cultor admirator In the body of the Letter after signification how upon some occasion being to part with the Book he had taken pains before he would let it go out of his hands to translate it out of English into French he passeth this censure of it A little Book small for bulk but for learning wit and acutenesse a grand one To speak ingenuously I never hitherto read ought in any humane writing of Doctrinal Divinity that so exceedingly liked me so learnedly acutely soundly pithily plainly and yet with admirable brevity is this Argument so fully comprised and throughly handled therein I want words wherewith to commend and extoll it according to its due desert I have oft read it over and yet never have enough of it but the oftner I return to it and read it over again the more eagerly is mine appetite stirred up unto it so much light and brightness of learning wit and art shineth forth in it And whereas treading then precisely in Piscators steps he propounded his doubts withall concerning some particulars wherein Master Bradshaw seemed to swarve from Piscator Master Bradshaw to give him farther satisfaction therein and yet save much writing at large to and fro reviewed his own work and endeavoured to clear those things somewhat better wherein also he was farthered by some Exceptions from Master Wootton imparted unto himself unto which he had returned an Answer and having turned it so revised into Latine he sent a copy of it in writing unto Master Cappel who upon receit thereof wrote back at first briefly but not long after more fully in these words Right worthy Sir I wrote before to you that I had received your truly golden Book enlarged by you and turned into Latine and that presently I read it over but in haste so eager an appetite had I unto it by reading the other Edition of it in English before Since that I have read it over again not once but often and taking leasure thereunto Which the oftner I read over the more it pleaseth me and is approved of by me so accurately and exactly is it composed by you I hope this birth and issue of your mind will find approbation with peaceable and moderate dispositions on whether side soever albeit you condescend not unto them in all things that they require You so space in the middle between either opinion that neither of them ought to be displeased with you if they truly love peace and concord Thus that learned man word for word translated out of his Letters in Latine which in the same language have been represented also and published elsewhere Whereby may appear what entertainment approbation and estimation this Treatise which yet the Author speaks so meanly of himself in private Letters to his Friends found with the learned in forreign parts and he himself also where otherwise wholly unknown for it And whosoever shall with a regardfull eye read over the generally well approved and deservedly much esteemed writings of those worthy Servants of God now with the Lord Master William Pemble and Master Samuel Torsel concerning this subject collated with this of Master Bradshaw which came forth some good space before either of them had writ ought he shall easily discern on whose foundation they built in whose steps they trod with whose heifer they ploughed at what Torch they lighted their Tapers and from whence they received much of their light in that Argument For it may be with good ground of truth be averred that amids the extream opposition of Divines in this point dissenting this our Brother did herein beat out such a middle tract between them as appears not to have been formerly discovered by any wherein these two men of special note coming after him for the main matter of their principles have kept close to his footsteps in the path by him cut out and cleared to their hands Of this latter in Latine a Copy being sent over by him to Doctor Ames not long before his dicease was by him not long after it printed Unto this his purpose was to have added a Treatise of Justifying Faith the proper nature peculiar act and Office of it in that work and great pity it was that such and head as this one piece shews him to have had was not set apart for such like employments How many points of much difficulty might haply been clear if one of his parts had received encouragement and means of support to apply himself and his main studies unto so usefull an employment Surely what he saith of another might be well said of him That if such as he was had the handling of Controversies Questions would not be so infinite and intricate oft as they are and being aright stated some that now fight most eagerly one against another would be found to agree being brought at length aright to understand either other A second businesse whereunto he applied himself about which he took much pains was in the discussion of the matters then in
language which he readily quoted so that the company trembled to hear such things from one that understood no learning and that moved neither tongue nor lip Master Bothwel was mightily enabled by God to detect the devils sophistry Devil What stand I talking with thee All men know thou art BOLD ROTHWEL and fearest no body nor carest for words therefore I will talk to thee no more that name he carried to his grave They would say That is he the devil called BOLD ROTHWEL Rothwel turning to the people said Good people you see the goodnesse of our God and his great power though the devil made a fool of me now through my weaknesse God hath made the devil dumb now do you see how he lyeth therefore let us go to prayer that God who hath made him dumb will I doubt not drive him out of this poor man Devil raged blasphemed and said And wilt thou go to prayer If thou do I will make such a noise that thy prayer shall be distracted and thou knowest God will not hear a distracted prayer but thou hast got a device because thou wilt not be distracted with thy eyes in prayer thou winkest so he alwaies did but if thou pray I will pull out thy eyes Rothwel I look to find thee as great an enemy in this duty now as I have done heretofore but I fear not thy threat I know thou art limitted God heareth the Prayers of the upright hath promised to give his Spirit to supply infirmities therefore in confidence of his promise and powerfull assistance of his Spirit and in the name and intercession of his Son Jesus Christ we will go to Prayer They did so Mr. Rothwel kneeled by the bed on which the poor man lay The Devil for a quarter of an hour together or more made a horrid noise neverthelesse Master Rothwels voice was louder then the Devils After a while the Devil roared at Master Rothwels face this was the first motion of any part of the mans body Master Rothwel opened his eyes met and brought down the hand which he held with great ease two men being scarce able to hold the other hand Prayer was still continued at length the Devil lay silent in the man and after that departed from him The man fetcht divers deep sighs insomuch as they thought he had been expiring but his colour returned to him and the use of all his members senses and understanding and at the next petition he said to the glory of God and amazement but comfort of all the company AMEN and so continued to repeat his Amen to every petition Prayer was now turned into thansgiving and so concluded After prayer John Fox said Good Master Rothwel leave me not I shall not live long for the Devil tels me he will choak me with the first bit of meat that I eat Master Rothwel answered Wilt thou beleeve the Devil that seeks thy destruction before thou wilâ— trust in God through Jesus Christ that seeks thy salvation Hath not God by his Almighty power dispossed him Had he had his will thou hadst been in Hell before now but he is a Lier and as he is not able to hinder thy souls life so neither shall he be able to destroy the life of thy body Wherefore get me something ready saith he for him and I will see him eat before I go and will crave a blessing upon it When it was brought eat saith Master Rothwel and fear not the Devil shewing him that he might do it in faith of that Ordinance by which God appoints meat for means to preserve life and urged that place of Jairus Daughter restored to life He commanded to give her meat Luk. 8.55 With much ado and in great trembling at last them an took and eat it Look saies Master Rothwel you all see the Devil is a Lier the first bit hath not choaked him nor shall the rest Master Rothwel left him after which he was stricken dumb for three years together I had a Book written with his own hand of the Temptations the Devil haunted him with afterwards and the Answers divers godly and reverend Ministers gave to those temptations but the Cavaliers got them and all my Books and Writings Thus the poor man remained tempted but no longer possessed At length by Prayer also which was instantly put up to God for him every Sabbath and Lecture day in many places the Lord opened his mouth and restored his speech to him one using this petition Lord open thou his mouth that his lips may shew forth thy praise He answered in the Congregation Amen and so continued to speak and spake graciously to his dying day This Life was drawn up by my reverend Friend Master Stanly Gower of Dorchester Dr. PRESTON The Life of Doctor Preston who died Anno Christi 1628. Iohn Preston the Son of Thomas and Alice Preston was born at Heyford in Northamptonshire a town divided by a little River into the upper and lower Heyfords and is in Maps oft written in the plural number It is a Rectory and hath a fair Church in the lower Heyfords but yet stands in divers Parishes That Farme wherein Master Thomas Preston lived is in Bugbrook Parish where they buried and baptized where we find that John the Sonne of Thomas Preston was baptized Octob. 27. 1587. but was descended from that Family of the Prestons that lived at Preston in Lancashire from whence his great Grandfather removed upon occasion of a fatall quarrel with one Master Bradshaw a neighbour Gentleman whom in his own defence he slew and satisfied the Law and was acquitted for it but not the Kindred who waited an opportunity to be revenged as the manner in those Northern Countries then was It fell out not long after that Master Bradshaws next Brother meets Master Preston near to the place where he had slain his Brother and told him he should do as much for him or he would revenge his Brothers blood Master Preston told him he had slain his Brother against his will and in his own defence that he bare no evil will unto them desired him he would forbear but when no thing would prevail they fought and Bradshaw fell again But Master Preston was troubled and grieved at it for he saw a fire was kindled that would not easily be quenched and therefore resolved that he would leave that fatall and unlucky Countrey though he was a Gentleman of a very fair estate and walking one day pensive in Westminster-Hall one Master Morgan of Heyford with whom he was acquainted came unto him and asked why he was so sad To whom for answer he relates the former story Master Morgan knowing him to be a gallant man was very sensible of his estate and told him if he would go with him to Heyford he should have a good Farm to live in for the present and what accommodation he could afford him Master Preston thanked him and after some consideration of the matter resolved to take his
whispered with Mr. Mountague he confessed that for Arminius he had never read him and that he had written some things negligently in that book which he never thought should thus be scanned among friends and therefore promised to write another book in Butter and Honey and therein more exactly for to acquit himself Some of the good Lords proposed that in stead of this Book which Mr. Mountague had promised to write the Synod of Dort might be received and established as the doctrine of the Church of England seeing there was nothing there determined but what our Delegates approved But Dr. White opposed this mainly for said he the Church of England in her Catechism teacheth to believe in God the Sonne who redeemed me and all mankind which that Synod did deny Dr. Preston answered That by Redemption there was only meant the freeing of mankind from that inevitable ruine the sin of Adam had involved them in and making of them savable upon conditions of another Covenant Joh. 3.16 17. so as now salvation was not impossible as it was before the death of Christ but might be offered unto any man according to the tenor of that Commission Mark 16.15 16. Which could not be unto the devils for they were left in that forelorn condition whereinto their sin and disobedience put them Heb. 2.16 2 Pet. 2.4 that the Jaylor was a boisterous bloody fellow Act. 6.24 27. yet Paul makes no doubt for to tell him vers 31. That if he believed on the Lord Jesus he should be saved with his house But Dr. White in no sort received this but affirmed earnestly that Christ died for all alike in Gods intention and Decree for Cain as well as Abel for Saul as much as David for Judas as much as Peter for the reprobate and damned in hell as well as for the Elect and Saints in heaven But Dr. Preston answered That there was a speciall salvation afforded to Believers 1 Tim. 4.10 That Christ was indeed a ransome for all 1 Tim. 2.6 but the Saviour only of his body Eph. 5.23 that he redeemed all but called and justified and glorified whom he knew before and had predestinated to be conformed to the image of his Sonne Rom. 8.29.30 that to whom in this sense Christ was given to them were given also all things appertaining unto life and godlinesse 2 Pet. 1.3 as faith 2 Pet. 1. â— Phil. 1.29 Eph. 2.8 Repentance Act. 11.18 2 Tim. 2.25 A new heart Ezek 36.26 His Spirit Gal. 4.5 6. So that nothing can be charged on them but Jesus Christ hath undertaken and is engaged to discharge them Rom. 8.31 32 33 34. So that they can never perish nor be taken out of Christs hand Joh. 10.28 29 30. but as they are begotten again unto a lively hope 1 Pet. 1.3 so they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation vers 5. whereas Judas was lost Joh. 17.12 and is gone to his own place Act. 1.25 and there are many nations and people of the world that have no outward offer made unto them in the Gospel Psal 147.19 20. Act. 16.6 7. and those that have it have not hearts given them to understand it and believe it Deut. 29.2 3 4. Esa. 6.9 10. Mat. 13.13 14 15. and therefore they are lost 2 Cor. 4.3 4. and are damned 2 Thes. 2.10 11 12. For he shewed that in Adam all men were lost Rom. 5.12 and none recovered but by Christ therefore such as had not Christs intercession could not recover but Christ prayed not for some Joh. 17.9 and therefore such could not be saved Heb. 7.25 Dr. White acknowledged there was a difference for though all had so much as by good improvement might serve their turn yet the Elect had more for God abounded towards them Eph. 1.8 9. Rom. 5.15 17 20. As all the Troop have horses but the Officers have better Both Travellers have staves to leap over the ditch but the one a better and stronger then the other The worst had grace enough to keep corruption and the renitency of their natures down but the Elect such as would do it easily for Christ had tasted death for every man Heb. 2.9 and died for those which yet might perish 1 Cor. 8.11 and bought those that yet brought upon themselves swift damnation 2 Pet. 2.1 because they did not husband and improve the favour offered to them Dr. Preston answered That Christ was in himself sufficient to save all and might be said to be provided for that end and use as a medicine is to cure infected persons though it cure none actually but those that drink it as Prosper Habet in se quod omnibus prosit sed si non bibitur non medetur As 1 Joh. 5.11 12. but many did not thus apply Christ because they had him not so offered and exhibited as others had Mat. 11.21 Luk. 10.13 for God gave some faith and repentance as we have shewed as the Serpent Moses was commanded for to make was in it self sufficient to cure those that were bitten Numb 21.8 9. yet cured none but only those that looked on it So as Moses lift up the Serpent in the wilderness shall the Son of man be lift up that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have life everlasting Joh. 3.14 15. But Dr. White urged that place Esa. 5.4 that God had done all he could but they neglected and rejected the counsel of God against themselves Luk. 7.30 Dr. Preston answered That God had done all that they could challenge of him for he had given them in Adam power Eccl. 7.29 and proposed another way of mercy in a Mediatour and therefore he appeals to any one that was indifferent Esa. 5.3 but this was unto Israel he dealt not so with other nations Psal. 149.20 Beside he had done what he could without reversing and rescinding his Decree Joh. 12.38 39 40. for otherwise he could have given them the same spirit of faith 2 Cor. 4.13 the like gift that he did unto others who believed on the Lord Jesus Act. 11.17 could have wrought in them both to will and to do according to his good pleasure Phil. 2.13 could have healed them as he promised Esa. 57.18 and as he did persecuting Saul 1 Tim. 1.6 but God had other ends Rom. 9.17 and attributes Rom. 9.22 which he was willing to discover Prov. 16.4 But Dr. White asked how then he could require faith and repentance Mark 1.15 Act. 17.30 which was all one as if he should require one to give his judgment and opinion of a colour that had his eyes shut and then shut his eyes as fast as he could Dr. Preston answered That he might do it to shew and discover our impotency as we bid our little children rise that by their own fault fell that we may let them know their inability and be the more beholding unto us to help them up as Mark. 9.23 24. and because the call and command of Christ is the Vehiculum
When he was Bishop he was a constant Preacher and Performer of Family-duty both evening and morning and kept his Servants and Attendants in good order Being called to London in the beginning of the Parliament he made at Westminster a worthy and zealous Sermon wherein he inveighed against the corruptions that were crept into the Church especially in respect of Ceremonies so eagerly prest by sundry Bishops as bowing to the Altar and such like innovations His Sermon was well approved of by the best but he seeing the tumults that were then raised in London about the Parliament House and hearing that he himself was censured as Popish because a Bishop he took it grievously to heart sickned and died there about the great climactericall year of his age He was a great favourer of zealous Professors and Lecturers and therefore he was accounted by many a Puritanical Bishop and indeed some at the Court in King James his time said That Organs would blow him out of the Church He was well skilled in the Hebrew tongue and for his further Progresse therein disdained not to learn of one of the Fellows even when he was Provost He utterly disliked the Book of sports for Recreation on the Sabbath day and told a Minister with whom he was acquainted that if it were sent down to his Diocesse he would sleight it and urge none of his Jurisdiction to read it He was of a weak constitution of body melancholick and lean as being a hard Student and therefore to recreate his spirits he loved vocal musick and to this end he sent divers times for such Scholars in the Colledge as could sing well and he would bear a part with them in his lodgings after supper where they made most excellent melody He was the last Bishop that died as a Member of the Parliament and was Bishop of Carlisle some fourteen years The Life of Master Richard Sedgwick who died Anno Christi 1643. RIchard Sedgwick was born at East Deereham in the County of Norfolke Anno Cbristi 1574. His Father was a Clothier but by reason of a great losse by fire fell into decay He had an Uncle living in Yorkshire who was very rich and of large yearly revenues having no Children whereupon he took this Richard in his tender years home to himself and put him to School with an intent to make him his heir but God had laid up a better portion for him His Uncle and his Family were prophane hating the power of godlinesse and wedded to games and sports yet even in such a Family God visited him in mercy and awakened his soul by working in him hearty desires after himself While the rest of the Family were at their games and dancings he would be in a corner mourning His Uncle at first thought his retirednesse to have been bookishnesse and therefore rebuked him gently and called upon him to take more liberty but at last perceiving the truth of the thing he began to hate him and to deal roughly with him and not being able to bring him to his will cast him out of his Family saying that a Puritane should never inherit his land Before this his Father died and his Mother being industrious and sparing out of the little means she had left her maintained him at Peter-house in Cambridge where he profited greatly in all kind of learning He began the exercise of his Ministry in Kent where he being called to preach in the Cathedral at Canterbury in his Sermon touching the corruption of the Prebends and their Cathedral service he so far displeased them as that by threats they brought him to condescend through weaknesse to promise to recant and a day for this was appointed Upon his return home and his second thoughts he became very sad and in his perplexity took his Bible and opened it and at the first lighted on that encouraging Word of God to Jeremiah Jer. 1.7 8. Whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak be not afraid of their faces for I am with thee to deliver thee saith the Lord. By this he was so strengthened that he resolved to stand to what he had formerly delivered whatsoever dangers did attend him At the time appointed he preached again in the Cathedral having a very large Auditory both of the Countrey and City in which Sermon he confirmed what he had before delivered earnestly pressing the Prebends to reform the abuses amongst them By this they were so offended that they complained of him to the Bishop and so persecuted him that he was forced to forsake his place and to retire himself into private and was entertained for a time by Sir Edward Bois the elder a man eminent for Piety in those daies During this his retirement he came upon occasion to London and by the meanes of Master Egerton Pastor at Black-fryers was received into the Family of Sir Edward Anslow who lived in the City during the winter and in summer at Crawley in Surrey a place destitute of a preaching Ministry In this Family his encouragement was great but his labours aboundant Every day his usuall course was to pray in the morning at six a clock with the Husbandmen and at ten to pray with the rest of the Family and expound a Chapter in which course he went through the four first Books of Moses His course at night was after Prayer to catechize the Family by turns wherein he used no respect of Persons the meanest not being left out and the chiefest not forborn On the Lords day during his abode at Crawley he preached twice constantly and after publique exercise called the whole Family in private to render an account of what was delivered in publique In the winter when the greatest part of the Family was at London under an able Ministry he was ready to help others and by Providence was called to improve his talent at Battersey in Surrey Master Wybourne a Reverend Divine who constantly preached in that place having by a fall broke his legge and being disabled thereby to continue his labours desiring his assistance At this place the people were so affected with his Ministry that they requested him to continue to preach among them promising to strain themselves to provide him maintenance He had a fair call and opportunity denying himself to answer it for Sir Edward Anslow about this time had an estate befallen him in Hertfordshire whither he resolved to go to dwell in which place was an able and godly Minister Master Sedgwick seeing that by continuing in this Family he should not have occasion of exercising his publique Ministry relinquished fifty pounds annuity during his life assured to him by this worthy Knight and accepted of this call to preach at Battersey Before his departure out of this Family he married a Wife of an honest and Religious stock in the City of London He had not long exercised
adde unto it eternal apprehensions and make them feel the fiercenesse of his anger Psal. 88.6 7. without any hope of being eased and after this can restrain and withhold them as he did Abimelech Gen. 20.6 For if one cease to be a Sonne because he commits a sinne that doth deserve eternal death then every sinne a child of Gods commits rends his relation or sonship off for every sinne deserves eternal death Rom. 6.23 and because in many things we offend all Jam. 3.2 we should be alwaies out of sonship and have neither certainty nor comfort in our estate unlesse he could give some ground out of Scripture to assure what sinnes put us out and what did not The Duke had sent to Doctor Preston to decline this clashing conference and assured him he was as much his Friend as ever and would have stopt it if he could but the Bishops had over-ruled it which the Doctor at the first believed and so was backward But when he saw the confidence of Doctor White and his Companion he doubted the sincerity of that assurance and was afterward informed that there had been a meeting at the Countesse of Denbies and the Duke had promised to leave him this gave him resolution and encouragement against the second conference which was managed in a manner by him alone against Master Mountague and Doctor White For when the Doctor saw the Duke begun to double with him he was less fearfull to offend him though the Duke still carried it with all the fairnesse that he could and appeared not in person When the time came for the second Conference the Doctor readily appeared and the first thing he charged Master Mountague withall was about his doctrine of Traditions which he affirmed he had delievered as grosly and erroneously as any Papist Gag pag. 38 39 40. For he justfied that place in Bazil where he saies The doctrine retained in the Church was delievered partly by written instructions partly by unwritten traditions having both a like force unto Piety which was so unlike to Bazil and the opinions of those times that it was generally believed to be put in by the Papists of later times Master Mountague confessed it was suspected by some of the preciser cut but Doctor Preston told him Bishop Bilson was none of them yet he did judge it supposititious and it must be so or Bazil acknowledged to be erroneous For he instanceth in praying towards the East and use of Chrisme or Oyl in Baptisme both which being rejected by the Church of England argues they held that place of Bazil not Canonical Master Mountague answered that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there used by Saint Bazil might signifie a thing that seemed so and so the sense might be that some things that seemed true of lesse esteem and consequence might be delivered by tradition as long as matters more substantial were taken from the Scriptures But Doctor Preston shewed that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signified oftentimes doctrine and was used here by Bazil for those Heads of doctrine that were more principal and lesse exposed comparing them unto those places in the Temple whereunto the people had not accesse Master Mountague answered farther that his assertion was hypothetical that if a doctrine came from the same author it was no great matter whether it were by writing or word of mouth for either had the same authority But Doctor Preston told him Bazil was positive and spake directly and him he justified and therefore could not be hypothetical as he pretended It is a great step unto victory for to divide Paul sets the Pharisees against the Sadduces Act. 23.6 7 8. that he might save himself The Jesuites are so good at it that though they have but one to be their adversary they will endeavour to divide him from himself by moving passion or compassion or some affection of his own against him Doctor White had openly in the Commencement house maintained that Election is not ex praevisis operibus and therefore Doctor Preston resolved to pinch Master Mountague in that particular that he might bereave him of his animating Champion Doctor White There were four several places that Doctor Preston had observed to make good this charge the first which he produced was Gag pag. 179. Some Protestants hold that Peter was saved because God would have it so without respect unto his faith and obedience and Judas damned because God would have it so without respect unto his sin And added this is not the doctrine of the Protestants this is not the doctrine of the Church the Church of England hath not taught it doth not believe it hath opposed it Now Doctor White was very fierce and eager to engage told him it was no doctrine of the Church of England but a private fancy of some that Judas was condemned without respect unto his sin for the wages of sin is death Rom. 6.23 The soul that sinneth shall die Ezek. 18.4 But Doctor Preston answered he did not charge that upon Master Mountague but the former part of the assertion that Peter was not saved without respect unto his believing and obedience and so Election should not be absolute but grounded upon faith and works foreseen Then saith Dr. White I have nothing against that but leave Master Mountague to answer for himself Dr. Preston was glad that he was eased of Dr. White and yet resolved to make advantage of it and therefore told Dr. White if he thought Election was not ex fide Praevisâ he desired to know whether saving grace were an effect and fruit of Election or no Dr. White acknowledged readily it was then said Dr. Preston Whosoever hath saving grace is Elected Now you know than an Elect person can never finally miscarry or fall away therefore whoever hath true grace can never fall away The old man saw the snare and would have avoided it by denying the consequence But the Dr. urged that wheresoever the Effect is there must be the Cause but Saving Grace is an Effect of Election This Dr. White would have denyed but the hearers murmured that the Effect could not be without the Cause as the day is not without the presence of the Sun Then Dr. White answered that Saving Grace was an Effect indeed but a common Effect But Dr. Preston urged that it was not more common then Election for all the Elect had Saving Grace and none but they and therefore they could never fall away But this said he is by the way I will now apply my self to Mr. Mountague But when Mr. Mountague perceived that his great Goliah Dr. White forsook him he was greatly troubled and cavilled at the words a while but the book adjudging it for Dr. Preston he said The Church of England had not declared any thing against it Dr. Preston alledged the seventeenth Article but told Master Mountague that he affirmed the Church of England did oppose it and he desired to know where But after one of the Lords had