after the seeking of spiritual illumination in hearing and reading c. and divine assistance in religious duties not contenting our selves with the use of parts and accomplishments or grace received but to look higher saying David that could preach excellently and had Nathan and Gad the Prophets also to preach yet cryes out for teaching thereby shewing that all that teaching would not do unlesse God teach also And Davids cryes Open mine eyes he had the light without but he must have light within viz. sight else he could not see the wonders of the Law though he had the Law He used to presse much to meeknesse and a sweet disposition to affability charity and cheerfulnesse not to be rigid sour tart nor sad least the world should think that we served an hard Master Being above eighty years old his pains were very great yet not painfull to him He preached almost all day long on the Lords day yet said it was no great matter to pay money when one had it all the labour was to get it He opened a Chapter and prayed in his Family after preached twice in publique and in the interim discoursed all dinner while but eat very little He brought in many with him to dinner besides his four or six constant Widows if his Wife began to doubt of her provision at sight of so many he would say Better want meat then good company but there is something in the house though cold This is not a day to feast the bodies but souls At first sitting down he would bid them help themselves and one another and see that none want Let me said he bid you but once for I would not speak a vain word to day After both Sermons the house would be filled and he being sate in his chair used to say if any have a good question or a hard place of Scripture to open let them say on and when he was faint he would call for a small glasse of Wine and Beer mixt and then to it again till night He was excellent in preaching occasionally from the creatures as he walked or rode His Ministry was so spiritual and yet so plain that poor simple people that never knew what Religion meant when they had gone to hear him could not choose but talk of his Sermon It mightily affected poor creatures to hear the Mysteries of God by his excellent skill that way brought down to their own language and dialect He was so holy and spiritual both in life and doctrine that he silenced even desperate and devillish opposers of Religion It was a discredit for any to speak evil of him because it must needs expresse much malice and all men most generally in his latter time at least honoured him He was very successefull in making peace though between desperate and almost implacable adversaries and some of them wicked mightily convincing them with Gospel-arguments to the overcoming and quieting of their spirits He would answer any questions propounded that were but fit for a Divine to speak to yet shewing his approbation or dislike of the question according to the honesty and spiritualnesse or curiosity and lightnesse of it When mean inferiour people came to speak with him if he was walking in the Church where he used most to study that he might have room to walk in being troubled with the stone or elsewhere if he thought them bashfull he would meet them and say Would you speak with me And when he found them unable to state their question he would help them out with it taking care to find the sore but would answer and deal so compassionately and tenderly as not to discourage the poorest soul from coming again to him If any questioned him about Ceremonies about which many then suffered he was very wary in dealing not shy in speaking his judgment but carefull of advising them according to their strength He would bid them take heed of being led meerly by the imitation of any body 〈◊〉 other mens arguments but look to their Scripture-light and see 〈◊〉 â—â—guments they had to bear them out and whether they could 〈◊〉 alone in that case if they should survive their patterns He would not have them make a businesse about lesser things and then fall off from what they began to professe Being to advise a young man in his choice of a yokefellow he bad him look principally after Godlinesse Men talk of a portion grace is the bâ—st portion The wise woman buildeth up the house viz. The godly c. Not the rich Some use to say There is a portion and civility and we will hope for grace But saith he rather make sure grace and hope for riches There 's far greater reason for it For Godlinesse hath the Promises riches hath none A Sonne or Daughter of God shall be provided for He would say he that could answer two questions well might have comfort in any place or condition viz. Who am I and what do I here Am I a Child of God and am I in my calling or way He hath given his Angels charge to keep thee in all thy waies And that the knowledge of two things would make one willing to suffer or die viz. What Heaven is And that it 's mine I said one if a man were sure To whom he answered Truly Assurance is to be had and what have we been doing all this while He used to say they that hope to go to Heaven as most do and had not good evidence for it were like a man that passing by a great house and estate would say This is mine but being bid to shew his title would say some body must have it and why not I Such is most mens title for Heaven During the time of his last sicknesse it pleased the Lord to try him by grievous pains most bitter and sharp of the strangury but when he had any intermissions he was breathing out such speeches as tended to the praise of God and to the edification of those that attended him He slept little all the night or day long before his death in all which time he imployed his attendants which were about him to read the Scriptures which he expounded to them And when his strength was spent with speaking he retired himself to Prayer and Meditation When he felt his paines returning he would intreat those that were about him to pray to God for him either to give him deliverance or patience His tentation a little before his death and his wrestlings with Satan were great so were his victories He spake to one that did watch with him all night about two of the clock in the morning that he had been wrestling with Satan all that night who accused him that he neither preached nor prayed nor performed any duty as he should have done for manner or for end but he said I have answered him from the example of the Prodigal
I have been at odds in other places and I hope we shall not agree there He desired to have me with him and with much ado prevailed and so I blesse God he not only fitted me for the University but was a means to bring me to the first saving knowledg of Christ I remember and shall do ever the first Sermon and point which God blessed to my soul for that purpose I was about eight years his bed-fellow and eye witnesse of the great success he had in his Ministry there and over all the Countrey where he was worthily called The Apostle of the North. The Lady allowed him fourty pounds per annum and such as God wrought upon by his Ministry contributed to him but he would not have a penny from any other There was once in his absence collected 30. li. by Sir Talbot Bowes that lived there from the people but when he returned and knew it he caused it to be restored to the Parties that gave it and told them He sought them not theirs At his first entrance he had great opposition and sometimes was way-laid to take away his life but he overcame all that with his patience and courage and at length his greatest enemies were afraid of him and few Sermons but it was believed he gained some souls His manner was to spend the forenoon at his Studies and the afternoon in going through his Parish and conferring with his people in which as he excelled so he gained much upon them and within four years had so many judicious and experimental Christians that they came from London York Richmond New-Castle and many other places to see the order of his Congregation And many lewd Gentlemen came oft ten or twelve miles to hear him to carp and get somewhat to accuse him many of which God took hold on and they returned some convinced and some converted Neal the said Prelate of Durham bestirred himself and outed many worthy men and endeavoured his removal Once he sent three Pursivants to apprehend him and promised them one hundred pounds if they brought him He was then out of Town and had notice by me of their purpose a Gentleman being with him one Master Israel Fielding a true Israelite desired him to go with him to his house within a quarter of a mile of Bernards Castle which was out of the Bishops jurisdiction to whom he answered I had thought you had been my friend what is the devils greatest name I answered Belzebub And what saith he is Belzebub The Master of a flie and if he be but so what are these Midges I will go therefore to my people and let the devil do his worst So he came and sent to the Pursivants to come to him when they came he took his sword in his hand which he alwaies rid with and bad them Keep their distance and not come too near him but if they would do their errand let them come for there was his supersedeas God strook them amort they had no spirit left in them to medle with him He bad them go to their Lord and tell him if he had any thing to say to him he would meet him on Bernards Castle bridge which parteth the shires and if he could pull him over to him let him take him But saith he do you serve a better Master else he that sets you on work will pay you your wages and so he left them Not long after I went to the University and after eight years continuance there came over into England upon some opportunities and stayed about half a year ere I returned When I came to Mansfield in Nottinghamshire I found him there their Minister and sick unto the death at my coming he revived and in the strength of that joy so far recovered that within a week he went about the Town with me to divers places but relapsed and engaged me to preach for him once the next Sabbath following and in the afternoon at Mansfield Woodhouse within half a mile of Mansfield On friday we looked for no life from him he was almost past his understanding There came a drunken Vicar of Mansfield one Master Brittaine to see him and desired him now that he was not like to live to tell him what he thought of the Ceremonies he knew he was learned and therefore would be glad to be informed by him Master Rothwel either understood not or minded not what he said but answered sometimes Yea sometimes No as he apprehended Master Brittain went away telling him he was satisfied and reported in divers Ale-houses and amongst his companions that Master Rothwel recanted his judgment of Non-conformity When he was gone I desired the company to stay the chamber being full and I asked Master Rothwel if he knew who had been with him and what he said to him He answered No I told him it was Master Brittaine and that he reported he had recanted his judgment He answered If I should do so I were in a most miserable condition No saith he I have written a Treatise and called the Ceremonies Dulcissima And why said I peradventure because as in the itch scratching pleaseth but draweth blood at that he laughed I asked him if I should send for Master Brittaine and that he would declare his mind to him he answered no If he come I shall prove him to be a very Knave but he desired me to go to him and let him know his mind which I did and took some understanding Gentlemen with me that were present and so I thank God cleared Master Rothwel both to Master Brittaine and afterwards to all the Congregation publickly from that wicked aspersion The next day Saturday he had some lightning and sate up in his chair and discoursed freely cheerfully and heavenly all that and the next day some sent to enquire on the Sabbath how he did he answered I am well and shall be well shortly and whispering with me said Do you know my meaning I shall be with Christ ere long but do not tell them so He caused me to repeat my Sermon preached in the forenoon for him after which with tears in his eyes he laid his hands on my head and lifted up his eyes to Heaven and with a short Prayer blessed me Then he bad me go to preach at Mansfield Woodhouse and tarry there all night for he had promised it to one Master Dand there but to be sure to come when he sent for me This he did next morning about six a clock when I came I found him in pangs of death he had known nor spoken to any of an hour before the chamber was full and one was praying for him after Prayer I spake to him he turned about his head took me by the hand and bade me pray pray I desired a Reverend Minister to go to prayer again Master Rothwel said Pray you pray you I did so after that he smiled Now saies he I am well
this time though his Bushell was bigger then other mens yet he would often charge his man not to strike off all the Corn. He used not to trouble himself with reckonings and accounts but would sometimes ask his man when he came from the Market how he sold Corn and if it was dear he would say I pray God bring down the price of it and if it was cheap he would heartily blesse God for it Yea his Charity was not onely extended to the poor of his own Parish but to others also for if at any time he had seen a poor body at a distance from him as he rode abroad he would send his man with money to him and when at any time he rode by the Castle at Cambridge the Prisoners would never ask him for any thing nor any one that was with him for if he had any money in his purse they were sure to have part of it By reason of his great liberality though his living was worth a hundred pound per annum yet he usually wanted Money to get in his Harvest so that his Wife formerly Doctor Bounds widow was forced to borrow money to supply that want Yet was he so well content with his present condition that though he had proffers of livings worth three of that which he had yet would he by no meanes be perswaded to accept of them He was a great friend to and promoter of peace and concord amongst his Neighbours and acquaintance insomuch that if any had come to him who were at variance he would either have made them friends himself or if he could not prevail he would have made use of other friends to reconcile them together thereby to prevent their going to Law When Martin Mar-Prelate came first out Master Greenham being to preach at Saint Maries in Cambridge spake freely against that Book manifesting his dislike of the same For said he the tendency of this Book is to make sinne ridiculous whereas it ought to be made odious On a time the Bishop of Ely sent for him to appear about his Non-conformity at which time the Bishop told him that there was a great Schisme in the Church asking him where the blame was to be 〈◊〉 whether upon the Conformists or Non-conformists To which â—e readily answered that it might lie on either side or on neither side For said he if they loved one another as they ought and would do all goâ—â— Offices each for other thereby maintaining love and concord it lay 〈◊〉 neither side otherwise which party soever makes the rent the Schisme lies upon their score The Bishop was so pleased with this answer that he dismissed him in peace He was much troubled with a bad concoction whereby he had frequent sick nights which kept him much waking but then his manner was as much as possibly he could to spend the time in meditation and prayer We have before heard of his great Charity to mens bodies His Charity to souls was not lesse exemplary For having great experience and an excellent faculty to relieve and comfort distressed consciences he was sought to far and neer by such as groaned under spiritual afflictions and temptations all whom he entertained friendly and familiarly without respecting the person of the rich more then of the poor Yea the fame of this spiritual Physician so spread abroad that he was sent for to very many and the Lord was pleased so farre to blesse his labours that by his knowledge and experience many were restored to joy and comfort out of unspeakable and insupportable terrours and torments of conscience If the Lord had not so soon translated him out of this sinfull and miserable world there was none more fit nor willing to have prescribed Rules and a Method to be observed in this so little a known Art Of his good will herein let his own words testifie the forward desires of his heart For upon a special occasion he thus speaketh of himself I have had saith he for a long time a settled resolution which I hope is from God to study the cases of conscience that thereby I may be the better able to succour the tempted and perplexed in spirit He was filled with bowels of compassion towards the afflicted sympathizing as if he had been afflicted with them Many godly and learned friends of his perceiving his abilities and inclination thereto did labour much to excite and incourage him in those studies upon these and the like grounds First that he might hereby the better train up some young men in the like studies communicating his knowledg and experiences to them therein Secondly that he might leave to posterity a Commentary of such particular Maladies as God had made him instrumental in the cure of together with the meanes by him used for effecting of the same And because Precepts are wanting Rules of direction might be framed partly by his own observation partly by conference with other learned and experienced persons whereby in that and the age following that Art might be brought into some form and method to the publick good and benefit of many not only foâ— the fruitfull curing but also for the healthfull preventing of manifold mischiefs To such as complained to him that they were troubled with â—â—â—sphemous thoughts his counsell was that they should not fear them but abhorre them And when some poor Christians were miserably afflicted with feares that they had commited that unpardonable sinne against the holy Ghost he used to tell them that if they would not have committed it it was certain that they had not faln into it The graces of Gods Spirit did all abundantly shine forth in this man of God all tempered as with unfeigned love to Christ so with bowels of love and compassion towards men and he again was greatly beloved of all men In the whole course of his Ministry he was very carefull ever to avoid as much as was possible all occasions of offence desiring in all things to approve himself as a Minister of Christ and Workman that needed not to be ashamed He much rejoyced in and praised God for the happy government of Queen Elizabeth and for the blessed calm and peace which the Church and people of God enjoyed under the same speaking often of it both publickly and privately as he had occasion endeavouring to stirre up the hearts of all men as much as in him lay to praise God with him for it and to pray also for the continuance thereof Yea this matter so affected him that the day before his departure out of this world his thoughts were much troubled for that most men were so unthankfull for those wonderfull and happy deliverances which the Lord of his mercy vouchsafed to that glorious Queen from the conspiracies and dangerous practices of her Popish Adversaries He was a special Instrument and meanes under God to incourage and train up many godly and learned young men in the holy service of
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
wary manner that no specious occasion could be taken whereby to deprive him of his liberty Yet they were resolved to spit forth their malice against him whether by fair or foul meanes which they thus effected Master Baines having heat his weak body by much straining his voice to speak to so great an Auditory Sermon being ended he retired himself presently to provide for his health which otherwise would have been much endangered They in the mean time going on with their businesse according to their accustomed Lordly way called for Master Baines amongst the rest and upon his not answering though he was not cited thither as to a Court but only intreated to preach as he did Yet for not appearing he was immediately silenced But afterwards the Chancellour being informed that that grosse sentence was illegal and therefore a meer nullity he went another way to work and sending for Master Baines he urged him about subscription and conformity and upon his refusal to make sure work silenced him over again In which businesse he was so conscious to himself of unreasonable and ridiculous dealing that when Master Baines standing to receive that unjust sentence from so corrupt a man lifted up his heart and eyes towards God with an heavenly smiling countenance as his manner was the Chancellour interpreted that gesture to be a scorning of his authority After this Master Baines was perswaded by some of his Friends to make triall of the Archbishops courtesie to whom when he had addressed himself at the very first salutation the gravity and severity of Arch-bishop Bancroft led him sharply to rebuke the good man for a little black-work edging upon his cuffs telling him in a very Episcopal strain that it were a good deed to lay him by the heels for it After which time Master Baines would have no more to do with such absurd and unreasonable men but preached sometimes where he might have liberty and as the weaknesse of his body would suffer The rest of his time he spent in Reading Writing Meditation and Prayer saving that upon occasion he instructed and comforted those that came to him in private wherein he had a very happy and heavenly gift He was indeed all his life after pressed with want not having as he often complained to his friends a place to rest his head in Yet did he never so much as consult with himself about his denying his sincerity and complying with the Bishops of whom and their courses he was wont to say They are a generation of the earth earthly and savour not the wayes of God Whil'st he lived a private life his Wife died and being thunder-struck by the Bishops bolt he had time and leasure to apply his able wit and judgment about the discussing of many questions which if the Prelates had not forced such leasure upon him it may be he would have passed by with others He was of such an holy and heavenly temper that he was reverenced by all good men that knew him His manner was in the summer-time to go from one Gentlemans house to another and happy were they that could get his company He had such a Divine and heavenly Majesty in his countenance that it would awe any man to look upon him Little recreation he used but sometimes to play at Chesse Once he was called by Bishop Harsnet to the Councel-table the Bishop having laid a designe to suspend and banish him under the pretence of keeping Conventicles the reason whereof was this He was an excellent Casuist and thereupon many doubting Christians repaired to him for satisfaction in cases of Conscience which the Bishops would needs have to be keeping of Conventicles When he was accused hereof before the Privy-Councel one of the Noble-men said to him Speak speak for your self Whereupon he made such an excellent speech that in the midst thereof a Nobleman stood up and said He speakes more like an Angel then a man and I dare not stay here to have a hand in any sentence against him upon which speech they dismissed him and he never heard more from them Upon a time he went to the House of Mistresse Sheafe who was his Wives Sister at Cranbrook in Kent where observing that she and others of the Family used to play much at cards and such like games as the custome was and still is too much used in Gentlemens Houses he took occasion on the Sabbath day in his Sermon to speak against such games And it pleased the Lord so to work upon Mistresse Sheafes heart by that Sermon that when she came home she came crying to him saying Oh Brother Why would you thus suffer me to live in sinne to the dishonour of God and would never tell me of it before To which he replied that it was best of all that God had wrought on her by the publick Ministry and that it might not have been so well if he had spoken to her in private He was a man of much communion with God and acquaintance with his own heart observing the daily passages of his life and was much exercised with spiritual conflicts whereby he became the more able to comfort others with the same consolations which himself had received from God He had a deep insight into the Mystery of Gods Grace and mans Corruption as appears by his Commentary upon the Epistle to the Ephesians He was one that sought not after great matters in the world being taken up with comforts and griefes unto which the world is a stranger One that had not all his learning out of Books Of a sharp wit and clear judgment So that though his Meditations were of an higher strain then ordinary yet he had a good dexterity furthered by his love to do good in explaining dark points with lightsome similitudes His Prayer in his Family was not usually above a quarter of an houre long and having respect to the weaknesse and infirmities of his Servants and Children he used to disswade others from tediousnesse in that duty It pleased God to make him an instrument of the conversion of that holy and eminent Servant of Jesus Christ Doctor Sibbs In his last sicknesse he had many doubts and feares and God letting Satan loose upon him he went out of this world with farre lesse comfort then many weaker Christians enjoy He resigned up his spirit into the hands of God in Cambridge Anno Christi 1617. The Life and Death of Master William Bradshaw who died Anno Christi 1618. IT hath from time to time been the lot of divers persons of singular worth and eminent parts that they have lived in obscurity and in a low condition and past their time without that due respect and regard which their excellent endowments might justly have claimed partly through the shortnesse of outward supplies for they get not up easily though never so well deserving that are scanted in that kinde partly by reason of an inward bashfulnesse and
restlesse condition and to translate him hence to a place of endlesse rest and peace never to be interrupted again the force of the disease within the space of a few daies fretted asunder those bands that kept soul and body together and leaving the one behind to be laid up in the bowels of that element whence it had its first original set the other at full liberty to return unto him from whom alone it immediately received its existence at first During the short time of his sickness wherein yet through Gods goodnesse he continued free from any notable sense of pain and was accompanied with much freedom of mind and memory he had his heart and tongue in meditation set wholly upon God acknowledging his special favour and goodnesse unto him who had so far forth vouchsafed to cast a gracious eye upon him so vile and loathsome a creature while he yet continued in his native condition as to give him an interest by Faith in his Christ yea so farre farther to grace so unworthy a wretch as to call him to be a Minister of his Word and Publisher of his Will and to make his weak endeavours and worthlesse labours at any time in any measure efficacious to any of his people as he hoped in some sort with some at least they had been either for the conversion and bringing of them home unto him or for the establishing and building of them up in the saving knowledge and belief of his truth and in the graces and comforts of his Spirit Withall seriously professing this to be his comfort the testimony of his conscience in the sight of God bearing witnesse in his behalf that in sincerity of heart though with much weaknesse and amidst many failings through the whole course of his Ministry his main end and scope in all his labours and endeavour's had been both in publick and private to seek the glory of God the delivery of his truth the peace of his Church the spiritual good of his people in all things to approve himself to him and continue faithfull with him who hath been pleased to take him into his service and desiring now nothing more then that he might be so enabled through the support of his good Spirit that by his Christian and comfortable carriage under his Fatherly hand in this close of his day-work he might confirm and seal up to others the truth of those things that he had formerly professed and taught Withall earnestly exhorting all that came about him to learn now to die before they came to it to be sure to lay a good foundation in time of life and health for matter of firm support and sound comfort in time of sickness and at the hour of death and to make as much provision and strong preparations against that time as they could assuring themselves that they should find all their utmost endeavours and carefullest addresses to be little enough when they came once to that Work Amidst these and the like Religious Meditations and Pious Employments peceiving his desired end now to approach and having requested prayer to be conceived in his behalf by a special Friend who had accompanied him most part of his sicknesse not long after that Office performed by him he quietly and peaceably resigned his soul into the hands of his blessed Saviour no lesse ready doubtlesse to receive it from him then himself was desirous and forward to recommend it unto him His Funeral rites were performed at Chelsey where he drew his last breath most of the Ministers of better note about the City either constantly residing or occasionally detained there besides a very great multitude of private persons well affected repairing thereunto Who were all there after the usuall manner in such cases and on such occasions entertained at the charge and by the bounty of that worthy Gentlewoman of singular Piety in whose house he deceased From which place his Corps being conveyed on the shoulders of six of his Reverend Brethren of the Ministry who of their own accord offered themselves unto that Office to the place of publick Assembly where it was to be interred Master Thomas Gataker his ancient and inward Friend though full of grief for the loss of one who so entirely affected him and whom as well for the high esteem he had of him and his worth as for that entire affection which he constantly bare to him was most deservedly exceedingly dear to him and in regard thereof not so free or fit for performance of that Office yet enforced himself to preach at his Funerall and to give though very briefly such Testimony of him as was generally approved of by his Reverend Brethren there present And he was indeed a man of very eminent parts for sharpnesse of wit clearnesse of apprehension soundnesse of judgment exactnesse of method and powerfulnesse of delivery of singular dexterity in beating out perplexed and intricate debates descrying and discovering where the knots lay stating of Controversies aright and dissolving of difficult cases of conscience to which purpose not only many even from remote parts resorted unto him either of their own accord or directed and recommended unto him by other his Brethren of the Ministry as one most likely of any to give them satisfaction in their doubts but divers of them also of good note as by their Letters to him may appear deemed it no disparagement to seek resolution from him in questions of that nature themselves Neither was he one that kept his talent wrapt up in a Napkin but though he were cooped up mostly in an obscure corner through the harsh courses of those that would not suffer his light to shine forth in any eminent place yet was he exceeding laborious in those parts wherein he lived both in private employments at constant set times in the Family and in publick also where he might be permitted though without benefit to himself that which may appear by abundance of papers and note-books yet extant though by many casualties a multitude of them have miscarried Besides his constant course of preaching at Stapenhill for the most of his time from his first admission into that Family save only by interruption through occasion of removals which neither usually lasted over-long nor though distracted him in his Studies did any whit lightly lessen his labours he was frequently drawn forth to joyn with other his Reverend Brethren in their meetings and exercises at Ashbie de la Zouch in Leicester-shire at Repton in Darby-shire and at Burton upon Trent at some of which meetings the manner being that some one of them preached his hour on the Scipture propounded the meeting before and the rest or a certain number of them spent afterward each one his half hour or thereabout on some other portion of Scripture one being appointed to moderate by minding each that spake if occasion were of the time and to close up all with some succinct rehearsal of what had been delivered
twice a day at several set times an hour at least in meditation and prayer mixed oft with many tears She good soul was so affected with his departure and so feelingly apprehensive of her own losse thence ensuing that albeit she survived him about if not above some twelve years yet was it observed by those that conversed with her that to her dying day she could very seldome with dry eyes either speak of him or hear him spoken of by others that which made divers forbear speaking of him what they well might in her presence for the renewing of her grief Nor was her hearty affection to him and due esteem of him manifested in such kind of expressions alone where in even counterfeits though not so constantly yet can at sometimes exceed but it was made to appear in beneficence to her ability and in carefull provision to her power for those he left behind him for what by her Husband was intended though she met with many obstructions in the pursuit of it the state was so entangled she at length got made good and setled according to his desire And for his eldest Sonne for he left three whereof two yet survive and a Daughter being set apart for a Scholar she maintained him at Grammar-School untill he was fitted for the University and at the University in part also so long as she lived With those in general among whom he lived and that knew him but at a distance he left behind him the estimation of one very studious humble plain honest loving free liberal charitable and compassionate Very studious they deemed him because they seldome saw him walking abroad without a Book in his hand and reading usually if alone on it as he walked though he walked commonly somewhat fast being therein farthered through the quicknesse of his eye and the steadinesse of his hand And for his humility it so readily offered it self to the eye in his whole deportment that they could not but take notice of it reading it as written in text letters therein that saw ought at all in him A plain man he was as Jacob without welt or gard and a plain-dealing man as Nathaniel without craft or guile free from all courtship either for counterfeit or complement Among the meaner sort he was the more beloved because though his means were but mean and scant yet they perceived him to be of a free and liberal disposition and were willing therefore to work with him ordinarily before any other because he used to give them somewhat above their hire or agreement which few others did His charitable mind and tender-heartednesse many waies manifested it self It hath been known that he hath borrowed money when he had none about him or by him to relieve some that have been in want and to have been as carefull to repay it as forward to part with it While he was at Chatham some gallies that had sometime been built for service and lay a long time after there idle being found unusefull for our Seas yet being then on foot and some put into them he walked down one day with some company to see the manner of them which when he had viewed it seemed to him so dismal a sight to see men Christian men put to such kind of servitude that he could not endure to behold it without tears and having given them a little money so left them returning back in a very sad and pensive moode Yea he was one of those whom Solomon speaks of whose commiseration reacheth even to the bruit beasts which he could not endure to see unmercifully used and would oft say he was perswaded that men took too much liberty to themselves in killing and misusing some even contemptible creatures without cause Riding homeward sometime with his Sonne behind him whom he had taken out with him the waies being bad and deep and the beast that bare them travelling heavily and wearisomely he took occasion thereby to enter into a discourse to the lad behind him what hardship the poor unreasonable creature was put to to be serviceable to us what misery such sustained for mans sinne and so affectionately he spake of it that to his Sonne whom he spake to he seemed to weep with it He may be thought to have had some presage of his end approaching before his last accesse to the City For it is reported by his Sonne now in the Ministry and treading in his Fathers steps that being very earnest in soliciting of him that he might then go up to London with him which since he sucked it seems he had never seen he willed him not to be so desirous to see London for whensoever he saw London he should see it to his cost And to his great grief indeed he did coming up with his Mother a heavy Widow not long after his Fathers departure hence and funerall rites here performed We shall close all with that free and ingenuous Character which that Illustrious late Bishop of Norwich his old true and loving Friend he is pleased so to stile himself in some Letters to him truly giveth of himself He was saith he of a strong brain and a free spirit not suffering himself for small differences of judgment to be alienated from his Friends to whom notwithstanding his seeming austerity he was very pleasing in his conversation being full of witty and harmlesse urbanity he vas very strong and eager in arguing hearty in his friendship regardless of the world a despiser of complement a lover of reality full of digested learning and excellent notions a painfull labourer in Gods work and now no doubt gloriously rewarded This Life was drawn up by my Reverend Learned and worthy Friend Mr. Thomas Gataker of Rederich The Life of Master Richard Stock who died Anno Christi 1626. RIchard Stock was born at York and after he was throughly furnished with Countrey Learning he went to Cambridge at the age of eighteen or nineteen years as most in those Northen parts in those times used to do where he was admitted into St. Johns Colledge and after a while was chosen Scholar of the House At this time Dr. Whittaker was Master of St. Johns under whom his younger Brother had a Sisers place who favoured Mr. Stock very much for his ingenuity industry and proficiency in his Studies There he remained till he had taken his degree of Master of Arts at which time he had had a fellowship but that his Countrey was full whereupon he left the Colledge and lived some space of time with Sir Edmund or Edward Cope at Cannons Ashby in Northamptonshire from whence he afterwards removed to the Lady Lane at Burton on the water in Gloucestershire to be her Chaplain Before he left the University he was designed to a Fellowship in Sidney Colledge then intended and beginning to be built but having long discontinued before the building was accomplished he had then no mind to return to the University again But coming
Happy is he that hath not bowed a knee to Baal he bad us sing Psal. 120. he sung a while but in the singing of the Psalm he died Anno Domini 1627. and in the year of his age 64. Thus have I given you as true an account as I could of this famous Champion of Christ who notwithstanding his Non-conformity may be called with Austin Haereticorum Malleus The Hammer of Hereticks and with Ambrose Orbis terrarum Anglicarum oculus The eye as bright as any other in the English Orbe Two things amongst many others I think worthy the inserting into his life which have been omitted in the fore-going story The one is a strange sicknesse and recovery he had once at Bernards Castle His sicknesse was a Vertigo capitis he would have fourty fits at least in an hour and every one of them accompanied with mischievous temptations which when the fit was over he dictated and I writ down these held him about three weeks in which time he had the advice of learned Physicians from London York New-Castle Durham and other places they all jumped in their judgments imputing it to much study fasting and inward trouble of spirit their Prescriptions wrought kindly but removed not his disease He desired divers Christians to pray for him on a day prefixed and promised to joyn with them as well as he could with some others that should be with him assuring them That he was confident that disease would not he removed but by Prayer and Fasting The morning of that day he had a fit continued four hours together upon him and the devil set upon him all that while with most dreadfull temptations telling him he would make him the scorn of Religion and every man should reproach it for his sake that had before by his means looked towards it That he should never preach more but should blaspheme the name of God he had preached with many like suggestions God gave him courage comfort and Victory over them all The devil told him if he did fast and pray that day he would torment and hinder him c. We met at the time appointed and Master Rothwel would needs have me to perform the duty which through Gods goodnesse I did and the devil was not permitted to hinder or interrupt him or us and God heard our Prayers so that he had never a fit after that and the Sabbath-seven night following he preached but after many wrestlings with Satan who told him he would make him mad and before all the people in the Pulpit make him a scorn if he did adventure to preach Neverthelesse his Faith in Christ overcame his fear of Satan and he preached with great assistance and comfort upon that text Psal. 116.9 I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living Neverthelesse that sicknesse did so weaken his brain that ever after he was enclining to some infirmities Which love must cover The other is a relation which I had from himself and from divers others to whom the story was known that are yet alive As well as I can recollect it it is thus There was one John Fox living about Nottingham who had no more learning then enabled him to write and read This man was possessed with a devil who would violently throw him down and take away the use of every member of his body which was turned as black as pitch in those fits and then spake with an audible voice in him which seemed sometimes to be heard out of his belly sometimes out of his throat and sometimes out of his mouth his lips not moving He lay thus if I mistake not some years many prayers were put up to God for him and great resort especially of godly Ministers to him amongst the rest Master Bernard of Batcomb then of Worksop and Master Langley of Truswel betwixt whom and John Fox I have seen divers passages in writing he relating by pen his temptations and they giving answers when he was stricken dumb As Master Rothwel was riding to see him the Devil told all that were in the House Yonder comes Rothwel but I will make a fool of him before he goes The people looked forth and saw him coming a-about a quarter of a mile from the house As soon as he entered the room the Devil said Now Rothwel is come and as some say spake thus Rothwel Thou sayest there is no possession what thinkest thou now Here is a man opens not his lips and yet he speaketh And after a while he further said Devil Say nothing to me of this man for I tell thee he is damned and he added thereto many fearfull blasphemies Rothwel Thou art a lyer and the father of lies nor art thou so well acquainted with the mind of God concerning this man which makes thee thus to torment him therefore I believe thee not I believe he shall be saved by Jesus Christ. Devil He is a murtherer and thou knowest no murtherer must come into Heaven Rothwel Thou liest again for David murdered and is in Heaven and the Jews with wicked hands crucified the Lord of Glory yet both Christ prayed for them and Peter exhorts them to repentance that their sins may be blotted out Devil But this man hath not cannot shall not repent Rothwel If he had not thou wouldst not have told him so but if he have not I believe God will give him repentance and thou shalt not be able to hinder it Devil Thou art a murtherer thy self and yet talkest thou thus Rothwel Thou liest again I have fought the Lords Battels against his known enemies the idolatrous and bloody Papists in Ireland Rebels to the Queen my Sovereign by whose authority I bore armes against them otherwise I have killed no man Devil Swore and blasphemed Thou didst murther one this day as thou camest hither and there is one behind thee will justifie it Rothwel looked over his shoulder and with that the devil set up a hideous laughter that nothing could be heard for a great while and then said Devil Look you now did not I tell you I would make Rothwel a fool and yet it is true thou didst murther one this day for as thou camest over the Bridge which he named there I would have killed thee and there thy horse trod upon a slie and killed it Master Rothwels horse you must know stumbled there it seems the devil had power to cause it but without hurt either to Master Rothwel or his horse Rothwel Thou hast oft beguiled me I hope God will in time give me wisdome to discern and power to withstand all thy delusions and he it is that hath delivered me out of thy hands and will I doubt not also deliever this poor man The Devil blasphemed fearfully quoted many Scriptures out of the Old and New Testament both in Hebrew and in Greek cavilled and played the Critick and backed his Allegations with Sayings out of the Fathers and Poets in their own
Chappel which had formerly been in use only in Term-time he caused to be continued weekly all the year Besides which when he was present in the Colledge he did frequently himself either preach or expound Scripture to them He also took special notice of the several conversations of the particular persons in the Colledge as well by his own inspection and observation while he was present as by faithfull informations in his absence and was frequent in giving them personall counsell and direction in private Consonant hereunto was also the care of the particular Fellows who beside the instruction of their Pupils in Learning caused them to come to their chambers to Prayers every night and to repetition of Sermons on the Lords day By all which the practice of Religion was much promoted His next care was for the advancement of Learning which he endeavoured to promote by his frequent exhortations and encouraging all to diligence in their studies and conscionable improving their time and opportunities as also by requiring the constant performance of publique exercises by persons of all ranks and exciting the Fellows to a diligent inspection as well joyntly over the Colledge in general as severally over their own Pupils in particular for the same ends On the same ground also he took care to have the Colledge-Library furnished with good Authors giving considerable summes of money for that end and perswading others also to do the like And some dues payable to the Colledge which formerly used to be employed in feasting were by his means converted to a better use in buying of such Books which might feed the minds both of the present society and those that shall succeed He bestowed also a considerable part of his profits there upon the yearly maintenance of poor Scholars and at his death he gave a considerable summe of money for the same purpose to be disposed of by the present Society to such as stood in need Indeed his resolution was that so long as he was hindered from residing constantly amongst them by reason of his attending on the Assembly at Westminster he would not be a gainer by the place but whatsoever profits he received more then would defray the charges of journeys and other expences occasioned by it he would bestow some way or other for the good of the Colledge In elections to places of preferment in the Colledge he was exceedingly carefull that they might be bestowed on those that were most deserving and to that end he did with the unanimous consent of the Fellows make a Decree that in all future Elections none should be admitted to a Scholarship or Fellowship in the Colledge till they did first approve themselves for Learning by a publique triall or examination for two or three daies successively in the audience of the whole Colledge which hath already produced very good effects for the improvement of Learning in that Colledge and more are like to ensue In case any sollicited him for preferment of their Friends his constant answer was that if they were found to deserve it better then others they should have it but if otherwise they must expect to go without it and his actings were so exactly consonant hereunto as indeed in all things his resolutions words and actions were so exactly consonant and kept so perfect harmony as is seldom seen whereas in many their words are more then their intentions and their actions lesse then their words In his converse with the Fellows it was his great care to preserve unanimity that as well Elections as all other affairs of the Colledge should be carried on by a universal consent so that if in the proposal of any thing there were any dissent his usual manner was to defer the determination of it till every one should see reason sufficient to concur with the rest and was himself as ready to hearken to any argument produced though contrary to his present sense which he would either fully answer or yield to it so that scarce any thing was over-ruled meerly by plurality of suffrages but all with universal consent and nothing more ordinary then for all differences to be quite reasoned down In his absence from them his mind was still present with them being more throughly acquainted with all the affairs of the Colledge and more carefull of them then most Heads of houses are when they are present For by reason of that sweet harmony and agreement betwixt himself and the Fellows he had constantly faithfull intelligence of all affairs and did communicate his counsel and advice therein making the good of the Colledge as he was wont to call it his Magna cura by reason whereof that Colledge hath flourished in a very eminent manner And I may safely say without prejudice to any that scarce any Society in either University since the late Reformation both for the general improvement of Religion and Learning and the unanimous harmony amongst themselves have been comparable hereunto yea so great was that unanimity and reciprocal affection between him and the Society that scarce ever any Head of a Society was taken from them with more general sorrow Beside what hath been already said much more might be added concerning the worth of this eminent Servant of God much of which hath been already penned by himself in that small Tractate Of making Religion ones businesse together with the Appendix applied to the calling of a Minister which with other small Tracts are printed together with this title Memorials of Godlinesse and Christianity wherein you may read a true Character of his thoughts as well as his actions of which I shall only adde this That his constant practice was so exactly consonant to the strict principles that are there expressed as can hardly be believed by those that have not seen it He was a man indeed of a very publique spirit and wholly laid himself out for God And therefore though he were ready to deny himself and condescend freely where his own interest was only concerned yet was he zealous and tenacious in things that concerned Gods glory reserving his heat to encounter sin Hence was it that notwithstanding his natural meeknesse he acted in the things of God with much courage and resolution As in those free and resolute expressions of himself yet with humilty meeknesse and sobriety in preaching at the Cathedral Church at Canterbury in presence of the Dean and Prebends wherein he spared not to set before them such things as were notoriously amisse yet for the most part expressing in Latine what did chiefly concern them that they might take notice of it not the people which though it procured him some trouble and opposition yet he did not for that abate of his courage and resolution In like manner when he was to preach at the Bishop of Lincolns Visitation at Hitchin he went thither with a resolution to speak fully and freely against the corrupt innovations then in practice whatever might be