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A41735
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The life and death of Thomas Tregosse late minister of the Gospel at Milar and Mabe in Cornwal with his character, and some letters of his, not long before his death.
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Gale, Theophilus, 1628-1678.
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1671
(1671)
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Wing G147; ESTC R2939
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27,276
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70
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THE LIFE AND DEATH OF THOMAS TREGOSSE Late Minister of the Gospel At Milar and Mabe in Cornwal With his Character and some Letters of his not long before his Death LONDON Printed in the Year MDCLXXI THE LIFE and DEATH OF THOMAS TREGOS c. SECT I. Mr. Tregosse's Life unto the time of his Conversion THe Lives of Virtuous and Heroick Spirits have been in all ages esteemed of great use and efficacy for the promoting of the like dispositions in those who are of more awakened and raised Souls For Man of all Creatures being most under the power of Imitation he is usually more moved by Examples than Precepts Examples are Lessons to the Eye and Table◠wherein the Theory is demonstrated in the Practice Things Intelligible which are more obscure in the Idea and notion are rendred as it were sensible and so more familiar and practicable by examples which give a kind of Body Life and Motion to general Doctrines and Instructions As the beams of the Sun gain force by Reflection so do Doctrines and Precepts reflected from the examples of holy men Notions and Precepts give us only a general Idea of what we ought to do But the Lives of holy men tell us what by grace we may do and withal they offer unto us efficacious Motives for the provoking of us by an holy emulation to our duty Thence the poor Pagan adviseth us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Stob. Sec. 3. de prud To set before us the fairest Copy of Virtue and then to imitate the same These with some other private considerations have induced me to commend to the world the ensuing story of Thomas Tregosse late Minister of the Gospel who was born at St. Ives near the Lands-end in Cornwal The Family of Tregosse whereof he was a branch was not without noble blood lodged in its veins Some conceive it to be more ancient than the Norman conquest a relique of the old Britains seated in those parts though the title seem to be of French notation Our English History acquaints us that William the Conqueror created John Tregosse a Baron who though he died without issue yet Henry Tregosse sate as a Baron in the Parliament held An. 35. of Edw. the I. And Robert de Tregosse was one of those Lords that sided with Simon Monfort Earl of Leicester against K. Henry the third As for the ruines of this Family the principal cause thereof deserves a particular remarque One Mr. Roscadden going in Pilgrimage his Wife had in his absence a child or more whereupon at his return John Tregosse advised him to settle his Estate on some Friend for the use of his Wife and Children lest after his death the Heir at Common Law should turn his Wife and Children out of doors Mr. Roscadden embracing his advice desired him to accept of this trust which accordingly he did but instead of a Deed in trust he made it absolute to himself and his Heirs As soon as Mr. Roscadden wad dead the said John Tregosse entred on the Lands and turned his Wife and children out of doors who for some time lay in a Hogstie and every morning went forth on the dunghil there on their knees imprecating the vengeance of God on Tregosse and his Heirs After this time the Judgements of God signally appeared against this Family Walter his Son falling from his horse in a fair way broke his neck others of his issue came to an untimely death and a curse hath remained on the estate ever since This Mr. Thomas Tregosse whose Life we now relate was so greatly sensible of as that it cost him many Prayers for the removing of this curse as he himself assured me Notwithstanding the Judgements of God on this Family yet the Parents of Mr. Thomas Tregosse were godly and reputed among the number of the old Puritans This was much seen in the pious education they gave this their Son whose tender years they took care to have seasoned with the Principles of Religion and good Literature At first his capacity seemed dull till about the age of seven years or after his diligence gave some notices of a quick apprehension and tenacious memory Indeed he had from his youth a natural inclination to the work of the Ministry and would oft when but a child mount up a stool or bench and there in his manner preach to his companions When he had attained a competent measure of Grammar Learning he was sent to Oxford and placed in Exeter Colledge under the Tuition of Mr. Francis Howel then Fellow of the said Colledge who perceived in him an awakened Spirit full of Vivacity and Intention insomuch that he made good the character which Aristotle gives of a young man 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to act vigorously in what ever exercises he was engaged in He did not as too many abuse the expectations of his Friends by squandring away those precious opportunities and encouragements vouchsafed him for the elevating his natural capacity by the acquirement of Liberal Arts and Philosophick Sciences wherein he made a good progress Neither was he without a good interest in the esteem of pious persons as it appears by the admittance which Reverend Dr. Conant gave him as a Member into his Church Also whiles he continued in Oxon he began to feel some wounds of Conscience One day hearing Dr. Conant on Hos 6.4 O Ephraim what shall I do to thee c. Some passages of that Sermon made so deep impression on him as that his conscience was filled with no small terrour when he went to his bed he was not without fears he should never see day when in his study that he should never come out alive So long as these awakening terrours of Conscience and sick nights for sin continued he could not endure to hear a vain word or to behold what had but the appearance of sin But these lights and heats of Conscience did by degrees die away Neither did they at that time determine in a thorow Conversion as it will hereafter appear Sect. 2. Having spent some time in the University he returned to S. Ives the place of his Nativity where having made some tryal of his Ministerial gifts the Inhabitants invited him to be their Minister This he at first modestly refus'd but being at last overcome by their importunity he agreed to spend some time among them Whereupon he was Aug. 17. 1657 in that Church set apart for the work of the Ministry He continued there two years a close Student all the week and constant Preacher twice every Lords day Before his departure from this place he took to him for Wife Margaret Sparnan who proved a gracious meek humble affectionate and meet help to him Whilst he continued in this Town there were two accidents which deserve a particular remarque The first was this The Summer after his sitting down among them much of the fishing season was expired and no Pilchards appeared the sence whereof greatly afflicted their Spirits
there was presented to his eye that Text Psal 53.5 There were they in great fear where no fear was which dispelled that perswasion and not long after by the use of means with the blessing of God thereon he gain'd strength in order to his future service Some short time after this on a Saturday being very weak in body and under despair of recovery he went up to his chamber as well as his feeble legs would carry him and fell down on his knees to Prayer whilst he was on his knees on a sudden as it seem'd agreat measure of strength was given in to him even to his astonishment Whereupon he attempted to arise and walk which he did two or three turns about his chamber very strongly Then calling for his Wise she soon perceived his pale cheeks clothed with their wonted colour ond complexion and now he that not many moments before thought himself at the brink of the grave was enabled to perform the duties of the evening and next Lords-day with much vigour and strength Since these signal marks of Divine savour and assistance afforded both to his Soul and body he with some other Christians observed a monthly Fast to afflict themselves before the Lord for their own their Family and National sins After these his first turns to God he found a more then ordinary assistance in his studies and work the Lord casting in abundant matter and affecting him therewith SECT III. The Account of Mr. Tregosse's Service and Sufferings with the Providences of God that appeared for him ON April 30. 1665. it being the Lords day Mr. Tregosse whilst in Prayer was much distracted about his intended Preaching in publick whereunto he seemed to be drawn by a very strange though manifest course of Providence which he strongly resisted till he was forced to yield He had been that week wondring what the Lord would do with him He could not study as formerly but was induced to read a practical discourse of Self-denyal The Lord furnished his contemplations with many passages about suffering And the Creatures duty to be and live in the will of his Creator and at his disposement In the end of his reading casting his eye on his Bible the first thing he met with was that Matt. 9.36 When he saw the multitude he had compassion on them because they fainted and were scatter-abroad as sheep having no shepherd At the view of which Text he inwardly trembled and the Lord seemed immediately to intimate that he should put on like bowels But hereupon he questioned within himself where he should finde such an opportunity of publick Preaching Mabe a Daughter-church to Milar which hath Preaching onely every other Lords-day was presented to his thoughts After many Disputes being loth to yield to the will of God he concluded to send thither to know whether any Minister would be there the Lords-day following answer was returned that there would be none But doubting still whether he might look on this as a Call he cast his eye on his Bible and fixed on that expression Luke 11.33 No man when he hath lighted a Candle putteth it in a secret place or under a bushel but on a candlestick that they who come in may see the light This answered all his objections allayed all his carnal fears and confirmed him in his resolution of Preaching in publick the next Lords-day When the Sabbath came he went on and found the People willing and all things suiting with the opportunity neither found he any disturbance but was much assisted in all duties to the end The rumor of this days work was spread abroad and came to the ears of Mr. Thomas Robinson a Justice of the Peace The next Lords-day May 7. being rainy in the morning Mr. Tregosse preached in his own house on Luke 21.19 In your patience possess ye your Souls without any expectation of disturbance that day by reason of the weather But after the Sermon was ended Mr. Robinson came to the dore and after entrance took the names of those who were present requiring Mr. Tregosse to give surety for the good behaviour or to render himself to the Constable upon his order the Monday sevennight ensuing Mr. Tregosse refused to do the first but promised the latter After Mr. Robinson's departure they met again in the afternoon without any disturbance The next Lords-day he preached again at Mabe without interruption But when the Exercises were finisht he was served with a Warrant to appear before Mr. Robinson at Hellestone on the Tuesday following At his appearance he vindicated his preaching with much boldness But after all was sent to Lanceston-Goal there to remain for three Months to which he submitted not only patiently but joyfully In his way to the Goal he embraced all occasions for the comforting those christian friends he met with And whilst he continued in Prison his Spirit was very free and enlarged under many gracious influences and refreshments His time there was spent in reading the Word Holy Meditations Fasting Prayer Holy conference with and preaching to those who were his fellow Prisoners and Visitors Few came to visit him but did or might gain by conversation with him The time of his Imprisonment being expired July 29. he came out of Prison and after his return home took the first convenient opportunity to keep a day of Thanksgiving for the many experiences of Gods goodness towards him and his during his confinement He had not been at home above four days before Mr. Robinson gave out that he would speedily send him back again to the place from whence he came in order whereto on Friday or Saturday after he providing 〈◊〉 ride to Market there as it is reported to procure another Justice to joyn with him in a Warrant for a second Conviction of Mr. Tregosse for a Conventieler and to prosecute some others whilst he was at a Tenement of his his own Bull which was never known to hurt any before followed him in a Field with much fury and gave him deadly wounds whereof he shortly dyed Aug. 20. being the Lords-day Mr. Tregosse wâ—â—t again and preached at Mabe Church without any disturbance as also that day fortnight spending the interval with much activity in his Masters service elsewhere He had many dissuasives from christian friends against publick preaching but all arguments urged could not satisfy his Conscience He was again sent to Lanceston-goal for publick Preaching whither Sept. 18. he went with comfortable persuasions that God would be with and care for him and his Family which was fully made good This second Imprisonment conduced much through the Lords benediction to the good of many Souls For the report of his bonds being spread far divers came to visit him to whom he imparted Spiritual gifts and there were some Onesimus's whom he begat through the Gospel in his bonds During this imprisonment he took several opportunities of visiting the Prisoners labouring to convince them of their sinful state c. Also