published a particular account in a book entitled "An Animadversion to Mr. Richard Clifton's Advertisement, who, under pretence of answering Mr. Chr. Laune's book, hath published another man's private letter, with Mr. Francis Johnson's Answer thereto. Which letter is here justified; the answer thereto refuted; and the true causes of the lamentable breach that hath lately fallen out in the English exiled church at Amsterdam, manifested," 1613.* The occasion of this breach appears to have been a difference of opinion respecting church discipline. Upon this division, a second congregation was raised at Amsterdam under the superintendence of Mr. Ainsworth, who is said to have been succeeded by the famous Mr. John Canne, author of marginal references to the Bible.+ Mr. Ainsworth's enemies, to cast an odium on his memory, have been pleased to say, that, after his death, his people continued many years without a pastor, and without the administration of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper; and that they were rent by another division, one half following Mr. Jolin de Cluse, and the other Mr. Canne.‡ But these representations, evidently designed to reproach these persecuted people, are unsupported by suficient evidence, and several particulars are denied and refuted by one who lived in those times, and obtained the most correct information. With regard to Mr. Ainsworth himself, he is. reproachfully charged with having changed his opinions from a conformist to a separatist, and from a separatist to a conformist, no less than six times; but, as there does not appear the least shadow of truth in the charge, the deserved odium will doubtless fall upon its bigoted author.

It is a circumstance which deserves to be recorded to the honour of Mr. Ainsworth, that in the midst of the above unhappy controversies, in which his own pen was actively employed, he preserved a meek and true christian spirit. Though he is represented by his enemies to have been extremely rigid, intemperate, and severe, the contrary is very evident. Mr. John Paget having challenged him to a disputation upon points of church discipline, Mr. Ainsworth, in a letter dated July 12, 1617, returned the following mild and peaceable answer :-" If any thing pass betwixt you and me about those points, you shall be the first

*Life of Ainsworth, p. 28-38. + Neal's Puritans, vol. ii. p. 45. Bailie's Dissuasive, p. 15.—Paget's Answer to Best and Davenport, p. 134.-Paget's Defence, p. 33.

Cotton's Congregational Churches, p. 6.

Bailie's Vindication, p. 7.

"provoker of it. And if you desire it, I will not refuse. "It shall be at your own choice. As I love not to begin ❝controversy, so I will not be wanting to do any good I "can, to you or any other; or to defend any point of truth "which God hath given me to see and witness, when I am "duly called thereunto."

Mr. Ainsworth cultivated, at the same time, those studies which were more congenial to his profession, and more beneficial to the best interests of men. His great work, the "Annotations on the Five Books of Moses, the Psalms, and the Song of Solomon," was published separately, in the year 1612, and several following years; and afterwards collected and printed in London, in one volume folio, 1627, and again in 1639. This last edition is said to be very scarce. As to the execution of the work, its great worth has been established by the strongest testimonies of foreign as well as British divines. Succeeding critics have adopted his remarks, and he is frequently cited by modern commentators. Dr. Doddridge says, "Ainsworth on the Pentateuch, Psalms, and Solomon's Song, is a good book, full of 'very valuable Jewish learning; and his translation is, in many places, to be preferred to our own, especially on the Psalms."+

The manner of Mr. Ainsworth's death, as related by Mr. Neal, was sudden and singular, and not without strong suspicion of violence. For it is observed, that he, having found a diamond of great value in the streets of Amsterdam, advertised it in print; and when the owner, who was a Jew, came to demand it, he offered him any acknowledgment he desired. Mr. Ainsworth, however, though poor, would accept nothing except only a conference with some of the rabbies, upon the prophecies of the Old Testament relating to the Messiah, which the other promised; but not having sufficient interest to obtain the favour, it is thought he caused him to be poisoned. Other accounts say, that he obtained the conference, and so confounded the Jews, that, from spite and malice, they in this manner put a period to his life. Some writers, however, doubt the truth of this account, because it is never mentioned by any of the editors of his posthumous pieces. His death, by whatever cause it was produced, happened about the close of the year 1622, or the beginning of 1623.§

* Paget's Arrow against Separation, p. 2.

+ Doddridge's Works, vol. v. p. 472. Edit. 1804. Neal's Puritans, vol. ii. p. 45.

Life of Ainsworth, p. 60, 61.

Mr. Ainsworth was a man of great piety, uncommon erudition, and extraordinary abilities. Whatever engaged his pen was treated with proper respect, even by his adversaries; who, while they disapproved his sentiments, could not fail to admire his abilities. The famous Bishop Hall, who wrote against the Brownists, always speaks of him as the greatest man of their party; and refers to him as their doctor, their chief, their rabbi. He was unquestionably a person of profound learning, exquisitely versed in a knowledge of the scriptures, and deeply read in the Jewish rabbins. He possessed a strong understanding, a quick penetration, and wonderful diligence. His temper was meek and amiable, his zeal for divine truth fervent, and he conducted himself with great moderation towards his adversaries. The following account is given of Mr. Ainsworth, by one of his contemporaries, and one unfriendly to his peculiar sentiments: "For the life of the man, myself being eye-witness, living some time with him at Amsterdam, of his humility, sobriety, and discretion, setting aside his preposterous zeal in the point and practice of separation, he lived and died unblamably to the world; and I am thoroughly persuaded that his soul rests with his Saviour."+

His WORKS.-1. Counter-Poyson, 1590.-2. A Defence of the Holy Scriptures, Worship, and Ministry, used in the Christian churches separated from Antichrist, against Mr. Smyth, 1609.— 3. An Animadversion on Mr. Richard Clifton's Advertisement, 1613. 4. The Trying out of the Truth, begun and prosecuted in certain Letters and Passages between John Aynsworth and Henry Aynsworth: the one pleading for, the other against the present Church of Rome, 1615.-5. A Reply to the pretended Christian Plea for the Antichristian Church of Rome, published against Francis Johnson, 1620.-6. Certain Notes of Mr. Ainsworth's last Sermon, on 1 Pet, ii. 4, 5., 1630.-7. The old orthodox Foundation of Religion, 1641.— 8. A seasonable Discourse; or, a Censure upon a Dialogue of the Anabaptists, 1643.-9. The Book of Psalms Englished both in prose and metre, 1644.-10. A Guide to Zion.-11. An Advertisement touching some Objections against the sincerity of the Hebrew text; and the Allegations of the Rabbins.-12. A. Treatise of the Communion of Saints.-13. An Arrow against Idolatry.-The two last were reprinted together in 1789, with a copious and interesting account of the author prefixed.-14. His Annotations already mentioned, and probably some others.

• Hall's Apologie against the Brownists. + Life of Ainsworth, p. 62.

WILLIAM PEMBLE, A. M.-This learned divine was the son of a minister, born at Egerton in Kent, in the year 1591, and educated in Magdalen college, Oxford, where Mr. Richard Capel was his tutor. From a child he was trained up in good literature, and profited in all kinds of knowledge, more than most others. From the tender years of infancy he was constantly taught in the school of Christ; so that, under the influence of divine grace, together with the sanctified use of his manifold afflictions and temptations, he attained a high degree of heavenly wisdom. Though he was young in years, he offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than many of his elder brethren. At the university he acquired a most distinguished reputation, and became a celebrated reader of divinity in Magdalen college. According to our author, "he was a zealous Calvinist, a famous preacher, an excellent artist, a skilful linguist, a good orator, an expert mathematician, and an ornament to the society to which he belonged." Adrian Heereboord, the famous professor of philosophy at Leyden, was very profuse in the commendation of his learning and learned works. Another writer observes, "that he thoroughly traced the circle of the arts; and attained a degree of eminence, not only in the sciences, but even in those more sublime speculations of which many are not capable."+

Magdalen college was the very nursery of puritans. Mr. Pemble was justly denominated one of them, though he did not carry his nonconformity, in certain points, quite so far as some of his brethren. He laboured openly to promote the reformation of the church, and encouraged the relaxation of subscription and other points of conformity. He was tutor to many puritans, who afterwards became distinguished ornaments for learning, piety, and usefulness. This divine, with many others, affords sufficient proof that the puritans were not all unlearned, or at all inferior in learning to those who conformed.§

Mr. Pemble going on a visit to Mr. Capel, formerly his tutor, but now minister at Eastington in Gloucestershire, was taken ill, and died at his tutor's house, in the thirtysecond year of his age. His remains were interred in the

* Pemble's Works, Pref. Edit. 1627.

+ Wood's Athenæ Oxon. vol. i. p. 405. Pemble on Justification, Pref. Edit. 1625. MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p. 705. (4.)

church-yard at that place, and over his grave was the following plain monumental inscription:

Here lieth
the Body of
WILLIAM PEMBLE,

Master of Arts and Preacher,

who died April 14,

1623.

He left the world in the comfortable and full persuasion of justification by faith in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.* Bishop Wilkins, in his list of the most excellent sermons in his time, includes those of Mr. Pemble.+

His WORKS.-1. A Treatise of Justification by Faith, 1625.2. A Treatise of Providence.-3. The Book of Ecclesiastes Explained, 1628.-4. A Plea for Grace, more especially the Grace of Faith, 1629.-5. An Exposition of the first Nine Chapters of Zechariah, 1629.—6. Five godly and profitable Sermons, 1629.-7. Fruitful Sermons on 1 Cor. xv. 18, 19., 1629.-8. An Introduction to the Worthy Receiving of the Lord's Supper, 1629.-9. De formarum origine, 1629.-10. De Senibus internis, 1629.-11. A Sum of Moral Philosophy, 1630.-12. The Period of the Persian Monarchy, 1631.— 13. Enchiridion Oratorium, 1633.-14. An Introduction to Geography, 1685.-The above articles in English were collected and published in one volume folio, 1635, being much esteemed and often reprinted,

JOHN SPRINT, A. M.-This learned person was the son of Dr. John Sprint, dean of Bristol, a frequent Calvinistic preacher; was born in or near that city, and educated in Christ's Church, Oxford. After taking his degrees in arts, he became vicar of Thornbury in Gloucestershire; but afterwards removed to London, where he became a very popular preacher. Wood says, "he was a grave and pious divine, but for the most part disaffected to the ceremonies of the church of England, at least, while he continued at Thornbury. He was, indeed, called in question for uttering certain things against the ceremonies and discipline of the established church." This writer also adds, that he not only conformed himself, but was the great instrument in persuading others to do the same, by his book, called "Cassander Anglicanus." Fullers says, he put in the one scale the woe pronounced against those who preach not the gospel, or desert their flocks upon pretended scrupulosity; and in the other, the nature of those ceremonies that were enjoined by lawful authority; and finding the former to preponderate, he concluded it to be unlawful, on any such Wood's Athenæ, vol. i. p. 405. + Wilkins on Preaching, p. 82, 83.