* proctors, for receiving their appeal, were deprived of their places; and Dr. Prideaux, rector of Exeter college, and Dr. Wilkinson, principal of Magdalen-hall, received a sharp reprimand for their concern in this business. Mr. Thorne presented a most humble petition to the bishop, desiring his favour and pardon, and a re-admission to the university; but without effect. Mr. Hodges desiring to be restored, preached a recantation sermon in St. Mary's church, and read a most degrading submission in the convocation-house, on his bended knees, before the whole assembly, and was restored as a probationer for one year, to bewail his offence and learn obedience. Mr. Ford, making no address, returned to his friends in Devonshire; when he was likely to be chosen vicar or lecturer of Plymouth. But Laud was no sooner informed of this, than he procured letters from the king, forbidding the inhabitants of the town to elect him, upon pain of his majesty's displeasure; and another to the Bishop of Exeter, commanding him not to admit him, in case he should be elected. Mr. Hodges afterwards conformed, and obtained considerable preferment. Mr. Ford continued a nonconformist, and was ejected in 1662. And one Dr. Giles Thorne, in the year 1643, became archdeacon of Buckingham; but whether this be the same person, we are unable to ascertain.{} THOMAS BEARD, D. D.-This person was a puritan minister of considerable eminence, and a famous schoolmaster at Huntingdon. In the year 1628, when the Bishop of Winchester was accused before the house of commons, Dr. Beard was sent for as witness against him, when his information was presented to the house by Sir Daniel Norton. In the year 1630, he was made justice of peace for the county of Huntingdon, being esteemed a person of great celebrity. He was schoolmaster to the famous Oliver Cromwell, who was born at this place, and who, being a youth of an aspiring and obstinate temper, often received his sharp discipline. It is observed, that when Oliver was a boy at school, "he averred that, when lying on his bed, he saw a gigantic figure, which came and opened the curtains of his bed, and told him that he should hereafter Rushworth's Collect. vol. ii. p. 110, + Prynne's Cant. Doome, p. 175, 176. MS. Remarks, p. 867. be the greatest person in the kingdom, but did not mention the word king; and though he was told of the folly, as well as the wickedness of such an assertion, he still persisted in it; for which, at the request of his father, he was flogged by Dr. Beard." Cromwell, it is added, often mentioned this circumstance when arrived at the height of his glory. Dr. Beard and Dr. Thomas Taylor, whose memoir is given in the next article, were joint authors of "The Theatre of God's Judgments;" and he published a work entitled, "Pedantius, Comædia, olim Cantab. acta. in Coll. Trin. nunquam ante hæc Typis evulgata," 1631. His portrait, prefixed to this work, says Granger, is a neat whole length, with two scholars standing by him, a rod in his hand, and a label proceeding from his mouth, inscribed, As in præsenti. THOMAS TAYLOR, D. D.-This excellent divine was born at Richmond in Yorkshire, in the year 1576, and educated in Christ's college, Cambridge, where he was chosen fellow. He was the son of pious and worthy parents. His father was recorder of the town, and particularly kind and liberal to the ministers silenced for nonconformity, and the persecuted exiles from Scotland. Our divine had several brothers in the ministry. While at the university, his unwearied diligence and high attainments in good literature were manifest to all. He was, therefore, chosen fellow and Hebrew lecturer of the college. He at first much opposed the puritans, as that sect which was every where spoken against; but afterwards espoused their cause, and became a sufferer with the rest of his brethren. He was for some time silenced, and threatened to be degraded, for a sermon which he preached in St. Mary's church, Cambridge, from Canticles, v. 7. "The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my vail from me." That on which he chiefly insisted, and which gave offence to the ruling ecclesiastics, was, "that in every age, some of those who ought to have been promoters of the church's welfare, have been its persecutors." How long he remained under the unjust censure, we have not been able to learn. In the year 1606, he was again silenced by Bishop Harsnet, for nonconformity. He was afterwards violently opposed and harassed by Bishop Wren, who Noble's Memoirs of the House of Cromwell, vol. i. p. 93-95, 102. Edit. 1787. + Biog. Hist. vol. ii. p. 196. used his utmost endeavours to hinder him from taking his doctor's degree. He was willing to endure any sufferings himself, rather than that the truth and cause of God should suffer. He was afterwards convened before the high commission, as a notorious delinquent, only for generously uniting with his brethren in promoting a private contribution for the poor afflicted ministers of the Palatinate, even after public collections failed: but it does not appear what further molestation he endured.t Dr. Taylor, upon leaving the university, settled first at Watford in Hertfordshire, then at Reading in Berkshire, and afterwards, in 1625, he became pastor of Aldermanbury, London. At each of these places his labours were made a blessing to many souls. During his abode at Reading, a generation of young preachers was raised up under his ministry, who afterwards became bright ornaments in the church of God. He preached at Paul's cross before Queen Elizabeth, and afterwards before King James. He spent thirty years in his beloved work, and continued faithful and laborious to the end. As the true servant of Christ, he was desirous to spend and be spent for the glory of God and the good of souls. With all sincerity and purity, and all zeal and meekness, he watched over the flock of Christ. His sermons were judicious, substantial, and admirably well delivered. He was an avowed enemy to popery, arminianism, and antinomianism; against the last of which he published a work, entitled, "The Use of the Law." Though envy opposed him, real worth always admired him. This worthy divine, when in the prospect of death, was desirous to have done more service for Christ; yet he was willing to obey the summons. Having finished the work which the Lord gave him to do, he was ready to depart, and to be with Christ. During his last sickness, he experienced much joy and peace in believing, and enjoyed a triumphant confidence in Christ as his gracious conqueror of death, and hell, and sin. "Oh!" said he, " we serve a good Lord, who covers all imperfections, and gives great wages for little work, and in mercy hath provided for me some of the greatest." Having languished a short time under his complaint, he died in the beginning of the year * Life of Taylor prefixed to his "Works." Edit. 1653. + Huntley's Prelates' Usurpations, p. 164. Newcourt's Repert. Eccl. vol. i. p. 918.—Clark's Lives annexed to Martyrologie, p. 126. 1632, aged fifty-five years, and his remains were interred in St. Mary's church, Aldermanbury. He was an inde fatigable student, an excellent preacher, and eminently useful in his ministry. He enjoyed great comfort in being faithful, and additional comfort in being useful in the Lord's work. The welfare of his people lay near his heart. He was not so much concerned to gather tithes into his barn, as souls to Jesus Christ. He who was a guide to others, did not wander out of the way himself. He preached and practised righteousness. His life was particularly exemplary, his enemies being judges. His piety, his charity, and his moderation, were manifest to all. Mr. Leigh calls him a solid and judicious divine."+ Fuller, who has classed him among the fellows and learned writers of Christ's college, Cambridge, says, " he was exceedingly charitable, most strict in his conversation, a grave divine, a painful preacher, and a profitable writer."+ Wood says, " he was excellent in following and opening an allegory; and that he was highly esteemed by the London ministers, as well as by the people of his charge.' On account of his profound knowledge of the scriptures, he was commonly styled, "the illuminated doctor." He was, says Dr. Williams, " a sound and sensible divine, and a very useful preacher; one who had penetrating views of the human heart, and of the oracles of God." - His WORKS.-1. A Commentary on the Epistle to Titus, 1612.2. Five Sermons occasioned by the Powder-plot, 1620.-3. Christ's Victory over the Dragon, being an Exposition of Rev. xii., 1633.4. Christ Revealed; or, the Old Testament Explained, 1635.5. Theatre of God's Judgments, 1648.-In this work he was assisted by Dr. Thomas Beard.-6. A Commentary upon Psalm xxxii., 1659.— 7. An Exposition of Christ's Temptations, 1659.-8. A Treatise on Acts xth.-9. An Exposition on the Parable of the Sower and the Seed.-10. The Saint's Progress to full Holiness.-11. The Romish Almanack.—12. Fly from Rome.-13. A Military Sermon, the Value of Valour.-14. A Wedding Sermon.-15. The Practice of Repentance.-16. The New Creature.-17. Meditations on the Creatures, on Psalm viii.—18. The Pearl of the Gospel.-19. The Pilgrim's Profession.-20. The Conversion, Life and Death of Mrs. Mary Gunter.-21. A Glass for Gentlewomen to dress themselves by.22. A short Introduction to the Worthy Receiving of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.-23. The Beauty of Bethel.-24. The King's Bath.-25. The Map of Rome.-26. The Rule of the Law under * Life of Dr. Taylor.-Clark's Lives, p. 125–127. + Leigh on Religion and Learning, p. 337. Fuller's Worthies, part iii. p. 210, 211.-Hist. of Cam. p. 92. Christian Preacher, p. 437, 438. the Gospel.-27. A Treatise of Circumspect Walking.-28. Principles of Christian Practice.-29. A threefold Alphabet of Christian Practice.-30. A Table, wherein is handled how far it is lawful to fly in the time of the Plague.-31. A brief View or Looking-glass of God's special Mercies to stir up our Thankfulness.-32. A Treatise of Contentment. His “Works,” as they are called, were published in one volume folio, in 1653, containing the following pieces.-33. Catechistical Exercises.-34. Jailor's Conversion.-35. Famine of the Word.-36. Peter's Repentance.—37. Judas's Repentance.—38. The Owle of the Gospel.-39. The Stranger at Home.-40. The Green and Dry Tree.-41. A Pattern of Peace.-42. A Caveat against Offences. 43. Nicolaitan Doctrine hateful.-44. Moderation in the Things of this Life.-45. A President for Preachers.-46. Excuse of a good Christian.-47. Two Contrary Masters.-48. The House of God. 49. Badge of a true Christian.-50. Jephtha's Vow.-51. New Map of Rome.-52. Labour in Vain.-53. Against following the Multitude.-54. Divers other Sermons.-This volume, with his Life prefixed by Mr. Caryl, contains also two of the former pieces. NATHANIEL BERNARD, A. M.-This excellent minister was educated in Emanuel college, Cambridge, afterwards lecturer at St. Sepulchre's, London, and a great sufferer for nonconformity. Having preached at St. Antholin's church, May 3, 1629, he used this expression in his prayer before sermon:-"Oh Lord, open the eyes of the queen's majesty, that she may see Jesus Christ, whom she hath pierced with her infidelity, superstition, and idolatry;" for which he was summoned by Bishop Laud to appear before the high commission at Lambeth. After long attendance, and having made his humble submission, he was dismissed. His dismission, however, was considered as an act of great favour, and of great mildness in the high commission. In the month of May, 1632, Mr. Bernard, having preached a sermon in St. Mary's church, Cambridge, spoke in favour of maintaining purity in the worship and ordinances of God, and against the introduction of Arminianism and the popish ceremonies into the church of Christ. The activity of Laud soon brought a prosecution against him in the high commission court. Upon Mr. Bernard's appearance, he was constrained to deliver a copy of his sermon to his lordship; who excepted against the following passages::-" God's ordinances for his public worship are the glory of any nation. By God's ordinances here, I understand chiefly the word, sacraments, and prayer; which, if blended and adulterated with any superstitious innovations * Prynne's Cant. Doome, p. 362, 363.-Rushworth's Collec. vol. ii. p. 32. |