* of starving for want. When the justices at the quarter: sessions would have admitted him to bail, his lordship refused, and sent him under the guard of a pursuivant to the high commission in London. Having been kept under confinement two whole terms, or more, he was brought before the high commission in the consistory of St. Paul's, when he was deprived of his ministry, degraded from the sacred function, required to pay a fine, and sent back to prison. Being at length released from confinement, and venturing, in the year 1634, to preach occasionally, without being restored, he was again apprehended and sent to the Gatehouse by Archbishop Laud, and from thence to Bridewell, where he was whipt and kept for some time to hard labour; then he was confined in a cold dark dungeon during the whole of winter, without fire or candle, being chained to a post in the middle of the room, with heavy irons on his hands and feet, having no other food than bread and water, and only a pad of straw to lie upon. Before his release could be obtained, he was obliged to take an oath, and give bond, that he would preach no more, but depart out of the kingdom in a month, and never more return. All this was done without any exception against his doctrine or his life.+ Such were the shocking barbarities of the above prelates. RICHARD SIBBS, D. D.-This most worthy divine was born at Sudbury in Suffolk, in the year 1577, and educated in St. John's college, Cambridge; where, on account of his great learning and unblamable deportment, he was soon promoted. He took his several degrees with great applause, and was first chosen scholar, then fellow of his college. While making rapid progress in literary fame, it pleased God to awaken him to a sense of his sins, and bring him to * Dr. Samuel Harsnet was master of Pembroke-hall, Cambridge, and successively bishop of Chichester and Norwich, and archbishop of York. After his preferment to the see of Chichester, a petition was presented to King James, by Pembroke-hall, exhibiting their charges against him in fifty-seven articles, though the purport of them does not appear. The citizens of Norwich afterwards accused him to the house of commons, of putting down preaching; setting up images; praying to the east; punishing the innocent; and some other particulars. Though he protested his own innocence of most of the charges, he does not appear to have been perfectly guiltless. He is denominated “a learned and judicious divine.” -Le Neve's Lives, vol. i. part ii. p. 129-135.-Biog. Britan, vol. iv. p. 2545, 2546. Edit. 1747. + Huntley's Usurpations of Prelates, p. 161, 162. the knowledge of the gospel, by the preaching of Mr. Paul Baynes, then lecturer at St. Andrew's church. Having obtained mercy of the Lord, he resolved to devote himself to Christ in the work of the ministry; and shortly after was chosen lecturer at Trinity church. Here his preaching was numerously attended by the scholars and townsmen, and became happily instrumental in the conversion and establishment of many souls. He appears to have been vicar of the above church, during only the two last years of his life, the celebrated Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Thomas Goodwin having resigned in his favour. His celebrity having spread abroad, and reached the metropolis, he was, in the year 1618, chosen preacher at Gray's-inn, London, where he became remarkably popular and useful. Besides the learned lawyers, many of the nobility and gentry, as well as citizens, flocked to hear him; and great numbers had abundant cause to bless God for the benefit which they derived from his ministry. He continued in this public situation to the end of his days. Dr. William Gouge, who frequently heard him, says, "he had sometimes a little stammering in the time of preaching, but his judicious hearers always expected some rare and excellent notions from him."* About the year 1625, he was chosen master of Katherinehall, Cambridge, which, though he was a puritan, he was enabled to keep till his death. He was, however, convened before the high commission, and deprived of his fellowship and lecture, on account of his nonconformity. His great erudition, piety, and usefulness, were not sufficient protection against the fury of the times. As master of the above house, he was eminently useful. He found the society in a very declining state; but, through his influence and exertions, it soon obtained considerable enlargement, was stored with learned and religious fellows, and became famous for genuine piety and sound literature. Soon after the above period, he was chosen one of the feoffees for buying impropriations, for which he and the others concerned in the generous undertaking were prosecuted in the star-chamber; but the prosecution was so manifestly invidious, that it was afterwards relinquished. This business, however, brought no small odium upon Bishop Laud, who was the sole instigator and chief promoter of the prosecution. He was * Clark's Lives annexed to Martyrologie, p. 143, 144. VOL. II. 2 E afterwards convened before the high commission as a notorious delinquent, only for generously promoting a private contribution for the relief of the poor afflicted ministers of the Palatinate; but what further process was entered against him, or whether he suffered any ecclesiastical censure, we have not been able to learn.* Dr. Sibbs was remarkable for humility, always undervaluing his own performances. This he did, though others judged them to breathe the very spirit and life of God, to savour much of the upper world, and to come with authority and power to men's consciences. His great care, through the whole of his ministry, was to lay a good foundation in the heads and hearts of his hearers. As a wise masterbuilder, and among people the most eminent for learning and piety, he mostly preached on the fundamental truths of the gospel, particularly the incarnation of the Son of God. Indeed, he is said to have preached so often on this subject, that there is scarcely one benefit flowing from it, or one holy disposition it ought to excite, which he did not sweetly unfold and apply. His thoughts and his preaching being so much directed to the humiliation of Christ, seemed to beget in himself a deep humility before God and men. He was particularly conversant with the holy scriptures, and a man of God, thoroughly furnished unto every good work. He was a zealous and faithful steward of the manifold grace of God, and one of the most celebrated preachers of his time. He enjoyed much sweet communion with God; was of a mild, quiet, and peaceable spirit; and always unwilling to provoke his superiors. He was a burning and shining light, spending himself for the profit of others. On all occasions he was very charitable to the poor of Christ's flock; and not only was his purse open to supply their temporal wants, but his very soul commiserated their spiritual necessities. During the summer season, he frequently visited persons of wealth, on which occasions he was always projecting schemes of public usefulness. By men of real worth he was universally beloved, and was particularly intimate with persons of distinguished eminence, especially the celebrated Archbishop Usher, whom he often visited in London. Dr. Sibbs died July 5, 1635, aged fifty-seven years.+ "He was a grave and solid divine, and famous for piety, learning, devotion, and politeness." Huntley's Prelates' Usurpations, p. 164. + Clark's Lives, p. 144, 145.-Baker's MS. Collec. vol. xxxviii, p. 444. Leigh on Religion and Learning, p. 324. His last will and testament, now before me, breathes the spirit of true piety and generosity. He first committed his soul into the hands of his gracious Saviour, who redeemed it with his precious blood, and appeared in heaven to receive it to himself. He then gave him humble and hearty thanks that he had vouchsafed him to live in the best times of the gospel, to enjoy an interest in the comforts of it, and to honour him by calling him to publish it with some degree of faithfulness. He ordered his body to be buried according to the pleasure of his executors; and he bequeathed his real and personal estates to his only brother and other near relations, with numerous legacies to his friends and connexions.* This reverend divine was eminently distinguished for a meek and quiet spirit, being always unwilling to offend those in power. This trait in his character will appear from the following anecdote:-A fellowship being vacant in Magdalen college, for which Archbishop Laud recommended his bell-ringer at Lambeth, with an evident design of quarrelling with them if they refused, or of putting a spy upon them if they accepted, Dr. Sibbs, who was ever unwilling to provoke his superiors, told the fellows, that Lambeth-house would be obeyed; and that the person was young, and might in time prove hopeful. The fellows, therefore, consented, and the man was admitted.+ Dr. Sibbs has rendered himself famous by his numerous and excellent publications. His works, which breathe the warmest strains of evangelical piety, will transmit his fame to the latest posterity. The venerable Mr. John Dod, having perused his "Sermons of Canticles, chap. v.," in manuscript, thus observes: "I judge it altogether unmeet that such precious matter should be concealed from public use. I judge these sermons to be a very profitable and excellent help, both to the understanding of that dark and most divine scripture, and to kindle in the beart all heavenly affections towards Jesus Christ. The whole is composed with so much wisdom, piety, judgment, and experience, that it commends itself to all who are wise for their souls. And I doubt not that they will find their understandings enlightened, their temptations answered, their fainting spirits "revived, and their graces confirmed; and will have cause Baker's MS. Collec. vol. xxxviii. p. 444-446. + Calamy's Account, vol. ii. p. 605, 606. to praise God for the worthy author's godly and painful labours."* His WORKS.-1. The Bruised Reed, 1631.+-2. The Saints Safety in evil Times, 1633.-3. The Churches Visitation, 1634.-4. The Fountain Sealed, 1637.-5. Divine Meditations and Holy Contemplations, 1638.-6. Emanuel God with Us, 1638.—7. Light from Heaven, 1638. -8. Spiritual Jubilee, 1638.—9. Yea and Amen; or, Precious Promises and Privileges, 1638.-10. The Spiritual Man's Aim, and the Christian's Portion and Charter, 1638.-11. The Returning Backslider, 1639.-12. The Hidden Life, 1639.-13. Beams of Divine Light, 1639.-14. The Excellence of the Gospel above the Law, 1639.-15. Christ's Exaltation, 1639.-16. Evangelical Sacrifices, 1640.-17. Union betwixt Christ and his Church, 1641.-18. A Commentary on Philippians, chap. iii., 1647.-19. The Glorious Feast of the Gospel, 1650.-20. A Commentary on 2 Corinthians, chap. i., 1655.-21. An Exposition of 2 Corinthians, chap. iv., 1656.-22. The Soul's Conflict, 1658.-23. The Saints' Cordial, 1658.-24. Christ's Conference with Mary.-25. The Key of Heaven; or, the Lord's Prayer opened.-26. Sermons of Canticles, chap. v. JOHN AVERY was a puritan minister of great piety, but driven from his native country by the persecution of Archbishop Laud; when, in the year 1634, he fled to New England. Upon his arrival, he settled for a short time at Newbury; but, receiving an invitation to Marble-Head, he determined upon a removal to that place. Having embarked in a small vessel, together with Mr. Anthony Thacker, another worthy minister, there arose a most tremendous storm, by which the vessel struck against a rock and was dashed to pieces. The whole company, consisting of twenty-three persons, got upon the rock, but were successively washed off and drowned, except Mr. Thacker and his wife. Mr. Thacker and Mr. Avery held each other by the hand a long time, resolving to die together, till by a tremendous wave, the latter was washed away drowned. The moment before this happened, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, saying, "We know not what the pleasure of God may be. I fear we have been too unmindful of former deliverances. Lord, I cannot challenge a * Clark's Lives, p. 144. and This is a book well known, having passed through numerous editions. Mr. Baxter informs us, that he, in a great measure, owed his conversion to his reading this book. This circumstance alone, observes Mr. Granger, would have rendered the name of Sibbs memorable.-Sylvester's Life of Baxter, part i. p. 4.—Granger's Biog. Hist. vol. ii. p. 176. |