restoration of Charles II. a Statute was passed in the year 1664, intituled, "An Act for setleing the charitable guifte of Abraham Colfe, clerke, for erecting and indowing two Freeschooles and an Almeshouse at Lewisham in Kent:"1 whereby it was enacted that the Wardens and Society of the mystery or art of Leathersellers of London, and their successors for ever, should be "in deed, fact, and name, one Body Corporate and Politique of themselves, to bee called and knowne by the name of the Owners and Governors of the possessions and revenues of the [said] Freeschooles of Lewisham," with power to buy lands in mortmain for the farther endowment of them according to the Founder's intentions." Before the passing of this Act, the Trustees had built the Alms-houses for the poor of Lewisham, which he directed in his will should be begun in the year 1662. They stand on the road-side, by the Reading-school, and bear the following inscription in front: "An'o Decimo Sexto Caroli 2di. An'oq; D.N.J. 1664. The Gift of Mr. Abraham Colfe late Vicar of this Parish, whereof the Company of Leathersellers in London, are, according to the desire of his Will, by Act of Parliament ap. pointed Governors; and by the said Company the same gift is enlarged." The original roll, certified by Jo. Browne, clerk of the Parliament, runs to the length of five membranes. 2 The particulars of the two Schools may be found in the First Report of the Commissioners on Charities, p. 121, and Appendix, pp. 169-198: also of his various charities in the Report for 1823, pp. 258-63. There is a short account of the Grammar-School in Gilbert's Liber Scholasticus, (8°. 1829) p. 194-5. The LIBRARY for the use of the Grammar School, and of the clergy and gentlemen in the Hundred of Blackheath, was opened at the same time as the school itself; when it contained only twelve volumes in folio and one in quarto, given by gentlemen of the Company, whose benefactions were recorded by the Founder in a parchment register which he gave for that purpose.' He directed in his will that, in the next year after his death, all the upper room over the School' should be made into a public Library, wherein all his books in folio, quarto, and thick octavo, that were worth the giving, and of which copies had not been before given by others, should be placed on shelves, and fastened with iron chains; leaving five pounds, and the money produced by the sale of the rest of his books, to pay the expenses of pulling down the partition-wall, setting up shelves, and binding and fixing the books. He farther directed that a yearly payment of twenty shillings should be made out of his estate, for the purchase "of one or two books in folio, of worthy and learned writers on Divinity, or belonging to History or other matters;" with 'See an abstract of it in the Appendix, No. 4. 2 That room was pulled down sixty or seventy years ago, and the Library is now placed in a small room behind the school, built for the purpose. In the frontispiece, the school room is the building which appears to stand next to the road. the advice of the Minister of Lewisham and the Master. These also were to be "chained fast in the public Library; which Library (says he) shall be free for all well known Ministers, and for gentlemen of the Hundred, and for all the godly students that will frequent it, whom I desire (if they be of ability) to give a book with the price of a chain thereunto." Beside several other minute regulations, he provided in various ways for the increase of the Library. A fine of three shillings and fourpence, to be payed by the Master for giving an irregular or additional play-day to the scholars, was to be applied to the purchase of a book. He particularly enjoined on the scholars who should enjoy his exhibition to the University, that they should give one copy of every book that they should print, "and also the copy of all their sermon-notes.” manner, the condition of his gift for the encouragement of biblical literature, was, that a copy of the Commentaries or Lectures for which the five pounds were to be given, should be first deposited in the Library of Sion College and in the Library of Lewisham ;" to which latter he earnestly called on the gentlemen of the neighbourhood to be benefactors.5 : 2 In like I Will, p. 44. At p. 59, it is said that the price of a chain would be only seven pence and in default of such gift, he provided five shillings yearly to fasten up the books. He allowed also two shillings a year for firing to keep the books dry, and five more for attention to their general safety and cleanliness. 2 Page 36. An instance is recorded in our copy of Hyginus (see Catal. p. 107), which contains the following note: "This book was bought for the library at Black heath wth half a crown given by Mr. Lighit for a play day, and ye rest of [the] money raised from ye Scholars by forfeiture for not speaking Latin.” 4 Page 49. It does not appear that this benefaction has 5 Page 48. 3 Page 42. ever been claimed. APPENDIX TO THE MEMORIALS. No. I. "Christ's Farewell to Jerusalem, and last Prophesie. A Sermon preached in the Quier of the Cathedrall Church of Canterburie, at the Funeral of that Reverend and worthy man, Mr. Doctor COLFE, Vice-Deane of the said Church, Octob. 12, 1613. By THOMAS WILSON, Minister of Gods word." London. 1614. (small 8o., 5 sheets, not paged.) DEDICATION. To his fellow-labourers in the Lord, Mr. Abraham Colfe, Pastor of Lewsham beside Greenewitch, and Mr. Isaac Colfe, Pastor of Hearne beside Canterburie, and to their Sixe Brethren, with their louing Sister Mis. Mann of London, all happinesse in Christ. Hearing by iust and certaine report, not of a few, what working and effect my meane labours at the Funerall of your FATHER (that graue and godly Minister of Christ) had, through Gods blessing, in the hearts of sundry, and very many hearers, that houre in great companies assembled; and being once and againe, by writing and word, earnestly solicited to copie out that Sermon which I vttered by helpe of memory, without any benefite of Notes, through straitnes of time, and store of businesse: I condiscended against all thought and purpose on my part (when I first conceived, and was deliuered of this lesse than nine houres birth) not onely to copie it out and put it in paper, for the priuate vse of some; but to commit it to the Presse, for the more publike good of many, which were not present auditors: Euery good thing being so much the better the more common it is; and writing being ordayned of God to be a meane of the teaching of his Church, as well as liuely voyce. Now after I entred this resolution, upon these grounds, to whom could I more fitly dedicate it than to yourselues, his nine CHILDREN, Whom towards his last breath hee did as earnestly couet to make you heyres of his graces, as of his goods? Pictures serue to put vs in minde of our friends departed; so let this Sermon and testimony giuen him at the preaching of it, be to you a Monument of your good Father, who left behinde him much more goodnesse to imitate, then goods to enjoy; yet of earthly substance so much as may witnesse how greatly God had blessed him with worldly and spirituall blessings, with the dew of heauen, as well as with grace from heauen. Walke carefully in his steps: thinke it to be your greatest shame to degenerate, and your chiefest commendation to resemble him. As hee before his death prouided for foure of you Flockes to feede, fields to sowe, houses to build; so like good shepheards attend the flocks whereof the holy Ghost hath made you ouerseers, aud which Christ hath purchased with his own bioud. Let not such a rich prize perish through your negligence and sloath, but as scribes, taught to the Kingdome of God, store vp old and new things in aboundance, which you may draw out to refresh the tender Lambes and deare sheepe of Christ: Withall, like good Husbandmen prouide pure and good seede, which you may scatter in the morning and in the evening, in season and out of season; for yee know not which will prosper. Finally, as skilfull builders, lay no other foundation than that which is layd already, euen Christ Jesus, the head corner stone, vpon which see you doe build Gold, Siluer, and pretious stones, that is, pure doctrine, which will abide the examination of the spirit; that when the Lord of the house commeth you may heare the blessed voyce, Enter into your Maisters ioy yee faithful seruants. Farewell. Yours Thomas Wilson. The Testimonie which was given vnto Mr. Richard Colfe, Touching this reverend man (whose last obsequies and Funerall rites wee come now to performe) I am bound to say something in three respects: First, of God, that he may haue the prayse of his owne worke and gifts in him. Secondly, of himselfe, that his due and right may bee rendred vnto him. Thirdly, of you the Auditors that vnto you may be ministred, some iust matter of imitation: for the godly liues of the Saints dead are good patternes for the Saints that liue. Heb. Chap. I. verse 12. Now, that which I haue to say may be comprehended in few words: hee was, first, bonus vir, secondly, bonus Christianus, thirdly, bonus Theologus, fourthly, bonus Pastor. Light of nature taught naturall men to say, homo homini charus esse debet eo quod homo est. Homo homini deus. His singular humanitie and curtesie sending from his presence none vnsatisfied or discontented (as it is written of an Emperour of Rome,) his sweet nature and amia 1. A Good Man. |