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PREFACE

TO THE SECOND VOLUME.

MEMOIRS of men of distinguished eminence are both instructive and interesting. In those books, we may see the goodness of Divine Providence, in raising and furnishing proper instruments for every work. In the Memoirs of the brilliant constellation at Westminster, we may see, in particular, sound principles, Christian dispositions, and a conversation becoming the gospel of Christ. In these, we may clearly see the power of divine grace shining forth in all its glory, in real life, subduing the inbred corruptions of our fallen nature, and animating to every good word and work. In these, we may see pious and learned men eminently zealous in the advancement of true religion, and earnestly contending for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. In these volumes, we may see the reproaches and persecutions which the faithful servants of Jesus Christ have endured for righteousness' sake; those gracious and heavenly principles which supported them in all their tribulations, and the course which they uniformly followed in their way to the better world.

We are very much indebted to the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, as we are to our illustrious Reformers in general, both in early and later times, for our civil and religious liberty. They were zealous advocates for all that liberty wherewith Christ has made his people free. And their labours were not in vain. We enjoy the fruits of these labours. And to rescue from oblivion genuine and impartial accounts of those eminent divines, is a tribute which we owe to their memory.

The very interesting history of their diligent researches both in literature and in divinity, and of their unwearied labours in the cause of their God and their country; well deserves to be faithfully transmitted to the latest posterity. And, true accounts of their avowed and warm attachment to the cause of Christ, of their painful sufferings in that cause, and of their triumphant deaths, are justly entitled to all our attention and esteem.

The author of these Memoirs has spared neither labour nor expense in the collection of materials, and has carefully preserved whatever appeared interesting, entertaining, and useful. When the excellencies of those divines have been exhibited, neither their infirmities, nor the accusations of their adversaries, have been suppressed. Impartiality has been studied.-There is always reference to the authorities; but sometimes only at the end of the life. Attention has been given to the true orthography of the names both of persons and of places.

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After all efforts to obtain information, the account of several lives is very defective, to the great loss of the inquisitive reader. This defect was unavoidable at the distance of time, and in my circumstances. After the utmost research, for some years, no more information could be procured. The work will be found very defective in its execution, as well as through want of information; and it requires much indulgence from the reader. The author has done what he could, and availed himself of every advantage within his reach, to make the whole work as full and useful as possible. And, having given a larger account of it, in the preface to the first volume, he now concludes with wishing, that both the reader and himself may be taught to imbibe the principles and spirit of those divines, to follow them as far as they followed Christ, in adhering firmly to the cause of true religion, and in propagating it with the same holy zeal.

MEMOIRS, &c.

HENRY HALL, B. D. OF NORWICH,

AND A MEMBER OF THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES AT WESTMINSTER.

HENRY HALL is marked in Mr Neal's list of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, as giving constant attendance. He was appointed one of the select Committee for the examination and approbation of those ministers who petitioned for sequestered livings. He appears to have been a divine of considerable eminence; for he was employed by the Assembly in work of very great utility and importance. Mr Robert Baillie, one of the learned Commissioners from the Church of Scotland, to the Assembly at Westminster, reckons Mr Hall among the ablest divines in that venerable Assembly, where he is speaking of him being against the institution of ruling. elders by divine right."

One Henry Hall, B. D. some time Fellow of Trinitycollege, in Cambridge, has published a Sermon, which is entitled, Heaven Ravished; or, A Glorious Prize, achieved by an Heroical Enterprise. Probably, he was the same person, who sat in the Assembly at Westminster; but I am not able to say, certainly. That Sermon was preached from Mat. xi. 12. to the Honourable House of Commons, at their solemn Fast, May 29, 1644. 4to. pp. 71. In it he says, "A Christian is never so glorious, as when he suffers most reproach and ignominy for Christ's sake." Speaking of zeal in religion and reformation, according to knowledge, he says, "Let us all labour to blow up, and to keep alive this sacred fire, upon the altar of our hearts, that it may inflame our devo,

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a Baillie's Letters, vol. i. p. 401.

tion toward God, kindle our love toward men, and burn out all our own corruptions. Let it never cool with age, nor abate with opposition, nor be quenched with any floods of persecution." It is a good Sermon.

HUMPHREY HARDWICK,

MINISTER OF THE WORD AT HADAM MAGNA, IN THE COUNTY OF HARTFORD, AND ONE OF THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES AT WESTMINSTER.

war.

HUMPHREY HARDWICK was one of the superadded divines, in the Assembly. He is represented by Neal as attending constantly during the Session. He seems to have been a considerable sufferer under the oppressions of the persecuting prelates, and by the civil In his Sermon before the House of Commons, from Psalm cxxvi. 5, 6. he speaks of himself as among the silenced ministers. And in his epistle dedicatory to the House of Commons, which is prefixed to that sermon, he says," No man, I suppose, hath more cause to be large in apology than I, having long since had my poor library totally plundered, and myself not able, until this day, to buy one book of considerable value. Besides from the beginning of this war, until the last month, being conversant among arms, where studies are interrupted. But those things I account part of my chief happiness on earth, to have suffered much, and done a little good in the cause of Christ, and service of the state.' He was very zealous in the noble cause of the Reformation. He says, in the Sermon above-mentioned, "Search through the holy Book, and tell me whether any men are so precious in the eyes of Heaven, and the account. of God himself, as those who have been zealous for the reformation of his Church, the carrying on of his cause, the help of his people against their wicked and profane opposers. How highly were Caleb and Joshua esteemed of God for being courageous, when others

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