presently return to peace. The independents themselves
stand amazed at their wisdom, resolution, and fidelity: zeal,
witli humility, doth accompany all their actions. The
malignant party, which was much feared, is borne down.
The mouths that were so wide, both of independents and
malignants, are sewn up : they have not a word to say. And
see how the Lord blesses them. All their enemies in
Scotland are routed and brought to notliing. The king
refuses to proclaim Montrose and his adherents rebels ; but
the King of kings hath taken the quarrel into his own hand,
and utterly dispersed them. I have not time to write the
particulars, only to let you know I am
Your assured friend,
R. Balsom."
Thomas Edwapds, A.M. — This very singular person
was born in the year 1599, ai^d educated in Trinity college,
Cambridge, where he took his degrees in arts, and was
incorporated at Oxford. One of his name, and apparently
the same person, is said to have been of Queen's college,
Cambridge, and one of the preachers to the university. For
a sermon wliicli he delivered in St. Andrew's church, he was
committed to prison, February 1 1, 1627, where he remained
till he entered into bonds for his appearance before his
ecclesiastical judges. Upon his appearance at the time and
place appointed, he was charged with having uttered in his
sermon the following words : — " When there arise aiiy doubts
about the way, tliut tiiou knowest not well which way to take,
if thou art a servant, thou must not go to thy carnal master,
to enquire of him : if thou ait a wife, thou must not go to
thy carnal husband, to ask hi»i : if thou art a son, thou must
not go to thy carnal father : if thou art a pupil, tliou must not
go to thy carnal tutor to ask him ; but thou must find out a
EDWARDS. 8S
man in whom the Spirit of God dwelleth : one who is
renewed hi/ grace, and he shall direct thee." A little after,
he said, " If all this be not true, then this book, clapping his
hand upon the Bible, is full of falsehoods, and God himself
•is a liar, and Christ himself a deceiver." He also added, " If
the day of judgment were now at hand ; if the seals were
opened ; if the tire were now about my ears, which should
burn those that follow not this doctrine, I would testify and
teach this, and no other doctrine."
Mr. Edwards, for delivering these sentiments, was
repeatedly convened before his superiors; and, March 31,
1628, he was required to make a public revocation of his
opinions in St. Andrew's church, where he had delivered his
sermon ; and the following instrument was afterwards drawn
up, testifying his compliance : — " These are to certify, that
whereas Mr. Edwards, A. M. late of Queen's college in
Cambiidge, was required to explain himself, concerning
words spoken by him in a sermon preached in the parish of
St. Andrew's in Cambridge, as if he had dehorted from
consulting carnal tutors, husbands and masters. To this
purpose he did explain himself, in the said church of St.
Andrew's, April 6, 1628, being the day appointed, to wit,
* He desired not to be mistaken, as if he had preached against
obedience to superiors, or hearkening to their advice and
counsel, though carnal and wicked ; for such might advise
well : as the pharisees sitting in Moses's chair, were to be
obeyed in their sayings ; and that they ought rather to be
dutiful to such than others, that they may win them and stop
their mouths, 1 Peter, iii. 1 . Only if they advise any thing
contrary to the word, as to lie, swear, &c. to remember the
speech of the apostle, * It is better to obey God, rather than
men.' In witness whereof, I, Thomas Goodwin, then curate
of the said church, bemg present, have subscribed my name,
as also we whose names are underwritten, being also there
present. Thomas Goodwin, Tho. Ball, Th. Marshall."*
Though Mr. Edwards is said to have been alwavs a
puritan in his heart, he received orders according to the form
of the established church ; and, on his leaving the university,
he was licensed, in the year 1629, to preach at St. Botolph's
church, Aldgate, Lonclon.+ About the same time, he was
brought into trouble for nonconformity, and questioned or
suspended by Bishop Laud, for refusing to observe his
superstitious injunctions.^ In the year 1640. having delivered
• Baker's MS. Collcc. vol. vi. p. 192. xvi. 298.
+ Newcourt's Repert. Eccl. vol. i. p. 916.
% Prjrme's Cant. Ooome, p, 313.
81 LIVES OF THE PURITANS.
a sermon in Mercer's chapel, which gave great offence to the
ruling prelates, letters missive were issued against him, and
he was apprehended by the bishop's pursuivants, and pro-
secuted in tiie high commission. It m ill be proper to give
an account of his puritanism and persecution in his own
words : — " 1 never had a canonical coat," says he, " never
" gave a penny to the building of Paul's, took not the
" canonical oath, declined subscription for many years before
" the parliament, (though I practised the old conformity,)
" would not give ne oboltna quidem to the contributions
" against the Scots, but dissuaded other ministers ; much less
" did I yield to bow to the altar, and at the name of Jesus,
*' or administer the Lord's supper at a table turned altarwise,
" or bring the people up to rails, or read the Book of Sports,
" or highly flatter the archbishop in an epistle dedicatory to
" him, or put articles into the high- commission court against
" any, but was myself put into the high connnission court,
" and pursuivants, with letters missive and an attachment.
" sent out to apprehend me for preaching a sermon at
" Mercer's chapel, on a fast-day, in July, 1640, against the
" bishops and their faction ; such a free sermon as, I believe,
" never a sectary in England durst have preached in such a
" place, and at such a time."* This Mr. Edwards has to
say of himself; though it is generally supposed that he
never had any stated charge, but officiated as lecturer at
various places, particularly at Hertford, and at Christ's-church,
London, one of his name in 1643, but whether the same
person we cannot ascertain, was vicar of Heinton in Hert-
fordbhire.t
When the parliament declared against King Charles L, he
became a zealous advocate for the ciianges in the civil and
ecclesiastical constitution, and supported with all his influence
the ruling party. He was a most rigid presbyterian, and, with
uncommon zeal, defended and supported that discipline and
government. This he declares in the dedication of one of
his books, to the lords and connnons assembled in parliament,
as follows : " All my actions," says he, " from the beginning
" of your sitting, my sermons, prayers, praises, discourses,
" actings for you, speak this. I am one who out of choice
" and judgment have embarked myself, with wife, children,
" estate, and all that's near to me, in the same ship with you,
'' to sink and perish, or to come safe to land with you, and
" tliat in the most doubtful and difficult times, not only early
" in the fnst beginning of the war and troubles, in a malig-
t Edwards's Gangraena, part i. p. 75,70. Second Edit.
f Wood's AtbeniB Oson. vol. ii. p. 7'3S.
I
EDWARDS. ^5'
" nant place among courtiers and those who were servants
" and had relations to the king, queen, and their chiidren,
" pleading your cause, justifying, satisfying many that
" scrupled ; but when your afiairs were at the lowest, and the
" chance of war against you, and some of the grandees and
" favourites of these times were packing up and ready to be
" gone, I was then highest and most zealous for you, preach-
" ing, praying, stirring up the people to stand for you, by
" going out in person, lending of money, in the latter going
" before them by example ; and as 1 have been your honour's
" most devoted servant, so I am still yours, and you cannot
" easily lose me."*
When the independents began to gain some ascendency,
Mr. Edwards became equally furious against them as he had
been against the prelacy. He wrote and preached against
them with great severity, and opposed the sectaries with great
virulence. 1 his appears from several of his publications ;
but we shall give the accoimt in his own words : — " Many
" years ago," says he, " when I was persecuted by some
" prelates and their creatures, in no possibility nor capacity by
" my principles and practices of preferment, I preached
" against, and upon all occasions declared myself against, the
" Brownists, separatists, antinomians, and all errors in that
" way, as well as against popish innovations and Arminian
" tenets. I have preached at London and at Hertford against
" those errors. About ten years ago, when independency
" and the church way began to be fallen to by men of some
" note, and some people took after it, 1 preached against it
" early, and by all ways laboured to preserve the people."
He adds, " I never yet sought any great things for myself,
" great livings, or coming into public places of honotn* and
" respect, to be of the assembly, or to preach in any public
" places before the magistrates, either at Westminster or
" London, but have contented myself with small means, and
" to preach in private places in comparison, having refused
" many great livings and places, preaching here in London for
" a little, and that but badly paid, (as many well know,) mind-
" ing the work and service, little the maintenance."f
Most of Mr. Edwards's productions are controversial ; the
language and sentiments of which are bitter and violent in
the highest degree. He distinguished himself by all the zeal
and bigotry of a fiery zealot. His bitterness and enmity
* Gangraena, part i, p. 2. + Ibid, part iii, p. 14,15.
^ LIVES OF THE PURITANS.
against toleration rose almost to madiicss ; and had he been
possessed of power, he would undoubtedly have proved as
furious a persecutor of all nonconformists to presbytenanism,
as the prelates had been of those who venturf d to dissent
from the established episcopal church. Many of bis severe
and unworthy reflections upon some of the most wonhy
persons, as collected from his " GangraE.na" and " Aatapo-
logia," are noticed in the various parts of ihis woik. ihe
pacific Mr. Jeremiah Burrougiis says, " 1 doubt whether
there ever was a man, who was looked u})on as a man pro-
fessing godliness, that ever manifested so much boldness and
malice against others, whom he acknowledged to be reli-
gious persons. That fiery rage, that implacable, irrational
violence of his, against godiy persons, makes me stand and
â– wonder."*
His indignant temper and language against toleration is
without a parallel. It will be proper to g»ve a specimen in
his own words, for the gratihcation of the inquisitive reader.
" If ministers," says he, " will witness for truth, and against
errors, they must set tliemselves against toleration, as the
principal inlet to all error and heresy ; for if toleration be
granted, all preaching will not keep them out. If a toleration
be granted, the devil will be too hard for us, though we preach
ever so much against them. A toleration will undo all. It
will bring in scepticism in doctrine, and looseness of life,
and afterwards all atheism. O ! let ministers, therefore,
oppose toleration, as that by which the devil would at once
lay a foundation for his kingdom to all generations ; witness
against it in all places ; possess the magistrate M'ith the evil of
it ; yea, and the people too, shewing them how, if a toleration
were granted, they would never have peace any more in their
families, or ever have any command of wives, children,
servants ; but they and their posterity are likely to live in dis-
content and unquietness of m.ind all their days. Toleration
is destructive to the glory of God and the salvation of souls ;
therefore, whoever should be for a toleration, ministers ought
to be against it. If the parliament, city, yea, and all the
people, were for a toleration of all sects, as aHabaptists,
antijiomians, seekers, Brownists, and independents; yet
ministers ought to present their reasons against it, preach and
ery out of the evil of it, never consent to it; but protest
against it, and withstand it by all lawful ways and means
♦ Burroughs's Vindication, p. 2. Edit, 1646.
EDWARDS. 87
within llieir power, venturing the loss of liberties, estates,
lives, and all in that cause, and inflame us with zeal against
a toleration, the great Diana of the sectaries.*
" A toleration," adds this bigotted and furious zealot, " is
the grand design of the devil ; his master-piece and chief
engine he works by to uphold his tottering kingdom. It is
the most compendious, ready, and sure way to destroy all
religion, lay all waste, and bring in all evil. It is a most
transcendent, cadiolic, and fundamental evil, of any that can
be imagmed. As original sin is the fundamental sm, ha\ing
in it the seed and spawn of all sin : so a toleration hath in it
all errors and all evils. It is against the whole stream and
current of scripture both in the Old and New Testament,
both in matters of faith and manners, both general and par-
ticular connnands. It overthrows all relations, political,
ecclesiastical, and economical. Other evils, whether errors
of judgment or practice, are only against some few places of
scripture or relation ; but this is against all. This is the
Abaddon, ApoUion, the destroyer of all religion, the abomina-
tion of desolation and astonishment, the liberty of perdition ;
therefore the devil follows it night and day, and all the devils
in hell, and their instruments, are at work to promote a
toleration."t
These extracts, expressed in the author's own language, are
justly descriptive of his arbitrary and outrageous temper.
But the presbyterian interest beginning soon after to decline,
and Oliver Cromwell having overturned the power of the par-
liament, Mr. Edwards, to escape the expected resentment of
the independents, fled to Holland, where he died of a quartan
ague, in l647, aged forty-eight, years. By his wife, who was
heiress of a considerable fortune, he left one daughter and
four sons, the second of whom was Dr. John Edwards,
author of Veritas Redux, and many other learned works
upon theological subjects. J
His Works. — 1. Reasons against tlie Independent Government of
particular Congregations, 1641. — 2. A Treatise of the Civil Power of
Ecclesiasticals, and of Suspension from the I..ord's Supper, 1642. —
3. Antupologia; or, a full Answer to the ' Apologelieal Narration' ot
Mr. (Thomas) Goodwin, Mr. Nye, Mr. Sytnpson, Mr. Burroughs, and
Mr. Bridge, Members of the Assembly of Divines, 1644. — 4. Gan-
graeua ; or, a Catalogue and Distov(?ry of many of the Errors, Here-
sies, Blasphemies, and pernicious Practices of the Sectaries of this
* Edwards's Cangrapna, part i. p. 85, 86. Third edit.
+ Ibid. p. 58, 59.
X Biog. Britan. vol. v. p. 543. Edit. 1778.
88 LIVES OF THE PURITANS.
Time, vented and acted in England in these four last years, iii Parts,
1646.— 5. The particnlar Viiuliility of the Church, 1647.-6. The
Casting down of the !!»st and strongest Hold of Satan ; or, a Treatise
against Toleration, Part finst, 1047.
John White, A. M. — This excellent divine was born at
Stanion St. John in Oxfordshire, in the year 1576, and
educated first at Winchester, then in New College, Oxford,
where he was chosen fellow. In the year 160(3, he left the
university, and became rector of Trinity church, Dorchester,
where he continued, with little interruption, above forty
years. He was a judicious expositor of scripture ; and,
during his public ministry at Dorchester, he expounded the
whole Bible, and went through one half a second time.*
About the year 1624, Mr. White, with some of his friends,
projected the new colony of Massachusetts in New England,
as an asylum for the persecuted nonconfonnists ; but, for
several years, the object met with numerous discouragements.
Indeed, the difficulties became so formidable, that the under-
taking was about to be relinquished, and those who had
settled in the new plantation were on the point of,rcturning
home. At this juncture the worthy settlers, who had already
outbraved many a storm, and surmounted the greatest diffi-
culties, received letters from Mr. White, assuring them, that
if they could endure their painful conflict a little longer, he
would procure for them a patent, and all the necessary
supplies for the new settlement. They concluded to wait
the event ; and in all these particulars he made his promise
good. Thus, by the blessing of God upon his active and
vigorous endeavours, the colonists were enabled to mahitain
their ground ; and they afterwards greatly prospered. + This
was the first peopling of Massachusett's Bay in New
England.
About ihe year 1630, Mr. White was brought into trouble
by Bishop Laud, and prosecuted m the high commission
court, for preaching against Arminianism and the popish cere-
monies 4 Wood is therefore mistaken Avhen he says " that
he confoimed as well after as before the advancement of
Laud." i'hough it does not appear how long his troubles
continued, or what sentence was inflicted upon him; yet
these proceedings against a divine of such distinguished
* Wood's Afhenffi Oxon. vol. ii. p. 60.
+ Mather'iiNew Eng. b. i. p. 19.— Prince's Cbron. Iligt. vol. i. p. 144— 149.
t Pryane's CaiU. Doome, p. 362.
J
WHITE. 89
excellence, and one so universally beloved, were sure to
bring the gVeatest odium upon his persecutors. Mr. White
was afterwards a great sufferer from the public confusions of
the nation. His excellencies could not screen him from the
destructive ravages of the civil wars. Prince Rupert and his
forces being in those parts, a party of horse was sent into the
town, when the soldiers plundered his house, and carried
away his library. But, upon the approach of these calami-
ties, the good man iled from the slorm ; and, retiring to
London, was made minister of the Savoy.*
In the year 1640, Mr. White was appointed one of the
learned divines to assist the committee of religion, consisting
of ten earls, ten bishops, and ten barons.t In 1643, he was
chosen one of the assembly of divines, and constantly
attended. He was deservedly admired on account of his
great zeal, activity, learning, modeiation, and usefulness,
during the whole session. Upon the meeting of both houses
of parliament, the assembly of divines, and the Scots com-
sioners, in Margaret's church, Westminster, to take the cove-
nant, he engaged in the public prayer ; and, to prepare their
minds for so sacred an engagement, as our author observes, he
prayed di full hour.% In 1645, upon the revival of the com-
mittee of accommodation, he was chosen one of its members.^
And about the same time he was appointed to succeed Dr.
Featley in the sequestered rectory of Lambeth ; and, accord-
ing to our historian, he was appointed to have the care and
use of the doctor's library, until the doctor should be able to
procure his, which had been carried away by Prince Rupert's
soldiers.ll In 1647, Mr. White was offered the wardenship
of New College, Oxford, but refused the office.
\\ hen the public broils of the nation were concluded, he
returned to his flock and his ministry at Dorchester ; where
he continued in peace the remainder of his days. He died
suddenly, July 21, 1648, aged seventy-two years. His
remains were interred in the porch of St. Peter's church,
Dorchester, but without any monumental inscription.! He
was a most faithful pastor; and a divine of sound doctrine,
* Wood's Athenae Oxon. vol. ii. p. 61.
+ This committee was appointed by the house of lords, and designed (o
examine all innovations, as well in doctrine as discipline, illegally intrc
duced into the church tince the reformation. It was extremely offensive
to the intolerant spirit of Archbishop Laud.— JFAnr^ow's Troubles of
Laud, vol. i. p. 174, 175.
J Whitlocke's Mem. p. 70.
^ Papers of Accommodation, p. 13.
II Wood's Athenae Oxon. vol. ii. p. 61.
f Wood's Hist, & Antiq. 1. ii. p. 149.
90 LIVES OF THE PURITANS.
an admirable judgment, and a most poweiful genius, being
no less eminent for piety, faith, and diligence. Also, he was
a person of uncommon gravity, aiKl so universally beloved
and respected, that he was usually called the patriarch of
Dorchester. The puritans at a distance, as well as those
about him, according to Wood, " had more respect for hira
than even for their diocesan ; yet he was a most moderate
puritan."* " He was a constant preacher," says Fuller,
" and, by his wisdom and ministerial labours, Dorchester
was much enriched with knowledge, piety, and industry. "t
Mr. John White, the ejected nonconformist, was his sori.t
His Works.— 1. The Way to the Tree of Life, 1647.— 2. A Com-
mentary upon the Three first Chapters of Genesis, 1656. — 3. Direc-
tions for Reading the Scriptures. — 4. Of the Sabbath. — .5. Several
Serinons. — Most probably he was author of some other articles.
Peter Smart, A. M. — This great sufferer in the cause
of nonconformity was born in Warwickshire, in the year
1569, and educated first at Westminster school, then at
Broadgate's-hall, Oxford, and afterwards elected student of
Christ's Church, in the same university. After taking his
degrees he entered into the ministry, when Dr. William
James, dean, and afterwards bishop, of Durham, presented
him first to the grammar-school at Durham, then made him
one of his chaplains ; and, in I6O9, presented him to the sixth
prebend in th» cadiedral of Durham, and the rectory of
Boldovers.<S In the year 16 14 he was removed from the
sixth to the fourth prebend ; but his patron, the bishop, dying "
in about three years, he received no further advancement.
The first business of a public nature in which Mr. Smart
appears to have been engaged, was his appointment to the
high commission for the province of York. He was nojni-
nated one of the commissioners in the vear 1625; and though
at their second assembly he qualified according to law, he
seldom honoured the court with his attendance, and sub-
scribed only to one sentence. Upon the renewal of the
commission in 1627, he again qualified, but seldom attended.|j
* Wood's Aftienne Oxoa. vol. ii. p. 60,61.
+ Fullers Worthies, part ii. p. 340.
\ Palmer's Nonron. Mem. vol. ii. p. 145.
^ Granger says he was minister at Bowden, by which is probably
inteudei! the same place. — Biog. Hist. vol. ii. p. 169.
(I Wood's Aiheoas Oxon. vol. ii. p. 11. — Illustration of Neal in the
article of Peter Smart, p. 2, 3.
SMART. 91
This was about ten months previous to the coirunencement
of his troubles, occasioned by a serinon which he preached
in the cathedral at Durham. In this sermon, delivered July
27, 1628, he spoke with considerable freedom against the
superstitions and popi??h innovations, which Dr. Cosins and
others had introduced into that church.* His text was, /
hate all those that love superstitious vanities, hut thy law do
I love. For the satisfaction of the reader, we shall insert
some of the most exceptionable and oft'ensive parts of this
sermon. He said, " The whore of Babylon's bastardly brood,
doating upon their mother's beauty, that painted harlot, the
church of Rome, has laboured to restore her all her robes
and jewels again, especially her looking-glass, the mass, in
which she may behold all her bravery. For they, despising
all the plain simplicity of that grave matron, Christ's holy
spouse, have turned her offices all out of doors, with all her
household-stuff, her tables, her books, her cups, her com-
munions, the very names of her ministers : instead whereof,
the words priest and altar are taken up by them ; because
without a priest no sacrifice can be offered ; without priest
and sacrifice there is no use of an altar; and without all these
there can be no mass. But the mass coining in, brings in
w'ith it an inundation of ceremonies, crosses, crucifixes,
chalices, images, copes, candlesticks, tapers, basons, and a
thousand such trinkets which attend upon the mass.
" Before we had ministers, as the scripture calls them, we
had communion tables, we had sacraments ; but now we have
priests, we have sacrifices and altars, with much altar-furni-
ture, and many massing implements. Nay, what want we?
Have we not all religion again ? For if religion consists in
altar-ducking, cope-wearing, organ-playing, piping, and sing-
ing, crossing of cushions, kissing of clouts, oft starting up
* An account of these innovations is still on record. Dr. Cosins removed
the communion table in the church of Durham, and erected it altar-wise,