An exact Narration of the Life and Death of the Reverend and Learned Prelate, and painful Divine, Lancelot Andrews, late Bishop of Winchester. London. 1650.*

THIS grave and honourable Prelate, was born in the city of London, about the year 1555, in the parish of All-Saints Barking, of honest and religious parents; his father (having most part of his life used the seas,) in his latter time became one of the So

ciety, and Master of the Holy Trinity, commonly called the Trinity-House, and was descended from the ancient family of the Andrewes, in Suffolk.

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From his tender years, he was totally addicted to the study of good letters; and in his youth there appeared in him such aptness to learn, answerable to his endeavours, that his two first schoolmasters, Mr. Ward and Mr. Mulcaster (conceiving or foreseeing that he would prove a scholar) contended, who should have the honour of his breeding. From Mr. Ward, Master of the Coopers' Free School, in Radcliffe, he was sent to Mr. Mulcaster, Master of the Merchant Tailors Free School, in London, where he answered the former opinion conceived of him; for by his extraordinary industry and admirable capacity, he soon outstripped all the scholars under Mr. Mulcaster's tuition, being become an excellent Grecian and Hebrecian: insomuch as Thomas Watts, Doctor of Divinity, Prebendary and Residentiary of St. Paul's, and Archdeacon of Middlesex (who had newly founded some scholarships in Pembroke-Hall, in Cambridge,) sent him thither, and bestowed the first of his said scholarships upon him, which places are since commonly called the Greek scholarships.

As soon as he was a Bachelor of Arts, and so capable of a fellowship, there being then but one place void in the said college, and Thomas Dove (late Lord Bishop of Peterborough,) being then a scholar also in the said college, and very well

This "Narration" was written by Mr. Isaackson, and published among other Lives by Fuller, in his Abel Redivivus. It was reprinted in 1817; but the impression was limited to 80 copies, of which 54 only found their way to the public. The remaining 26 were sent as presents, or to the Universities.

In the meanwhile Hugh Price (having built Jesus College, in Oxford,) had heard so much of this young man, Sir Andrews, that without his privity he named him in his foundation of that college, to be one of his first Fellows there.

His custom was (after he had been three years in the University) to come up to London once a year to visit his parents, and that, ever about a fortnight before Easter, staying till a fortnight after; and against the time he should come up, his father (directed by letters from his son, read to him, and be his guide, in the atbefore he came,) prepared one that should taining of some language or art, which he had not attained before; so that within a few years he had laid the foundations of all arts and sciences, and had gotten skill is to be observed, that in his journeys bein most of the modern languages; and it he ever used to walk on foot, till he was a twixt London and Cambridge, to and fro, Bachelor of Divinity, and professed that he would not then have ridden on horse

back, but that divers friends began to find fault with him, and misinterpret him, as if he had forborne riding only to save charges.

What he did when he was a child and a

school-boy, is not now known, but he hath been sometimes heard to say, that when he was a young scholar in the University (and so all his time onward) he never loved or used any games, or ordinary recreations, either within doors, as cards, dice, tables, chess, or the like, or abroad, as butts, coits, bowls, or any such; but his ordinary exercise and recreation was walking either alone by himself, or with some other selected companion, with whom he might confer and argue, and recount their studies; and he would often profess, that to observe the grass, herbs, corn, trees, cattle, earth, waters, heavens, any of the creatures, and to contemplate their natures, orders, qualities, virtues, uses, &c, was ever to him the greatest mirth, con

tent, and recreation that could be: and this he held to his dying day. After he had been some while a Master of Arts in the University, he applied himself to the study of divinity, wherein he so profited, that his fame began to be spread far and near. Insomuch as being chosen Catechist in the college, and purposing to read the Ten Commandments (every Saturday and Sunday, at three o'clock in the afternoon, which was the hour of catechizing,) not only out of other colleges in the University, but divers also out of the country, did duly resort unto the college chapel, as a public divinity lecture.

Before I proceed to his life (after he left the University) give me leave to relate a story of him, while he yet remained there, and that (as near as I can) from his own mouth, in his own words. Upon his first shewing himself at Cambridge, in his divinity studies, especial notice was soon taken of him, among his abilities and eminences, as a man deeply seen in all cases of conscience, and he was much sought to in that respect. To proceed with his own particular: His worth made him so famous, that Henry, Earl of Huntingdon, bearing of it, sent for him, and thought himself much honoured by his accompanying him into the north, whereof he was President, and where God so blessed his painful preach ings and moderate private conference, that

*Witness his "Devotions" for every day in the week, which shew an intimate acquaintance with the natural world, and always commence with an enumeration of the several parts in the order of their creation. This invaluable manual was composed by the Bishop for his own daily use, in Greek and Latin, and printed at Oxford in 1675. "For some time before his death the manuscript was scarce ever out of his hands. It was found worn in pieces by his fingers, and wet with his tears."

"Reliqua istius Præsulis scripta æstimare magni, ut seculum nostrum planè amat et collaudare fortè soles; sed tamen hoc potiùs te frui vellem, hoc familiariùs lectitare, quo veré Christianam, et æterni simillimam vitam amodo tibi formare poteris. Siquidem aureolus hic liber de sententiis Biblicis atque ex Liturgiis, quæ in Ecclesiis Græcorum Jacobi, Basilii, et Chrysostomi sancta nomina præferunt, partem multo maximam conflatur. Ita nullus ibi hæreseos metus, nulla pravi dogmatis suspicio quin perlegas cuncta ac coram bono Deo millies repetas quasi tua. Pref.-ED.

he converted recusants (priests and others) to the Protestant religion. Sir Francis Walsingham, Secretary of State to Queen Elizabeth, took also especial notice of his abilities, and highly affected him, and, being loath that he should not be better known to the world, wrought means to make him Vicar of St. Giles, without Cripplegate, London, then Prebendary and Residentiary of St. Paul's, and afterwards Prebendary of the Collegiate Church of Southwell,

Being thus preferred (to his own contentment) he lived not idly, but continued a 'painful labourer in the Lord's vineyard; witness St. Giles' pulpit, and that in St. Paul's Church, where he read the lecture thrice a week in the term time. And indeed, what by his often preaching at St. Giles, and his no less often reading in St. Paul's, he became so infirm, that his friends despaired of his life. Upon the death of Dr. Fulke, he was elected to the Mastership of Pembroke-Hall (whereof he had been a Scholar and Fellow,) a place of credit, but of little benefit, for he ever spent more upon it than he received by it.

Afterwards he was made Chaplain in ordinary attendance, of which kind there were then but twelve, to Queen Elizabeth, who took such delight in his preaching and grave deportment, that first she bestowed a Prebend at Westminster upon him, and not long after the Deanery of that place; and what she intended further to him, her death prevented.

He soon grew into far greater esteem with her successor, the most learned King James, who, to say but truth, admired him beyond all other divines, not only for his transcendent gift in preaching, but for the excellency and solidity in all kind of learning, selecting him as his choicest piece, to vindicate his regality against his foulmouthed adversaries. His Majesty, not long after his happy entrance to this Crown, bestowed upon him the Bishopric of Chichester, which he held about four years, and withal made him Lord Almoner: and, because of the exility of that Bishopric, soon after added the Parsonage of Cheyham, in Surrey, to his commendam.

Upon the vacancy of the Bishopric of Ely, his Majesty made him Bishop thereof, and there he sat about nine years in which time he was made a privy councillor, first of England, then of Scotland, in his attendance of the King thither. He was afterwards preferred to the Bishopric of Winchester, and the Deanery of the King's Chapel, which two last preferments

he held to his death, which happened about eight years after, in the third year of the reign of our late King Charles, with whom he held no less reputation than he had done with his father before him.

It is worth the observation, that having been preferred to many, and those no small dignities, yet he never used any means to obtain the least of them, but they were all conferred upon him without the least suit on his part; for he was so far from ambition or covetousness, as that when the Bishoprics of Salisbury and Ely were at several times tendered unto him upon some propositions prejudicial to the state of those Churches, he utterly refused them *.

The virtues and good parts of this honourable Prelate were so many, and those so transcendent, that to do him right, a large volume would be but sufficient, which I shall leave to some of better abilities to perform, which I shall, by way of an epitome, only point a finger at, in these heads which follow.

His first and principal virtue was his singular zeal and piety, which shewed itself not only in his private and secret devotions between God and himself (in which they that were about him well perceived, that he daily spent many hours, yea, and the greatest part of his life, in holy prayers and abundant tears, the signs whereof they often discovered,) but also in his exem .plary public prayers with his family in his chapel; wherein he behaved himself so humbly, devoutly, and reverently, that it could not but move others to follow his example. His chapel, in which he had monthly communions, was so decently and reverently adorned, and God served there with so holy and reverend behaviour of himself and his family, by his pattern, that the souls of many that (obiter) came thi ther in time of divine service, were very much elevated, and they stirred up to the like reverend deportment; yea, some that had been there, were so taken with it, that they desired to end their days in the Bishop of Ely's chapel.

The next is his charity and compassion, which he practised even before he came to great preferments; for while he was yet

When the Bishopricks of Ely and Salisbury were void, and some things were to be paid from them, some overture being made to him to take them, he refused them utterly; if it please you to give me leave, I will make his answer for him Nolo episcopari, quia nolo alienare, “I will not be made a Bishop, because I will not alienate Bishop's lands.”→ Fun. Serm.

in private estate, he extended his charity in a liberal manner, to the relief of poor parishioners, prisons, and prisoners, besides his constant Sunday's alms at his parish of St. Giles. But when his means became greater, his charity increased to a large proportion, releasing many prisoners of all sorts, that were detained either for petty debts, or keeper's fees. And one thing in his charity is remarkable, that whereas he sent much money at several times to the relief of poor parishes, prisons, prisoners, and the like, he gave strict charge to his servants, whom he entrusted therewith, that they should not acknowledge whence this relief came, but directed that the acquittances which they, to make the discharge of their trust appear to him, desired from them that received such relief, should be taken in the name of a benefactor unknown. Other large sums he hestowed yearly, and oftener, in clothing the poor and naked, in relieving the sick and needy, in succouring families in time of infection, besides his alms to poor house keepers at his gate; insomuch, that his private alms in his last six years, besides those public, amounted to the sum of 13007. and upwards. Lastly, though it might well have been supposed by that which is said already, that he had been in his life time his own almoner, yet as he lived a pattern of compassion and works of mercy, so he died also; for it appeareth by his will, that his chief care was to provide that his pious works should never have end, leaving 4000l. to purchase 2001. land per annum for ever, to be distributed by 501. quarterly, thus:-To aged poor men and decayed, with an especial eye to seafaring men, wherein he reflected upon his father's profession, 501; to poor widows, the wives of one husband, 50%.; to the binding of poor orphans apprentices, 501.; and to the relief of poor prisoners, 50%.; besides among others, too many to be comprehended in an epitome, he left, to be distributed presently after his decease, among inaid-servants of honest report, and who had served one master or mistress seven years, the sum of 2001. Lastly, a great part of his estate (which remained after his funeral and legacies were discharged,) he left to be distributed among his poor servants.

The third is his fidelity and integrity; faithfil, upright, and just he ever was, whether you respect him in his ordinary transactions, in which no man could ever justly tax him with the least aspersion of injustice, or whether you look upon him as intrusted with those great offices and places which he did undergo; and they

were either his spiritual preferments, or temporal office, besides some other matters committed to his fidelity. In the first of which he declared evidently to the world, that he reputed himself but God's steward, and that he must give an account to his Lord and Master for them. To begin then with the lowest account, he was ever faithful, provident and careful to keep in good repair the houses of all his spiritual preferments, and spent much money that way, as upon the vicarage-house of St. Giles, the Prebendary's and Dean's houses of Westminster, and the Residentiary's house of St. Paul's. Upon the house belonging to the Bishopric of Chichester, he expended above 420l.; of Ely, above 2440l.; of Winchester (besides a pension of 400l. per annum, from which he freed his see at his own charge,) he spent 2000/ *.

But in that part of the account which concerned him more nearly to perfect, which was his pastoral and episcopal charge, the cure of souls, and the well ordering of the several dioceses committed to his trust, never any made a more just and exact account.

Some particulars of this account was the promoting of sufficient, able, and good men to livings and preferments which fell within his own gift. To the better discharge of this part of the account he took order still beforehand, by continual search and inquiry, to know what hopeful young men were in the University, his chaplains and friends receiving a charge from him, to certify to him what hopeful and towardly young wit they met with at any time; and these, till he could better provide for them, were sure to taste of his bounty and goodness, for their better encouragement.

* Wherever he came and lived, all tasted and were bettered by his providence and goodness. St. Giles was reduced to him by a rate toward the maintenance of the place, and the house repair ed. He found nothing in the treasury at Pembroke-Hall; he left in it, in ready mo. ney, a thousand pounds. Being Prebendary Residentiary in St. Paul's, he built the house in Creed-lane, belonging to his Prebend, and recovered it to the Church. He repaired the Dean's lodging in Westminster. When he came to Chichester he repaired the palace there, and the house in Alding bourne. At Ely, he spent in reparation of Ely-House in Holborn, of Ely Palace at Downham, and Wisbech Castle, two thousand pounds. At Winchester-House, at Farneham, at Waltham, and Wolvesey, likewise two thousand pounds.-Fun, Serm.

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Divers eminent men in learning that wanted preferment, when any thing fell in his gift convenient for them, though other→ wise they had no dependance at all upon him, nor interest in him, he would send for before they knew why, and entertain them in his own house, and confer the preferment upon them, and also defray the very charges incident for a dispensation or a faculty, yea, of their very journey, and all this that he might have his diocese in general, and his preferments in particular, the better fitted; so that they may fitly be applied to him, which was sometimes to St. Chrysostom:-In administratione Episcopatus, præbuit se fidelem, constan◄ tem, et vigilantem ministrum Christi.

And if you look upon him in those temporals wherewith he was intrusted, you shall find him no less faithful and just: as first, divers sums, and many of them of good value, were sent to him, to be distributed among poor scholars, and others, at his discretion, all which he disposed of with great care and fidelity, even according to the donors minds and intents.

For his faithfulness in managing those places, wherein he was intrusted for others, jointly with himself, let Pembroke-Hall and Westminster College speak for him, for when he became master of the first he found it in debt, being of a very small endowment, then especially, but by his fearful providence, he left above eleven hundred pounds in the treasury of that college, to wards the bettering of the estate thereof, And when he was made Dean of the other, it is not unknown to some yet living, (who will testify) that he left it for all orders, as well of the Church as of the college and school, a place then truly exemplary collegiate in all respects, both within and without, free from debts and arrearages, from encroachments and evil customs, the school-boys (in the four years he staid there) being much improved, not by his care and oversight only, but by his own personal, and often labours also with them.

To these may be added, that whereas by virtue of his Deanery of Westminster, his Mastership at Pembroke-Hall, and his Bishopric of Ely, the election of scholars into the school of Westminster, and from thence to the two Universities, as also of many scholars and Fellows in PembrokeHall, some in St. Peter's College, and some in Jesus College, were in his power and disposal, he was ever so faithful and just, that he waved all letters from great personages for insufficient scholars, and cast aside all favour and affection, and chose only such as in his judgment were fittest. And lastly, which is not the least in this kind, being many times desired to