the beginning of the Long Parliament, he returned to England, and by the favour of the Earl of Manchester, he was made minister of Kimbolton, in Huntingdonshire. In 1643, he was called up to sit in the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, and had the rectory of Acton, near London, assigned him.

Mr. Nye boldly opposed the establishment of Presbytery, as the form of government for the church. His principal argument, according to Baillie, was drawn from the danger of such an ecclesiastical government to the state. He was for making many changes in the order and form of worship; as, that the minister in preaching, should have his head covered, and the people uncovered, because he then acts as their teacher; but in administering the Lord's Supper, he should be uncovered, and the people covered, as he there acts as their servant. The Independents at this time received the Lord's Supper every Sabbath. He was opposed to the communicants coming to the communion table in successive companies; but thought, that while some sat at the table, others might be around it.

In 1643, Mr. Nye, with Mr. Stephen Marshall, was sent with the commissioners to Scotland. He was exceedingly zealous for the Solemn League and Covenant, and delivered an able speech before the House of Commons, prior to their subscribing this instru

ment.

Mr. Nye was one of the chaplains sent to attend on king Charles I., in the Isle of Wight, in the year 1647.

In the year 1653, he was appointed one of the "Triers" of ministers; and in 1654, when the Parliament voted a toleration to all who professed to hold the fundamentals of Christianity, Mr. Nye was one of the committee of learned divines, to draw up a list of fundamental articles of faith, to be presented to the House of Commons. He was also an assistant to the commissioners for ejecting ignorant and scandalous ministers and schoolmasters, in the city of London. He was a principal manager of the meeting of the Congregational churches, at the Savoy, by order of the Protector; where the practice of the

Congregational churches in England was agreed upon by the elders and commissioners, October 12, 1658.

After the restoration, his papers were ordered to be seized, and for a while were kept at Lambeth; and it was debated whether he should be included in the general amnesty, as it was known that he had been a great politican, and had had much hand in all the changes which had taken place. The result was, that the council adopted the following order: "That if Philip Nye should, after the first of September, accept or exercise any office, civil, ecclesiastical, or military, he should, to all intents and purposes in law, stand as if he had been totally excepted for life." He of course was ejected from his living; but continued. to preach privately, as he had opportunity. Mr. Nye departed this life September, 1672.

Mr. Nye's published writings:

1. A Letter from Scotland to his Brethren in England; containing an account of the success of their mission; to which Mr. Marshall's name is also subscribed.

2. An Exhortation to taking the Solemn League and Covenant, for Reformation and Defence of Religion.

3. The Excellency and Lawfulness of the Solemn League and Covenant; a speech before the House of Commons and the reverend Assembly of Ministers.

4. An Apologetical Narration, to the House of Commons.

5. An Epistolary Discourse about Toleration. In the two last, he was aided by Thomas Goodwin.

6. The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and Power thereof, according to the Word of God. 7. Mr. Anthony Sadler Examined.

8. The Principles of Faith, presented by Thomas Goodwin, Philip Nye, &c.

9. Beams of former Light; discovering how evil it is to impose disputed and doubtful forms and practices on ministers.

10. The Lawfulness of the Oath of Supremacy.

11. Case of Great and Present Use.

12. A Vindication of Dissenters.

13. The Nature, Constitution, and Power of Ecclesiastical Courts.

14. The Lawfulness of Hearing the Ministers of the Church of England.

15. A Sermon to the Citizens of London. Neh. vi. 11.

PAINTER, HENRY, B. D., a member of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster. No memorial of him beside has been found.

PALMER, HERBERT, B. D., was born in Kent, in England, in the year 1601, and was carefully and religiously educated by his parents; and he so early manifested a pious temper, that it was believed, that like Jeremiah, he was sanctified from the womb. He, at an early age, deliberately chose the holy ministry, and no representations of the difficulties and dangers of the sacred office, had any influence in diverting his mind from this object. His progress in learning was rapid, as he made it a matter of conscience to lose no time, so that when he had reached his 14th year, he was prepared for the University; and entered St. John's College, Cambridge, where he took his degrees; and was chosen a fellow of Queen's College, in 1623. In this situation, although possessed of an estate of his own, beside his fellowship, yet to render himself useful, he engaged arduously in the business of a tutor, and had under him many pupils, to whose literary and spiritual improvement he paid the most assiduous attention. But having, on some occasion, preached in Canterbury, he received a pressing invitation to settle in that place, where he laboured successfully, but not without opposition, for several years.

In 1632, Mr. Palmer was presented by Laud, with the living of Ashwell, in Hertfordshire, whither he removed; and where he exercised his ministry with great diligence and fidelity; performing all pastoral

duties with punctuality and constancy; and setting before the people in his own life, and in his family, an eminent example of consistent piety.

In 1643, Mr. Palmer was chosen a member of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster; on the business of which body he attended with much assiduity. Having resigned his charge of Ashwell, when called up to the Assembly at Westminster, he was invited to preach at Duke's-place, London, and afterwards at New-church, Westminster, where his labours were exceedingly abundant; frequently speaking six or seven hours on the Lord's day.

In 1644, Mr. Palmer was appointed president of Queen's College, Cambridge; where his influence in promoting both learning and religion was great. He attended vigilantly to all the interests of the college over which he presided; and did much to introduce proper power into all the scholarships; and funds which had been squandered in feasting, he had appropriated to the purchase of valuable books for the library.

Mr. Palmer was remarkable for his strict habits of temperance; abstaining altogether from strong drink; and only using a little wine for his stomach's sake; and eating uniformly, only of one dish of flesh, and of that very sparingly. As he lived piously, so he died in peace, and in cheerful resignation to his heavenly Father's will. This event occurred in the year 1647, when he was only forty-six years of age.

His stature was uncommonly low; so that in the Assembly, where he was much esteemed, he was called, "the little Mr. Palmer." But though his body was small and delicate, his soul was enlarged with extensive knowledge, and enriched with every grace and virtue. His industry and labour were beyond his strength; and although his friends entreated him to spare himself, yet he could not be persuaded to diminish any of his labours. Mr. Palmer was a gentleman of independent estate; and chose to live a single life. But he made a good use of his income, for he constantly supported several poor scholars.

Granger's character of him is, that he was "a man of uncommon learning, generosity, and politeness, and possessed a most excellent character. That in the civil wars he wished for peace: and that he spoke the French language with as much ease as the English."

Mr. Palmer's published writings:

1. The Principles of the Christian Religion made Plain and Easy.

2. Of making Religion one's Business.

3. Sermons preached before the Parliament.

4. The Christian Sabbath Vindicated.

5. Scripture and Reason Pleaded for Defensive Arms.

PEALE, EDWARD, a member of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, and one who was constant in his attendance. Other particulars, not ascertained.

PERNE, ANDREW, was born in the year 1596, and received his education in the University of Cambridge, where he became fellow of Katharine-Hall. He afterwards was chosen the minister of Wilby, in Northamptonshire. He was appointed a member of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, and was assiduous in his attention to the business. When called up to the Assembly, his reputation was very high, and he had several offers of preferment, about London, but he declined them all, being fully resolved to return to his beloved flock at Wilby, among whom he had laboured for about twenty-seven years. Wood says, "that he frequently preached before the Long Parliament, and several of his sermons were printed, but they have been mostly buried in oblivion. He is said to have been a lively, powerful preacher; and he enforced his precepts by a holy example. His ministry was not in vain, for a considerable reformation was wrought by his preaching. Mr. Ainsworth describes him as being full of spiritual warmth; and he was never more at home than in the pulpit. As his life was holy, so his end was happy. He blessed God,