ST. ANDREW HUBBARD, LITtle Eastcheap, §[R. S.]

Mr. WILLIAM WICKINS, of Eman. Col. Camb. Born at London in Sept. 1614. Upon leaving the university, he lived some time as chaplain with Sir Edward Scott, of Scot'sHall, in Kent. When he came to St. Andrew Hubbard, Mr. Ranew, the sequestered minister, desiring to continue for some time in the house belonging to that living, he yield ed to it, though, as it fell out, much to his own detriment. For a fire broke out one Saturday night near the house where he lived, and burnt with such fury, that he and his family escaped only with their lives. This calamity he bore with great patience, and with such composure of mind, that it did not hinder him from his pulpit-work the next day. But having borrowed some clothes, he went through all the service of the day (which happened to be sacrament-day) the same as other times. He continued in this living fourteen or fifteen years: but meeting with many discouragements, and his family increasing, some friends, without his seeking, procured his removal to St. George's in Southwark. This was another sequestered living, but he was insensible of it; and upon the Restoration, he readily resigned it, on the claim of another person, and became preacher at the Poultry Compter, where he continued till Aug. 24, 1662. It may be mentioned, as an instance of his self-denial and generosity, though he had no great abundance, that when, after his ejectment, a gentleman offered him five pounds, he replied, "I believe my friend Mr. E. Lawrence stands more in need of it, and requested that it might be given to him; which was accordingly done. Mr. Wickins was one of those ministers who used to meet at Sion College, and was often concerned in ordaining young ministers. One of the last on whom he laid hands, was the excellent Mr. Matthew Henry, on May 9, 1687.—He was for some time in the family of alderman

This church was burnt in the fire of London, and the parish united to that of St.Mary Hill. The king's Weigh-house was erected on the spot, and a meeting-house over it, in which Mr. Reynolds first preached; after him Mr. Wood, and then Dr. Langford, (whom the editor of this work assisted) who was succeeded by Dr. Wilton, and he by Mr. Clayton. When this place was lately rebuilt, many human bones were dug up. An annual sermon, in commemoration of the fire, which began near this place, was preached here for a century afterwards. Forth,

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Forth, at Hackney, but finished the course of his ministry at Newington-Green, where he was first in conjunction with Mr. Starkey, and afterwards with Mr. Bennet, who preached his funeral Sermon on Acts xiii. 36. He was very happy in possessing constant health, which enabled him to continue a hard student even to old age. Next to the holy scriptures, there was no study more delightful to him than that of Ori ental learning, and especially of the Jewish laws and customs, in the knowledge of which, he was reckoned, by good judges, to have had but few equals. The originals of the Old and New Testament were very familiar to him, so that he read them chiefly in his closet, without much concerning himself with any translation. He was very chearful in conversation; but commonly took care before he left any company, to drop something serious and savoury, which made his company profitable as well as pleasant. He was very desirous of doing good to souls; which was his inducement to continue preaching longer than some who had a true value for him thought to be necessary. But when he found by a sudden seizure that he was disabled, he readily acquiesced. in the will of God. Removing to London, to be under the immediate care of his near relations, after gradually decaying for about two years, he had an easy and comfortable end. Being asked by a friend, a little before his departure, how he was? he in a very serious and affecting manner cried out, Help me in praising God for his great mercy to me, that I "have perfect ease of body; and blessed be his name, I "have that too which is much better; even peace of con"science, and good hope towards God, through Jesus "Christ." He was buried in Bunhill-fields, Sept. 22, 1699, aged 85.

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WORKS. A Plea for the Ministry.-Warrant for bowing at the Name of Jesus examined.-Something concerning the Dates of St. Paul's Epistles.-And, it is supposed; some other pieces long since out of print.

ST. ANDREW UNDERSHAFT, [R. S. 172l.].

Mr. THOMAS WOODCOCK, of Kath. Hall. Cam. He was born of a genteel family in Rutlandshire. He became Fellow of Jesus Col. and Proctor of the University; which office he managed with great applause, both as to exercises and prudent government. In this College, he gave

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education to more Fellow-commoners than all the other Fellows besides, and rendered it a great and flourishing Society. He was a smart disputant, and had the universal character of a learned man. He set up a lecture at Alhallows church in Cambridge, where he constantly preached gratis at four o'clock on the Lord's-day afternoon, and was well attended both by scholars and town's-people. After his ejectment, he and Dr. Tuckney lived together in the country; but, for the sake of his sons, he afterwards went to Leyden. When he returned to England he settled at Hackney, where he first preached in his own house, and afterwards with Dr. Bates, in his meeting-house, but always gratis, having a good estate. He died in 1695. He had a Son who was many years a dissenting minister at Hampstead. He has three sermons in the morn. Exercises.

Mr.THOMAS UNDERWOOD was ejected from the same place.

ST. ANNE'S, ALDERSGATE, [R. S. 140l.] DANIEL BATCHELOR, M. A. of St. John's Col. Cam.

ST. ANTHOLIN'S, [R. 120l.]

ELIAS PLEDGER, M. A. He succeeded Mr. C. Offspring, in this parish. His farewell sermon, [which was well suited to the occasion, but not accurately taken] was on Rev. ii. 9, 10. I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold the Devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. From whence he makes these observations. 1. Jesus Christ takes notice (with approbation) of all the works [we perform] and the troubles and losses we endure for him.-2. Believers in their poorest condition, when they have lost all, are rich. "The wise man, saith the philosopher, is the only rich man;" but the wisdom of God saith, The believer is the rich man. He is rich, for he hath God for his portion. He is rich in his relations-in his possessions-in his expectations—in the things of this life; for he can live above them, and be content without them. He that is in Christ cannot be poor.-3. Christ takes notice of

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'all the reproaches and blasphemies of his adversaries. He counts himself reproached when his servants and ways are reproached.-4. Whatever the children of God suffer, they must expect further sufferings before they come to the grave. The waters of tribulation may rise higher and higher.-5. He usually gives notice to his people of their sufferings before hand-that they may not be offended when they come —that he may convince them that nothing befalls them without his being privy to it—and that they may be provided against them.-6. Whatever troubles come upon them they have no cause to fear :-for all are ordered by a father.Christ stands by them in all.-Strength shall be given to bear all. None of their sufferings shall hurt them--but great good shall come out of them. Thou wilt either live or die, and shalt gain both ways. If thou livest, thy graces shall be strengthened; the spirit of God shall rest upon thee. If thou die, thy glory shall be double. The weightier the cross the weightier the crown.-Objections answered; and directions given to prevent fear under sufferings-Get more faith-more self-denial-more love to God-more insight into the causes and ends of troubles-and the vanity of the creature-get more of the fear of God-keep a clear conscience-and seek a better assurance of eternal life.-7. Christ limits Satan and all his instruments. He determines some to be cast into prison, and for how long: ten days. Our afflictions shall have an end, a speedy and a comfortable end. God will restore comfort to his mourners.-8. They who are faithful unto death shall receive a crown of life. Be faithful to your promises; your purposes; your covenants:-in your obedience, in the doctrine of the gospel; the worship of the gospel; the ministry of the gospel; and in your zealous desires [and endeavours to serve and honour] the Lord.--Be faithful to the death. And remember, God in mercy and faithfulness will accept thy unfeigned purposes, at present, [* and will at last bestow the promised crown.

Mr. Pledger after his ejectment, had a meeting-house in Lothbury. He died suddenly, after preaching there, in the year 1676. It does not appear that he published any thing but a sermon in the Morning Exercise, on the cause of inward troubles.

* As this sermon, which is methodical, breaks off abruptly at the bottom of the page, it is evident that something on this last clause of the text is omitted, which most probably was enlarged upon,

Mr.

Mr. TOBIAS CONYERS, of Peter-house, Camb. was ejected from the Lectureship at the same place. A very learned and extraordinary person. He was formerly minister of St. Ethelburg's, in Bishopsgate-street.

WORKS. Serm. bef. Lord Mayor and Gen. Monk, 1660.And several little Pieces.-He translated Arminius's Judgment on the principal Points of Religion, into English.

ST. AUSTIN'S, [R. S. 172l.]

Mr. SIMEON ASHE, of Ewan. Col. Oxf. He went seasonably to heaven at the very time he was cast out of the church; being buried the eve of Bartholomew-day. So that he was not actually ejected, but it was death only that prevented it; for he and some others in his situation were well known to have been ready to quit their livings, and had done it intentionally. One of them expressed a desire only to live till Bartholomew-day, if it were the will of God, that he might publicly bear his testimony to the necessity of a farther reformation.* Mr. Ashe began his ministry in Staffordshire near those eminent persons, Mr. John Ball, Mr. Rob. Nicholls, and Mr. Langley, with whom he had a particular acquaintance. But for his nonconformity to the ceremonies, and refusing to read the Book of Sports, he was soon displaced from his living. He gained however, a little liberty in an exempt church at Wroxhal, under the covert of Sir John Burgoyne, and elsewhere under Lord Brook in Warwickshire. He was a christian of the primitive simplicity; and a Nonconformist of the old stamp. He was eminent for a holy life, a cheerful mind, and a fluent elegancy in prayer. He had a good estate, and was liberal with it. His house was much frequented, and he was universally beloved. He was chaplain to the Earl of Manchester in the wars, and fell under the obloquy of the Cromwellians for crossing their designs, and particularly for his vehemently opposing the Engagement. He had a considerable hand in bringing back King Charles II. Dr. Walker among other charges against himt, severely censures him for a sermon before the House of Commons as containing large invectives against the government and governors of the church.

*Cal. Pref. to Contin. p. 21.

+ See these refuted at large in Cal. Contin. p. 4, 5.

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