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The Life of Master Paul Baines, who died Anno Christi, 1617.
PAul Baines was born in London, and had his Educa∣tion in his younger years at Withersfield in Essex, under one Master Cosens, his Schoolmaster,* 1.1 from whence, being fitted for it, he was sent to the University of Cambridge, and admitted into Christs Colledge, where his conversation at first was so irregular, that his Father being grieved at it, be∣fore his death, being intimately acquainted with one Master Wilson, a Sailes-man in Birchin-lane,* 1.2 he left with him forty pounds by the year, desiring him, that if his Sonne did forsake his evil courses, and become an honest man, he would then give him that fourty pounds per annum, if not, that he would never let him have it. But it pleased God, not long after his Fathers decease, to shew him his sinnes, and to work effectual repentance in him for the evil of his waies; so that forsaking his former evil company and practices,* 1.3 he became eminent for Piety and Holinesse, and according to that of our Saviour, Much being forgiven him, he loved much. After which gracious change wrought in him by the goodnesse of God, it was not long before Ma∣ster Wilson fell dangerously sick, and hearing how God had dealt with his Master Baines, he sent for him and desired him to pray with him, by which, as also by his savoury discourse, finding that what he had heard of him rather came short of the truth then exceeded it, according to that trust reposed in him, perceiving himself to be upon his death-bed, he told Master Baines of the fourty pounds per annum,* 1.4 which his Fa∣ther left with him, and so faithfully delivered up to him those writings of the agreement which had passed betwixt his Father and him, and being like to leave behind him a Wife and two Children, he intreated Master Baines,* 1.5 that as he had faithfully and carefully discharged his trust towards him, so when God should take him away hence, that he would have a care of his Wife and Children, and be a Friend to them. And Master Baines, after Master Wilsons death, that he might fully discharge that trust which was reposed in him, and also by way of gratitude for that friendship and fidelity, which he had found in Master Wilson, mar∣ried his widow.
But before this, for his eminency in learning,* 1.6 he was chosen Fellow in Christs Colledge, where he so much (through Gods