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The Life of Master Robert Balsom, who died Anno Christi 1647.
RObert Balsom was born at Shipton-Montague, in the County of Somerset. Having spent some years in New-in-hall in Oxford, upon his removall thence, he was entertained by Master Bernard of Batcomb, in the aforesaid County, to teach School, and preach sometimes as his Assistant; under whom he greatly improved his abilities for preaching. Up∣on the death of Master Bernard, preaching occasi∣onally at a neighbour village call'd Stoke,* 1.1 among a company of poor un∣taught people, one that lived thereabouts, told him, that if such a Mini∣ster should come and preach among that people, where there was so small encouragement, he should think that God had a great work to do upon them. Hereupon Master Balsom promised to be their Minister, where he enjoyed about fourty pounds a year.* 1.2 The successe of his Mi∣nistry there was very great, insomuch that he hath been heard say, that there were but few Sermons that he preached there, but he had intelli∣gence, that some one or other were converted by them.
The troubles growing in those parts, by reason of our Civil Warres, after one or two years abode there, he was forced for his own safety, to betake himself to Warder Castle in Wiltshire,* 1.3 where he had not continu∣ed long, but the Castle was besieged by the Kings party. Upon the news of their approach, he was minded to have gone for London, but be∣ing desired by Colonel Ludlow, the Governour of that Castle, he re∣mained there during the siege. A little before the Castle was delivered up, as they were in Treaty about the surrender of it, Master Balsom walking upon the roof of the Castle, heard three Souldiers say, That they had sworn upon the Bible, to take away the life of one in the Castle. He asked one of them, Who is that ye mean? Is it our Minister? They replyed, Yes; for he is a Witch: which they affirmed upon this ground, because the Castle had divers times been very strangely relieved with provision.* 1.4 As at one time with a herd of Swine coming down to the gates, which they took in; and at another time by some Deer, and Conies, the siege then being not close, but straightning them at a di∣stance. He asked them, what was their names? They told him, they were the three merry boyes: He replyed, your names are very unsuitable to the times. And so after some farther discourse, parted with them.
After the surrender of the Castle, and the enemies entry, they pre∣sently seized on Master Balsom, and clapt him up in a close low room.