The lives of two and twenty English divines eminent in their generations for learning, piety, and painfulnesse in the work of the ministry, and for their sufferings in the cause of Christ : whereunto are annexed the lives of Gaspar Coligni, that famous admirall of France, slain in the Parisian massacre, and of Joane Queen of Navarr, who died a little before / by Samuel Clarke ...

The Life of Master Richard Greenham, who died about the year, 1591.

I Can yet learn nothing concerning the Countrey, Parentage, or first Education of Mr. Richard Green∣ham. The first place, where I find him, was in Pembrook-Hall in Cambridge, where he followed his Studies so hard, and was so eminent for his profici∣ency in learning, that he was chosen Fellow in that Society, and after a while he was called to a Pastoral charge at Dry-Drayton, not far from Cambridge, and like a faithfull Mi∣nister of Jesus Christ, he spared no paines amongst his people, where∣by he might advance the good of their souls. His constant course was to preach twice on the Lords day, and before the evening Sermon to Catechize the young people of the Parish. His man∣ner also was to preach on Mundayes, Tuesdayes, and Wednesdayes, and on Thursdayes to catechize the youth, and again on Fridayes to preach to his people; and that on these week dayes, the people might have the better opportunity to attend upon his Ministry, his course was to be in the Pulpit in the morning so soon as he could well see. He was so earnest, and took such extraordinary pains in his preaching, that his shirt would usually be as wet with sweating, as if it had been drenched in water, so that he was forced so soon as he came out of the Pulpit to shift himself, and this won∣derfull and excessive paines he took all his time. Twice a day he prayed in his Family, and after Sermon he used to call his servants together, and examined them of what they heard, and what they remembred. And besides all these his publike labours, he studied very hard, rising every day both Winter and Summer, at four of the clock in the morning.

He was very eminent for his charity to the poor; whereof we have this notable Example: In a time of scarcity, when Barley was at ten groats the Bushell, (which in those daies was an extra∣ordinary price) he by his prudence brought it to passe, that the poor had it sold to them for four groats the Bushell of every Hus∣bandman in the Town; and thus he effected it. There were about twenty Plough-holders in the Town, all which he by his holy per∣swasions drew to an agreement amongst themselves, to hire a com∣mon granary, and therein to lay up Corn for the poor, some more, some lesse, every man accordingly to his ability; so that some laid

up one Coom, some a quarter, some three Cooms, and Master Greenham himself laid in five Cooms, all which was delivered out to the poor at a groat a peck. There was one day in the week ap∣pointed for all the poor to come and be served, at which time every one received according to their charge; where there were but two in a Family, they received one peck a week, and so more according to that proportion; only no Family had above three pecks a week.

He kept but two Beasts himself, that the poor might have his straw, and when other men sold their straw for two Shillings the dayes thresh, he sold his for ten pence: So that in that dear time all the poor in the Parish had been well neer famished, had it not been for his prudence, and liberality, which he also continued, till the price of Corn abated, which was suddainly, and extraordinarily; for that Corn which was sold for a noble the Bushell, was within one moneth after sold for fourteen pence the Bushell.

But during the fore-mentioned dearth, by publike Order, the Bushels were cut, and made lesse; This Master Greenham preached much against, and publikely reproved wheresoever he came, and withall gave his man a charge, that if the Clerk of the Market sent for his Bushell to cut it, he should not carry it in, which was done ac∣cordingly, for which he came into some trouble, but the Lord de∣lievered him out of the same. Also at this time though his Bushell was bigger then other mens, yet he would often charge his man not to strike off all the Corn. He used not to trouble himself with reckonings and accounts, but would sometimes ask his man when he came from the Market, how he sold Corn? and if it was dear, he would say, I pray God bring down the price of it; and if it was cheap, he would heartily blesse God for it. Yea, his Charity was not onely extended to the poor of his own Parish, but to o∣thers also; for if at any time he had seen a poor body at a distance from him as he rode abroad, he would send his man with money to him, and when at any time he rode by the Castle at Cambridge, the Prisoners would never ask him for any thing, nor any one that was with him, for if he had any money in his purse, they were sure to have part of it. By reason of his great liberality, though his living was worth a hundred pound per annum, yet he usually wanted Money to get in his Harvest, so that his Wife (formerly Doctor Bounds widow) was forced to borrow money to supply that want: Yet was he so well content with his present condition, that though he had proffers of livings worth three of that which he had, yet would he by no meanes be perswaded to ac∣cept of them.

He was a great friend to, and promoter of peace and concord amongst his Neighbours and acquaintance, insomuch that if any had come to him who were at variance, he would either have made them friends himself, or if he could not prevail, he would have made use of other friends to re∣concile them together, thereby to prevent their going to Law.

When Martin Mar-Prelate came first out, Master Greenham being to preach at Saint Maries in Cambridge, spake freely against that Book, manifesting his dislike of the same: For (said he) the tendency of this Book is to make sinne ridiculous, whereas it ought to be made odious.

On a time the Bishop of Ely sent for him to appear about his Non-conformity: at which time the Bishop told him that there was a great Schisme in the Church, asking him where the blame was to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whether upon the Conformists, or Non-conformists? To which ••e readily answered, that it might lie on either side, or on neither side: For (said he) if they loved one another as they ought, and would do all go•••• Offices each for other, thereby maintaining love and concord, it lay 〈◊〉〈◊〉 neither side: otherwise, which party soever makes the rent, the Schisme lies upon their score. The Bishop was so pleased with this answer, that he dismissed him in peace.

He was much troubled with a bad concoction, whereby he had fre∣quent sick nights, which kept him much waking; but then his manner was (as much as possibly he could) to spend the time in meditation and prayer.

We have before heard of his great Charity to mens bodies: His Cha∣rity to souls was not lesse exemplary. For having great experience, and an excellent faculty to relieve and comfort distressed consciences, he was sought to, far and neer, by such as groaned under spiritual afflicti∣ons and temptations; all whom he entertained friendly and famili∣arly, without respecting the person of the rich more then of the poor.

Yea the fame of this spiritual Physician so spread abroad, that he was sent for to very many, and the Lord was pleased so farre to blesse his labours, that by his knowledge and experience ma∣ny were restored to joy and comfort, out of unspeakable and in∣supportable terrours and torments of conscience. If the Lord had not so soon translated him out of this sinfull and miserable world, there was none more fit, nor willing to have prescribed Rules, and a Method to be observed in this so little a known Art. Of his good will herein, let his own words testifie the forward desires of his heart: For upon a special occasion he thus speaketh of him∣self; I have had (saith he) for a long time a settled resolution, (which I hope is from God) to study the cases of conscience, that there∣by I may be the better able to succour the tempted and perplexed in spirit.

He was filled with bowels of compassion towards the afflicted, sympa∣thizing, as if he had been afflicted with them.

Many godly and learned friends of his, perceiving his abilities and inclination thereto, did labour much to excite and incourage him in those studies, upon these and the like grounds. First, that he might hereby the better train up some young men in the like studies, communicating his knowledg and experiences to them

therein. Secondly, that he might leave to posterity a Com∣mentary of such particular Maladies as God had made him in∣strumental in the cure of, together with the meanes by him used for effecting of the same. And because Precepts are wanting, Rules of direction might be framed, partly by his own observation, partly by conference with other learned and experienced persons, where∣by in that, and the age following, that Art might be brought into some form and method, to the publick good and benefit of many, not only fo•• the fruitfull curing, but also for the healthfull preventing of manifold mischiefs.

To such as complained to him that they were troubled with ••••••sphemous thoughts, his counsell was, that they should not fear them, but abhorre them. And when some poor Christians were miserably afflicted with feares, that they had commited that unpardo∣nable sinne against the holy Ghost, he used to tell them, that if they would not have committed it, it was certain that they had not faln in∣to it.

The graces of Gods Spirit did all abundantly shine forth in this man of God: all tempered, as with unfeigned love to Christ, so with bow∣els of love and compassion towards men; and he again was greatly be∣loved of all men.

In the whole course of his Ministry, he was very carefull ever to avoid (as much as was possible) all occasions of offence, de∣siring in all things to approve himself as a Minister of Christ, and Workman that needed not to be ashamed.

He much rejoyced in, and praised God for the happy govern∣ment of Queen Elizabeth, and for the blessed calm and peace which the Church and people of God enjoyed under the same, speaking often of it, both publickly, and privately, as he had occasion, en∣deavouring to stirre up the hearts of all men (as much as in him lay) to praise God with him for it, and to pray also for the continuance thereof. Yea this matter so affected him, that the day before his departure out of this world, his thoughts were much troubled, for that most men were so unthankfull for those wonderfull and happy deliveran∣ces, which the Lord of his mercy vouchsafed to that glorious Queen, from the conspiracies and dangerous practices of her Popish Adver∣saries.

He was a special Instrument and meanes under God to incou∣rage, and train up many godly and learned young men in the holy service of Christ, in the work of the Ministry; and to restrain, and reduce not a few from errours and schisme; striving by all meanes to retain them in obedience to the Lawes of the land, and to provoke them highly to prize, and preciously to esteem the peace of the Church, and people of God.

Having continued at Dry-Drayton about the space of twenty, or one and twenty years, he left it, and went from thence to London, about the year 1588, or 89. Yet was very carefull be∣fore

his remove to get an honest and able man to succeed him in that place.

The causes of his removal, were partly the untractablenesse and unteachablenesse of that people amongst whom he had taken such ex∣ceeding great paines. For besides his publick Preaching and Catechi∣zing, his manner was to walk out into the fields, and to conferre with his Neighbours as they were at plough: And partly he did it upon sup∣posall that he might do farre more good in a more publick place by com∣forting afflicted consciences, wherein the Lord had given him such an admirable dexterity.

He wholly spent himself in the service of God and his Church, and therefore often made use of that saying of the Prophet David: The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up.

He was a little man of stature, and usually indifferent well in health; but when at any time he was sick, he would suffer no body to sit up and watch with him, that so he might more freely converse with God.

He continued not in London above the space of two years, but be∣ing quite worn out, he comfortably and quietly resigned up his spirit unto God, Anno Christi, 1591. and about the sixtieth year of his age.

He hath a Volume of Sermons, and Treatises of Divinity in Print.

Notes

• He was Fellow in Pembrook-Hall.
• His remove to Dry Drayton.
• His extraordi∣nary pains.
• His hard Stu∣dies.
• His Charity.
• A great Peace∣maker.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••isliked Martin Mar-Prelate.
• He is convent∣ed before the Bishop.
• His Prudence.
• He is dismissed
• His Piety.
• His skill in cu∣ring spiritual diseases.
• His remove to London.
• His death.