The history of the worthies of England who for parts and learning have been eminent in the several counties : together with an historical narrative of the native commodities and rarities in each county / endeavoured by Thomas Fuller.

Since the Reformation.

JOHN JEWEL bearing the Christian Name of his Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather, was born at Buden (a Farm possessed more than two hundred years by his Ancestors) in the Parish of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, nigh Illfracombe in this County, on the 24th of May 1552. His mothers Sirname was Bellamy, who with her husband John Jewel lived happily fifty years together in Holy Wedlock, and at their death left ten children behind them.

It may be said of his Sirname; Nomen, Omen, Jewel his Name, and Pretious his Ver∣tues: So that if the like ambition led us English men, which doth Foraigners, speciously to render our Sirnames in Greek or Latine, he may be termed Johnnes Gemma, on better account then Gemma Frisius entituleth himself thereunto.

He was chiefly bred in the School of Barstable, where John Harding afterwards his Antagonist, was his School fellow, and at 15 years of age was admitted in Merton Coll•…•…dge, under the tuition of John Parkhurst, afterwards Bishop of Norwich. Such

his sedulity, rising alway at 4 of the Clock, and not going to bed till 10; that he was never punished for any exercise; and but once for absence from Chappel. Hence he was removed to Corpus Christi Colledge, where he proved an Excellent Poet (having all Horace by heart) Linguist, and Orator.

Thus having touched at all Humane Arts, he landed at Divinity, being much assisted by Peter Martyr the Kings Professor therein. St. † 1.1 Jerome telleth us that so great was the intimacy betwixt Pamphilius that worthy Martyr, a Priest, and Eusebius the Bishop of Caesarea, ut ab uno alter nomen acceperet; that they mutually were sirnamed the one from the other, Pamphilius Eusebii, and Eusebius Pamphilii: No lesse the unity of affections be twixt these two, who accordingly might be called Martyrs Jewell, and Jewells Mar∣tyr; as seldome in body, and never in mind asunder.

What eminent changes afterwards befel him in the course of his life, how he fled into Germany, lived at Zurick, returned into England, was preferred Bishop of Salisbury, wrote learnedly, preached painfully, lived piously, died peaceably, Anno Dom. 1572. are large∣ly related in my Ecclesiastical History, and I will trouble the Reader with no repetitions.

JOHN PRIDEAUX was born at Hartford in the West part of this County, bred Scholar, Fellow, and R•…•…ctor of Exeter Colledg in Oxford, Canon of Christ-Church, and above thirty years Kings Professor in that University. An excellent Linguist, but so that he would make words wait on his matter, chiefly aiming at expressivenesse therein; he had a becomming Fe•…•…ivity, which was Aristotles, not St. Pauls 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Admirable his memory, retaining what ever he had read. The Welch have a Proverb (in my mind somewhat uncharitable) He that hath a good memory, giveth few Alms; be∣cause he keepeth in mind, what and to whom he had given before: But this Doctor cross'd this Proverb, with his constant charity to all in want.

His learning was admired by Forreigners, Sextinus Amma, Rivet, &c. He was not Vindicative in the least degree: One * 1.2 intimate with him, having assured me, that he would forgive the greatest injury, upon the least show of the parties sorrow, and re∣store him to the degree of his former favour; and though Politicians will thence col∣lect him no prudent man, Divines will conclude him a good Christian.

Episcopacy in England being grievously wounded by malevolent persons, King Charles the First conceived that the best Wine and Oil that could be powred into those wounds, was, to select persons of known Learning and unblameable Lives to supply the vacant Bi∣shopricks; amongst whom Dr. Prideaux was made Bishop of Worcester. But alasse, all in vain, such the present fury of the Times.

He died of a Feaver 1650, and I have perused a Manuscript Book (But alasse not made by Oxford, but Worcester-shire Muses) of Verses on his Funeral. Amongst which I take notice of these,

Define mirari caecos errasse tot Ignes, In prompt•…•… causa est, lux Prideauxus obit. Mortuus est Prideaux? scriptis post funera vivit; Aufertur Letho Mitra, Corona datur.

To these we may add the Chronogram, which I meet with amongst the same Verses.

Iohannes PrIDeaVXVs 〈◊〉〈◊〉 VVIgornIae MortVVs, est. 1650.

He was buried at Bredon in Worcester-shire, August the 1•…•…th. Such as deny Bishops to be Peers, would have conceived this Bishop a Prin•…•…e, if present at his Interment, such the Number and Quality of Persons, attending his Funeral.

Notes

• † 1.1

  In his Apolo∣gia, adversus 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  Mr. Jos•…•…ph Maynard Fel∣low of Exeter Colledg.