Memorable Persons.
ANTHONY Lord GRAY, and eighth Earl of Kent of that Surname, Son of George Gray, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Salvam his Wife, Son to Anthony Gray, Esq and Briget Hol∣land his Wife, Son to G•…•…orge Gray second Earl of Kent of that Family (who died in the twentieth year of King Henry the seventh) was born at * 1.1 Branspath in this Bishoprick. If any ask what occasion drew his Ancestors into the North, know that his Grand∣Father was invited thither to enjoy the company of his Friend and Kinsman, the Earl of Westmerland.
This Gentleman being bred in the University of—applyed himself to the study o•…•… Divinity, and became Rector of Burbach in Leicester-shire, where he preached con•…•…antly, and kept an hospitable house for the poor according to his estate. It hap∣ned 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the death of Henry Gray his Kinsman, and the seventh Earl of Kent, that Earldom descended upon him, Anno Dom. 1639.
We read of Sigismund the Emperour, that when he had knighted a Doctor of the Laws, the Knight Doctor sequested himself from the company of Doctors, and associ∣ci•…•…ted wholly with Knights; whereat the Emperor smiled, and taxed his folly, For 1 (said he) can make many Knights at my pleasure, though indeed I cannot make one Doctor. Not so this good Lord, who after the accession of his Title did not in the least degrte disdain the society of his fellow Ministers, to converse with the Nobility; yea, he •…•…bated nothing in the constancy of his preaching, so long as he was able to be led up into the Pu•…•…pit. He had read in Scripture this Character given to the * 1.2 Bereans, These were more noble than these in Thess•…•…lonica, in that they received the Word with all readi∣ness, and counted it most noble to labour in Gods Vineyard, and to deliver his Word to others. However a Diamond is best when set in Gold, and Goodness is most Illu∣strious when supported with Greatness.
He was summoned as a Peer to Parliament, but excused himself, by reason of In∣disposition and Age. Such his humility, that Honours did not change Manners in him. Thus a mortified mind is no more affected with additions of Titles, than a Corps with a gay Coffin. By Magdalene Purefoy his Wife, he had (besides other Children) Henry ninth Earl of Kent. He died Anno Dom 164—
Expect not that to make this Bishoprick Uniform with other Counties, I should pre∣sent a Catalogue of the Sheriffs thereof. For the Princely Prelate of this Bishoprick (his S•…•…l not Oval like others, but round, the more Princely proportion; and as I remem∣ber, gave a crowned Mitre for his Crest) was himself always Paramount Sheriffe, depu∣ting one, (often his own Servant) under him to execute the Office. This Deputy ne∣ver acc•…•…unted at the Exchequer, but made up his Audit to the Bishop, to whom all perquisites and profits of this place did belong.
Since after a long discontinuance this County hath obtained its ancient Sheriff, the Bishop thereof, of whom formerly.