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.

ROGER HUTCHINSON was born in this * 1.1 County, and bred Fellow of St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge, where he was very familiar with Mr. Roger Askam, who disdained Intimacy with Dunces. And as this is euough to speak him Scholar, so it is a sufficient Evidence to an Intelligent Jury, to prove him Protestant, that being commended by Bale for writing a book in English of the Image of God; he is wholly omitted, by John Pits. He flourished Anno Dom. 1550. and probably dyed in the hap∣py Reign of Edward the sixth, before the following persecution.

THOMAS CARTVVRIGHT was born in this * 1.2 County, and was admitted in St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge Anno 1550. In the Reign of Queen Mary he left the University (being probably one of those Scholars, which as Mr. Fox observeth went (alias were driven) away from this Colledge all at one time) and betook him∣self to the service of a Counsellour. Here he got some skill in the Common-Law, which inabled him afterwards to fence the better for himself by the advantage thereof.

In the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, he returned to Cambridge, was chosen Fellow first of St. Iohns, then of Trinity: How afterwards he was made Margaret Professour, outed thereof for his Non-conformity, travelled beyond Seas, returned home, became the Champion of the Presbyterian partie, is largely related in our Eccle∣siastical History.

Onely I will add that the Non conformists not a greeing which of them (where there is much choice, there is no choice) should answer Dr. Whitgifts Reply, I read that Mr. Cartwright at last was chosen * 1.3 by lot to undertake it. It seems the Brethren con∣cluded it of high and holy concernment, otherwise I know what Mr. Cartwright hath * 1.4 written of the appeal to Lots, Non nisi in rebus gravioribus, & alic•…•…jus magni mo∣menti ad sortis judicium recurrendumm, maxime, cum per sortem Deus ipse in judicio sedeat.

One * 1.5 saith for riches he sought them not, and * 1.6 another saith, that he dyed rich, and I beleive both •…•…ay true, God sometimes making Wealth to find them, who seek not for it, seeing many, and great were his Benefactors. He dyed and was buryed in Warwick, where he was Master of the Hospital. Anno. 1603.

DANIEL DIKE was born at Hempstead in this County, where his Father was a Minister silenced for his Non-conformity. He was bred in....... Colledge in

Cambridge, and became afterwards a profitable Labourer in Gods Vineyard. Witness (besides his Sermons) his worthy books, whereof that is the Master-peice which treateth of the deceitfulnesse of mans heart, wherein he layes down directions for the Discovery thereof. As also how in other Cases one may be acquainted with his own Condition, seeing many men lose themselves in the Labyrinths of their own hearts: so much is the Terra incognita therein. This Book he designed for his pious Patron John Lord Harrington: But alas when the Child was come to the Birth, there was no strength to bring forth! before the Book was fully finished, the Author thereof fol∣lowed his honourable Patron into a better World; so that his Surviving brother (of whom immediately) set it forth. And to the Lady Lucy, Countesse of Bedford, the Lords Sister, the same was dedicated. A Book which will be owned for a Truth, whilst men have any badness, and will be honoured for a Treasure, wilst men have any goodnesse in them. This Worthy man dyed about the Year 1614.

JEREMIAH DIKE his Younger Brother was bred in Sidney Colledge in Cam∣bridge, beneficed at Epping in Essex, one of a chearful Spirit. And know Reader, that an Ounce of Mirth, with the same degree of Grace, will serve God farther then a pound of Sadnesse. He had also a gracious heart, and was very profitable in his Ministry. He was a Father to some good Books of his own; and a Guardian to those of his Brother, whose Posthume Works he set forth. He was one peaceable in Israel. And though no Zelot in the practice of Ceremonies, quietly submitted to use them. He lived and dyed piously, being buryed in his own Parish-Church. Anno Dom. 1620.

ARTHUR CAPEL Esquire, of Had•…•…m in this County, was by King Charls the first created a Baron. 1641. He served the King with more Valour and Fidelity then Success, during the Civil Wars, in the Marches of Wales. After the Surrender of Ox∣ford, he retired to his own house in this Shire, and was in some sort well cured of the [so then reputed] Disease of Loyalty, when he fell into a Relaps by going to Col∣cbester, which cost him his life, beheaded in the Palace Yard in Westminster 1648.

In his Life time he wrote a book of Meditation (published since his death) where∣in much judicious piety may be discovered. His mortified mind was familiar with afflictions, which made him to appear with such 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Resolution on the Scaffold, where he seemed rather to fright Death, then to be frighted with it. Hence one not un∣happily alluding to his Arms (a Lyon Rampant in a Field Gules betwixt three Crosses) thus expresseth himself.

Thus Lion-like Capel undaunted stood: Beset with crosses in a Field of Blood.

A Learned Dr. in Physick (present at the opening and embalming of him and Duke Hambleton) delivered it at a publike Lecture, that the Lord Capels was the least Heart (whilst the Dukes w•…•…s the greatest) he ever beheld. Which al•…•…o is very pro∣portionable to the Observation in Philosophy, that the Spirits contracted in a lesser model, are the cause of the greater courage.

God hath since been the Husband to His Widow, (who for her goodnesse may be a Pattern to her Sexe) and Father to his Children, whom not so much their Birth, Beauty, and Portions, as Vertues married to the best Bloods, and Estates in the Land, even when the Royalists were at the lowest condition.

EDVVARD SYMONDS born at Cottered in this County, was bred in Peter House in Cambridge, where he commenced Master of Arts, afterwards Minister of Little Rayne in Essex, a man strict in his Life and profitable in his preaching, wherein he had a plain and piercing faculty. Being sequestred from his Living for siding with the King, with David 1 Sam. 23. 13. He went wheresoever he could go, to Worcester, Exeter, Barnstable, France, and lastly returned to London. He wrote a Book in VINDICATION OF KING CHARLES and was Instrumental in setting forth his Majesties book, called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Pens were brondished betwixt him and Mr. Stephen Marshal, though all was fair betwixt them before his Death. For Mr. Symonds visited him, lying in his bed at Westminster, told him, Had I taken you for a Wild Beast, I would not have rouzed you in your Den. He was very conscientious in dis∣charging his calling. Being once requested by me, to preach for me, he excused himself for want of competent warning, and when I pleaded, that mine being a

Country Parish would be well pleased with his performance; I can (saith he) content them, but not mine own conscience to preach with so little preparation, he dyed ahout Anno Dom. 1649. and was buryed in St. Peters Pauls Wharf in London.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Bale de scrip. Brit. Cent. 9. n. 95.
• * 1.2

  Sam. Clerk in his Lives of English Di∣vines. p. 367.
• * 1.3

  Sam. Cleark pag. 399.
• * 1.4

  In his Com∣ment on Prov. 1633.
• * 1.5

  Sam. Cleark pag. 272.
• * 1.6

  ▪Sr. G. Paul in his Life of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 p. 54.