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.

Writers.

JOHN WALBYE was born in this City, of honest Parentage. He was bred an Augustinian (Provinciall of his Order,) and Doctor of Divinity in Oxford. A Placen∣tious Person, gaining the good-will of all, with whom he conversed, being also Inge∣nious, Industrious, Learned, Eloquent, Pious, and Prudent.* 1.1 Pitz writeth, that (after Alexander Nevell) he was Chosen but never Confirmed, Arch bishop of York, (an Honour reserved for Robert his Younger Brother, of whom† 1.2 before.) But Bishop Godwin maketh no mention hereof, which rendreth it suspicious. The said Pitz maketh him actuall Arch-bishop of Dublin, whilst Bale (who being an Irish Bishop, had the advantage of exacter Intelligence,) hath no such thing, whence we may con∣clude it a Mistake. The rather because this John is allowed by all to have died in this place of his Nativity, 1393. Also I will adde this, that though sharp at first against the Wickliffites, he soon abated his own Edge; and though present at a Council kept at Stanford, by the King against them, was not well pleased with all things transacted therein.

JOHN ERGHOM was born in this* 1.3 City, an Augustinian by his profession. Lea∣ving York he went to Oxford, where passing thorough the Arts, he fixed at last in Divi∣nity, proving an admirable Preacher. My* 1.4 Author tells me, that sometimes he would utter nova & inaudita, whereat one may well wonder, seeing Solomon hath said, There is no n•…•…w thing under the Sun. The truth is, he renewed the custome of expound∣ing Scripture in a typicall way, which crouded his Church with Auditors, seeing such 〈◊〉〈◊〉 preaching break's no bones, much pleased their fancy, and little cross'd or curb'd their corruptions. Indeed some (but not all) Scripture is capable of such comments, and because metalls are found in Mountains, it is madness to Mine for them in every

rich Meadow. But in expounding of Scripture, when mens inventions out-run the Spirits intentions, their swiftness is not to be praised, but sawcyness to be punished. This Erghom wrote many books, and dedicated them to the Earl of Hereford, (the* 1.5 same with Edward Duke of Buckingham,) and flourished under K. Henry the seventh, Anno 1490.

Since the Reformation.

RICHARD STOCK was born in this City, bred Scholar of the house in Saint Johns∣Colledge in Cambridge, and designed Fellow of sidney, though not accepting thereof. He was afterwards Minister of All hallows Bredstreet in London, by the space of thirty two years, till the day of his death.

Where (if in health) he omitted not to Preach twice every Lords day, with the approbation of all that were Judicious and Religious. No Minister in England had his Pulpit supplyed by fewer Strangers. Doctor Davenant afterwards Bishop of Sarum, (whose father was his parishioner) was his constant Auditor, while lying in London. His Preaching was most profitable, Converting many, and Confirm∣ing more in Religion, so that appearing with Comfort at the Day of Judgement, he might say, behold I and the Children that God hath given me. He was zealous in his life, a great Reformer of prophanations on the Sabbath, prevailing with some com∣panies to put off their wonted Festivalls from Mundays to Tuesdays, that the Lords∣day might not be abused by the preparation for such entertainments. Though he preached oft in neighbouring Churches, he never neglected his own, being wont to protest, That it was more Comfortable to him to win one of his own Parish then twenty others.

Preaching at Saint Pauls Cross when young, it was ill taken at his mouth, that he reproved the inequality of Rates in the City, (burdening the Poor to ease the Rich,) and he was called a Green head for his pains. But being put up in his latter days to preach on the Lord Mayors Election, and falling on the same subject, He told them, That a Gray head spake now what a Green-head had said before. He dyed Aprill 20. Anno Domini 1626. with a great lamentation of all, but especially of his Parishio∣ners.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈1 line〉〈1 line〉.
• † 1.2

  In the Pre∣•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 City.
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Script. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Num. 50. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.4

  Idem. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.5

  See Camdens Brit. in Here∣ford-shire.