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BIshop Brownrig was a person of that soundnesse of Iudge∣ment, of that conspicuity for an unspotted Life, of that unsuspected Integrity, that his life was, Virtutum norma (as Ierome of Nepolian) ita in singulis virtutibus eminebat, quasi caeteras non habuisset: So eminent in every good and perfect gift, as
if he had but o••e only. There was never any thing said by him, which a wise, and good man, would have wished unsaid or undone.
He was born at Ipswich, a Town of good note in Suffolk, in the year of our Lord, 1592. His Parents of Merchantly condition, of worthy reputation, and of very Christian conversation. When he was not many weeks old, God took away ••his earthly Father, that himself might have the more tender care of the Orphan; by the prudence of his pious Mother, hisa 1.1 youth and first years of reason were carefully improved for his breeding in all good learning.
He was sent in his fourteenth year to Pembroke-hall in Cambridge. There his modesty, pregnancy, and piety soon invited preferment; He was first made Scholar of the House, and after Fellow, a little sooner than either his years or standing in rigor of Statute permit∣ted; but the Colledge was impatient, not to make sure of him, by grafting him firmly into that Society, which had been famous for many excellent men, but none more than Brownrig. When Bache∣lor and Master of Arts, Bachelor and Doctor of Divinity, and Bi∣shop of Exeter; adorning as well as deserving his Advancements.
When King Iames (that most learned Prince) was pleased to ho∣nor the University of Cambridge by his Presence, and to make Ex∣ercises of Scholars, the best part of his Entertainment; this per∣son (then a young man) was one of those who were chosen by the University, to adorn the reception of the King. The part he per∣formed was Iocoserious (of Praevaricator) a mixture of Philosophy, with Wit and Oratory. This he discharged to the admiration, more than the mirth of the King, and other learned Auditors, who rejoyed to see such a luxuriance of wit was consistent with inno∣cency; that jesting was confined to conveniency and mirth, mar∣ried with that Modesty which became the Muses.
Among his learned and accurate performances in publick, I can∣not observe, that when he took the Degree of Bachelor of Divi∣nity, the Text upon which he chose to Preach his Laine Sermon was Prophetick, and preparatory to his after-sufferings, Phil. 1. 29. Vo∣bis autem datum, &c. To you it is given on the behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but to suffer for his sake. Which eloquent and pious Sermon, he afterwards was to fullfil indeed. Quod docuit verbo confirmavit exemplo. He made his Doctrine good by his pra∣ctice, taking up the Cross of Christ, and following him.
He was preferred to be Prebend of the Collegiat Church of Eli, by the favor and love of the then Bishop of that Seat, Dr. Felton, a very holy and good man: he had also a good Living at Barlow, not far from Cambridge, a Country Village; where he condescended, bringing out new and old out of his treasure, inb 1.2 his Preaching and Cathechising to ordinary capacities: (He oft deplored the dis∣use and want of Catechising:) After that, this great Lamp was set and shined in a Sphere more proper and proportionate, being cho∣sen Master of Katherine-hall. Here it was wonderful to see, how the Buildings, the Revenues, the Students, and the Studiousness of that place increased by the Care, Counsel, Prudence, Diligence, and Fame of Dr. Brownrig; who had such an eye to all, that he oversaw
none; frequenting the Studies, and examining even younger Scho∣lars, that they might be incouraged in Learning and Piety. He kept up very much, as good Learning and good Manners, so the honor of Orthodox Divinity and orderly Conformity: He kept to the Doctrine, Worship, Devotion, and Government in the Church of England: which, he would say, he liked better and bet∣ter, as he grew older. If any, out of scruple or tenderness of Con∣science was less satisfied with some things, no man had a more ten∣der heart or a gentler hand to heal them, if worthy, ingenious, and honest. He would convince, though not convert Gain∣sayers, and if he could not perswade them, yet he would pity and pray for them, drawing all with the silken cords of humanity, the bands of a mans love. He could endure differences among Learned and Godly men in Opinions, especially sublime and ob∣scure, without distance in affection. He thought that Scripture it self in some points was left unto us less clear and possitive, that Christians might have wherewith to exercise both Humility in themselves, and Charity towards others. He very much venera∣ted the first worthy Reformers of Religion at home and abroad: yet was he not so addicted to any one Master, as not freely to use his own great and mature judgement. He hoped every good man had his Retractions either actual or intentional; though all had no time to write them, as St. Austin did. He had the greatest An∣tipathy against those unquiet and pragmatick Spirits, which affect endless Controversies, Varieties, and Novelties in Religion to car∣ry on a Party, and under that Skreen of Religion, to advance their private Interests in publick Designs. For the Liturgy, though he needed a set Form as little as any, yet he had a particu∣lar great esteem of it; 1. For the Honor and Piety of his Martyrly Composers. 2. For its excellent matter and prudent method 3. For the good he saw in it to all sober Christians, the want of which he saw was not supplyed by any Ministers private Pray∣ing and Preaching. Not that the Liturgy is unalterable: but he judged all such alterations ought to be done by the publick Spirit. As for Bishops, he was too Learned a man to doubt, and too ho∣nest to deny the Univerval Custom and Practice of the Church of Christ, in all Ages and places for fifteen hundred years, according to the pattern (at least) received from the Apostles; who without doubt, followed, as they best knew, the minde of Christ. He was by the favor of K. Charles, and the great liking of all good men, made Bishop of Exeter, Anno 1641.a 1.3 Whereupon a certain man said, he wondred Dr. Brownrig would be made a Bishop, whom he had heard sometime declare his judgment against Episcopacy. This be∣ing related to the Bishop, he with some passion replyed; I never thought, much less said, as that person hath falsly av••rred. I thank God, I took the Office of a Bishop with a good Conscience, and so I hope by Gods mercy, I shall both maintain and discharge it.
And howsoever this excellent Bishop enjoyned not the benefit of the Kings favour and munificence as to his Bishoprick, or any o∣ther Preferment after the Troubles of the times, yet he was ever
most unmoveable, royal respects of Fidelity, Gratitude, Love, and Obedience. Accordingly when O. P. with some shew of re∣spect to him, demanded his judgement in some publick Affairs. The Bishop with his wonted Gravity and Freedom, replyed: My Lord, the best counsel I can give, is that of our Savior, Render unto Caesar, the things that be Caesars, and unto God, the things that be Gods. With which free Answer O. P. was rather silenced then sa∣tisfied.
This grave Personage, when forced to retire, was useful to those that were worthy of him, and knew how to value him ei∣ther as a Bishop, or a Divine, or a Counsellor, or a Comforter, or a Friend. Among those that gave him a Liberal and Noble enter∣tainment, Thomas Rich Esq of Shunning in Berk-shire, desorveth with honor to be thus Registred, that he was the especial Friend of Bishop Brownrig. Indeed none could be hospitable to him gratis: he always paid for his entertainments by his many excellent Dis∣courses.
He was alwayes when in health as chearful (as far as the Trage∣dies of the times gave leave) as one that had the continual Feast of a good Conscience; and as content, as if he had a Lords Estate. All diminutions and indignities which some men put upon so Worthy and so Venerable a Person, he digested into patience and prayers. Thus he was in some degree conformable to the Primitive Bishops, which were poor and persecuted, yea to the great Bishop of our Souls, who for our sake made himself of no reputation.
About a year before he dyed, he was invited with much re∣spect and civility to the honorable Society of both the Temples, to bless them, as with his constant residence, so with his fatherly in∣structions and prayers. To signifie the reality of their Love, and value to his Lordship, they not only allowed an annual honorary recom∣pence to express their thanks, but they provided handsome Lodgings, and furnished them with all things necessary, conveni∣ent, and comely for a Person of his Worth. Such as could hear him preach rejoyced at his gracious words, such as for the Crowd could not come nigh enough to hear him, had pleasure to stay and behold him, conceiving they saw a Sermon in his looks, and were bettered by the Venerable Aspect of so worthy a Person. God was pleased to exercise him with bodily pains, indispositions, and distempers, sometimes with fits of the Stone; but under all these God supported him with his grace, as always humble, devout, and pious, so for the most part sociable, serene, and chearful, till he had lived to his sixty seventh year.
He had frequent infirmities a little before his death. He would often say, That it was a very cheap time to die, there being so little temptation to desire life, and so many to welcome death, since he had lived to see no King in the State, no Bishop in the Church, no Peer in Parliament worthy of that name. He only hoped and prayed God that he would favor him so far as with a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as to let him die without pain; and indeed he did. For after his Spirits were in ten dayes decayed and wasted, he slumbred much, yet had vigi∣lant
Intervals, at which time he gave himself to prayer, and medi∣tation, and holy discourses: And being full of the Grace and peace of God, and confirmed in it by the Absolution of the Church, he rendred his precious soul to God that gave it, De∣cemb. 7. 1659.a 1.4
His body for Stature and Figure, was somewhat taller and big∣ger than ordinary, yet very comely. No man ever became the Preachers Pulpit, or the Doctors Chair, or the Episcopal Seat, better than he did, carrying before him such an unaffected State and Grandeur (such benign gravity, and a kinde of smiling se∣verity, that one might see much in him to be reverenced, but much more to be loved; yet what was Venerable in him was very ami∣able, and what was amiable was Venerable. His remains lie in the Temple-Church, with this following Inscription, buryed at the Charge of both Temples, to his great honor and their greater. I know (saith one, of his death) all accidents are minuted and mo∣mented by Divine providence, and yet I hope I may say without sin, his was an untimely death, not to himself (prepared there∣unto) but as to his longer life, which the prayers of pious peo∣ple requested, the need of the Church required, the date of na∣ture could have permitted, but the pleasure of God (to which all must submit) denyed: otherwise he would have been most instrumental to the composure of Church differences, the de∣served opinion of whose goodness had peaceable possession in the hearts of the Presbyterian party. I observed at his Funeral that the prime persons of all perswasions were present, whose judge∣ments going several wayes, met all in a general grief for his de∣cease.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. P. M. S. Augustius Solito Virtutum exemplar Si tibi tuisque imitandum velis, Mox Moriture Lector: Subtus positas nepigeat contemplari EXUVIAS RADULPHI BRUNRICI. S. T. D. IPS WICI, peramaeni Icenorum oppidi, Parentibus honestis, Tanto{que} Filio bea∣tis, orti. Infantulum terrestri orbum caelestis te∣nerius fovit Pater: Pia{que} literatura pene ad miraculum imbutum, Per omnes Academiarum gradus eductum, Ad Aulae Catharinae praefecturam,
Ad Saepius repetitam Procan. Cantab. dignitat••m Ad Exoniensis Episcopatus Honorem Caroli Regis favore evexit: Quem afflictissimum fidelitate inconcussa coluit Vir undi{que} egregius: Doctior an melior Dubites; F••m•• per omnem aetatem immaculata, into splendida & magnifica. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 olim per biennium, at 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: Nec conjugii spretor, nec caelibatui impar. Severu, ubi{que} castitatis exactor; Tam vultus, quam vitae majestate venerandus: Quod enim vultu promisit optimum, vita praest••t: Tacita Sermonum, urbana morum sanctitate Non jucundus minus, quam utilis. Supercilii non ficti, non clati, non efferi; Humillima granditate cuncta gerens. Credas nec conscio tantas cumulasse—dotes Naturam prodigam, benignam{que} gratiam: Adeo omne tulit punctum; id{que} levissima invidia. In Concionibus sacris frequens dominator: In disputationibus Scholasticis semper Triumphator; Barnabas idem & Boanerges: Tam pugno, quam palma nobilis: Suavi terrore, & venerando amore ubi{que} pollens, Beat a uberrimi ingenii facund••a, Honorum omnium votis et expectationi nunquam non satisfecit. Quadratus undi{que} Deo, Ecclesiae, sibi Constans: A mobili et rotunda aevi figura penitus abhorrens Scenter, s••pienter et semper bonus: Reformatae olim in Anglia Religionis, priscae Doctrinae, Liturgiae, Regiminis, Ecclesiae integrae, contra veteratores et Novatores omnes aequanimus, ac acerrimus vindex. Sero nimis (pro temporum morbis et remediis) Episcopali sublimitate meritissime auctum, Bellorum et Schismatum late stagrantiu•• incendia Optimum Antistitem, una eum Coepiscopis omnibus (viris ut plurimum in noxiis et eximiis) Tota Ecclesia, Rege, Repub.) mox deturbarunt; Deturbatum facultatibus pene omnibus Spoliarunt. Iactur••m ingenti ut decuit, animo tulit: de Sacrilegis non Spoliis Sollicitus, Queis non minus carere, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 recteuti didicerat. Tandem, ipsa obscuritate illustrior factus, Generosae Templariorum Societatis amore allectus, Concionatoris Honorarii munus ibidem suscepit; Nec diu (proh dolor) sustinuit. Quum enim Testamentum condiderat, Quale primaevi solebant Episcopi,
Gratiarum in Deum, Benignitatis in amicos, Charitatis in omnes copia refertum, Anno AEtatis Sexagesimo septimo, Iniqui, inquieti, ingrati seculi mores, Iamque merito recrudescentis belli minas Laetus fefellit: Et ad meliorem Dominum 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Christiana plenus, Optata 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 beatus Libens migravit, Decemb. 7. 1659. Haec vero ••enerandi Praesumlis ramenta aurea, Amplissimique viri parva compendia. L. M. C. I. G. S. T. D. Magnalia ejus, quae nec marmor breve, Nec Tabula prolixa, nec mens mortalis Capiet, Beatae Aeternitati Silentio consecran da—. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ite nunc 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 vestros recensere greges; (Multis Sectarum maculis variegata pecora) Si quos inter vestros Gigantum fraterculos (Vilis plebeculae vilia mancipia) Pares ••imelesve invenistis Heroas Primaevis nuperisque nostris Episcopis: Vsserium (volo) Mortonium, Potterum, Davenantium, Hallum, Prideauxium, Westfieldium, Winneffum, Brunricum, Alios, meliori seculo & Fato Dignos; Extra irae invidiaeque vestrae aleam nunc positos; Heu tandem pudibundi vobiscum recolite, Aurea quae in ferrum mutastis secula; quando Nec merita praemiis de erant, nec premiameritis: Quantum a bellis, a mendicitate, a miseriis, A Rixis, ab hodiernis vulgi ludibriis, Tranquilla & Beata ista distabant tempora; Quae, molles nimis, nec ferre, nec frui potuistis, Icti, afflicti, prostrati phryges tandem sapite; Deumque 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, non 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Authorem Moribus Catholicis & antiquis colite, Vt quantum a Papae tyrannide, & plebis 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 differat Primaeva & Paterna Episce•• ••arum Praelatura Sine fuco sciant, fruanturque posteri, BRUNRICI memores Praesusis Angelici.
Being not cast away, like the first 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a Vessel, hard∣ly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 if once negl••cted.
A•• if there were no Babes in the Church which could not dig••st meat nor pick bones.
Doctor Young his old fri••nd, Pr••••ching his Consecration Sermon on this Text, The waters 〈◊〉〈◊〉 risen, O Lord, the waters are risen; which inunde••ions of popular fury when Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge, he by his prudence set banks to a while; and by the pro••erity of his parts and 〈…〉〈…〉 ough.
Troubled with the Stone, Hyropick inclinations, and other di∣stempers inci∣dent to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bodies.