Memorials examples of memorable men, to awaken this age to greater care of good learning and true religion.

V. Dr JOSEPH HALL, Bishop of Norwich. (See Vol. 1.)

Out of his Life, written with his own hand.

D. Arthuro Charlett, Rect. de Colinb.

[ 1] I Was born July 1. 1574. at five of the Clock in the morning, in Bristow Park, within the Parish of Ashby de la Zouch, a Town in Leicestershire, of honest and well allow∣ed parentage. My Father, under Henry Earl of Huntington, Lord President of the North, had the government of that Market-town: my Mother Winifride, of the house of Bambridges, was a wo∣man of that rare sanctitie, that (were it not for my interest in nature) I durst say, that neither Mo∣nica

nor any other of those pious Matrons, anti∣ently famous for devotion, need to disdain her admittance to comparison. She was continually exercised with the affliction of a weak body, and oft a wounded spirit. What with the tryal of both these hands of God, so had she profited in the School of Christ, that it was hard for any friend to come from her discourse no whit holye••. How often have I blessed the memory of those divine passages of experimental Divinitie, which I have heard from her mouth! What day did she passe without a large task of private Devotion, &c. In short, her life and death were Saintlike.

2. My parents had from my Infancy devoted me to this Sacred Calling, whereto, by the blessing of God, I have seasonably attained: for this cause, I was trained up in the publick School of the place. After I had spent some years (not alto∣gether indiligently) under the ferule of such Masters as the place afforded, and had near at∣tained to some competent ripenesse for the Ʋni∣versitie, my School-master perswaded my Father that I might have my Education under an excel∣lent Divine, the Preacher of Leicester. About which time, my elder brother having some occasi∣ons to journy into Cambridge, was kindly enter∣tained there by Mr Nath: Gilby, Fellow of Ema∣nuel Coll: who, for that he was born in the same Town with me, and had conceived some good

opinion of my aptnesse to learning, enquired di∣ligently concerning me, and hearing of the diver∣sion of my Fathers purposes from the University, importunately dissuaded from that new course, professing to pity the losse of so good hopes. My Brother, partly moved with his words, and partly won by his own eyes, to a great love and reve∣rence of an Academical life, returning home, fell upon his knees to my Father, and after re∣port of Mr Gilbies words, and his own admira∣tion of the place, earnestly besought him that he would be pleased to alter that so prejudicial a re∣solution; that he would not suffer my hopes to be drowned in a shallo•• Country chanel, but that he would revive his first purposes for Cambridge; adding, in the zeal of his love, that if the charge∣ablenesse of that course were the hinderance, he did there humbly beseech him, rather to sell ••ome part of that land which himself should in ••ourse of nature inherit, then to abridge me of that happy means to perfect my Education.

3. And now I lived in the exspectation of Cambridge, whither ere long I happily came, under Mr Gilbies tuition, together with my worthy frind Mr Hugh Cholmly; who, as we had been partners of one Lesson from our cradles, so ••o were we now for many years partners of one bed. My two first years were necessarily chargea∣ble above the proportion of my Fathers power,

whose not very large Cistern was to feed many pipes besides mine; His wearinesse of expence was wrought upon by the counsel of some unwise friends, who perswaded him to fasten me upon that School as Master, whereof I was lately a Scho∣lar. Now ••as I fetcht home with an heavy heart, and no•• the second time had mine hopes been nipt in the blossom, had not God raised me up an unhoped Benefactor, Mr Edmund Sleigh of Darby (whose pious memorie I have cause ever to love and reverence) out of no other relation to me, save that he married▪ my Aunt, pitying my too apparent dejectednesse. He voluntarily urged and solicited my Father for my return to the University, and offered freely to contribute the one half of my maintenance there, till I should attain to the degree of Master of Arts: which he no lesse lovingly perform'd▪ The Con∣dition was gladly accepted▪ thither was I sent back with joy enough▪ and ere long chosen Scho∣lar of that strict and well ordered Colledge.

4. By that time I had spent six years there, now the third year of my Batchelorship should at once make an end of my maintenance, and in respect of standing give me a capacity of farther preferment in that house, were it not that my Country excluded me: for our Statute allowed but one of a shire to be Fellow there, and my Tu∣tor being of the same To••n with me, must there∣fore

necessarily hold me out. But the Earl of Huntingdon calling off my Tutor from his Fel∣lowship, then was I with a cheerful unanimity chosen into that Societie: which if it had any equals, I dare say had none beyond it, for good order, studious carriage; strict government, au∣stere prety; in which I spent six or seven years more with such contentment, as the rest of my life hath in vain striven to yeild. Now was I called to publick Disputations often, with no ill successe; for neither durst I appear in any of these exercises of Scholarship, till I had from my knees lookt up to Heaven for a blessing, and re∣newed my actual dependance upon that Divine hand. In this while, two years together, was I chosen to the Rhetorick Lecture in the publick School; where I was encouraged with a sufficient frequence of auditors; but finding that well ap∣plauded work somewhat out of my way, not without a secret blame of my self for so much excursion, I fairly gave up that task in the midst of those poor acclamations to a worthy successor, and betook my self to those serious studies, which might fit me for that High Calling whereunto I was destined. Wherein, after I had bestowed my self for a time, I took the boldnesse to enter into Sacred Orders; the honour whereof having once attained, I was no niggard of that Talent which my God had entrusted to me, preaching often as

occasion was offered, both in Country villages abroad, and at home in the most awful auditory of the Universitie.

5. And now I did but wait where and how it would please my God to imploy me. There was at that ••ime a most famous School erected at Tiverton in Devon, and endowed with a very large pension, whose goodly fabrick was answera∣ble to the reported maintenance. To the govern∣ment of this School was I commended by the Master of our House Dr. Ch••dert••n, when being in London I received a Letter from the Lady Drury of Suffolk, tendring the Rectory of her Halsted then newly void, and very earnestly de∣siring me to accept of it Sir, (quoth •• to the Doctor) me thinks God pulls me by the steeve; and tells me it is his will I should rather go to the East than to the West. Nay (answered he) I should ra∣ther think that God would have you go West∣ward, for that one I hath contrived your engage∣ment before the tender of this Letter, which therefore coming too late may receive a fair and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 answer. To this I besought him to pardon my dissent, adding, That I well knew that Divi∣nitie was the end whereto 〈◊〉〈◊〉 destin'd by my Pa∣rents; which I had so constantly proposed to my self, that I never meant other but to passe through this western School to it: but I saw that God, who found me ready to go the farther way about, now

called me the nearest and directest way to that sacred end. The good man could no further oppose, but only pleaded the distast which would hereupon be justly taken by the Lord Chief Justice Popham (upon whom the care of the School was princi∣pally cast by the Founder Mr Blundel) whom I undertook fully to satisfie: which I did with no great difficulty, commending to his Lordship in my room, my old friend and Chamber-fellow, Mr Cholmly, who finding an answerable accep∣tance disposed himself to the place. So as we two, who came to the University, must now leave it, at once.

6. Having then fixed my foot in Halsted, I found there a dangerous opposite to the successe of my Ministerie, a witty and bold Atheist, one Mr Lilly; who, by reason of his travels and abi∣litie of discourse and behaviour, had so deeply insinuated himself into my Patron, Sr Robert 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that there was small hopes, during his entirenesse, for me to work any good upon that Noble Patron of mine: who, by the suggestion of this wicked detractor, was set off from me before he knew me. Hereupon, I confesse, find∣ing the obduratenesse and hopelesse condition of that man, I bent my prayers against him beseech∣ing God dayly, that he would be pleased to re∣••ove, by some means or other, that apparent hindrance of my faithful labours: who gave me

an answer accordingly: For this malicious man going hastily to London, to exasperate my Patron against me, was then and there swept away by the Pestilence, and never returned to do any further mischief. Now the coast was clear before me, and I gained every day of the good opinion and favourable respects of that Honourable Gentle∣man, and my worthy neighbours.

7. Being now therefore setled in that sweet and civil Country of Suffolk, near St Edmunds-Bury, my first work was to build up my house, which was extremely ruinous; which done, the uncouth solitarinesse of my life, and the extreme incommodity of that single house-keeping; drew my thoughts after two years to condiscend to the necessity of a married estate, which God no lesse strangely provided for me. For, walking from the Church on Monday in the Whitson week, with a grave and reverend Minister, Mr Grandidg, I saw a comely and modest Gentlewoman standing at the door of that house, where we were invi∣ted to a wedding-dinner, and enquiring of that worthy friend whether he knew her; Yes, quoth he, I know her well, and have be spoken her for your wife. When I farther demanded an account of that Answer, he told me, she was daughter of a Gentleman whom he much respected, Mr George Winniff of Bretenham; that out of an opinion had of the fitnesse of that Match for me; he had al∣ready

treated with her Father about it, whom he found very apt to entertain it, advising me not to neglect the opper unitie: and not concealing the just praises of modesty, piety, good disposition and other virtues that were lodged in that seemly presence, I listned to the motion as sent from God, and at last upon due prosecution happily pre∣vailed, enjoying the comfortable Society of that meet Help for the space of forty nine years.

8. I had not passed two years in this estate, when my noble Friend, Sr Edmund Bacon, with whom I had much entirenesse, came to me, and earnestly sollicited me for my company in a Jorny by him projected to the Spa in Ardenna, laying before me the safety, the easinesse, the pleasure and the benefit of that small extravagance, if oppertunity were taken of that time, when the Earl of Hartford passed in Embassie to the Arch-Duke. I soon yeelded, as for the reasons by him urged, so especially for the great desire I had to inform my self ocularly of the state and practice of the Ramish Church; the knowledge whereof might be of no small use to me in my holy stati∣on. Having therefore taken careful order for the supply of my Charge, with the assent and good allowance of my nearest Friends, I entred into this secret voyage, &c. Returning through Brus∣sels, we came down to Antwerp, the Paragon of Cities: where my curiositie to see a solemn Pro∣cession

on S. John Baptist's day, might have drawn me into danger (through my willing unre∣verence) had not the hulk of a tall Brabanter, be∣hind whom I stood in the corner of the street, shaded me from notice.

9. After some year and half, it pleased God inexpectedly to contrive the change of my stati∣on. My means were but short at Halsted; yet such, as I oft professed, if my then Patron would have added but one ten pounds by year (which I held to be the value of my detained due) I should never have removed. One morning as I lay in my bed, a strong motion was suddenly glanced into my thoughts of going to London. In Drurie lane I was found by a friend in whom I had formerly no great interest, one Mr Gurrey, Tutor to the Earl of Essex; he told me how well my Medi∣tations were accepted at the Prince's Court; and earnestly advised me to step over to Richmond, and preach to his Highnesse. I strongly pleaded my indisposition of body, and my impreparation for any such work, together with my bashful fears, and utter unfitnesse for such a presence; my aversenesse doubled his importunity: in fine, he left me not till he had my engagement to preach the Sonday following at Richmond: he made way for me to that awful Pulpit, and encouraged me by the favour of his Noble Lord, the Earl of Essex. I preacht through the favour of my God:

That Sermon was not so well given as taken: in∣somuch as that sweet Prince signified his desire to hear me again the Tuesday following, which done, that labour gave more contentment than the former; so as that gracious Prince, both gave me his hand, and commanded me to his service.

10. My Patron seeing me (upon my return to London) lookt after by some great Persons, began to wish me at home, and told me, That some or other would be snatching me up, I answered, That it was in his power to prevent, would he be pleased to make my maintenance, but so competent as in right it should be, I should never stir from him. In••••ead of condescending, it pleased him to fall into an expostulation of the rate of competences, affirming the variablenesse thereof, according to our own estimation, and our either raising or moderating the causes of our expenses; I shew'd him the insufficiency of means, that I was forced to write books to buy books. Shortly, some harsh and un∣pleasing answer, so disheartned me that I resolved to embrace the first opportunity of remove. Now whiles I was taken up with these anxious thoughts, a messenger (it was Sir Robert Wingfield of North∣ampton's Son) came to me from the Lord Denny, no•• Earl of Norwich, my after-most Honourable Patron, entreating me from his Lordship to speak with him. No sooner came I thither, then

after a glad, and Noble welcom, I was entertain∣ed with the Noble earnest offer of Waltham. The conditions were like the mover, free and boun∣tiful: I received them as from the munificent hands of my God, and returned full of the cheer∣ful acknowledgments of a gratious Providence over me. Too late now did my former Noble Patron relent, and offer me those terms which had before fastned me for ever. I returned home happy in a new master, and in a new Patron; betwixt whom I divided my self and my labours, with much comfort and no lesse acceptation.

11. In this while, my worthy Kinsman, Mr Samuel Burton, Arch-Deacon of Gloc. knowing in how good terms I stood at Court, and pitying the miserable condition of his native Church of Wolverhampton, was very desirous to engage me in so difficult and noble Service, as the Redemp∣tion of that captivated Church. Which work ha∣ving once firmly settled, in a just pity of the mean provision, if not the destitution of so many thousand souls, and a desire and care to have them comfortably provided for in the future, I resigned up my Prebend there to a worthy preacher, Mr Lee, who should constantly reside, and painfully instruct that great and long neglected people: which he hath performed with great mutual con∣tentment and happy successe.

12. Now during the 22 years which I spent at

Waltham, thrice was I commanded and employed abroad by his Majestie in publick service. First in the attendance of the Lord Vicount Doncaster, who was sent upon a Noble Embassie, with a gal∣lant retinue into France. In this my absence it pleased his Majestie gratiously to confer upon me the Deanrie of Worcester, which being promised me before my departure, was deeply hazarded whiles I was out of sight, by the importunity of some great ones. Dr Field▪ the learned and worthy Doan of Glocester, was, by his potent Friends, put into such assurances of it, that I heard where he took care for the furnishing that ample house: But, God fetcht it about for me, in that absence and nescience of mine, and that reverend and better deserving Divine was well satisfied with greater hopes, and soon▪ after ex∣changing this mortal estate for an immortal and glorious.

13. Before I could go down, through my con∣tinual weaknesse, to take possession of that Dig∣nitie, his Majesty pleased to design me to his at∣tendance into Scotland; where the great love and respect that I found, both from the Ministers and people, wrought me no small envy from some of our own. Suggestions were made to his Maje∣sty of my plausible demeanour and doctrine to that already prejudicate people: for which his Majesty, after a gracions acknowledgment of my

good service there done, called me upon his re∣turn to a favorable and mild account▪ not more freely professing what informations had been given against me, then his own full satisfaction with my sincere and just answer▪ as whose excel∣lent wisdom well saw, that such winning carriage of mine could be no hinderance to his great de∣signs. At the same time his Majesty having secret notice, that a Letter was coming to me from Mr W. Struther, a Reverend and Learned Divine of Edenborough concerning the five points then pro∣posed and urged to the Church of Scotland, was pleased to impose upon me an earnest charge to give him a full Answer to those modest Doubts, and at large to declare my judgment concerning those required▪ Observations. Which I spedily performed with so great approbation of his Ma∣jestie, that it pleased him to command a transcript thereof, as I was informed, publickly read in their most famous University. The effect where∣of, his Majestie vouchsafed to signifie afterwards unto some of my best friends, with allowance beyond my hopes.

14. It was not long after, that his Majestie finding the exigence of the Netherlandish Churches to require it, both advised them to a Synodical Decision, and by his incomparable wis∣dom promoted the work. My unworthinesse was named for one of the Assistants of that Honora∣ble,

Grave and Reverent Meeting; where I fail∣ed not of my best service of that woful distracted Church. By that time I had staid two months there, the unquietnesse of the nights, in those Garrison Towns, working upon the tender dispo∣sition of my body, brought me to such weakness, through want of rest, that it began to disable me from attending the Synod. Yet it pleased God, the very night before I was to preach the Latin Sermon to the Synod, to bestow upon me such a comfortable refreshing of sufficient sleep, as whereby my spirits were revived, and I was enabled with much vivacity to perform that Ser∣vice. But when, notwithstanding all means, my weaknesse encreased, it pleased his gracious Ma∣jestie to call me off, &c.

15. After not many years settling at home, it grieved my Soul, to see our own Church sicken of the same disease, which we had endeavoured to cure in our Neighbours. Sides were taken, and Pulpits every where rang of these opinions. Now, as one that desired to do all good offices to our dear and common Mother, I set my thoughts on work, how so dangerous a quarrel might be hap∣pily composed, and wrote a little projest of Paci∣fication, gathering out of Bishop Overal on the one side, and out of our English Divines at Dort on the other, such common propositions concern∣ing these five busie Articles, as wherein both of

them are fully agreed. These reconciliatory papers were presented to his Majestie, together with an humble motion of a peacesible silence to be enjoin¦ed to both parts, in those other collateral & need∣lesse Disputations. These fell under the eyes of some grave Divines of both parts, who proferd their hands to a ready subscription: so as much peace promised to result out of that weak and poor enterprize, had not the confused noise of the misconstructions of those, who never saw the work (crying it down for the very name sake) meeting with the royal edict of a general Inhiti∣on, buried it in a secure silence. I was scorched a little with this flame, which I desired to quench; yet this could not stay my hand from thrusting it self into a hotter fire.

16. Some insolent Romanists pressed nothing so much, as a Catalogue of the professions of our Religion, to be deduced from the Primitive times, and with the peremtory challenge of the impossibility of this pedigree dazled the eyes of the simple. Whiles some of our learned men, undertaking to satisfie so needlesse and unjust a demand, gave, as I conceive, great advantage to the Adversary; in a just indignation, to see us thus wrongd by mistateing the Question betwixt us, as if we, yeelding our selves of another Church, originally and fundamentally different, should make good our own Erection upon the

Ruines, yea and Nullity of others; and well con∣sidering the infinite and great inconveniences, that must needs follow upon this defence; I adventured to set my pen on work, (desiring to rectifie the opinions of those men, whom an igno∣rant zeal had transported, to the prejudice of our holy cause,) laying forth the damnable corruptions of the Roman Church, yet making our Game at the outward visibilitie thereof, and by this means putting them to the probation of those newly obtruded corruptions, which are truly guilty of the breach betwixt us. The drift whereof being not well conceived by some spirits, that were not so wise as fervent, I was suddenly exposed to the rash censures of many well affected and zealous Protestants; as if a Remission to my wonted zeal to the truth, attributed too much to the Ro∣man Church, and strengthned the Adversaries hands, and weakned our own. This envy I was fain to take off by my speedy Apologetical Adver∣tisement, and after that by my Reconcilor, se∣conded with the unanimous Letters of such Reverend, Learned, sound Divines, both Bi∣shops and Doctors, as whose undoubtable Autho∣rity was able to bear down calumny it self. Which done I did, by a seasonable Moderation, provide for the peace of the Church, in silencing both my Defendants and Challengers, in this unkind and ill-raised quarrel.

17. Immediatly before the publishing of this Tractate (which did not a little aggravate the en∣vy and suspicion) I was by his Majesty raised to be Bishop of Exeter, having formerly, with humble deprecation, refused the See of Glocester ear∣nestly proferd to me. I entred upon that place, not without much prejudice and suspicion on some hands. For some, that sate at the Stern of the Church, had me in great jealousie for too much favour of Puritanism. I soon had intelli∣gence, who were set over me for Espials: my waies were curiously observed and scanned. However I took the resolution to follow those courses, which might most conduce to the peace and happinesse of my new and weighty charge. Finding therefore some factious spirits very busie in that Diocesse, I used all fair and gentle means to win them to good order; and therein so hap∣pily prevailed, that (saving two of that numerous Clergy, who continuing in their refractorinesse fled away from censure) they were all perfectly reclaimed: so as I had not one Minister profes∣sedly opposite to the antiently received Orders (for I was never guilty of urging any new impo∣sitions of the Church in that large Diocess.

18. In the last year of presiding there, after the Synodical Oath was set on foot (which yet I did never tender to any one Minister of my Diocess) by the incitation of some busie

interlopers of the neighbour County, some of them began to enter into an unkind contestation with me, about the election of Clerks for the Con∣vocation; whom they secretly, without ever acquainting me with their desire or purpose (as driving to that end which we see now accompli∣shed) would needs nominate and set up in com∣petition to those, whom I had (after the usual form) recommended to them. That they had a right to free voices in that choice, I deny not: only I had reason to take it unkindly, that they would work underhand without me and against me. It came to the poll: those of my nomina∣tion carried it: the Parliament begun: after some hard tugging there, returning home upon a recesse, I was met by the way and chearfully welcomed by some hundreds.

19. In no worse terms, I left that my once dear Diocese: when returning to Westminster, I was soon called by his Majestie (who was then in the North) to a remove to Norwich. But how I took the Tower in my way, and how I have been dealt with since my repair hither, I could be lavish in the sad report, ever de∣siring my good God to enlarge my heart in thankfulnesse to him, for the sensible expe∣rience I have had of his Fatherly Hand over me, in the deepest of all my Afflctions, and to strengthen me, for whatsoever other tryals

he shall be pleased to call me unto: That being found faithful unto the death, I may obtain that Crown of life, which he hath ordained for all those that overcome.

See Bishop Hall's Hard Measure.