Apanthismata. memorials of worthy persons lights and ornaments of the Church of England, two new decads.

IX. Dr. H. HAMMOND.

Out of his life written by Dr. John Fell, Dean of Ch. Ch.

HE was born in Surrey, 18. Aug. 1605. the youngest son of Doctor John Ham∣mond, Physician to Prince Henry, and from him had the honour at the font to receive his Christian name. Being yet in his long coats, he was sent to Eton School; and at thirteen years old, to Magd. Coll. in Oxford. Being to proceed Master of Arts, he was made Reader of the natu∣ral Philosophy Lecture there. An. 1629, ••eing twenty four years of age, he entred into holy or∣ders. An. 1633, having preached at Court for Dr. Frewen, he was preferred by the Earl of Leicester to the Rectory of Pensehurst.*

1. In the discharge of his Ministerial function (at Pensehurst) he satisfyed not himself in dili∣gent and constant preaching only (a performance

wherein some of late have phansied all Religion to consist) but much more conceived himself ob∣liged to the offering up the solemn dayly Sacri∣fice of Prayer for his people, administring the Sacraments, relieving the poor, keeping Hospita∣lity, reconciling of Differences amongst Neigh∣bours, visiting the sick, catechising of the Youth.

2. As to the first of these, his Preaching, 'twas not at the rate of the Times, an unpremeditated, undigested effusion of shallow and crude conce∣ptions; but a rational and just discourse, that was to teach the Priest as well as the Lay-hearer. His Method was (which likewise he recommen∣ded to his Friends) after every Sermon to resolve upon the ensuing Subject; that being done, to pursue the course of study which he was then in hand with, reserving the close of the week for the provision for the next Lords-day. Whereby not only a constant progresse was made in Science, but materials unawares were gaind unto the immedi∣ate future work: for, he said, be the Subject treat∣ed of never so distant, somewhat will infallibly fall in conducible unto the present purpose.

3. The offices of Prayer he had in his Church, not only upon the Sundays or Festivals and their Eves, as also Wednesdayes and Fridayes, according to the appointment of the Rubrick (which strict duty and ministration, when 'tis examined to the bottome, will prove the greatest objection against

the Liturgy) but every day in the week, and twice on Saturdays and Holy-day Eves: For his assi∣stance wherein he kept a Curate, and allow'd him a comfortable Salary. And at those Devotions he took order that his Family should give diligent and exemplary attendance: which was the easilier perform'd, it being guided by his Mother, a wo∣man of antient virtue, and one to whom he paid a more then filial obedience.

4. As to the Administration of the Sacrament, he reduced it to an Imitation, though a distant one, of Primitive frequency, to once a month, and therewith its anciently inseparable Appendant, the Offertory: wherein his Instruction and happily insinuating Example so far prevail'd that there was thenceforth little need of ever making any taxe for the poor. Nay (if the report of a sober person born and bred up in that Parish be to be believ'd) in short time a stock was rais'd to be alwayes rea∣dy for the apprentising of young Children, whose Parents condition made the provision for them an equal Charity to both the Child and Parent. And after this there yet remain'd a superplusage for the assistance of the neighbour Parishes.

5. For the Relief of the poor, besides the fore∣mention'd expedient (wherein others were sha∣rers with him) unto his private Charity, the de∣dicating the Tenth of all Receits, and the daily Almes given at the door, he constantly set apart

over and above, every week, a certain rate in mo∣ny. Yet farther, an other Art of Charity he had, the selling Corn to his poor Neighbours at a rate below the Market-price: which, (though, as he said, he had reason to do, gaining thereby the charge of portage) was a great benefit to them, who, besides the abatement of price and (possi∣bly) forbearance, saved thereby a days work.

6. He that was thus liberal to the necessitous poor, was no lesse hospitable to those of better quality: and as at other times he frequently in∣vited his Neighbours to his Table, so more espe∣cially on Sundayes, which seldome past at any time without bringing some of them his guests: but here beyond the weekly treatments, the Chri∣stmas Festival had a peculiar allowance to support it. He knew well how much the Application at the Table inforc'd the Doctrines of the Pulpit, and how subservient the endearing of his Person was to the recommending his instructions, how far upon these motives our Saviour thought fit to eat with Publicans and Sinners, and how effectual the loaves were to the procuring of Disciples.

7. As by publick admonition he most diligent∣ly instill'd that great fundamental doctrin of Peace and Love, so did he likewise in his private addresse and conversation, being never at peace in himself till he had procur'd it among his Neigh∣bours; wherein God so blest him, that he not

only attain'd his purpose of uniting distant parties unto each other, but, contrary to the usual fate of reconcilers, gain'd them to himself: there having been no person of his function any where better beloved then he when present, or lamented more when absent, by his flock. Of which tender and very filial Affection, in stead of more, we may take two instances: the one, that he being driven away, and his books plunder'd, one of his Neigh∣bours bought them in his behalf, and preserved them till the end of the War: the other, that during his abode at Pensehurst he never had any vexatious Law-dispute about his dues, but had his Tithes fully paid, and not of the most refuse parts, but generally the very best.

8. Though he judged the time of sicknesse an improper season for the great work of Repen∣tance, yet he esteemed it a most usefull Prepara∣tive, the voice of God himself exhorting to it: and therefore not only when desir'd made his Vi∣sits to all such as stood in need of those his chari∣ties, but prevented their requests by early and frequent coming to them. And this he was so carefull of▪ that after his remove from Pensehurst, being at Oxford, and hearing of the Sicknesse of one of his Parishioners, he from thence sent to him those Instructions which he judged usefull in that Exigent, and which he could not give at nearer distance.

9. For the Institution of Youth in the Rudi∣ments of piety, his Custome was, during the war∣mer season of the year, to spend an hour before Evening prayer in Catechising, whereat the Pa∣rents and older sort were wont to be present, and from whence (as he with comfort was used to say) they reaped more benefit then from his S••r∣mons. Where it may not be superfluous to ob∣serve that he introduced no new form of Cate∣chism, but adher▪d to that of the Church, rendring it fully intelligible to the meanest capacities by his Explanations. (It may be usefull withall to ad∣vert, that if in those times Catechetical Institution were very seasonable, 'twill now be much more; when Principles have been exchang'd for dreams of words and notions.) Besides all this, that there might be no imaginable assistance wanting, he took care for the providing an able School-master in the Parish, which he continued during the whole time of his abode.

10. And as he thus laboured in the spiritual building up of Souls, he was not negligent of the material Fabrick committed to his trust: but re∣pair'd with a very great expence (the annual charge of 100 l.) his Parsonage house; til from an incommodious ruin he had renderd it a fair and pleasant dwelling, with the adherent conveni∣ences of Gardens and Orchards.

11. While he was thus busie on his Charge,

&c. But I earnestly desire the Reader to peruse the whole story of this excellent Divine excellently writ∣ten by the Venerable Dean. Only, I will take leave to adde here some of his Rules and Sayings.

12. He scarcely recommended any thing in his advices with that concern and vigor, as, To be fur∣nished alwaies with somewhat to do. This he pro∣pos'd as the best expedient both for innocence and pleasure, assuring, That no burthen is more heavy, or temptation more dangerous, then to have Time ly on ones hand: adding, The idle mans brain is the Divels shop.

13. He profest, He had no such way of enjoying any thing, as by reflection from the person whom he loved: so that his friends being happy was the readi∣est way to make him so.

14. The principal thing he contracted for in Friendship was a free use of mutual Admonition: which he extended even to undecencies, saying, It was a poor design of Friendship to keep the Person he admitted to his breast only from being scandalous; as if the Physician should endeavour only to secure his patient from the plague. And this he gave as a general rule, and enforc'd by his Example, Never to reprove in Anger, or the least appearance of it.

15. He would say, He delighted to be loved, not reverenced; thinking that where there was much of the later, there could not be enough of the

former; somewhat of restraint and distance at∣tending on the one, which was not well consistent with the perfect freedom requisite to the other.

16. To the performances of friendship he ha••ed all mercenary returns, whereof he was so jealous, as hardly to leave place for gratitude, Love, he said, was built upon the union and similitude of minds, and not the bribery of gifts and benefits. So generous was he herein, that he has oft profest, He admit∣ted retributions of good turns, yet not so much on any score, as that his friend might have the pleasure of being kind.

17. When any one had sent him a slight pre∣sent of Apples or the like, his Reward would usu∣ally much exceed the value; and he would be so well pleas'd to have such an occasion of giving to a servant, saying, Alas, poor Soul, I warrant he is glad of this little matter, that this seem'd a part of the senders courtesy.

18. He was us'd to say, That 'twas a most un∣reasonable and unchristian thing to despise any one for his poverty. And, That 'twas one of the greatest sensualities in the world, to Give: Upon which consideration he often took occasion to magnify the exceeding Indulgence of God, that had annext future rewards to that which was so amply its own Recompence.

19. He gave this for a Rule to those of his friends that were of estate and quality, To treat

their poor Neighbours with such a chearfulnesse, that they may be glad to have met with them.

20. To shew how high a value he put on the Souls of men, he often broke out into words of this effect, which had with them still in the deli∣very an extraordinary vehemence, O what a glo∣rious thing, how rich a prize for the expence of a mans whole life were it, to be the instrument of re∣scuing any one Soul!

20. His Motto of instruction to young persons was, Principiis obsta, and, Hoc age; to withstand the overtures of ill, and be intent and serious in good: to which he joyn'd a third advice, To be furnisht with a Friend.

21. For serenity and calm of Mind, he layd this Rule before him, which prov'd of great use, Never to trouble himself with the foresight of future events, being resolv'd of our Saviours Maxime, Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof.

21. If he saw any perplext about the manage of their difficult affairs, he was wont to ask them, When they would begin to trust God, or permit him to govern the World. And to himself and friends he was wont solemnly to give this mandate, Quod sis esse velis, nihilque malis; in his English, to ra∣ther nothing: Not only to be content or acquiesce▪ but be resolv'd the present estate to be the very best that could be wisht or phansied.

22. He lookt upon the Kings return with pity

and compassion, as bringing him to that uneasy, if not insuperable Task of ruling and reforming a li∣centious people. It will be a blessing to his people, but unto him can not be so, but only on this score, by having opportunities through glorious self-denyals to do good.

23. When the Change approached, discoursing of occurrents, he broke forth into these words, I must confesse, I never saw that time in all my life, wherein I could so cheerfully say my Nunc dimittis, as now. Indeed I do dread prosperity, I do really dread it. For the little good I am now able to do, I can do it with deliberation and advice: but if it please God I should live and be call'd to any higher office in the Church, I must then do many things in a hurry, and shall not have time to consult with others, and I sufficiently apprehend the danger of relying on my own judgment.

24. In his last sicknesse he comforted his sad friends, saying, He should leave them in God's hands, who could supply abundantly all the assi∣stance they could either expect or desire from him; and who would so provide, that they should not find his removal any losse.

25. When in his sharp agonies his friends be∣took themselves to their extemporary ejaculati∣ons, he compos'd those irregularities by say∣ing, Let us call on God in the Voice of his Church.

26. At the Communion, hearing those words of the Apostle, Jesus Christ came into the World to save sinners, he pathetically rejoyn'd, Of whom I am chief.

23. To the good Lady of the house, who asked him, what he would chiefly commend to her, he briefly answer'd, Ʋniform Obedience.

28. A few minutes before his death, he breath∣ed out those words which best became his Chri∣stian life, Lord make hast.

Ob. Apr. 25. 1660.