m m ii^-i C'A - /,' .r 1 p y^ \jt- THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA "1 If IN MEMORY OF CAROLINE GUSHING DUNIWAY '9i i v' I " — — — J THE LIFE OF THE RENOWNED DOCTOR PRESTON, WRIT BY HIS PDPIL, MASTER THOMAS BALL, D.D. MINISTER OF NORTHAMPTON, 5n the fear 162S. ^ NOW FIRST PUBLISHED AND Edited by E. W. HARCOURT, Esq., M.P. OF NUNEHAM PARK, OXOX. Iparhcr and Co. OXFORD, AND 6 SOUTHAMPTON-STREET, STRAND, LONDON. 1885. ^u^/Ci^^^y Introduction. N the year 1847, when Samuel Wilberforce, then Bishop of Oxford, was visiting at Nuneham, his attention was called to a manuscript written by the celebrated John Evelyn of Wotton, being a memoir of Mar- garet Godolphln. My grandfather, who was great- great-grandson of John Evelyn, en- trusted the manuscript to Bishop Wilberforce for publication ; and, accordingly, " The Life of Mrs. " Godolphln, by John Evelyn of " Wootton, 098 iv Introduction. " Wootton, Esq*"., now first pub- "Hshed and edited by Samuel, " Lord Bishop of Oxford, Chan- " cellor of the most noble order of " the Garter," was given to the pub- lic, through the agency of Messrs. Pickering. The book was received with much favour by the public, and went through several editions. The only matter of regret was that the manuscript was never restored to the Nuneham library. There is yet another manuscript at Nuneham, which appears to me worthy of notice ; namely, " The " Life of the Renowned D^ Preston, " Master of Emanuel College in '* the University of Cambridge, " writ by the Reverend Thomas '* Ball, Minister of Northampton." Bishop Introduction. Bishop Wilberforce, in his intro- duction to the " Life of W\ Godol- phin," says, that " her lot was cast "in the darkest age of England's " morals ; she lived in a court " where flourished in their rankest " luxuriance all the vice and little- " ness which the envy of de- " tractors without has ever loved "to impute — and at times, thank " God, with such utter falsehood — " to courts in o-eneral. In the reisfn " of Charles the Second that revul- " sion of feeling which affects na- "tionsjust as it does individuals " had plunged into dissipation all " ranks, on their escape from the "narrow austerities and gloomy " sourness of Puritanism." The " Renowned " Dr. Preston lived vi Iiityodiiction. lived one hundred years before Mrs. Godolphin, in times which gave birth to that Puritanism to which Bishop Wilberforce refers. The death of the Scottish Queen and the saiHng of the Spanish Ar- mada were the stirring events which occupied the thoughts of English- men at the period of Preston's birth. At the time of Elizabeth's acces- sion to the throne, Rome claimed the allegiance of three-fourths of her subjects ; but, in the few years that followed, England became firmly Protestant. Under Henry the Eighth the Romish priests were sensual and ignorant ; the Protestant clergy appointed in the reign of Edward the Sixth were almost Introduction. Vll almost worse ; the days of Hooker and Herbert, however, marked a disappearance of the grosser scan- dals amongst ministers of religion. Elizabeth's early policy was to leave matters alone, and to trust to time to work out the ecclesiastical re- forms which she favoured ; but the persecuting energy that was de- veloped towards the end of her reign effectually alienated that Ro- mish remnant, which at one time appeared to be becoming reconciled to the national Church. The accession of James the First raised the hopes of the Roman party, and apparently with good foundation, for at the commence- ment of his reign the persecutions were relaxed; the truce, however, was VI 11 Intro duct ion. was of short duration. The kinof himself was too narrow-minded to take a statesman-Hke view of either civil or religious affairs, and his natural abilities, which were great, were cramped in their nature. His conceits and humours had, at times, a certain pleasant savour about them, as is somewhat illustrated in the following pages ; but he was entirely wanting in that strength of character which, emboldened by its own conscious rectitude and by a charitable respect for a like recti- tude in others, could alone have given him any hold on the affec- tions of the people over whom he was called upon to reign. A new conception of social equa- lity (a matter of religion amongst the Introduction. ix the Puritans) was gradually dis- placing the over-weening sense of social distinction which had charac- terized former history. The jea- lousy with which any indication of this new temper was met by those in authority, and the unwise means taken to repress it, were amongst the chief causes of the troubles that followed. Into a consideration of those troubles it is needless now to enter ; suffice it to say that the excesses to which they led on the one side were followed by a natural rebound on the other. In such trying times were Doctor Preston's lines cast. Of such times our memoir is highly illustrative. Fortunate is it for us that we are able to look upon the scenes here X lutrodiiction. here depicted merely as matters of curiosity and wonder. I have followed the example of the Bishop of Oxford in leaving both the orthography and the phraseology of the manuscript in their original state, wherever they were not unintelligible. Indeed, the quaint, crisp phrases which pre- vail would have lost their charm if any attempt had been made to translate them. In "The History of the Wor- " thies of England, endeavoured "by Thomas Fuller, D.D., 1662," we find the following notice of John Preston : — " Before he commenced Master "of Introduction. "of Arts he was so far from emi- " nency as but a little above con- " tempt ; thus the most gracious " wines are the most muddy before " they are fine. Soon after, his " skill in philosophy rendered him " to the general respect of the Uni- " versity. " He was the greatest pupll- ' monger in Enofland in man's me- ' mory, having sixteen fellow-com- ' moners (most heirs to fair estates), ' admitted in one year in Queen's ' Colledge, and provided convenient ' accommodations for them. As ' William, the popular Earl of Nas- ' sau, was said to have won a sub- 'ject from the King of Spain to his ' own party every time he put off his ' hat, so was it commonly said in "the Xll Introditctioii. ' the Colledge that every time when ' Master Preston pkicked off his ' hat to D^ Davenant, the Colledge ■ Master, he gained a chamber 'or study for one of his pupils. Amongst whom, one Chambers, 'a Londoner (who dyed very ' young), was very eminent for his learning. " Being chosen Master of Ema- " nuel Colledge he removed thither "with most of his pupills, and I " remember, when it was much ad- " mired where all these should find "lodgings in that Colledge, which "was so full already. Oh! said "one, Master Preston will carry " Chambers along with him. " The party called Puritan being " then Introduction. 'then most active in Parliament, ' and D^ Preston most powerful ' with them, the Duke * rather used ' then loved him to work that party ' to his complyance. Some thought ' the Doctor was unwillinof to do ' it, others thought he was unable, ' that party being so diffusive, and ' then in their designs (as since ' in their practises) divided. How- ' ever, whilst any hope, none but ' D'. Preston with the Duke, set ' by and extolled ; and, afterwards, ' set by and neglected, when found ' useless to the intended purpose. ' In a word, my worthy friend fitly ' calls him the Court Comet, blaz- ' ing for a time and faiding soon ' afterwards. The Duke of Buckingham. o' Xlll He 1 Introduction. "He was a perfect politician, and used (lapwing like) to flutter most on that place which was furthest from his eggs ; exact at that concealing of his intentions, with that simulation which some make to lye in the marches of things lawfull and unlawfull. He had perfect command of his pas- sion, with the Caspian Sea never ebbing nor flowing ; and would not alter his compos'd pase for all the whipping which satyrical wits bestowed upon him. He never had wife or cure of souls; and, leaving a plentifull, yet no envidious estate, died Anno Do- mini, 1628, July 20." For a couple of centuries the manuscript lives of Mrs. Godolphin and Introduction. xv and of the " Renowned D^ Pres- ton," had lain side by side amongst the Nuneham Papers. Widely different indeed was the stern Puritan from the delicate Saint, but there are good lessons to be learnt from the lives of each ; and I take it that this one lesson alone would suffice to warrant the printing of the manuscripts, namely, that, whether in the rougher roads of a professional career, or in the softer paths of a courtly and do- mestic life, it is very possible to keep " unspotted from the world." E. W. W. The Life of Doct^ Preston who dyed Anno Christi. 1628. OHN PRESTON, the son of Thomas & Alice Preston, was borne at Heyford, in North- amptonshire ; a towne divided by a httle river into y° Upper and Lower Hey- fords, and is in the Maps oft writ in y^ plural number. It is a Rectory, and hath a faire church in the Lower Hey- ford, but yet stands in divers parrishes. That farme where M'. Thomas Pres- ton lived is in Bugbrooke parrish, where they B The Life of they buried & baptized. Heere was John the son of Thomas Preston bap- tized Octob 27^^ 1587. Yet was de- scended from that family of the Prestons that lived at Preston in Lancashire, from whence his great grand-father removed, upon occasion of a fatall quarrel w^^ one M''. Bradshaw a neighbour - gentleman, whom in his owne defence he slew, & satisfied the law, & was acquitted for it ; but not the kindred of the person killed, who wayted an opptunity of revenge, as the manner of those Northern Coun- tryes then was. It fell out not long after, that M''. Bradshaw's next brother meets M''. Preston neare the place where he had slayne his brother, & told him that he should doe as much for him, or he would revenge his blood ; M"". Preston told him that he had slaine his brother in his owne defence, & against his will ; that he bore no evil mynde unto them, & Doctr Preston. & therefore desired him he would for- beare; but when nothing would pre- vaile they fought, & Bradshaw fell againe. At w'^'^ M"". Preston was greatly- troubled and grieved, for he saw that a fire was kindled that would not easily be quenched ; and therefore resolved that he would leave that fatall country, though he was a gentleman of a very faire Estate. So walking one day very pensive in Westminster Hall, one M"". Morgan of Heyford, w*"^ whom he was acquainted, came unto him & de- manded why he was so sad, to whom for answer he related y^ former story. M^ Morgan knowing him to be a very gallant man, was very sensible of his estate, & told him that if he would goe w*^ him to Heyford, he should have a good farme to live in for y^ present and what accomodation he could afforde him. M"". Preston thanked him, and after some consideration accepted his offer ; The Life of offer ; and so M"". Preston of Preston in Lancashire became a kind farmer in Northamptonshire, where he afterwards lived & dyed and his son succeeded him, and so it came unto Thomas Preston as I have sayd. His mother's name before she mar- ryed was Marsh, who had an Unkle by the mother's side whose name was Cras- well, a man of good estate & Esteeme in Northampton, where he lived and had been severall tymes Mayor. This Unkle being rich and having no childe, was very carefuU of her, & tooke this son when young to himselfe, and sent him to the Free Schoole in Northamp- ton ; where he was a Schollar under y^ Goverment of M"". Sanderson then Mas- ter of the Schoole, & after under M"". Wastell who succeeded him; w**^ whom remayning some tyme, his Unkle was pswaded to remove him into Bedford- shire, unto one M"". Guest, who had some Doctr Preston. some tyme taught a private schoole in Northampton, & was accounted a bet- ter teacher of y^ Greeke tongue ; from whence, after he had prosecuted his studies in y« Greeke, he was sent to Cambridge, & admitted of King's Col- ledge under the tuition of M'. Busse, one of the Fellows, Anno Domini 1604. Here he did as young schollars used to doe, that is applyed himself to the Genius of the College, & that was musique ; and finding that the theory was shorte and soone atteyned, he made account y° practise would also be so ; and accordingly adventured upon the Lute, the hardest instrument ; but heere he found though theory was shorte, art was long ; & so as unwilling to attend it, he used to say whilst fingering his lute, "Quantum hoc tempore Legi potuit;" and while his fingers were thus foundred on the Lute, it fell out that his Tutor M^ Busse was chosen Master of the Schole ^p I 7. The Life of Scheie at Eaton, & so removed from y^ Colledge, about two yeares after he was admitted; but coming not from Eaton but from another, he could not be of y" foundation, and therefore uncapable of those Preferments in y^ College that were most worth, and so y^ sooner pswaded to remove ; this he did unto Queen's College, where he was received & ad- mitted under y^ tuition of M^ Oliver Bowles, one of y^ fellows of that House, a very holy & learned man, a noted & carefull Tutor ; under his government he setled to his booke, & left his musique, by whose conduct & directions Jie grew in knowledge, and was im- proved unto very thriving undertakings in his studies. It is not nothing to be well descended, "fortes creantur fortibus et bonis." Sheep & cattle bred in Lancashire, or on the Peake Hills, & after driven into North- amptonshire & planted there, produce a Doct^ Preston. a very gallant race ; These Prestons, though removed from their native soyle & much impaired in their revenue, re- teined yet y^ Garb and mettal of their Ancestors ; they carried themselves, & were accounted Gentlemen. Something there was in this young Preston's Spirit that was not vulgar ; I have seen in a booke of his, under his owne hand when younge, such sparklings of aspiring in- genuity as argued in him something that was not common. He was as yet but junior Sophister, yet looked high & grew acquainted w*'> those that were Gentile, & fancied State affairs, and Courtship, & that had de- sires or dispositions to be secretaries or agents in Princes' Courtes ; he now thought it below him to be a minister, & held the study of Divinity to be a kind of honest silliness ; he accord- ingly got acquainted w"' a merchant, by whose means he did procure that he His ambi- tion to be a courtier, andunder- valluing the High- est im- ployment of y' min- istry. 8 The Life of he should live in Paris and learn y^ language & garb of France, & another in recompense should be exchandged to learne the mode & English tongue. M'". Craswel, his Unkle at Northampton was by this tyme dead, and had be- queathed certeine Lands in that Towne to him after his vvive's decease ; these Lands he sells to put himselfe into a posture fit for that designe ; But heere now he began to finde that he reckoned without his host ; and that he should have said as the Apostle, James, 4—15. "If the Lord will I shall live, & doe this or that ;" for the merchant dyes before the exchandge could be accom- plished, & so those blooming hopes, that had thus long held up his imagination, died w*'^ the merchant. He was of an able, firme, well tem- pered constitution, browne, comely vis- sadge, vigorous and vived eye, but somewhat enclyning to that kinde of melancholly Doctr Preston. melancholly that ariseth from a dust & parched choller, w*^^ now began a little to be discovered in him ; for being thus mated in his first designe, he grew discouraged, went not so much abroade amongst y^ gallants, but struck sayle to fortune, & retyred ; yet his apetite was rather dammed up than dryed ; for after a very little pause, & boyling over of his suUenness, he began again to steere the same course, al- though by more certaine & domesticque mediums, and if he must be shut up & confined to the Muses, resolves to be no ordinary servant to them. His genius led him unto Naturall Philosophy, w'^'^ by that tyme was be- come his propp taske, w*^*^ he under- tooke not as boyes use to doe, to serve their present use, but w*^ devotion re- solves to leave no secret unattempted ; Adoreth Aristotle as his tutelary saint, and had a happiness usually to enter when lO The Life of when others stuck, and what was diffi- cult to others he made little of. No darke untrodden path in all his physicks & metaphysicks but he was perfect in it ; & so drowned & devoted was he, that he seldome or never could be seene abroad, to the wonder & amazement of his former brave com- panions, so that no tyme passed " sine Linea," no not that betweene the ringing & tolling of the Bell to meales. And for his sleepe, he would let the bed cloathes hang downe, that in the night they might fall off, & so the cold awaken him ; In so much that his tu- tor was constreyned to reade unto him moderation ; and to tell him that as there might be intemperance in meates & drinkes, so also there might be in studies ; but the evill of it, as yet he felt not ; the sweet & y^ good he did, who came off w*'^ great honour and ap- plause in all his acts, and was admired in Doctr Preston. in y^ Regent House when he sate for his degree, both by y^ Posers & all the Masters that examined him, and from that tyme much observed in y^ University. About this tyme his tutor M"". Bowles was called to y" Rectory of Sutton in Bedfordshire, & so left y"^ college, and another of y^ fellows, then Master, afterwards Doctor Potter, became his Tutor, a very learned man & great philosopher, who never went about to diswade him from his studies, but gave him all assistance & encouragement. The yeare following it came unto his tutor to be Head Lecturer in the Col- lege, and S'". Preston being to probleme in the Chappel, made such an accu- rate & strong position, & answered so understandingly, that his Tutor bor- rowed his position of him when he had done, to looke & puse ; & finding it elaborate, resolved to make more use of it, II 1 2 The Life of it, then ever his pupil did intend. The master of y^ college at that tyme was Doctor Tyndal, who was also Deane of Ely, & resided for the most pte there; to whom the Tutor went, & carried his position w*^ him ; w^'' he shewed to y*^ Master and acquainted him w**^ what he had observed, that he was a youth of great ptes and worth, & deserved some encouragement ; the Master was an honest gallant man & loved a schollar, & glad of an opertunity to show it, & so bids his tutor to send S^'. Preston over to him to Ely, assuring him that he should not want what was in him to doe him good, & bade him hold on, for he would take care of him. Soon after which there being an election in y^ College, he was chosen fellow by unanimous consent of Mas- ter & fellows ; when his tutor M'. Porter brought him word of it, as he was at study not thinking of it, & told him I Docti* Preston. him he must come downe presently into y^ Chappel to be admitted ; And accordingly was admitted fellow of Queen's College, in Cambridge, 1609, that is, five yeares after his first admis- sion into y*^ University. He was not so much mouved at it as young stu- dents use to be, because he still looked at higher thinges, & had not quit in his retired thoughts his first designe of being some body at Court, to w*^^' he thought this honour might be a barr. This curtesy was "non compos" to him, yet it was not manners to be discontent, but attend what should ensue. He was by this time growne a master inPhilosophy,had waded far in Aristotle, & met w*^ few that were able to encoun- ter him; and therefore resolves to goe an- other while to schoole to Hypocrates & Galen, & so verify what is so often said, " Ubi desinit Philosophus, incipit medi- cus." He had a very penetrating wit, and 13 H The Life of and exact judgement to conjecture of effects in causes, & prognostical events, & being skilfull in philosophy before, soone made the theory his owne, but because " Perfectio scientiarum est in summitate," the Hfe & vigour of a sci- ence is in the Practice, he resolves to make enquiry after that ; Bookes makes not men practitioners in any art, " Me- mo ex libris evasit artifex." He retires to a friend of his in Kent, who was very famous for his practice, where he earnestly attended, & waited on y^ trade & way of knowing simples, & compounding medicines, wherein he atteyned to that sufficiency, that had divinity failed, he might have been an- other Dr. Butler ; yet what he had was not in vaine, for when any of his pupils were not well, though he sent them always to physitians, yet himselfe pused, & many times corrected their prescrip- tions. It was not easy to allay his eager Docti" Preston. 15 eager and unsatisfied apetite w^'^ any one art, Eccles. 5 — 10. " He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied w*-*^ it," "Cres- cit amor Nummi, quantum ipsa pecunia crescit," the more you put into the soule y^ wider presently it retcheth ; He thought he could not be a good physi- cian that could not reade y"^ powers of herbs & plants in stars & planets ; Therefore he acquainted himself with Ptolomy, & other authours in Astro- logy, and other curious arts & calcula- tions, as they are called. Acts 19. 19. that he might be able not only to study bookes, but men, & to reade men's for- tunes in y^ Heavenly bodyes. But he could not, nor did reade his owne ; there was a Southsayer that told Agathocles he should be slaine the next month ; who asked how long he thought he should live after him ? he answered many yeares ; he told him he would prove one of y^ two false, & leave the other i6 The Life of Mr. Pres- ton con- verted by Mr. Cot- ton's Ser- mon. other to the issue ; & so commanded for to hange him presently. M"^. Pres- ton was very busy amonge y*^ Howses of ys planets, but saw not there his owne domestick doome, nor what his Maker had determined concerning him; for, as he was in the Caelestial contem- plations, it fell out that M^ Cotton then fellow of Emanuel College preached in S^ Marye's ; where, M'. Preston hear- ing him. was set about another Exercise, constreyned from his contemplations in Astrology to looke into himself, & con- sider what might possibly befall him. It was his manner, as of other stu- dents, when they come home from y^ sermons at S^ Marye's to run unto their studies presently, or what was worse ; but this young student was forced to retire & ruminate. The sermon had bereaved him of two beloved notions ; one was his low opinion of the ministry & preaching ; for he saw an over-ruling gravity J Docti" Preston. gravity and Majesty in that sermon, that he thought had bin impossible to pulpits. I have heard it often in y*^ college that he tooke away sixteene answers in a probleme in the Chappel, but heere was one he knew not how to take away. " Sed hseret lateri Lethalis arundo." No cunning in philosophy or skill in physick would suffice to heale this wound. Another (beloved notion he was bereaved of) was his great opinion of & ambition after State Imployments; for these were higher thinges y' now were offered to him ; concernements of Eternal Influence, w'^'^ nothing could divert that he had studied hitherto. There have been divers eminent & great physicians that began in medling w*'' their owne infirmities. Self love rides always on the forehorss. His owne ac- counts, and aking conscience, set Luther first 17 i8 The Life of first upon y^ study of Divinity. M'. Preston, after this affront & baffle in y'' Pulpit, wanted ease ; &, when he could not finde it in his other bookes & studies, begins a little to looke into y^ Bible, & to consider of y^ study of Divinity. In the prosecution of his study in Philosophy, he found many of the schoolemen quoted, & so was willing to looke a little into them, and, finding those he lighted on pithy & sententious, went on. It gave him ease that he was now a student in Divinity, and had left Al- bumaser, & Guido, & such high flowne speculations ; yet it pleased him for to see & finde his master Aristotle so often quoted, & in such request amonge them ; and thought, if that were to be a Preacher, he might adven- ture well enough on it ; & so was drawne on Doctr Preston. 19 on very farr into y*^ study of y^ schoole- men. I have heard him say, there was nothing that ever Scotus or Occham wrote, bvit he had weighed & ex- amined ; he delighted much to reade them in the first & oldest editions that ' could be got ; I have still a Scotus, in a very old print & a paper not inferiour to parchment, that hath his hand & notes upon it throughout ; Yet he continued longer in Aquinas, whose summes he would sometimes read as the Barber cut his haire, and when any fell upon the place he read, he would not lay downe his booke but blow it off; and in this tune he continued, untill a rumour came into y*^ university that y^ King would shortly come to visit them. King James was happier in his educa- tion then his Mother would have had him ; it pleased God to breede a Bu- chanon on purpose to guide his younger yeares ; and, by that tyme he was ripe, Scotland 20 TJie Life of Scotland was growne acquainted w'^'^ Geneve, & the King no stranger unto M'". Calvin's way. The newes awakened all y'^ University, & there were few but promised themselves some good from this faire Gale ; that, seeing promotion came neither from y*^ East, nor West, nor from the South, Psal. 75. 6, it must and would come from the North ; and the Proverb be inverted, and be " Omne bonum ab Aquilone." Doctor Harsnet, master of Pembrooke Hall, was then Vice Chancelor, a prudent well advised Governour, who, knowing well y^ critical and able apprehension of y"^ king, was very carefull and sollicitous to pitch upon y^ ablest in every faculty for actors in that solemne enterteyn- ment, and himself made choyce of M'". Preston to answer the Philosophy Act, and sent unto him to provide himself. He was ambitious enough by nature, and had this newes come a little sooner, nothing J^*,^.^»A*4. H^vA^'T^^" I »^''->-^/^>evvV> jincL.ln^rul^ < i^'-^ , Doctr Preston. nothing had bin more suitable to his inclynation and designe, but now the gentleman was Planet struck, growne dull & Phligmatique, M"". Cotton's ser- mon had so invaded him, that Kings and Courts were no such great thinges to him, especially when he understood y' another was resolved on for answerer. Doctor Wren was then a very preg- nant Schollar in Pembrooke Hall, and also chapline to Bishop Andrews, and thought fit to be imployed in this Commencement service, yet was not willing to have any other place but answerer. The Vice Chancelor urged his promise and engagement to M*". Preston, and his opinion of his great abillity ; but nothing would serve, the Vice Chancelor's College and the Bi- shop's Chaplin must have precedency, w''^ he most seriously excused to M"". Preston, & endeavoured to reconcile him to the first Opponent's place, w* he declyned 21 The Vice Chancelor of Cam- bridge, Docf Harsnet, appoints Mr. Pres- ton to dis- pute in the phyloso- phy Act before King James. 1' -^ J;)^^"^ ^ ^ S:. 22 TJie Life of declyned as being too obnoxious to the Answerer, who is indeed the Lord and Ruler of the Act ; but there was no re- moving now, and so he goes about it w^'i much unwillingness, being rather driven than drawne unto it. His great and first care was to bring his argument to a head, w'^^'out affronte or Interruptions from the Answerer ; and so made all his major propositions plausible and firme, that his adversary might neither be willing, nor able, to enter there, and the minor still backt by other syllogismes ; & so the Argu- ment went on unto Issue ; w'^^ fell out well for M"". Preston ; for, in disputa- tions of consequence, the Answerers are many times so fearfull of y^^ event that they Slur & trouble y^ opponents all they can and deny things evident ; w'^'' had bin the case in all former Acts ; There was such wrangling about their Syllogismes that sullyed and clouded the Doctr Preston. the debates extreamely, and put the King's Acumen into Streights. But when M^ Preston still cleared his way, and nothing was denied, but what was ready to be proved, the King was greatly satisfied, & gave good heede, w'=^ he might well doe, because the question was tempered & fitted to his content : namely whether Dogs could make syllo- gismes*. The opponent urged that they could ; an Ethymeme (said he), is a lawfull & reall syllogisme, but dogs can make them ; he instanced in a Hound, who hath y'^ major proposition in his minde, namely, the hare is gone either this way, or that way, smells out the minor w'^ his nose, namely, she is not gone that way, & follows the conclusion, " Ergo," this way, w*^*^ open mouth. The instance suited w*^ y*^ Auditory and was applauded, and put the An- swerer to his distinctions, that dogs * Note. — The King was a great Huntsman. might 23 24 The Life of might have sagacity, but not sapience, in thinges especially of Prey, and that did not concerne their belly, might be "nasutuli" but not " Logici," had much in their mouths, little in their myndes, unless it had relation to their mouths, that their lips were larger than their understandings ; which the opponent still endeavoured to evade with another syllogisme, & put the dogs upon a fresh scent. The Moderator, Doctor Reade, began to be afraid, and to think how troublesome a pack of hounds well fol- lowed and applauded at last might prove ; and so came in unto the An- swerer's Ayd, and told the Opponent that his dogs he beleeved were very weary, and desired him to take them off; and when the Opponent would not yeild, but hallowed still and put them on, he interposed his authority & si- lenced him. The King, in his conceit, was all this while Doctf Preston. while upon New Market Heath, & liked the sport ; and, therefore, stands up and tells the Moderator plainly he was not satisfied in all that had bin answered, but did beleeve a hound had more in him than was imagined. I had myself (said he) a dog that stragling farr from all his fellows had light upon a very fresh scent, but considering he was all alone and had none to second and assist him in it, observes the place & goes away to his fellows, and by such yelling argu- ments as they best understand, pre- vayled w**^ a pty of them to goe along w^'^ him, and, bringing them to the place, pued it into an open view. Now the King desired for to know how this could be contrived and carried on without an exercise of understand- ing, or what the Moderatour could have done in that case better, & de- sired him that either he would thinke better of his dogs or not so highly of himselfe ! The 25 26 The Life of The Opponent also desired leave to psue the King's game, w'^'^ he had started to an issue ; But the Answerer protested that His Majesties dogs were always to be excepted, who hunted not by coiiTon law but by prerogative ; but the Moderatour fearing the King might let loose another of his hounds, and make more worke, applyes himself w^'^ all submissive devotion to the King, acknowledged his dogs were able to outdoe him, besought His Majesty to beleeve he had y^ better, that he would consider how his illustrious influence had already ripened & concocted all their arguments & Understandings ; that, whereas in y* morning the Rever- end and Grave Divines could not make syllogismes, the Lawyers could not, nor the Physicians, now every dog could, especially His Majesties ! All men acknowledged it was a good bit to stop with, it was growne late, and so Docti' Preston. 27 so the congregation was remouved unto the Regent Howse, and the King went off well pleased w^^ y^ business ; the other acts were easily forgotten, but the discourse and logicke of the dogs was fresh in mouth and memory, & the Phi- losophy Act applauded universally ; the KincT commended all the Actors, but above all the Opponent. It was easy to discerne that y^ King's hound had opened a way for M^ Preston at y^ Court if he were willing ; Yea, many of the great ones put him in mynde, and pro- mised all assistance and encouragement, S'' Fulke Grevil, afterwards Lord Brook, was greatly taken w*-'' him, &, after many demonstrations of his reall love, setled at last a stypend on him of fifty pounds p annum, and was his friend until his last hower. The King comends all the scholars who dis- puted in the Phy- losophy Act, but especially W. Pres- ton. But his ambition after courtship was well allayed, so as he did not ravenously psue it, being now resolved to be a mi- nister ; 28 The Court jealous of Mr. Pres- ton for not seeking prefer- ment, when in- vited to it. The Life of nister ; he fell to the study of moderne writers, especially M'". Calvin, whose very style & language much affected him. The Courtiers wondred he did not bite ; because as it 's said Prov. 16.15. " In the light of the King's countenance is life, and his favour is as the cloud of the latter raine;" that a young man should not be ambitious, and a good eye not see, they did not understand ; & they began now to be a little jealous of him. He was reserved naturally, and could keepe councell, so that few knew how M''. Cotton's sermon had affected & wrought upon him ; this not sayling when the wynd blew, begat suspition ; some judged he was modest & wanted opptunity to bring him on, some that he was melancholly, & so neglected what was propp for him to intend, some thought him busy and intent upon his pupils who now began to come from all pts ; but the Polititians assured them- selves Doctf Preston. 29 selves it was some inclination to puri- tanisme, a name now odious at Courte, for it could not be, said they, that he should let so faire an opptunity mis- carry, if he had not something else in veiu. Kings think themselves extreamely undervallued, if a word be not enough. Cardinal Poole being chosen Pope at midnight by the conclave, & sent unto to come & be admitted, desired it might be let alone untill y® morning, because it was not a worke of Darkness, an honnest Argument, but not Italian enough. " Quis nisi mentis inops." So they went back & chose another. When Balaam came not at the first call, see how Balack reasons. Numb. 22. 37. "Am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour .-"' But M"". Preston indeed had another King in his thoughts, &, having found treasure 30 The Life of treasure in the field, parts w*^"^ all for that. Mat. 13. 44. A purchass is not worth the having that hath not some convenience annexed, or may not some way be improved. God was a greater good than man. Heaven than Earth, a Crowne of Glory than a Crowne of Gold. So this neglect & sefe deniall was well interpreted by good men, and the opinion that he affected Puri- tans, which blasted him at Court, be- gun to blazon him at home, and worke a reputation, that to him was more acceptable. Many thought him meete to be trusted w'^ the care of youth and had their eyes upon him for their sons or friends. M*". Morgan of Heyford had been some tyme dead, and left his son & heyre an orphan in trust with some that were his kinsmen and like to manadge his estate to most ad- vantage ; who, when sent to the Univer- sity, Doctr Preston. sity, was bequeathed to M^ Preston's care ; not only for the relation he had tx) Heyford, his native Towne, and that familly, but also that, by that means, the young gentleman might be pre- served from the influence of his other friends, who were many of them Popish! 31 King James had bin so well pleased at the Commencement held before him lately, that he resolves upon another visit ; The Heads agree to enterteine him w'^ a comedy. There was one Fuggles of Clare Hall, that had made a jeering comedy against y^ Lawyers, called "Ignoramus;" this was resolved on to be acted before the King, and great care was taken to accomodate all parts, w*'^ Actors answerable. ■^, M^ Morgan was a comely modest gentleman, and was supposed would well become a woman's dress, and ac- cordingly his Tutor M^ Preston sent to, that 32 The Life of that he would admit and give all en- couragement to the Service. He liked not the notion, nor could believe his friends intended he should be a Player, & so desired to be excused ; But the Guardians were not so exact & scru- pulous, but thought if he played this game well, he might winne more than could be hoped for elsewhere ; and so M'". Morgan was allowed by his Guardians to act his part, and afterwards removed unto Oxford, %i sufifer'd to play what part he would, and so relapsed to Popery, w*^^ hath proved fatall to him and his. y Heere was matter for M'". Preston's back friends to argue he was no cour- tier, that would deny so small a cur- tesy to those that had so freely offered him greater ; it was resented w^^ a kind of angry indignation that their offers had so little influence upon him, and some watched an opptunity to make him Docti" Preston. him sensible of this neglect ; there is no such soloecisme at Court as indepen- dency, " si non vis ut per illos tibi bene sit, efficient ut sit male." But M'". Pres- ton by this tyme had cast up all ac- counts, & resolved to stand to his bar- gaine whatsoever it cost him ; Only he thought if he must be a Puritan, & bid farewell to all carnall & Court de- signes, he would not be one of the Lower Rank, but would get places if he could. "Mediocribus esse Poetis, non Dij, non homines, non columnae." That counsell of the wise man, Eccles. 9. lo. " whatsoever thy hand findeth to doe, doe it w*^ all thy might," he always practised, & what is comonly said was true in him, "in magnis ingeniis nihil mediocre." This faithfulness to M*". Morgan (at- tended w^^ so great a shadow unto him- selfe) encreased his reputation in y^ country, so that now he was accounted y^ only tutor ; and, being careful! to reade 33 A Cvii csJ: SAf^. D 34 The Life of reade unto them & direct their studyes, he found himselfe much abridged of his owne tyme, & was constreyned to take up tyme that should have bin bestowed on his body ; he also grew acquainted now w*^ many eminent & Godly minis- ters, as M''. Dod and M"". Hindersham, who would come often to his chamber, and he was so hardened in his way, that he would get them many times to goe to prayer with his pupils, a bold- ness not adventured on by any other ; but by these labours his able body was debilitated. It was a great Oratour that said, " At first, said he, I would not pleade, at last I could not." M'". Preston in his youth would not sleepe, but let y*" bed cloathes hang downe so as to awaken him ; now he could not, but about mid- night still awaked & slept no more : whereby in tyme his body languished, and could not answer as formerly. (1 -r, .U ^Ai^ >t,S CVtj-vvt^ { ^\.C\. ■)w. %'^ r Doct^ Preston. 35 M^ Butler of Clare Hall was then the Oracle in physick, to him he goes, & declares his condition, who, after some questions, bade him take tobacco, & so leaves him ; he knew that Butler was odd & humerous, & thought he might give him this advice to try him, and therefore resolved to wayt awhile before he medled w^'^ so unusuall a medicine, which Hypocrates & Galen had never prescribed to any of their patients, and was at that tyme not so coiiion nor of good report ; but his want of rest con- tinuing, & his appetite unto his booke encreasing, he retornes to M"". Butler as a stranger, and propounds the case againe. Master Butler gives y^ same advice, and being satisfied that he was serious now, he began to take it, and found that this hot copious fume ascending did draw those crudityes from the stomach's mouth y* hindered concoction of his meate, and vapours from it that occa- sion sleepe, and so restored his rest, & 1^ iji^^d fJ ft 36 The Life of & that in tyme his strength ; and so he went on in his worke untill D''. Tyndall, M" of the College, dyed. He was an old man, and that prefer- ment of the mastership of Queene's Colledge, more accounted of than now it is ; there were many that had their eyes upon it, but D"". Mon- taine especially, who was often heard to profess he would rather be Mas- ter of that college than Deane of Westminster. But M''. Preston had another in his eye, D^ Davenant, a gentleman well descend- ed, and was a Fellow-comoner when un- dergraduat, but very painfull and of great capacity, & grew accordingly in learning & reputation, & for his worth & pts was already chosen Margret Professor, & read in the schools w*^ much applause those excellent lectures upon the Colos- sians Docf Preston. 37 sians w'^'^ now are printed ; him M"". Preston pitched upon, but knew it must be carryed very privately ; for the Montaine was already growne to some bigness, was one of pts, & first observed in acting " Miles Gloriosus " in the col- lege, and had bin Chaplin to the Earle of Essex, but like the Heliotrope or flower of y® sun, did now adore S'' Robert Carr, already Viscount Rochester, the only favorite. When it was agreed amonge the Persians that he should reigne whose horss first saw the rising sun & neighed at it, one turned his horsses head to- wards the Montaines, beleeving that y*^ sun would first arise there ; but it fell not out so heere. M'". Preston having layd his plot be- forehand, & scene what Montaine was in his way, had taken care that word should be daily brought him how y^ old doctor did ; and when he found him ir- recoverable, layd horsses & all thinges ready 38 The Life of o ready, & upon notice of his being dead, goes presently & was at London & in Whitehall before any light appeared on the Montaine Topp. The Court was quiet, & he had some friends there, his business was only to get a free election, w"^"^ he made meanes to procure ; yet knowing also w*^ whom he had to doe, makes some addresses unto Viscount Rochester in y*^ behalfe of D"". Davenant, who, being unacquainted w*'^ his chap- lin's appetite to that pticcular, was faire and willing to befriend a learned enter- prise. So M*". Preston retorned unto y^ College before y^ Master's death was much took notice of, and assembling D"". Davenant's friends, acquaints them w*'^ what had passed at Court ; and so they went imediately to Election, w'=^ was easily and fairely carryed for D"^. Davenant, who, being called, was ad- mitted presently. But when D"". Montaine understood that Doctr Preston. 39 that D''. Tyndal was dead, he sends & goes to Court & College for to make friends ; but alass ! the game was played, and he shut out. Never did yEtna or Vesuvius more fume, but there was no care, only he threatens & takes on against y'' Actors, but they were inno- cent, & not obnoxious. This D"^. had made great promises, & gave a very goodly peece of plate into y^ College, w^*^ this inscription, " sic incipio," but now he vowed it should be " sic desino." However the college for the present was well assayd, & grew in Reputation very much, and, because they wanted roome to enterteyne the numbers that flocked to them, they built that goodly fabrick that conteyns many faire lodg- ings both for fellows & scholars, towards King's College. It was not long before it came to M"". Preston's course to be Deane and Cate- chist, w'^'^ he resolved to improve by going 40 The Life of going- through a body of Divinity, that might be a guide to the scholars in their studies of Divinity ; for it was not his opinion that others should do as he had done, that is puse the shoolemen first, and then come to y® moderne writers ; but first reade Summes and Systemes in Divinity, so as to settle their judgements, & then to reade Fathers & scholemen, or what they had a mynde to. This being knowne, & some honnest townsmen hearing him at first by chance, there came the next day very many for to heare him, & y^ next day more both townsmen and scholars from other colleges, so that the outward chappie would be often full before the fellows came. Master Preston was of a very meek & quiet spirit, never resented injuries, nor provoked any unto averseness, yet had some enimyes, " Si injuria multos tibi fecit Inimicos faciet vidia multos." What Doctr Preston. 41 What had Paul done, Acts 13. 45. for to deserve so sharpe an opposition ? but envy moved them. There had bin other Deanes and Catechists before this gentleman, yet no such crowding. Complaint was made to the Vice Chan- celor of this unusual kind of Catechising; it was assured that not only townsmen & scholars mingled, but other colleges intruded also ; that the fellows, for the crowd & multitude, could not get through & come to chappie to their places ; that it was not safe for any man to be thus adored & doted on, unless they had a minde to cry up Puritanisme, w*^** would in short tyme pull them downe ; that the Crosier staffe would not support them longe if such assemblyes were encouraged ; " obsta principiis sero medicina paratur," etc. Upon the whole an order was agreed on in the consistory & sent unto the College, 42 The Life of College, that the scholars & Townsmen should be confined to their propp Preachers ; that no stranger, neither townsmen nor scholars, should presume, on any pretence whatsoever, to come to those lectures, that were propp only to the members of the college. The Edict was observed punctually, and the Auditory by it much impaired ; for had strangers still bin permitted to attend, those sermons had bin printed as well as others ; for there were divers that exactly noted, & wrote out all faire, unto the tyme of this restreynt, but no one after that could goe on w*'' it, & so it rests ; but he went on S: was assiduous to the Yeare's End, & waded through it, w''^^ was a very great helpe unto many of his pupils, who made y^ greater benefit of those thinges, because they were not comon & in Print. About that tyme the Lecture at Trinity church, & y^ sermons at S^ Andrews. Docti' Preston. Andrews, were prohibited, & y'' scholars all confined to S^ Maryes ; w*^*^ did occasion M'". Preston to reade Divinity unto his pupils on the Lorde's dayes at three of the clock in y*^ after-noone, w^'^ he often did upon the weeke dayes ; but the townsmen and the scholars of other colleges who had tasted of his spirit in the chappie, endeavoured that he would doe it where they might heare. Buttolphs belongs to Queen's College, and is usually supplyed by one of that Howse, there he was willing to make tryall how it would take, and resolves the next Lord's day to preach at three of y*^ clock, after S'. Marye's sermon should be ended ; w<^'', though as supposed but little knowne, occasioned such a thronge & crowd as was incre- dible ; men were not cloyed w'^' preach- ing then, nor waxed wanton. There dwelt then in the prish, one D"". Newcomb, a civilian & comissary to 43 44 The Life of to the Chancelor of Ely, who being in the Church & seeing y^ crowd, co- manded that evening prayer only should be read, but no sermon ; the minister intreated that for that tyme M'. Pres- ton might be allowed to preach, so did y^ Earl of Lincolne & others in y^ church ; but he was resolute, & because he would not be further importuned, went home with his familly, & left them to determine at their perill what they would doe. So, upon advice, it was concluded that y^ sermon should goe on, & M^". Preston preached a very holy sermon upon 2 Peter 3. 17-18. There was so much time spent in debate about it, & messages, before the comissary left the congregation, that it was too late to doe both, and, therefore, they adventured for that tyme to forbeare Comon Prayer, that so the scholars might departe and be at college Prayer. But this instructed D'". Newcomb in his Docf Preston. 45 his complaint ; the Court was then neare hand at Newmarket, thither the Comissary hastens next day, and find- ing the Bishop of Ely there & many other clergymen, assures them that M*". Preston was in heart, & would quickly be in practise, a Non-Conformist, and was so followed and adored in the Uni- versity, that unless some speedy course were taken w*^ him, they might cast their caps at all Conformity, & see their power trodden under foote ; and told them gentleness was not the way, for he was cunning, & would recover all, if he were not throughly dealt with. There was an Advocate for M^ Preston, but the D^. being first in his owne cause seemed just, (Prov. 17. 18.) & spake to those who were willing to beleeve. The Puritans began to be considerable, & they doubted he might come in tyme to head them. It is a great security to a man to be despised, " contempto nullus 46 The Life of nullus diligenter nocct." A man that hath nothing in him, & so not owned, may be exorbitant, as he of one in his tyme "contemptu jam liber erat." But David, that had a pty following him, must have an army to attend him ; and therefore he did wisely to profess him- selfe a dead dog, or a flea, i Sam. 24. 14. The King was made acquainted w*'^ this complaint, & assured that M"". Pres- ton had as strong an influence into the Puritans, as the Principle of y'' Jesuits, w'^^ was "Aqua viva" to others; and therefore it behoved him to consider what to doe. A word was enough to a wise & jealous King, who did not love to play an after game, and, there- fore, hearde himselfe y^ Doctor's in- formation, enquires whether the Bi- shop's & Chancellor's jurisdiction ex- tended to members of a College, & finally concludes to proceed against him by the power of the University. A Doctr Preston. 47 A letter is framed at y^ tyme to D^ Scot, Master of Clare Hall, Vice Chancellor at that tyme, and to the Heads, to call before them M"". Preston, to give a strict account of y^ notorious disobedience unto the Comisary ; he answers mildly that he was not guilty ; refers himself to the Auditory that Evening prayer was omitted because the schollars might dep^*^ in due tyme (seeing the tyme alloted for it was spent in treating w*^ y^ Comissary), not out of any disrespect to y* service, w'^^' he himselfe did usually attend at other tymes. When the wolfe complained that the Lamb had fouled the water that he was to drinke, the Lambe answered that if he had defiled it, yet that could not prejudice the wolfe that was above it, for the mud would certeynly de- scend downwards : But this answer did not fill the hungry belly of the wolfe. 48 The Life of M"'. Preston's innocency did agravate his crime, w'^'^ was his popularity ; and, therefore, they told him they were bound to support b)'- all just meanes the Bishop's jurisdiction ; that the King had honoured him in leaving that afifront to be examined by his propp judges, and that except he could take off the Court, they must and would proceed to a very round and serious censure ! That a fellow of a College for preaching of an innocent and honest sermon, in a church belonging to the College, by the consent & in the hear- ing of the Incumbent, should be thus vigourously prosecuted, was something hard. Among many other gentlemen of quality that were Pupils unto M*". Pres- ton at this tyme, there was one S'' Capel Bedels, an orphan, of a very faire estate in Huntingtonshire, a daughter's son of old S"" Arthur Capel ; who, being Guardian Docf Preston. 49 Guardian to his grandchild, had recom- ended him, as he had done many of his owne sons, unto his goverment ; it was a great trust, & M"". Preston's care was answerable ; and, because " plus vi- dent ocuH," he had his spyes, that gave him notice of all their carriages & correspondencies ; by one of these he was informed that Sir Capell haunted D'^. Newcomb's howse, and was familliar w"' his daughter, M''^ Jane Newcomb, a very propp well bred gentlewoman ; his Tutor asked if they were contracted, he answered " no, but would be very shortly, for he was resolved to have her." M'". Preston charges him to keepe all secret, that S'" Capel might not think he was acquainted w*^"^ it ; and imediately appoints a journey unto Saffron Wal- den, to take the ayre and see that stately building at Audley End, & tooke divers of his fellow coiiioners alonge, as 50 I'vv llv^^\/^J^' The Life of as he had done at other tymes, and amonge others this S'' Capel Bedles ; When they had dined & viewed the Howse, it was propounded by one of them that they might goe that night to Haddam & visit old S'" Arthur Capel, seeing they were thus farr on their way & it was late ; M^ Preston seemed to be indifferent, and so the proposition tooke ; and w*^ none more than S"" Capel, who knew his grandfather would fill his pockets, and that would sweeten his Newcomb mistress' Embraces, and make him welcomb to her. The old knight was glad to Enter- teyne such welcom guests, & that night there was no discourse but of the stately roomes, & goodly gallery at Audley End, & so the young gentleman went to bedd pleased that the college bell would not waken him ; but M"". Pres- ton slept not, " in utrumque aurem," but awakened betimes, & acquaints S"" Arthur Doctr Preston. Arthur w*'* all the business, adviseth w^^ him by no meanes to pmit the gentle- man's retorne to y^ college, for though y^ wound might seeme quite cured, & he never so much engage forbearance, yet frequent apparitions would redinte- grate, " Et nihil facilius quam amor recrudescit." Sir Arthur was a very wise man, & had experience of y^ world, thanks M"". Preston for his faithfulness, pretends S"^ Capel wanted some thinge, and desires his tutor to give him leave to stay a little tyme untill he could be furnished, & then he should be sent ; to which M^ Preston easily consented, & so the rest retorned ; after which the old Knight told S'' Capel that he began to grow a man, and it would be fit for him to travayle before he setled, & so pre- vailes w^'^ him to be content. But what saith M'■^ Newcomb who is rob'd by this means of her vowed and resolved ser- vant, 51 Jr. Jrh -I v-tnOL i- 52 The Life of /'AVV t- vant, & her crafty father that beholds so good a morsell snacht from betweene his teeth ? Doe you thinke he had for- gotten this when M^ Preston came to preach w*^in his jurisdiction ? Other injuryes phaps may be forgotten, but loss of mony is not. " Ploratur lachry- mis amissa pecunia veris." M"". Preston was no stranger alto- gether at Court ; However now there was no remedy. When he came to New- market, he found that Bishop Andrews, then Bishop of Ely, was Cheife ; & his jurisdiction, in the Commissary, was it that was pretended to be affronted ; and therefore applyed himself to him, & told him that he did not purpose to offend, but being engaged for to preach at that tyme, could not w*^ honour dis- appoint the Auditory ; if he suspected him, for anythinge, he desired he would examine him, & satisfy himselfe. The Bishop told him that y^ King was in- formed Doctr Preston. formed he was an enimy to formes of Prayer, & held no prayer lawfull but what was conceived, &, therefore, being popular, his judgement & opinion might doe hurt. M"". Preston answered that it was a slaunder, for he thought set formes law- full, and refused not to be present at y^ college prayer ; The Bishop answered that he was glad, & would informe the King, and doe him all y^ good he could, & bade him wayte awhile, and then repaire to him againe for satisfaction in it ; and so tyme passed on, & there was nothing done. There were some at Court that wisshed well to M^ Preston, as D^ Young, an honest Scotchman, that was Deane of Winchester ; who told M'". Preston plainly that Bpp Andrews was his greatest Adversary, and, though he gave him good wordes, yet he assured the King that if M"". Preston were not for this expelled y^ University, Lord Bps 53 Bishop Andrews his double- dealing with Mr. Preston. 'jUA K <^y] 54 The Life of Bp^ would not long continue. But M^ Preston was accounted (& not w^^out cause) a learned man, and therefore the Bishop was not willing to appeare against him ; yet desired the punish- ment might be inflicted where the fact was done, and that in y® Uni- versity. Mr. Pres- ton's re- solute ap- plication to the Bishop . Master Preston saw now that y^ Bi- shop was a courtier, & could afforde wordes where deeds were not intended, & therefore goes again to the Bishop, & tells him plainly that he or none must put a period to his attendance ; and that either he would speake to the King in his behalfe, or tell him plainly that he would not, that he might know from whence all his trouble flowed. The Bishop paused awhile on this bold carriadge, and at last bade him come to him at such a tyme againe, & he would deale with y"^ King in his behalfe. So he goes to the King, & tells him, that Doctr Preston. that however M''. Preston was very dan- gerous & it would be a very great se- curity if he were handsomly expelled, yet he doubted it would not beare well should it be done for this offence ; for he would be absolved in the mynds & opinions of men, & be owned and ap- plauded as their martyr, & might phaps recover & live to be revenged ; & there- fore thought it would be better for to enjoyne him to declare his judgem* as to formes of prayer, for that would be accounted a Recantation, & would weaken his Reputation w*^ y® Puri- tans ; w'^^' would be enough ; for, if they could divide him from his party, they should not feare him ; for he said his carriadge argued confidence in some assistance, w'^'^ when they had removed, they should be strong enough at single hand. All that y* Bpp spake was as if " ex tripode;" an order, therefore, was pre- sently 55 56 The Life of sently drawne & sent to y*^ Vice Chan- celor, that M"". Preston should in But- tolph's church declare his judgement about Formes of Prayer, on such a Sunday, or else they should imediately proceede against him according to their first instructions. M^ Preston was glad there was a way out, yet sensible of y^ hard hand that had bin carryed towards him ; but now there was no remedy ; & in vaine was it to strive against y^ streame. Before he could get home, the newes was all about y^ towne that M^ Pres- ton was to preach a recantation sermon at Buttolph's church on such a day. This was good sporte to y^ brave blades, who now came crowding as fast as any for to heare, and no sin now for any to be absent from prayer ; and indeed there was a very great assembly, though he did all he could to have concealed it. He went on upon his former text & Doct^ Preston. & preached a very profitable sermon concerning growing in Grace, & directed prayer as a speciall means to it. And this, he said, was of two sortes ; Either that w'=^ was suddaine, extempory, and conceived ; or, set, enjoyned, & pre- scribed before, not only for the sense & scope, but also words and phrases ; And, whereas some thought this was to stint y*^ Spirit, he said there was a liberty to use conceived prayer at other times, wherein the spirit might expa- tiate & enlarge itself, though not in extension & variety of language. The psons who came to laugh had little cause to doe it ; for this passage was at y® very close of the sermon ; all before being both sharpe & search- ing. Both sides went home sylent, & not without some prynts of good upon many of their spirits. " Optimus orator censandus, non qui meruit auditorem judicium, sed qui abstulit." He makes ye 57 58 The Life of y^ best speech that binds his hearers rather to thinke what was said than who said it. The good fellows were nothing so merry at the end, as at y^ beginning of y® sermon. Indifferent hearers praised all, & were confirmed in a good opinion of the Preacher ; good men were glad he came off so well, and was at liberty to preach again where they might heare him ; Himselfe was troubled lest any thinge he had said should be mistaken or misinterpreted, as he was apt to be ; But there were many eyes upon this action, and all wayted to see the issue. The Courtiers did not like it that, after such tossings too & fro, he should thus light upon his feete ; yet would not meddle for y^ present, but wayt occa- sions ; those who were well affected, were glad he was engaged against the Court and Bishops, & did presage he might be instrumental! to their down- fall; Docti" Preston. 59 fall ; every one laboured to engage him more & more against them. The Spanish match was then y^ CoiTTon talke, & great averseness ap- peared in y^ generality of people, D''. Willet had presumed to offer argu- ments to the King against matching w"' Idolaters ; the King was greatly vexed at this adventure, & tooke great pains to convince the Docter that a Papist was no Idolater : " sed non per- suadebat etiam si persuaserat." The people were dissatisfied^ &, there being then a Parliament, a very hon''^*^ and able member of y^ howse of Lords prevayled w*'^ M"^. Preston to write some arguments against it ; and, though there were very severe edicts & Procla- mations against scandelous papers, & intermedling w*'' matters of state, yet he promised it should be scattered & divulged unto fit psons, and none should know from whence or whom it came. Accordingly, 6o The Life of Accordingly, when it was finished, & written faire, one gave it to a porter whom he met in Holborne, & bad him leave it according to y^ direction. The next day a great Lord came unto him that had pswaded M''. Preston unto the service, and tells him that he had met w*"^ such a peece against y^ Spanish match as he never saw, & protested that he was convinced, & would speake against it in y^ Howse, whatever came of it. The other asked him who made it, & where he had it, he assured him he knew not, but it was left at his lodg- ing by he knew not whom ; the Lord desired he might see it, & so it was coppyed out & spreade among those of y^ Parliament they thought fit, but the Authour of it never knowne. King James had something always in his speeches and writings against the Puritans, w'^'^ was ill taken, for that it was apparent that those meant thereby Doctr Preston. 6i thereby were godly and conscientious psons. The howse of Comons was the only mote in King James his eye, the " Re- mora" (as he conceived) unto his abso- lute dominion ; for he knew not how to engage them as he had done y^ Law- yers and Divines ; but if he stopt one mouth w*'^ preferment this Parliament, there would be others open y® next against him. There were some now that adventured to apologize for Puritans, & to say in Parliament that honest men were wounded under that name, & to propose that Godly ministers might not be silenced & throwne out of their freeholds for tryfles & ceremonyes. But King James would have none of that stufife, and therefore breaks up the Parliam*, & sets out proclamations. But people love not to be forced to duty, " Homines duci volunt non cogi. The 62 The King's de- signe to mnke the scholkrs his, as he had done y' law- yers, in order to the mak- ing him- selfe abso- lute. The Life of The Chaplincs that attended monthly at Court, were not ambitious of preach- ing very often ; and so a combination was agreed on for Preachers before the King, whenever he should lye w^'^in 12 miles of Cambridge. The King did not despaire of making Scholars his, and therefore used all endeavours to obleidge them, especially Cambridge men, where a seed of Puritans had been a long time; and though y^ plaines about Newmarket afforded better win- ter game than elsewhere^ yet schollars, he conceived, might be catcht sometimes as well as hares ; and so willing they should preach before him. Young men he knew would preach themselves, " om- nis oratio docet, aut rem, aut animum dicentis ; " and thus he should learne either thinges or psons. By this means it came to M'". Pres- ton's turn to preach before the King at Royston, he was so mufled at Court in Docti" Preston. in D"". Newcomb's business, that he knew not what to doe ; he could not declyne it altogether, for that would have ex- posed him unto too much observation, and yet he greatly feared what might befall him in y^ doing of it ; therefore he changed his course with one that was to preach a little after, & did it very privately, that if his enemys should have designes, they might be disap- pointed ; and so it was not much knowne when he was to preach. 63 It fell out that his course came upon a Tevvsday, when the King was at Hintch- ingbrook ; the Court was very thin, the Prince & Duke of Buckingham both abroad, and the King himselfe was for a hunting match that day, and gave order that the sermon should begin at eight aclock. ^^ Master Preston had some at court that were solicitous as well as he, & they told him it would give very great content if he would take some occasion nfvvfc/UOvAOj 64 The Life of occasion in the sermon to shew his judgement, as he had done before, about set formes. D^ Young, Deane of Win- chester (of whom I spake before) did then attend, and when the King came in & sate down in the chaire, he told him who it was that preached, & said he hoped he would give content. I pray God he doth, said the King. His text was Jo° I. 1 6. "And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace ;" w*^** he so cleerely opened, & applyed, that the King sate all y^ while very quiet, & never stirred or spake to any- body, but by his lookes discovered he was pleased. When all was done, he came unto him as the manner was to kisse his hand, when y"^ King asked him of what Preston he was descended t he answered of that in Lancashire ; then said the King, you have many of yo"" name and kindred very eminent, and Preston the Priest .. Doct^ Preston. 65 Priest, although a Papist, is a very- learned man. Great hast was made to bring in dynner, and the King was very pleasant all the tyme, had his eye continually on M"". Preston, & spake of divers pas- sadges in the sermon w"* much content ; specially that of the Arminians putting God into the same extremity that Darius was put in (Dan. 6.) when he would have saved Daniel but could not. But, as soone as ever M"". Preston was retyred, the Marquess Hamilton kneeled downe, and besought the King that he might comend the Preacher to him for his Chaplyn ; protested that he did not know him, but that he was moved by the weight & strength of that he had delivered ; told him that he spake no pen & Inckorne language, but as one that comprehended what he said, and that he could not but have substance & matter in him. The King acknow- ledged 66 The Life of ledged all, but said it was too early, remembered Newmarket busyness, & was reserved. Sir Ralf Freeman, one of y^ Mas^" of Requests, had marryed a kinswoman of y^ Duke of Buckingham's, & was a kinsman unto M^ Preston ; he makes relation of y" business unto the Duke, & told him if now he would appeare in favour of his cousin Preston, he might obleidge the Puritans, & lay a ground- worke to his owne security, if tempests should arise ; assured him that M'. Pres- ton was ingenuous, & that y® King & all y'' court were taken w^^ the sermon, and did approve it. The Duke of Buckingham was a wise man, appre- hensive of what S'' Ralf suggested sea- sonably, saw those they called Puri- tans were growing, and in the Parlia- ment were thought considerable ; knew that y^ King's affection might coole, & he neede friends ; he therefore tooke S' Ralfs discourse into his most serious thoughts. An honest man one M"-. Packer was then his secretary, & he set on what S' Ralf Freeman had sug- gested ; and so it came unto a resolu- tion that M^ Preston should be owned. The Duke comanded S'" Ralf P^ecman to goe to M^ Preston from him, and acquaint him w*^ his good opinion of him, and that he desired to see him. Indeed there was such a concurrence & concentring of oppinions & desires amonge the courtiers, that it was assured M^ Preston that he might be Chaplin unto whom he would ; and it was now only a deliberation which of these offers he should accept, and whom he would acknowledge his Patron & Protector for the tyme to come. There was not so few clergymen at any tyme at Court, and so no kind of opposition ; yet the King himselfe hung back, & would doe nothing hastily ; he was 68 The Life of. was not reconcilable to the Puritans, and so desired not in that respect for to engage him. Yet he desired to de- prive the Puritans of M"". Preston, & so divide him from them ; and would doe any thinge that might drive on that. Besides considering how many M^ Preston had wonne, that he was a young man & might be drawne on, he would not therefore hinder or op- pose his advancement. So it was the joynt oppinion that the best prefer- ment was to be the Prince's chaplin, who then was growne & had a howse- hold. This therefore was represented unto S*" Ralf Freeman and his oppinion re- quired ; who quickly yeelded & pro- posed it to y® Duke. Both Prince & Duke had bin abroad, & neither of them had heard of y^ sermon. When therefore M^ Preston was brought unto y^ Duke, he very seriously received him ; Docti" Preston. him ; told him it was the Prince's un- happiness & his to be absent when he did preach ; & therefore desired him that he would voutsafe a coppy of his sermon to him ; and beleeve that he would be ready to the best and utmost of his power to serve him. There were many other courtiers that desired coppyes of y® sermon ; and, y® court not staying there, Master Preston came home to furnish coppies. He never penned sermon word for word, but wrote what came into his mynde, and as it came, & that in no good hand, & so it was a business to provide these coppies ; w'^'' yet, he seriously attended untill they were written faire, and then goes to court, where the Duke presents him to y^ Prince ; and so he was made & admitted chaplin to y"^ Prince in ordi- nary, for as then the Prince had not compleated the number he intended, w'^'^ was six ; these were each intended to 69 C)^.,^^ 'A ^tp. ■vwvaj: 'jVr\' •V rN--^^.v 70 77/