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troubles of those days; and after liberty was granted, became minister of a numerous congregation, in the place where he had been before used to preach only to a few. Mr. John Hanmer was afterwards joined in the work with himThis was a happy circumstance for the people, who now en joyed the united labours of two persons, as likely as any to carry on the great designs of the gospel. Mr. Peard had a good estate, and made a good use of it. Tho' he had several children to provide for, he was very generous to others, whose circumstances were strait, and contributed largely to the support of his distressed brethren. He was of a mild disposition, and very serious, hearty and affectionate in his labours of both love towards the souls and bodies of men. He finished his course in October, 1696, when he was about 60 years of age.

JOHN HANMER, M. A. Of St. John's Col. Camb. Son of Mr. Jonathan Hanmer, mentioned before. Born at Barnstaple, in 1642, where he also had his grammar-learning under Mr. Humes, a noted schoolmaster at that time; from thence he was sent to Cambridge, and admitted by Dr. Tuckney who was then master. The dean examining him in order to his admission, gave him this recommendation; that he was as ingenious a youth as most he had a long time met with. And Mr. Broadgate, one of the fellows, in a letter to Mr. Naylor, says; "I know not a youth in the college more hope"ful, either for pious conversation, diligence in study, or sobriety in behaviour." He continued there six or seven years, and made the expected progress. By favour he obtained his degree, without the usual compliance in that case. When he removed from the university, he lived some time in London, where he had considerable offers made him, if he could have conformed. He was afterwards at Tangier Park, with Sir T. Hooke, Bart. near Basingstoke; and after that with

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Elford, Esq. at Bickham in Buckland Monachorum. In all which places the sweetness of his temper, his learning and judgment, the exactness of his composures, and the gravity and seriousness with which they were delivered, procured him universal respect. At length he fixed at Barnstaple; where he was some time with his father and several other worthy ministers, who were concealed, and durst not appear but among their own friends and hearers in private, as they had opportunities of meeting and worshiping God together, in very small numbers. He was about twenty-six years of

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age when he began to preach, which he did not fres quently do, till after his ordination in 1682, (by Mr. Anthony Palmer, &c. in private) when he was near forty. He then accepted of an invitation to stated ministerial work, from the people of Barnstaple, among whom he laboured with great diligence, till he was incapacitated by a disorder which issued in his death, July, 19, 1707, when he was aged 65. He was a star of the first magnitude. His attainments in the know ledge of physic were like those in divinity, very considerable, in the opinion of very competent judges. He had also a poetic genius. Mr. George Bowcher of Barnstaple, in his funeral sermon for him, speaks of him as follows:

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He was an uncommon scholar in arts and tongues, and • generally versed in other kinds of learning. The learned of different persuasions have been forward to declare him a great man. His custom was to rise about four or five in the morning, and to remain in his study till family prayer; soon after which, he went to his study again till about noon: and then, after necessary refreshment with eating and walking, and a little discourse, he returned to his study, and ⚫ there continued till late in the evening. His work was his delight: he plied it close, and on this account perhaps went the sooner from us. His talent at preaching was extraordinary. Most apt to instruct and persuade sinners to turn and live. It might as truly be said of him, as of any one, That • solid truth, judiciously handled, was the usual entertainment he gave those who sat under his ministry. He took a par⚫ticular satisfaction in instructing younger persons. He had • an incomparable way of instilling a knowledge of the great things of religion, into either old or young; and his private as well as public endeavours were very successful for the good of many. His love to his people was exceeding great. It was a great joy to him to see them go quietly hand in hand, in the service of their master, and their common saviour; and very grievous to him were any aberrations or ⚫ mistakes among them. He was much of the temper of Mr. Baxter, who professed he could willingly be a martyr for peace and love among christians. He excelled in charity • and moderation about matters of opinion. He thought true christianity very consistent with different sentiments of things. He could see and love a good christian, tho' of another com'munion from that which he himself thought most apostolical, and agreed best with the dictates of his own conscience; and was far from anathematizing or damning those

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whose head was cast in another mould than his; provided ⚫ they in their hearts and lives tended heavenward. His modesty and humility were very conspicuous. He was an eminent pattern, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. In a word; he was remarkable for his piety, which is the glory of all other attainments. He had much acquaintance with God and converse in heaven while ⚫ upon earth, which seemed to be uninterrupted. His patience under the long affliction before his death, was great. To such as asked him how he did, his common reply was, Very well, blessed be God.'

Mr. Hanmer could not be prevailed on to print any thing, tho' his ordinary performances would have stood the test of the age he lived in, as well as most things that saw the light. His letters, both controversial and practical, discover the excellency of his head and heart. The following is preserved as a specimen. It was sent to a clergyman, who, in conversation, where a relation of Mr. Hanmer was present, had dropped a hint, “that in that town (Barnstaple) there was some person or persons employed in instructing an assembly of Protestants, who taught false doctrine, and by consequence

were false teachers.'

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"Worthy sir,-You were pleased, unprovoked, to charge "false doctrine upon some certain person or persons, who are employed in instructing an assembly of Protestants in this town, under the protection and countenance of his majesty "and the laws. You cannot rationally imagine but I must "look on myself as concerned herein, and somewhat wounded "with so sharp an arrow; whether shot at random, or di"rected point-blank at any particular person or thing, I de"sire to know. If on good grounds you judge me guilty, "and liable to the crime you insinuate, I shall be so far from blaming, that I entreat, and shall thankfully receive, your "admonition and reproof: only craving that this good work may be managed in the spirit of meekness, and with the "wisdom and candour of a christian and a scholar. If you "think me worthy to be smitten, do it dear sir, first in private, and let me particularly know my error and transgression. Your faithfulness herein I shall value as a singular "kindness. Such excellent oil will not break mine head, but "will lay me under farther obligations to love and honour you. "A general passionate charge without instances or proof, some will be apt to interpret a calumny, rather than a rational "and christian reproof: as carrying in it continuance of haVOL II.—13..

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"tred and malice against an whole society, rather than love to "the truth, or zeal for that religion to which we pretend. "Some differences there have always been, and will be among "christians, in some lighter matters and disputable points. If " for these we censure, traduce, malign, and persecute one another, we shall take the readiest course to banish all peace "out of the church for ever. If our foundation be good, and "we agree in the main things of faith, hope, and love, this "methinks should be counted sufficient to unite our hearts, "and oblige and engage us to live and converse together as "brethren. For my part I sincerely profess, that disagree"ment in opinions of less moment, doth not in the least abate my esteem and love of any. A great multitude there are of 66 professed christians, who cannot comply with some things "the church of England enjoins. It hath pleased God to put "it into the hearts of the king and parliament to shew compassion to them. Let not your eye be evil because theirs is good. What falsities have been broached in the despised "assembly among us, which you wish for water to wash away, "I beg that by a line or personal converse, I may understand. "I shall wait on you when, and at any place yourself shall appoint. I hope you have ever found me, and I shall en"endeavour always to approve myself, a sincere friend to love "and peace. Yours, &c."

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Mr. SAMUEL ATKINS. He died young. His funeral sermon was preached and printed by Mr. Isaac Gilling.

The following persons afterwards conformed.

Mr. BULHEAD of King's-Ash. Dr. Walker is willing to give him up to the Nonconformists; being, according to his account, "a sorry, illiterate, idle fellow; the jest of the whole "parish." But Dr. Calamy is not willing to own him.Mr. JOHN TICKEL, of Exeter-Mr. JOHN LAW, of Hinick. —Mr. RICHARD CONANT, of Otterton. Mr. JOSHUA BOWDEN, of Ashburton. Mr. FRANCIS COLLINS, of St. Budax.

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Mr. BUBEAR, of Kinnerly-Mr. LEONARD PRINCE, of Ilfracombe; who continued several years a Nonconformist. He served St. John's in the city of Exeter; and after some time was preferred to the rectory of Instow near Barnstaple. He was uncle to Mr. John Prince, vicar of Berry Pomeroy near Totness, the ingenious author of The Worthies of Devon, to whom the author thankfully pays his acknowledgments, for several hints with respect to the ministers in this county.

MINISTERS

MINISTERS EJECTED OR SILENCED

IN

DORSETSHIRE.

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LLINGTON. S Having applied himself to the study of physic, as well as divinity, while in the university, he was often consulted as a physician, while he was in his living; and after his ejectment, in 1662, he applied himself chiefly to the practice of physic, tho' he continued to preach occasionally. He used a peculiar plainness of speech, which hindered his being an acceptable popular preacher. He lived several years after he was silenced; but he so laid to heart the death of his son, that his health afterwards rapidly declined, and he did not long survive him,

Mr. BARTHOLOMEW WESLEY.

BERE REGIS and KINGSTON [V. 25l. 5s.] Mr. PHILIP LAMB.t Of Camb. Univ. Son of Mr. Henry Lamb, minister at Cern Abbey, and there he was born. He began his ministry at Bere Regis, at about twenty-one years of age. He preached here one part of the Lord'sday, and the other at Kingston, a village, in that neighbourhood, for the convenience of some infirm people: but such as were strong and healthy attended at both places. He had, for some time, a service every day in the week, at six o'clock in the morning, at Bere Regis. On Monday morning he repeated the sermons of the preceding Sabbath. On Wednesday and Friday mornings he expounded the Lord's

From HUTCHIN's History of DORSET, which Mr. James has carefully examined, it appears that Mr. RICHARD SQUIB was put in here by the par liament; and it seems probable that Allington was not the place from which Mr. Wesley was ejected. See CHARMOUTH.

+ Mr. Lamb's predecessor, Hussey, died March 7, 1648. Basket succeeded Lamb, June 28, 1662, so that he was ejected before Bartholomewday. There was no minister at Bere in 1650. Hutchins.

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