his life have been recorded. It is an undoubted evidence of the excellence of his character, that he is well spoken of, not only by those of his own party but both Fuller and Wood give him high commendation. He was entirely free from covetousness, was full of schemes of benevolent enterprise, of an amiable temper, grave but not morose; and as a pastor, exhibited the character of a good shepherd, by continually contriving and labouring for the benefit of his flock. His usefulness and reputation were so great, that he received the appellation of the "Patriarch of Dorchester."

The published writings of Mr. White are the following:

1. The Troubles of Jerusalem's Restoration, &c. 2. The Way to the Tree of Life.

3. An Assize Sermon, March 7, 1632.

4. A Commentary on the three first chapters of Genesis; fol.

WILSON, THOMAS, A. M., was born in the county of Cumberland, England, 1601. He discovered an early love of books, and though sent early to school, he soon outstripped all his competitors in learning. Before he was seventeen years of age, he was admitted into Christ's College, Cambridge; and was greatly admired for his indefatigable industry, and rapid progress in useful learning. He took his degrees, and entered the sacred ministry. His diligence was so unremitting, that the motto over his door might have been, "No day without doing something." And while engaged in academical studies, he was not neglectful of theology. "From a child he knew the Holy Scriptures," and the Bible was exceedingly precious unto him. It is said, that before he was Bachelor of Arts, he had read over the whole of " Junius and Tremellius," three times. His bodily constitution being strong, he was enabled to apply himself indefatigably to his studies. Upon leaving the University, he spent four years in teaching a school at Chartwood, in the county of Surrey, employing,

however, all his vacant hours in the study of theology. He had also the assistance of the Rev. Mr. Bristow, minister of Chartwood, to aid him in directing his studies. Mr. Bristow, if he had consulted only his own advantage, and the benefit of his own flock, would have wished to retain Mr. Wilson in the school; but perceiving that he was endued with eminent gifts for the work of the ministry, he encouraged him to go forward to that arduous work. After several years' experience, Mr. Wilson gave it as his opinion, that except the ministry of the gospel, he knew no occupation in which a pious man could be more useful, than in teaching youth.

He began his ministerial labours at Capel, where he was not the less diligent and faithful, because he received very little for his services. His next field of labour was at Farlington, near Portsmouth. But he did not remain long here, but went to Teddington, near Kingston on Thames, in the county of Surrey. Here his labours were crowned with remarkable success, and he continued for several years. Many souls in this place considered him as their father in the gospel. While residing here, he felt a strong desire to visit his native country and his friends. This he accomplished, when about twenty-six years of age; and the visit was made highly beneficial to many persons.

While he was in Cumberland, he preached at a large market-town, called Penrith, where a market was held every Lord's day, until nine o'clock in the morning. Mr. Wilson set himself to break up this custom, by which the Sabbath was profaned. He got the neighbouring ministers to unite with him, and a proclamation was made, that no more victuals should be brought to market on the Lord's day. And for many years afterwards, there was no market held here on the Sabbath day.

His next remove was to Otham, near Maidstone, in the county of Kent, where he was made the instrument of awakening and converting many souls. Multitudes flocked to hear him, so that the church at

Maidstone was too small to contain them. The regular pastor of this place was an unprofitable steward; for when the children asked for bread, he gave them a stone. But Mr. Wilson acted as 66 a faithful and wise steward, who gave to every one his portion in due season." To the impenitent he thundered the terrors of the law; and to the awakened and humbled sinner, who was inquiring, "What must I do to be saved?" he was a Barnabas, a son of sweet consolation. He had the happy art of displaying the unsearchable riches of Christ, unto sinners ready to perish. His doctrine was according to godliness, and his chief aim to glorify God, and to win souls unto Christ. He neither sought to please the fancy, nor to gain the applause of his auditory, by "the enticing words of man's wisdom." And in obedience to the divine command, he preached the word "in season, and out of season:" not only sounding the gospeltrumpet twice every Lord's day, but often through the week; and on many occasions, when worldly men were of opinion that his labours were unseasonable. Mr. Wilson's great popularity and usefulness soon awakened the envy of profane sinners, and also of several neighbouring ministers; but he went on undismayed, trusting in the Lord, and his labours were crowned with a manifest and abundant blessing. He still continued to promote the religious observance of the Lord's day, and exerted himself in various ways to promote a reformation of manners. But while Mr. Wilson was proceeding in his career of usefulness, he was suspended from his ministry by the vicar-general of Laud, for refusing to read the profane Book of Sports. In April, 1635, no less than fourteen charges were exhibited against him, and in the next month he gave in his answers.

CHARGE "You refused to read the King's Declaration for sports, on Sundays, and spoke disdainfully to the apparitor and officer of the court."

ANSWER" I said unto the apparitor, Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,' and I said no more. I refused to read the Book, not out of con

tempt, but as commanded by no law. The King's majesty doth not, in the Book, command the minister to read it, nor it to be read, but published. Neither was it accompanied by any seal to confirm it. And seeing there is no penalty threatened, nor authority given to question those who refuse to read it, my refusal was upon sufficient grounds of law and conscience."

He then went on to prove that the proclamation was repugnant to the canons, and to the law of the land, citing his authorities with the exactness of a practised lawyer. He showed also, that the Book of Sports was contrary to the councils, and contrary to the opinions of all divines, ancient and modern; and proceeded again, to cite authorities from the canons of councils and the fathers; referring by name, to Ignatius, Irenæus, to Chrysostom and Augustine. And contrary also to all the more eminent modern divines, such as Babington, Zanchius, Junius, Alsted, &c.; and finally, Mr. Wilson proved that the Book of Sports is contrary to reason.

Archbishop Laud had laid the snare to catch Mr. Wilson for refusing to read the Book of Sports, that he might stop him from preaching. Accordingly, as soon as he gave in his answer, Laud haughtily replied, "I suspend you for ever from your office and benefice until you read it." And thus this laborious, faithful, and successful preacher, through the envy of Satan, was silenced from preaching for the space of four years. About the same time he was committed to Maidstone jail for non-conformity, but how long he remained in prison is not known. But afterwards he was brought by Laud into the High Commission Court, and was again prosecuted for the same crime, to his great cost and trouble.

Mr. Wilson, during his suspension, not being satisfied with the ministrations of the vicar of Otham, removed to Maidstone, and endeavoured to support his family by giving private instructions to a few families; but his enemies continued to calumniate him as the sower of the seeds of division. With the

view of wiping off that reproach, he wrote a respectful letter to the parishioners of Otham, in which he exhorted them "to fear God and honour the king, and to walk in love toward one another; and not to cherish any dislike to the government, or to those whom the Lord had set over them." This letter was publicly read to the congregation by Dr. Tuck, but not by the request of Mr. Wilson. Both he and Tuck were now arraigned before the High Commission Court, and charged with having published a scandalous letter to nourish schism, and to confirm the people in dislike to the government. To which he answered by confessing that he had written a letter to the people of Otham, but denied that it was of the character described. He said, "I know its tendency was to induce the people to fear God and honour the king, and not to meddle with those who are given to change; to walk in faith and love, and to call upon God. But I utterly deny having said any thing derogatory to the Church of England; or to confirm the people in their dislike of the existing civil government; and I protest against all aspersions and imputation of schism or scandal; nor did I direct any person to read it in the church; nor did I desire, or wish it to be thus read." But, notwithstanding the clear and satisfactory defence alleged by Mr. Wilson, he and Dr. Tuck were kept attending on this court for the space of three years, to their great cost and trouble.

While in this state of suspension, a neighbouring minister, eagerly desiring to get possession of the living of Otham, endeavoured to have him ejected, but the patron would not consent, but confirmed Mr. Wilson in the living.

In the year 1639, the Scots having entered England with an army, and the Parliament being called, Laud took off Wilson's suspension. But his troubles were not ended; for he was now called, with others, before the archbishop's visiters, to answer for not reading the prayer against the Scots. Edward Bright being first called up, was asked whether he had read