In the 32. year of his age he was ordained Minister, and about a ⟨image 6⟩year after, which wa• June 1608. he was admitted Minister into the Church of Black-friars London, where he continued to his dying day, which was 45. years and six months, never having any other ministerial employment, though he were offered many great ones. His manner of coming to Black-•riers was thus, The Parish being1 destitute of a preaching minister, one Mr. Hildersham, a pious and powerful Preacher, being in company among some of the better sort of Black-friars, told them, that there was one who lived in Stratford-Bow, and had no charge, that might be fit for them: Hereupon diverse of them went to Stratford-Bow, upon the Lords Day, where he frequently preached gratis, to help the Minister that then was there, and so well liked him, as upon their report, with an unanimous consent, (nemine contradicente) he was chosen their Minister. Ever since he was there chosen, he hath manifested a great good respect to the inhabitants of that place. Before his coming thither they had not so much as a Church of their own to hear the word of God in, nor any place to bury their dead; but by means that he used, the Church, the Church▪ porch, the Ministers house, and Churchyard (all which they had before upon courtesy) were purchased; so as now, they all, as a proper inheritance, belong to the Parish of Blackfriars. Five years after his coming thither, the old Church being found too little for▪ the multitudes that thronged from all parts of the City, to hear him, he was a means of purchasing certain •oomes, whereby the Church was enlarged almost as big again as it was before. The sum of purchasing, new building, & finishing the said Church,2 amounted to above 1500 pounds, which was procured partly by the Collections at his Lectures, partly by his e tters written to his friends, and by the contribution of the Parishioners, without any Brief for public Collections in other places.
In the 32. yeare of his age he was ordained Minister, and about a ⟨image 6⟩year after, which wa• Iune 1608. he was admitted Minister into the Church of Black-friers London, where he continued to his dying day, which was 45. years and six months, never having any other ministeriall imploiment, though he were offered many great ones. His manner of comming to Black-•riers was thus, The Parish being1 destitute of a preaching minister, one Mr. Hildersham, a pious and powerfull Preacher, being in company among some of the better sort of Black-friers, told them, that there was one who lived in Stratford-Bow, and had no charge, that might be fit for them: Hereupon diverse of them went to Stratford-Bow, upon the Lords Day, where he frequently preached gratis, to help the Minister that then was there, and so well liked him, as upon their report, with an unanimous consent, (nemine contradicente) he was chosen their Minister. Ever since he was there chosen, he hath manifested a great good respect to the inhabitants of that place. Before his comming thither they had not so much as a Church of their own to hear the word of God in, nor any place to bury their dead; but by means that he used, the Church, the Church▪ porch, the Ministers house, and Churchyard (all which they had before upon courtesie) were purchased; so as now, they all, as a proper inheritance, belong to the Parish of Blackfriers. Five years after his comming thither, the old Church being found too little for▪ the multitudes that thronged from all parts of the City, to hear him, he was a means of purchasing certain •oomes, whereby the Church was inlarged almost as big again as it was before. The summe of purchasing, new building, & finishing the said Church,2 amounted to above 1500 pounds, which was procured partly by the Collections at his Lectures, partly by his e tters written to his friends, and by the contribution of the Parishioners, without any Brief for publick Collections in other places.
- 1His calling to Black-friars.His calling to Black-friers.
- 2His great ca•e of, and good respect to the Parish of Black-friars.His great ca•e of, and good respect to the Parish of Black-friers.
