On this page
-
Text (1)
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
brother to Nicholas By field * * was born in Worcestershire , and at 16 years of age , in 1615 , became either a servitor or batler f of Queen's College . Taking the Degrees of Arts , he left the University , and through some petite emp loyments , ( of which the curacy or lectureship of Islesworth was one ) became rector of Long Dittoh ,
in Surry , a leading man for carry&g on the blessed cause , a reformer'df his church , of superstition , ( as he called it , ) by plucking up the steps leading to the altar , and levelling it lower than the rest of the chancel ; by denying " his parishioners ( particularly his patron t that gave him Long Ditton ) the
they thought he stayed long , and so opened the door , and found him just expiring . " It was his usual custom , once in a year , for the space of a month , to retire into a little hut in a wood , and avoiding all human converse , to devote himself to contemplation . —His works were printed altogether , in folio , in 1689 . "—Calamy ' s Account , p . 410 .
* " Of Exeter College . —He left the University to go into Ireland ; but at Chester he was , upon the delivery of a noted SermoD , invited to be pastor of St . Peter ' s Church there . —At length he had the benefice of Islesworth conferred on him , where he died in 1622 , aged 44 . His writings shew him to have been a person of great parts , industry and readiness .
" He left behind him a son named Adonirani Byfield , who became first known for tiie love he bore to the righteous cause , by being chaplain to Col . ChoJmoiidcley ' s regiment in the army of Robert Earl of Essex in 1642 , and soon after for his being one of the scribes to the Assembly of Divines , and a most zealous covenanter . He was afterwards
"muster of Colliugborn in Wilts , and assistant to the Commissioners of that county , 1654 . He died about the time « f his Majesty ' s restoration . "—JVood * 1 . < M , H . 230 . t See supra * p . 224 .
+ on John Evelyn . On occasion of **¦ great difference" between them , u about repairing the Church , " Calamy gives the following particulars : Mr . Byfield went to Oliver Cromwell
( who was at that time Protector ) and < ouiplamed of his patron . He contrived how to get them both with him together , ana at length having compassed it , found lneir account agreed exactly , except in one "uag . For Sir John charged Mr . Byfield
Untitled Article
sacrament , unless they Would take it in any way , except kneeling , &c . He was one of the Assembly of Divines , a great covenanter , an eager preacher against bishops , ceremonies , and being a frequent and constant holder forth , was followed by those of
the vicinity , especially such who were of his persuasion . In 1654 he was appoMted an assistant to the commissioners of Surry , and was not wanting in any thing whereby he might express his ' zeal for the aforesaid cause . His works are these :
"The Light of Faith and Way of Holiness , shewing how and what to believe in all Estates and Conditions /*
1630 . . t € Doctrine of the Sabbath vindicated : or a Confutation of a Treatise of the Sabbath . Written by Mr , Edward Brerewoo * dagainst Mr . Nicholas Byfield , " 1632 .
with reflecting upon him in his sermons . Whereupon Oliver told Mr . Byfield it was very ill done ; for that Sir John was a man of honour in his country ; and it he had done any thing amiss , he ought
to have told him of it privately , and with respect . Mr . Byfreld took God to witness , that he had never designed any reflection upon him in his sermons , and he did it with that solemnity and seriousness that Oliver believed him . And
thereupon turning to Sir John Evelyn , * Sir , ' said he , ' 1 doubt there is something indeed amiss : the word of God is penetrating , and finds you out . Search your ways . ' This he . spake so pathetically , and
with such plenty of tears , that both Sir John and Mr . Byfield , and the rest that were present fell to weeping also . He made them good friends before parting : He saw them shake hands , and embrace each other before he dismissed them .
To bind the friendship the faster * Oliver asked Sir John what it would cost to repair the church ? He told him the workmen reckoned it would cost 200 / . He called for his secretary Mai in , and gave him orders to pay Sir John Evelyn 100 L
towards the repair of the church . * And now , Sir / said he , < I hope you'll pay or raise the other hundred ;* which lie thankfully undertook to do . And they lived very amicably afterwards . "—Account , pp . 664 , 665 .
* Now principally known by his " Enquiries touching the Diversity of Languages and Religion through the chief Parts of the World , " first published \ u 1614 , the year after the author ' ^ decease , at Gre-
Untitled Article
Syfva Biographica . 22 J
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 2, 1822, page 227, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2511/page/35/
-