Vincent Alsop.

From an Original Painting in D. Williams's Library.

college, and was ordained by his uncle Mr. Fisher of Sheffield, and other ministers. However he sometimes preached at court, with great applause, especially on a fast-day, in 1658, for success in war with Spain. Some courtiers gave him the preference to Dr. Owen and others. He was indeed a very acceptable and zealous preacher; congregational in his judgment.-At the Restoration he met with fierce opposition from a potent adversary, Dr. Br- who would have ejected him by a title obtained from the king, but could not legally do it. However the Bartholomew-act soon ejected him effectually. A few years after, thro' the malevolence and suspicions of some persons in power, he, with many others, were made prisoners at Newark, upon occasion of what was called the Yorkshire-plot. The lord-lieutenant of the county, the old Duke of Newcastle, was against the measure; but some of the deputy-lieutenants were resolute for it, tho' nothing appeared against him, except that his name was CROMWELL. He often requested a trial but could not obtain it. He continued some years in prison, by which he contracted such disorders that his life was despaired of. The Duke wrote to the council on his behalf, and endeavoured to soften Sir Wm. Hickman, his chief persecutor, and at length prevailed for his enlargement. Sir William himself was heard afterwards to say, That his violent prosecution of this innocent person gave him no little trouble.

Some few years after his release, he lived at quiet in his own country; but being called to Norwich, he enjoyed but one peaceable sabbath after his settlement there; being on the second, forced out of his meeting-house, the licences being called in; and afterwards for nine years together, he was never without trouble; being pursued with indictments at sessions and assizes, and with citations from the ecclesiastical courts. Feigned letters, rhimes, or libels, were dropped in the street or church, and fathered upon him. So that he was forced to make his house his prison. At length his house was broke open, and he absconded, till he contracted his old diseases. He removed, for a change of air, to his own native place, Barmby Moor, where he had a good estate; but it was too late to receive any benefit. However, he there found a place, where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest. He died about April 1685. [A correspondent writes, that during his residence in Norwich, he was invited to dine with Bp. Reynolds, when many young clergy were present. The conversation was carried on by

the

the bishop and Mr. Cromwell. When Mr. C. went out of the room, the bishop rose up and attended him; upon which a general laugh ensued. When his Lordship came in again, he addressed his clergy with great gravity; told them how ungenteel it was to scoff at a friend at his table; and added, with regard to Mr. Cromwell, Thus far I can aver, he has more solid divinity in his little finger than all of you have in your bodies."]

WORKS. A Discourse of Spiritual Blessings, in four Sermons, on Eph. i. 3.---On God's owning the least Degree of Grace, in two Sermons on Amos ix. 9.

CODGRAVE [R. 240/.] JOHN CLARK, M. A. Some time Fellow of Pem. Hall. Camb. He was second son of Mr. Samuel Clark of Bennet-Fink. A good scholar, and a sound, plain, profitable preacher. He was presented to this living by the Marquis of Dorchester, but enjoyed it not quite four years. He had six children at the time he was ejected; on whose account, as well as because of his own worth, his ejectment was greatly lamented. His farewell sermon on Eph. v. 15, 16. is to be seen among those of the Countryministers, No. XVII. It breathes a very serious spirit §; as did his constant preaching. He had not a strong constitution, but was subject to a cough, and sometimes spit blood; yet, where he could have liberty to preach in private, he did not decline the work, while he was able, to his dying-day. He was of a calm spirit; endued with great meekness and patience under his trials. He had some skill in physic, but practised gratis only. He peaceably departed this life at Bassford, Sept. 19, 1669, but about 39 years of age.

WORKS. A Discourse on the Subject of spiritual Comfort. (It is brief and pithy).

COLLINGHAM (South) [R.] Mr. JOHN PINDAR. Soon after Bartholomew-day, he removed to London.

This is not a sufficient commendation. It is a very pertinent, judicious and useful discourse. The conclusion is appropriate and striking. The editor laments the want of room for some extractsN. B. There seems to be some inaccuracy respecting this Mr. John Clark's relation to Mr S. Clark of Bennet-Fink. See Vol. I. p. 101, and Hungerford p. 288. Query whether he was not the fon of the last, if not the same person? See Doddr. Fun. Ser. før Dr. Clark.

CRUMWELL

CRUMWELL [R.] JOSEPH TRUMAN, B. D. Of Clare Hall, Camb. He was born at Gedling near Nottingham, in April, 1631, of religious parents. His father was employed in public business for the country many years, and was much esteemed for his wisdom and fidelity. The following anec dote concerning him is from good authority: Upon the publication of the Book of Sports, in the reign of Cha. I. going to visit a sick friend on the Lord's-day, and passing thro' a village where a May-pole had been lately erected, and great numbers were collected for their diversion, as he rode by them, two of the company came up to him, and in a very insulting manner told him, "That tho' he had lately frighted people from such exercises, they were now in no fear of him, having the king's allowance for what they did." Mr. Truman only answered, "It is true, gentlemen, you have the king's law for what you do, but we must have respect to God's laws as well as the king's. Upon which they went to the next justice of peace, and made oath, that Mr. Richard Truman had said, "We ought to have respect to God's laws, and not to the king's laws." This was made the ground of a most violent prosecution, in all the courts in England, which issued in an outlawry. He was forced to be absent from his numerous family and his business, to attend the courts, for near three quarters of a year. One of his prosecutors was the Earl of Chesterfield, whose son being at that time in London, met Mr. T. and asked him what brought him thither? He was not very forward to tell him, because of his father's concern in the business; but Mr. Stanhope pressing him, he at length related the whole matter. That honourable gentleman expressed his hearty concern that any of his family should have a hand in such a prosecution, and desired Mr. T. to keep an exact account of all the expence he was at, and promised that, if ever he came to the honour and estate, he would repay him the whole. This comforted him at the time; but that worthy gentleman died soon after, when the whole burthen fell upon himself, amounting to near 1500l. It pleased God, afterwards to give one of the prosecutors such a sense of his guilt, in swearing falsly against an innocent person, that he said, He should be damned if he did not see Mr. T. before he died. An account of this being sent to him, he visited this gentleman in his way home, before he had seen his own family, and found him under great agonies of conscience. Among other things, he told Mr. T. that he could not die in peace, unless he forgave