Calvinist." He was always fond of a retired and sedentary life, which rendered him less easy and affable in conversation. He died August 24, 1630, aged sixty-one years. His WORKS. 1. Doctrinæ Christianæ Sex capita, totidem prelectionibus in Schola Theol. Oxon pro forma habitis, discussa, et disceptata, 1610.-2. Appendix ad caput secundum de conciliis evangelicis, 1610.-3. Sermon at St. Mary's in Oxon, being K. James's Inauguration day, 1611.-4. Eight Sermons publicly preached in the University of Oxford, 1614.-5. The Sin against the Holy Ghost discovered, and other Christian Doctrines, delivered in twelve sermons upon part of the tenth Chap. of the Epis. to the Hebrews, 1615.6. Commentary or Exposition upon the first Chap. of Amos, delivered in twenty-one Sermons, 1613. Translated into Latin by Mr. Henry Jackson, 1615.-7. Christian Liberty, 1613.-8. A Latin Sermon, on Rev. v. 10., 1616.-9. Prelectiones de Perseverântia Sanctorum, 1618. -10. The Havon of the Afflicted, 1620.-11. Commentary or Exposition upon the second Chap. of Amos, 1620.-12. Commentary or Exposition upon the third Chap. of Amos, 1629. ROBERT BROWN.-This very singular person was born at Tolethorp in Rutlandshire, and descended from an ancient and honourable family. He was nearly related to the Lord Treasurer Burleigh, and his grandfather, by charter from Henry VIII., obtained the singular privilege of wearing his cap in the king's presence. He received his education in Corpus Christi college, Cambridge, and preached sometimes in Bennet church, where the vehemence of his delivery gained him considerable reputation. Afterwards, he became a schoolmaster in Southwark, London, then a lecturer at Islington, and domestic chaplain to the Duke of Norfolk. Having embraced the principles of the puritans, he resolved to refine them, and produce a scheme more perfect of his own. He openly inveighed against the discipline and ceremonies of the church of England, which he held up to the people as antichristian. In the year 1571, Mr. Brown was cited before Archbishop Parker and the other high commissioners at Lambeth, undoubtedly on account of his nonconformity. His noble patron warmly espoused his cause; disregarded the summons; and resolved to protect his chaplain, as exempt from their lordships' jurisdiction. The stern archbishop and his colleagues, however, shewed their resolution to proceed against him. They wrote to the duke, signifying, that if he * Wood's Athenæ Oxon. vol. i. p. 467. still persisted in detaining his chaplain, they must and would make use of other means: but what other methods they used, or what ecclesiastical censure was inflicted upon Brown, we have not been able to ascertain.* In the year 1581 he settled in the city of Norwich, where he was employed in the stated exercise of his ministry; and many of the Dutch, who had there a numerous congregation, imbibed his principles. Growing confident by success, he called in the assistance of one Richard Harrison, a country schoolmaster, and planted churches in different places.+ He did not, however, remain long unnoticed. For during the above year, he was convened before Bishop Freake of Norwich, and other of the queen's commissioners, and committed to the custody of the sheriff of the county, by whom he was for some time detained a prisoner. Also, in the same year, the celebrated judge Anderson discovered the warmth of his zeal against Brown; for which Bishop Freake wrote to the treasurer Burleigh, desiring he might receive the thanks of the queen. Whether the treasurer laid the case before her majesty we cannot learn; but by his kind intercession Mr. Brown was at length released from prison, when he left the kingdom, and settled at Middleburg, in Zealand. There, by leave of the magistrates, he formed a church according to his own model, which is explained in a book he published in 1582, entitled, “A Treatise of Reformation without tarrying for any, and of the wickedness of those Preachers, who will not reform them and their charge, because they will tarry till the Magistrate command and compel them. By me, Robert Brown." After continuing a short time at Middleburg, his people began to quarrel so violently, and divide into parties, that Brown grew weary of his office, and returned to England in 1585. Soon after his arrival in his native country, he was convened before Archbishop Whitgift, and required to give his answer to certain things published in one of his books; but the archbishop having by force of reasoning brought him to a submission, he was dismissed a second time by the intercession of the lord treasurer. He went to his father's house; but his father was soon tired of him, and abandoned him to a wandering course of life, and discharged him from his family, saying, "that he would not own him * Strype's Parker, p. 326, 327. + Collier's Eccl. Hist. vol. ii. p. 581. for a son, who would not own the church of England for his mother." After travelling up and down the country, preaching against the laws and ceremonies of the church, he went to reside at Northampton. Here his preaching soon gave offence, and he was cited before Bishop Lindsell of Peterborough, who, upon his refusing to appear, publicly excommunicated him for contempt. The solemnity of this censure made such an impression upon Brown, that he renounced his principles of separation, and having obtained absolution, he was, about the year 1592, preferred to the rectory of Achurch, near Oundle in Northamptonshire.+ Upon his promise of a general compliance with the church of England, improved by the countenance of his patron and kinsman, the Earl of Exeter prevailed upon the archbishop to procure him this favour. Mr. Brown having obtained a settled and permanent abode, allowed a salary for another person to discharge his cure; and though, according to our author, he opposed his parishioners in judgment, yet agreed in taking their tithes. He was a person of good parts and some learning, but his temper was imperious and uncontrollable; and so far was he from the sabbatarian strictness espoused by his followers, that he seemed rather a libertine than otherwise. "In a word," continues our historian, " he had a wife with whom he never lived, a church in which he never preached, and as all the other scenes of his life were stormy and turbulent, so was his end." For being poor and proud, and very passionate, he struck the constable of his parish for demanding the payment of certain rates; and being beloved by nobody, the officer summoned him before Sir Rowland St. John, a neighbouring justice, in whose presence he behaved with so much insolence, that he was committed to Northampton gaol. The decrepid old man not being able to walk, was carried thither upon a feather bed in a cart; where, not long after, he sickened and died, in 1630, aged upwards of eighty years, boasting, "that he had been committed to thirty-two prisons, in some of which he could not see his hand at noon day." Such was the unhappy life and tragical end of Robert Brown, founder of the famous sect, from him called BROWNISTS. He lived in a little thatched house at Thorp Waterville, which was still subsisting in the year 1791, and • Fuller's Church Hist, b. ix. p. 167. Though inhabited by a tenant of the Earl of Exeter. Fuller does not believe that he ever formally recanted his opinions, several of our historians assert that he conformed, and became an obedient son of the church of England, to which he appears to have been tempted by the above valuable benefice.+ If he conformed to the national church, he does not properly belong to the list of puritans, though it was requisite to give some account of him, His WORKS, in addition to the article already mentioned.-1. A Treatise upon the twenty-third chapter of St. Matthew, both for an order of studying and handling the Scriptures, and also for avoiding the Popish disorders, and ungodly communion of all false Christians, and especially of wicked preachers and hirelings.-2. A Book which sheweth the life and manner of all true Christians, and how unlike they are unto Turks, and Papists, and Heathen folk. Also the points and parts of all Divinity, that is, of the revealed will and word of God, are declared by their several definitions and divisions following. FRANCIS HIGGINSON, A. M.-This excellent minister was born in the year 1587, and educated in Emanuel college, Cambridge, and afterwards became pastor of one of the churches in Leicester. His preaching was truly evangelical, and multitudes from all quarters flocked to hear him. The great object of his ministry was to produce that change of heart, and holy rectitude of conduct, without which no man can see the Lord. The effect, through a divine blessing, was such as might be expected. A remarkable revival of religion was the reward of his labours, and many were effectually turned from sin to holiness; but, in the midst of his usefulness, he was deprived on account of his nonconformity. For some years after his settlement at Leicester, he continued a strict conformist; but, upon his acquaintance with Mr. Hildersham and Mr. Hooker, he was induced to study the controversy about ecclesiastical matters. He searched the scriptures, together with the earliest antiquity; and as he searched, the more he became dissatisfied with the inventions of men introduced into the worship of God. From his own impartial examination, therefore, and the clear evidence of truth, he became a decided and conscientious nonconformist. At this time the weight of his influence burst forth; and the * Bridges's Hist. of Northamptonshire, vol. i. p. 366. + Fuller's Church Hist. b. ix. p. 168.-Collier's Eccl. Hist. vol. ii. p. 582. VOL. II. 2 B arm of ecclesiastical power could not obscure the lustre of his talents. Such were the pathos and enchanting eloquence of his ministry, that the people could not be denied the benefit of his instructions. "He was unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument." The people obtained liberty for him to preach a lecture on one part of the sabbath, and on the other to aid an aged minister, who stood in need of assistance. They supported him by their own voluntary subscription; and such was his reputation, that, while it was safe, all the conformist ministers in the town invited him into their pulpits. He also preached to another congregation in the church at Belgrave, a village near Leicester. His labours and usefulness were thus expanded. This, indeed, was through the connivance of the generous and worthy Bishop Williams of Lincoln;* and continued till Laud became bishop of London, when he determined to extirpate all nonconformists. As it often happens in other cases, so it did in this; while one part of the community was delighted and encouraged in the practice of religion, another part, feeling themselves rebuked and condemned by his preaching, became more violent opposers, and more cruel persecutors. Mr. Hig ginson openly avowed his opinion, that ignorant and immoral people ought not to be admitted to the Lord's table. Accordingly, having preached a sermon from this text, "Give not that which is holy to dogs;" and being about to administer the sacrament, he saw a known swearer and drunkard before him, to whom he publicly said, " he was not willing to give the Lord's supper to him, until he professed his repentance to the satisfaction of the brethren, and desired him to withdraw." The man went out in a rage against Mr. Higginson, and, with horror in his conscience, was immediately taken sick, and soon after expired, crying out, "I am damned." Another profane person being offended with his wife for attending upon Mr. Higginson's This very learned and religious prelate was a constant friend to the persecuted puritans, many of whom, as will appear from the present work, he protected from the intolerant proceedings of the ecclesiastical courts. We have given a particular account in the introduction, of the barbarous persecution he endured from Archbishop Laud and his associates. He was greatly admired for his deep penetration, solid judgment, and his wonderful memory, which was deemed almost a miracle. His parts were very extraordinary; and his constitution still more extraordinary than his parts; for, notwithstanding his hard study, and a multiplicity of business, he never required more than three hours sleep.-Le Neve's Lives, vol, i. part ii. p. 154.-Granger's Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 355. |