this living in 1633. He was born at Ansty near Coventry, and was taught grammar-learning in the free-school in that city, whither he used to go every morning, when very young, so early as to surprise the master. Through the instructions of his pious mother, he discovered a deep sense of religion when he was but five or six years of age. His parents were desirous to educate him for the ministry, but being in low circumstances, could contribute little to it. He however vigorously pursued his learning, and discovered extraordinary sobriety and seriousness. At seventeen years of age he entered himself in the university of Oxford, and then taught a school in the country for a year, with the recommendation of his master; after which he went to reside at Oxford; where he maintained himself with the money his school had brought in, together with what his father could allow him; and when it was gone, he went and taught school again for more. Thus he held on for some years. Notwithstanding these difficulties, by his diligence he made considerable improvements, and was thought competently qualified for the ministry by all that knew him. His friends were very earnest for his fixing at Shilton, (a small living in the next parish to Ansty) to supply the place of the vicar, of whom the people were weary, and who consented to the proposal, though he still kept the title. Hereupon Mr. Jephcot applied to Bishop Moreton for ordination, who examined him himself, and readily ordained him, though he rejected several others, being very severe in examining candidates. He then preached constantly at Shilton, on the Lord's day, and often on holidays, besides occasional sermons; and went every day two miles to teach school; all which labour brought him in but 20 l. a

year.

Upon the death of the minister in the neighbouring parish of Buckington, (which was a better living) the inhabitants were very desirous of having Mr. Jephcot in his room. This living being in the king's gift, he at the people's earnest desire, took a journey to London, with proper recommendations, in order to obtain the presentation; but failed of success. However, that he might not wholly lose his labour, the lord-keeper gave him a presentation to St. Mary's in Swaffham. The people there were at first dissatisfied, because he was an utter stranger to them; but after a short trial, they were extremely pleased and thankful that they were so well provided for.-He preached twice on the Lord's day, catechized in the afternoon, (according to the canon)

and

and repeated at night. When the Book of Sports came out, he read it according to order, and then preached for the sanc tifying the day. When the minister of the other parish [Mr. Payne] died, leaving his widow in debt, Mr. Jephcot did her much service. Not being able to live upon his income, he removed to a free-school in Thurlow, intending to reBign his vicarage in Swaffham, to any worthy man who could get the other united to it. But the people, being exceedingly desirous of his continuance with them, made such interest, that they got the other vicarage united to his, with an aug mentation. (They are since united by act of parliament.) Upon a unanimous call, he returned to them, and gave hims self wholly to the work of the ministry; in which he took extraordinary pains, in preaching, repeating, catechizing and visiting. Nor were his labours without success; for he was a means of converting many. He was an instrument of much good to several in the family of Roger Rant, Esq. and useful to all the serious people of those parts. Yet he had much uneasiness from the carnality and bitterness of some of his parish, and the giddiness of several others. He was also greatly troubled with some people who pretended to visions and revelations. While he lived in the vicarage, he was one night robbed of his plate, money and watches, by four men, three of whom broke into the house, while the other held the horses. When he perceived them coming up the stairs, he said, "The will of the Lord be done." But he afterwards took courage to expostulate with them, and reminded them of the judgment-day, &c. when they answered, “We are gentlemen, and must live." He viewed this event, as well as all others, with a pious regard to providence, and having written an account of this singular robbery, and of the persons proved to be concerned in it, he expresses his thankfulness to God, who restrained them from offering any violence to himself or his family, and closes thus: "All the passages of God's providence in the thing were very re"markable; but the sanctifying them to my soul is never to "be forgotten."

He was earnestly desirous of settling some christian discipline in the church, for promoting knowlege and holiness. With this view, he had stated meetings with the neighbouring ministers. They agreed upon many things which they should practise in their respective congregations, and promised to help one another by mutual advice in any emergent difficulties. Finding that many would not be at the pains of

learning

learning the Assembly's Catechism, they drew up one much shorter, for the use of the most ignorant in their parishes.

In 1661, the former incumbent, who had been put out as scandalous, came again into one of the livings in Swaffham; upon which Mr. Jephcot knowing that the other would not be sufficient to maintain his family, and foreseeing that he should be in danger of having his conscience straitened by ecclesiastical impositions; finding also many in the place altered for the worse, and turning with the tide, determined to remove the first opportunity.-Bishop Wren, who was restored with the king, was much incensed against him, because he had concurred with other ministers in ordaining several persons to the ministry, who were chiefly such as had been fellows of colleges. The free school of Boston being offered him, on the recommendation of Dr. Tuckney, he accepted it, and removed thither. On his application to Bp. Sanderson for a licence, he treated him very respectfully; told him, it was a pity a man of his worth should be confined to the drudgery of a school; and offered him his choice of two livings, of about 60l. a year each. He thanked his lordship, but waved acceptance, because, as things then went, he apprehended he -should-quickly be turned out of a living; but hoped he might be suffered to continue in a school. He was however turned out of that at Bartholomew-tide, when he was but just settled in it, to the great loss of the town. Some of the aldermen urged him to conform, that he might continue in the school; but he said, If he could conform, he would not do it merely to teach boys. Many other considerable persons were desirous of his staying in the town after he quitted the school; but he rather chose to be near his friends in Cambridgeshire, and therefore settled at Ousden near Bury in Suffolk. Here he constantly went to church on Lord's-days, and also to the sacrament. But he kept up-a' weekly lecture among a small company of honest well-meaning people. In the latter part of his life he set up a boarding school, and trained up youth in learning and piety. Nine or ten persons of fortune had engaged, upon his ejectment, to raise him 200l. a year; which they did for a time; but some who lived at a distance discontinued it, and others died before him, so that he had but a scanty subsistence in his old age, from his school, and a small estate of about 12l. a year.

He used to spend much of his time in writing letters to persons on spiritual accounts. Indeed his whole heart seemed set upon promoting the work of grace in himself and others.

He

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He was distinguished for his unusual accuracy in the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin languages, philosophy, and some part of the mathematics. He also often practised dialling and surveying for his recreation. His abilities for the ministry were great, and he was very laborious in it. When he was reduced to a more retired life, he reaped what he had been sowing; having as much of the comfortable presence of God, and settled assurance of his love, as can well be supposed attainable in this life. In a painful and tedious sickness, he was wonderfully supported by the comforts of God's spirit, even to his death; in the view of which he continued the most devout addresses to heaven, and serious discourse to those about him, as long as his strength permitted him to speak. He died Nov. 1673, at the great age of 96.-Mr. Cawdwell afterwards had a meeting in this place, and communicated the above ac

count.

WORKS. It doth not appear that Mr. Jephcot published any thing. But Dr. Calamy has preserved some small pieces of his, which he left in MS. written in Latin; viz. A curious account of an unusual Meteor which appeared at Swaffham in May 1646.A Copy of Verses presented to several of his friends who contributed to his Support when he was silenced. And—A Character of of a true Son of the Church of England. Those who understand Latin may be amused by them; but our limits do not admit of their being here inserted.

Little SWAFFHAM, Mr. DANIEL FOOT. He had this living a few years, while he continued at Cambridge, and preached there on the Lord's day. When he was ejected he came to London.

WENTWORTH, [R.] Mr. WILLIAM BURCHIL, of Trin. Col. Camb. After his ejectment he lived privately at Wilsford, a mile distant; where he had a small estate of about 127. per ann. and did what good he could, by private preaching and expounding the scriptures in his house, and in conference with neighbours. When the toleration commen ced, he set up a meeting at Sutton, where he preached twice every Lord's-day, till he was disabled by his last sickness, though he had but little maintenance from his congregation. He was very amiable for his great simplicity, integrity, and humility. He was a faithful friend, and his life was very ins offensive. He lived in mean circumstances, and yet was als ways contented and chearful.

VOL. I. NO. 7.

Y

WIL

WILLINGHAM, [R. 350l.] NATHANIEL BRADSHAW, B. D. of Trin. Col. Camb. Son of Mr. T. Bradshaw of Bradshaw in Lancashire. He was born at KeddingtonHall in Suffolk, May 29, 1619; and was dedicated to the ministry by his parents from his birth, but was very averse to it, till God visited him with the small-pox, and under that affliction inclined his heart to undertake it. He made good proficiency in literature, and became one of the senior Fellows of his college. As a minister, he was a Boanerges; well adapted to the people of Willingham, whom he found very profane and ignorant; but in a little time God was pleased to give him numerous seals to his ministry among them; and he left many good people, and a very good living, for the ease of his conscience, Aug, 24, 1662. [He was succeeded by a profane minister, who, meeting him after his ejectment, scoffed at him for his way of preaching. Mr. Bradshaw replied, "Sir, I left fourscore and ten praying families in Willing"ham at my ejectment, and I am afraid your ministry will "never make them up an hundred."] Some years after, he continued to preach in his own and other families. At length providence gave him the liberty of a pulpit in a small village, which he used with so much prudence and moderation, that he was connived at for about five years. When that was denied him, he preached at Childerly, and after that in London. But as soon as the Act for toleration came forth, he returned to his old people of Willingham, and preached amongst them to the last Sabbath of his life: desiring no more of them than his diet from Saturday night till Monday morning, and his horse-hire from St. Ives, in Huntingdonshire, where he lived with Mrs. Mason, his wife's daughter. He was a very considerable man, of a generous temper and undaunted courage. He was eminent in personal holiness; a strict observer of the Sabbath; and a laborious catechist in his family; to whom he constantly expounded the scripture morning and evening. In the latter part of his life, he did his Master's work in great pain; and, by a scorbutic dropsy, ended his pilgrimage at St. Ives, Oct. 16, 1690, in the 71st year of his age.

He was buried in the chancel of Willingham church, as was his successor, Mr. Naylor, (the profane person above mentioned.) When the sexton was digging the grave for the latter, which was near Mr. Bradshaw's, a high churchman who was looking on exclaimed, Why do you bury "him so near that fanatic?" To which an aged woman who

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was