This eminently learned and pious divine was several times called to preach before the Parliament, when he faithfully and plainly declared what God expected from them, and freely reproved what was amiss. He was accustomed to say, "that he did not in that place preach before them, as before a judge, but to them authoritatively, as by commission from God. And how much soever they might be superior to him in other respects, yet he was in that place superior to them, as acting in God's name; and therefore would not be afraid to speak, whatever was the will of God that he should tell them, notwithstanding any displeasure or danger which might by this means befal him for so doing." By his sermons before the Parliament, he has incurred the great displeasure and severe censure of some historians. But what such writers have advanced, evidently with a design to blacken the memory of one of the best of men, only requires to be fairly stated in the author's own words, that it may be completely refuted. And what these scurrilous writers have brought forth against that eminently learned and pious divine, will remain a stigma upon their own character, and a reproach to their memory, as long as men are disposed to read and to examine with candour the impartial records of history.

Mr Palmer was eminently distinguished for his temper ance and sobriety. He abstained altogether from strong drink, and he drank wine very sparingly, and only when necessity required. He commonly eat only of one dish at a meal, and that was often not the most delicate. He scarcely used any recreation; but instead of that, he refreshed himself with the Christian conversation of his friends. He accounted time very precious.

His last sickness was not long, his constitution being weakly, and his natural strength much spent; but his behaviour was highly pleasing. His conversation was holy and heavenly. He lived piously, and died cheerfully, in the exercise of faith, patience, and submission to the will of God. He was much engaged in prayer, for himself, that God would heal the sinfulness of his nature, pardon all his transgressions, deliver him from an evil

heart of unbelief, and from temptation;-teach him to improve all providences, and to live upon Christ and the promises. He also prayed much for the nation, for the church of God, and for all with whom he stood connected. He prayed particularly for Scotland, the churches in France, New England, and foreign plantations.— Afterward, having forgotten to crave a blessing upon something which was given him, he prayed, "Lord, pardon my neglect and forgetfulness of thee.—Lord, glorify thy name in my poor spirit; and let none of thy people ever see me shrink from thee, for Jesus Christ's sake." When his friends recommended him to cast the burden of his pains and sickness upon the Lord his God, he said, "I should act very unworthily, if after I have preached to others, that they should cast their burdens. upon God, I should not do so myself."-Having spent his life in the most laborious study, and in promoting the cause of Christ and the interests of true religion, he resigned his spirit to God who gave it, in the firm hope of eternal life, through the Lord Jesus Christ, in the year 1647, aged forty-six years. His remains were interred in the New church, Westminster."

Mr Palmer was a gentleman of a low bodily stature, and had a weakly constitution; but his soul was richly adorned with a splendid variety of talents and graces. He was highly distinguished by constancy and courage, in the most trying situations, and by unshaken fidelity to his engagements. He was indefatigably laborious. He had a competent estate, and chose a single life, and was therefore able to do much for the benefit of his fellow-creatures. He generously maintained several poor scholars at his own expence, in the college, and at his death, he left a considerable sum of money for that purpose. Granger styles him a man of uncommon learning, generosity, and politeness;" and also observes, "that he possessed a most excellent character; that he wished for peace during the civil war; and that he spoke the French language with as much facility as his mother tongue." b

"

a Clark's Lives, and Neal's Puritans.

b Granger's Biog. Hist. vol. ii. pp. 182, 183.

Mr Palmer's writings.-1. An endeavour of making the Principles of the Christian Religion plain and easy. In modern times, this book is entitled, The Principles of the Christian Religion made plain and easy. The sixth impression was printed, in 1645.-2. Of making Religim one's Business.-This last and several other pieces were afterward published together, entitled, Memorials of Godliness and Christianity; the eleventh edition of which was printed, London, 1673, and the thirteenth edition, recommended, in a short preface, by Mr Tong of London, was printed in 1708.-3. Sermons preached before the Parliament, one of which is entitled, "The Necessity and Encouragement of Utmost Venturing for the Churches Help, together with the Sin, Folly and Mischief of Self-idolizing; a Sermon from Esther iv. 13, 14. before the honourable House of Commons, on the day of the monthly solemn Fast, 28th June, 1643.” 4to. pp. 71. London, 1643. Another is entitled, "The Glass of God's Providence toward his Faithful Ones; held forth in a Sermon preached from Psal. xcix. 8. to the two hon. ourable Houses of Parliament, at Margaret's Westminster, Aug. 13, 1644, being an extraordinary Day of Humiliation." 4to. pp. 66. full and close. London, 1644, In this most elaborate and excellent sermon, the learned and pious author exhibits the great failings which the best of men are liable unto, and upon which God is sometimes provoked to take vengeance. The whole is faithfully applied, in a special manner, to a more careful observa, tion of the Solemn National Covenant, and most particu. larly against the ungodly Toleration, pleaded for under pretence of Liberty of Conscience, In the application of the Sermon, he made a motion, that the Covenant should be read every Fast-day. He adds, "I cannot but again say, I am much afraid, it hath been little pondered by the most of us since we have taken it. And undoubtedly the great business aimed at in every rightly observed Fast, is the renewing of a Solemn Covenant with God. It is a duty altogether indispensible, And unto this Covenant we have very great bonds lying upon us to tie us most strictly. We lifted up our hands to God in it, in the day

of our calamity, in the time of our fear and trouble, when we were very low. And since that time God hath raised us very high, in comparison of our condition then, and afforded us a great deal of help, from men and from Himself; and it contains both the general of all our duties. to God and man, and very many and most necessary particulars, justly and wisely limited." p. 42. His remarks respecting Toleration, and other things, may be read with interest. I have seen another Sermon of his from Isai. Iviii. 12. London, 1646.-4. "The Christian Sabbath Vindicated, in a full Discourse concerning the Sabbath and the Lord's-day," in which he was assisted by Mr Daniel Cawdrey. 2 vols. 4to. London, 1645, and 1652.-5. "Scripture and Reason pleaded for defensive Arms," in which he was assisted by some other persons; but Mr Clark says, he had the chief hand in that work. It may be observed here, That though Mr Palmer's judgment was clear respecting the lawfulness of defensive arms, he was positively against offensive arins.I have in my possession an ancient Letter of Mr Palmer's, under the date of Aug. 14, 1632. which was printed in the Baptist Annual Register, Jan. 1. 1801. at London. It is a valuable and religious letter. And it is said, at the end of the printed letter, "This, with other papers, in Mr Herbert Palmer's own hand writing, are in the possession of Dr Rippon."

EDWARD PEALE OF COMPTON. EDWARD PEALE is in the list of the Divines, who met in the famous Assembly at Westminster. And, in the ordinance, which passed both Houses for calling an Assembly of Divines, in 1643, he was appointed one of their number. He is marked in my copy of Neal's list, as giving constant attendance. But I am not able at this time, to give any further account of him.

ANDREW PERNE, A. M.

MINISTER OF WILBY, AND A MEMBER OF THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES AT WESTMINSTER.

ANDREW PERNE was born in the year 1596. He seems to have received his education in the University of Cambridge; for he was sometime fellow of Katherine-hall, in that University. Having finished his studies at the University, he, in course of time, became Minister of Wilby in Northamptonshire, where he continued a laborious, zealous, faithful, and successful, preacher, about twenty seven years. In the year 1643, Mr Perne was chosen a Member of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, and constantly attended during the whole session. Wood says, that " he was a frequent preacher before the members of the Long Parliament, that began at Westminster, in the year 1640, ran with those times, and published several sermons." And Brook also says, "He often preached before the Parliament, and several of his sermons were published." But I have not been able to ascertain how often he preached before the Parliament, nor what number of his sermons have been published. Nor have any of the above-mentioned authors given us particular information of more than one sermon which he preached before the House of Commons, of which the reader will find an account in its proper place. Upon close search, I have found that Mr Perne preached another time before the House of Commons, at the thanksgiving for the victory given to the forces under the com mand of Lord Fairfax at Selby in Yorkshire, April 23, 1644. But the sermon, which was preached from Exod. xxxiv. 6. is said not to be printed, at least at that time.

Upon his being called up to London to attend the Assembly, he gained a high reputation, and was offered several considerable preferments; but he refused all these, firmly resolving, with the will of Divine Providence, to