PERKINS. 135 Workes of that Famous and Worthie Minister of Christ, in the Universitie of Cambridge, M. W. Perkins." Mr. Job Orton had an high opinion of hini and his writings; and gives the following account both of the author and the productions of his pen :-" I am now reading the works of Mr. William Perkins, an eminent tutor and divine at Cambridge in Queen Elizabeth's reign. They are three volumes folio, and I have got through one of them. What led me more particularly to read himwas, that his elder brother, was one of my ancestors, from whom I am in a direct line, by my mother's side, descended. I think him an excellent writer : his style is the best of any of that age, or the next, and many passages in his writings are equal to those of the best writers in modern times. He is judicious, clear, full of matter, and deep christian experience. He wrote all his works with his left hand, being lame of the riolit and died about forty-four. I could wish all ministers, especially young ones, would read him, as they would And large, materials for composition. He hath some tracts against the papists ; and appears to have been a pretty high Calvinist ; but he hath many admirable things in practical divinity. His works are little known in England, but they are still in estimation in Germany, many of them being written in elegant Latin, and others translated into German.". Mr. Perkins made his last will and testament a little before his death, dated Cambridge, October 16, 1602, and it was in substance as follows :-First, he bequeaths to the poor of the parish of St. Andrews, where he then dwelt, the sum of forty pounds. Also to his worshipful and loving friends, Mr. Min. Barwell, Jam. Montague, D. D. Mr. Law. Chadderton, master of Emanuel college, Rich. Foxcroft and Tho. Cropley, M. A. and Nath. Cradock his brother-in-law, all the messuage or tenement wherein he then dwelt, with the houses, yards, &c. adjoining thereto, in the town of Cambridge, to be sold, and the money divided into three equal parts, one part to go to his wife Timothye, the other two amongst his children, born or unborn. He also wills that the price of all his moveable goods and chattels be divided amongst his wife and children. " He appoints his wife Timothye his sole executrix, or in case of failure by death, then he makes Nath. Cradock Biog. Briton. vol. v. p. 812. Edit. 1778.
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