G. GIFFORD. 273 were so pleased, that nothing I, have taught them may prove the savour of death unto death to any of them. But my own sin hath been the cause that I have seen no more fruit of my labour in their conversion ; yet, it may be, another may come after me, and, as the apostle says of himself, reap that which I have sown. I confess that, in public, I have been somewhat full in reproof, in admonition, in instruction ; but in private my backwardness, my bash- fulness, my dastardliness, bath been intolerable ; and I may truly say, that if any thing lies as a burden on my con- science, it is this. But I praise my God, I know upon whose shoulders to cast it, with the rest of my transgres- sions." Many other things, in the same comfortable strain, he spoke previous tohis departure. He died in the year 1618; for his funeral sermon was published that year, though it does not contain the least account of the deceased. It is entitled, 44 Hieron's last Farewell ; a Sermon preached at Modbury in Devon, at the Funeral of the Reverend and Faithful Servant of Christ, Master Saniuel Hieron, some- times preacher there, by J. B.," 1618. Fuller, who has classed Mr. Hieron among the eminent men and learned writers of King's college, Cambridge, styles him 44 a powerful preacher in his printed works."* The learned and pious Bishop Wilkins has given an honourable testimony of the excellency of his sermons.+ His works, consisting of sermons and other pieces, were collected and published after his death, entitled, 44 The Works of Mr.. Sam. Hieron, late Pastor of Modbury in Devon," in two volumes, folio, in 1621. A divine of the same name, whowas ejected in 1662, was his grandson.t GEORGE. GIFFORD, A. M.-This excellent divine was educated in Hart-hall, Oxford, where he continued some years. In the year 1582, he became vicar of Maldon in .Essex.§ The Oxford historian denominates him 4' a Very noted preacher,' a man admirably well versed in the various branches of good literature, and a great enemy to popery."11 Mr. Strype says, 44 he was a great and diligent preacher, and much esteemed by many Fuller's Hist. of Cam. p. 75. + Wilkins on Preaching, p. 83. t Palmer's Noncon. Mem. vol. ii. p.38. Newcourt's Repert. Ecci. vol. ii. p. 398. Wood's Athente Oxon. vol. i. p. 387. VOL. IL
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=