WILLET. 285 of Ely. He entered upon his charge at Barley, January 29, 1598.' Though he is said to have sought no other preferment, one of his name became rector of Reed in Middlesex, in the year 1613; and rector of Chishall-Parva in Essex, in 1620.± We cannot, however, learn whether this was the same person. He studied to deserve prefer- ments, rather than to obtain them. -His own observation, was, that some enjoy promotions, while others merit them. He always abounded in the work of the Lord, and ac- counted the work in which he was engaged as part of his wages.. About the time that he entered the ministerial work, he married a near relation to Dr. Goad, by whom he had eleven sons and seven daughters. Dr. Willet was a man of uncommon reading, having digested the fathers, councils, ecclesiastical histories, the civil and canon law, and numerous writers of almost all descriptions. Indeed, he read so much, and understood and retained what he had read so well, that he was deno- minated a living library. To secure this high attainment, he was extremely provident of his time. He constantly rose at a very early hour, by which means he is said to have got half way on his journey before others set out. He was laborious in the numerous duties of his ministry ; and he greatly lamented the condition of those who sat under idle and ignorant ministers. He also often lamented the state of the prelates of those times, who, after obtaining rich livings, though they were men of talents and learning, would not stoop to labour for the welfare of souls. But he, as a faithful steward of Christ, constantly preached three times a week, and catechised both old and young throughout his parish. And though he was a man of most profound learning, had been some time chaplain to Prince Henry, and had frequently preached at court, his sermons and catechetical instructions were dressed in so plain and familiar, a style, that persons of the weakest capacity might easily understand him.t He esteemed those the best dis- courses which were best adapted to the condition of the people, and most owned of God : not those which were most decorated with humanornaments, and most admired among men. Though he could administer all needful reproof and warning to the careless and the obstinate; yet his great talent was to bind up the broken-hearted, and comfort'the weary, fainting pilgrim. Newcourt's Repert. Eccl. vol. i. p. 800. 1- Ibid. p. 862. ii.p. 151. Fuller's Abel Redivivus, p. 569.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=