Brooks - BX9338 .B7 1813 v2

WILLET. 287 Herein God gave him the desire of his heart. He was called to his father's house, as he was composing his "Com- ineritary on Leviticus." Though he did not desire, as good Archbishop Leighton did, that he might die at an inn, the unerring providence of God had appointed that he should. The occasion of his death was a fall from his horse, as he was riding homewards from London, by which he broke his leg, and was detained at Hoddesdon id Hert- fordshire, incapable of being removed. On the tenth day after his fall, having supped cheerfully the preceding evening, and rested well during the greatest part of the night, he awoke in the morning by the tolling of a bell, when he entered into sweet conversation with his wife about the joys of heaven. After singing with melody in their hearts to the Lord, and unitedly presenting their sup- plications to God, he turned himself in bed, and giving a deep groan, he fell into a swoon. His wife, being alarmed, immediately called in assistance ; and upon the applica- tion of suitable means, he recovered a little, and raised himself up ,in bed, but immediately said, " Let me alone. I shall be well, Lord Jesus ;" and then resigned his happy soul to God, December 4, 1621, aged fifty-eight years.. His funeral was attended by a great number of knights, gentlemen, and ministers, who, having esteemed and ho- noured him in life, testified their respect to his memory when dead. Though be wrote against the unmeaning and superstitious practice, of bowing at the name of Jesus,t and was a sufferer in the cause of nonconformity ;t yet, being so excellent a man, so peaceable in his behaviour, and so moderate in his principles, he was enabled to keep his benefice to the day of his death. " He was a person," says Fuller, " of a sound judgment, admirable industry, a pious life, and bountiful above his ability."4 He is classed among the learned writers and fellows of Christ's college, Cambridge.il Mr. Strype denominates him " a learned and zealouspuritan."a Dr. Willet's remains were interred in the chancel of Barley church, where there is a representation of him at full length, in a praying attitude; and underneath is a Fuller's Abel Red. p. 575. .1 Wood's Athena: Oxon. vol. i. p. 348. Neal's Puritans, vol. ii. p. 139. Church Hist. b. x. p. 91.-Worthies, part i. p. 158. Fuller's Hist. of Cam. p. 92. it Strype's Annals, vol. iii. p. 441, 490.

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