Brooks - BX9338 .B7 1813 v2

454 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. became a member of Mr. Bridge's church at Rotterdam, then hit colleague in the pastoral office. The two pilstors are said, indeed, to have been perfectly conformable to the church of England, when they left their native county ; which is contrary to truth and the plainest matter of fact. Also, upon their going to Holland, they are said to have renounced their episcopal ordination, and to have been re- ordained ; when Mr. Bridge ordained Mr. III 'rd, and Mr. Ward returned him the compliment. This account, how- ever, appears extremely doubtful.. After Mr. Ward had been employed for some time as pastor of the church, he was deposed from his office, though nianitestly on very trivial grouisds. Having been laid aside a considerable time, he was restored to his former charge, on which occasion the church acknowledged the wrong they had done him. Indeed, his deposition was matter of surprise to many, who had the highest opinion of Mr. Ward's integrity and worth. The only crime with which he appears to have been charged, was, his uniting with Mr. Sympson in endeavours, though in the most peaceable manner, to revive the religious exercises or prophesyings; that, for the better edification of the people, they might, after sermons, propose their doubts to the ministers, and ask them quest.ions.t It was doubtless an honour to the church to restore so valuable a pastor, and to acknowledge the injustice of its own censure. Mr. Ward does not appear to have long survived these painful trials, but died in Holland, most probably about the year 1640. Fuller denominates him 64 an excellent artist, linguist, preacher, and divine," and includes him in the list of learned writers of Sidney college, Cambridge.t He was one of the learned divines who wrote againstMontague, the famous promoter of popery and arminianisrn. Hewas author ofa work, entitled, " Magnetis Reductorium Theologicum." And about the time of his departure for Holland, several of his pieces were collected and published in one thick duodecimo volume, entitled, "A Collection ofsuch Sermons and Treatises as have beenwritten and published by Samuel Ward, B. D. and Preacherof Ipswich," 1636. Dr. Doddridge observes, that his writings are "worthy to be read through. Dis langtiage is generally proper, elegant, and nervous. His thoughts are well digested and happily illustrated. He Bailie's Dissuasive, p. 75, 82. + Edwards's Antapologia, p. 143, 149 -Bailie's Dissuasive, p. 77. Fuller's Worthies, part ill. p._70.-Hist. of Cambridge, p. 154.

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