GOUGE. 165 and Barnstaple, where he had been successively the first minister.. WILLIAM GOUGE, D. D.-This very learned and cele- brated divine was born at Bow, near Stratford, Middlesex, November 1, 1575, and educated first at Eton school, then in King's college, Cambridge. He was endowed with great powers of mind, was a great lover of learning, and perhaps exceeded by none in closeapplication to study. His progress in the various departments of useful literature corresponded with his application. During his first three years at the uni- versity, he was so assiduous in his academical pursuits, that he slept only one night out of the college. Here he spent nine years, and during the whole of that period he was never absent from the college prayers at halfpast five o'clock in the morning, unless he was from home. Heusually rose so long before the hour of prayer, as to have time for private devotion and reading his usual portion of scripture. He invariably read fifteen chapters in the Bible every day; five in the morning, before he entered upon his regular studies, five after dinner, and five at night before he went to rest. When he was chosen reader of logic and philosophy in the college, he was so remarkably exact in those exercises, and performed them with such admirable propriety, that, while he gained the high applause of his auditors, lie incurred the hatred of those who were less attentive to their duty. Indeed, he was so exact and conscientious in all his ways, that he was reproachfully denominated an archpuritan. In the year 1608, he was unanimously chosen minister of Blackfriars, London_, Mr. where he appears to have been assist- ant to the excellent Stephen Egerton, and, at his death, succeeded him in the pastoral office. His labours were peculiarly acceptable to the people ; the congregation greatly increased; and the church was greatly enlarged. Though considerable preferments were frequently offered him, he refused them all. Hisonly object was to be useful to souls. He used to say, " It is my highest ambition to go from Blackfriars to heaven." He was highly esteemed by the people of his charge, and by all who knew his worth. Mul- titudes statedly resorted to his ministry, and many strangers attended his Wednesday morning lecture. This lecture he Prince's Chroq. Hist. vol. i. Pref. p. 8.
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