N. WARD-ABBOT-SPILSBURY. 183 degrees in arts, and was afterwards incorporated at Oxford. Having finished his studies at the university, he became vicar of Cranbrook in Kent, and minister of Southwick in Hampshire. Aminister of the same name, and nodoubt the same person, was agreat sufferer under the tyrannical oppres- sions of Bishop Pierce of Bath and Wells. This learned prelate compelled Mr. Abbot and others, contrary tolaw and Justice, to raise sums ofmoney towards carrying on the war against the Scots.. In the beginning of the year 1643, ac- cording to Dr.Walker, hewas dispossessed ofhis vicarage by order of the house ofcommons; because he had takenanother living, which, from his own confession, was inconsistent+ Whether this be indeed correct we are unable to ascertain ; but be this as it may, it appears that, upon the commence- ment of the civil war, he espoused the cause of the parlia- ment, united himself to the puritans, and became rector of St. Austin's church, Watling-street, London, wherehe con- tinued in peace and quietness all the rest of his days. In each of these situations he was happy among the people of his charge. They were much attached to him, and often warmly pressed him to appear in print. He lived to a good old age, and was living in the year 1653 ; but when he died we have not been able to learn4 His WORKS. -1. Be Thankful London and her Sisters, 1626.-,- 2. Four Sermons, 1639.-3. Tryal of our Church-forsakers, 1639.- 4. Milk for Babes ; or, a Mother's Catechism for her Children, 1646. -5. Three Sermons, 1646.-6. A Christian Family Builded by God; or, Directions for Governors of Families, 1653. Joint SPILSBUILYwas a minister of the antipasdobaptist denomination. Upon his embracing these sentiments, he is said to have gone into Holland to be baptized by Mr. John Smyth ; after which he returned to England, and began to baptize adults by immersion. Crosby, however, attempts to clear him of this, and to prove that he did not go abroad for this purpose ; with what degree of suc- cess we will not undertake to determine.t In the year 1633, part of Mr.-John Lathorp's church, in London, hav- ing espoused the sentiments of the baptists, desired to be dismissed from the church, and to be allowed to form a distinct congregation. " The church," it is observed, Impeachment of Bishop Pierce, p. 8. + Walker's Attempt, part ii. p. 183. 1: Wood's Athenm Oxon. vol. i. p. 800. Crosby's Baptists, vol. i. p. 96, 103, 104.
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