VINES. *4 that city, in which Mr. Vines was frequently engaged, as well as on the Lord's day. In the year 1643, he was chosen one of the assembly of divines, and he constantly attended during the session. Here his excellent abilities and great moderation were called forth into daily exercise; and how much good he did, in the 'matter of church government, says our author, may be safely con- cealed, but can scarcely be expressed without giving offence tosome.. In 1644, he was appointed by the parliament one of the assistant divines at the treaty of Uxbridge. The Oxford historian, speaking of Dr. Hammond, one of the king's party, on this occasion, thus triumphantly observes : " It being his lot to dispute with Richard Vines, a presby- terian minister, who attended the commissioners appointed by parliament, he did, with ease and perfect clearness, disperse all the sophisms that he .brought against him."t How far this statement is correct, we are unable to say. Whitlocke, a writer far more correct and impartial, however, speaking of this treaty, says, " That while Dr. Stewardand Dr. Shelden argued very positively, that the government by bishops was Jure Divine; Mr. Vines and Mr. Henderson argued as positively, but more moderately, to the contrary, and that the government of the church by presbyteries was Jure Divino."t Mr. Vines was chosen a member of the committee of accommodation, and was chairman at their meetings.g On the subject of a general accommodation of all parties, he wrote an excellent letter to Mr. Baxter, discovering his mild and accommodating spirit.11 He was, at the same time, appointed master of Pembroke-hall, Cambridge, by the Earl of Manchester, and, it is said, few persons were better qua- lified for the situation. Here he promoted true religion and sound literature to the utmost of his power, and restored the college, to a very flourishing state, till, in the year 1649, he was turned out for refusing the engagements In the year 1645, Ile was one of the committee of learned divines appointed by the assembly to prepare the Confession of Faith... In 1645 he was appointed, by order of the parliament, one of the assistant'divines at the treaty of the Isle of Wight; on which o Clark's Lives, last vol. part i. p. 48. 1- Wood's Athena Oxon. vol. ii. p. 159. Whitlocke's Mem. p. 119, 123, 126. Sylvester's Baxter, part ii. p. 147. 11. Nears Puritans, vol. iii. p. 3527. § Papers of Accom. p. 2. It Ibid. part i. p. 64.
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