VINES. X33 removed toWalton inHertfordshire. He afterwards accepted an invitation to St. Lawrence Jewry, London; where his excellent talents were still employed in promoting the Redeemer's glory, and the salvation of his people. Many flocked to his ministry, and his labours were made a blessing to their souls. While pastor of St. Lawrence, he was chosen one of the weekly lecturers at St. Michael's, Cornbili, and was often called to preach before the parliament. It is but just, however, to observe, that our divine, with several of his brethren, preached too warmly against the baptists.. On the death of the Earl of Essex, the parliament appointed a public funeral for him, which was performed with great solemnity in St. Peter's church, Westminster, when Mr. Vines preached his funeral sermon to a very great audience, com- posed of persons of very high distinction.t After a laborious and useful life, Mr. Vines, at length, became the subject of painful bodily affliction. Though afflicted with racking pain in his head, which nearly took away his sight, yet he would not desist from his public labours. He was resolved to spend and be spent in the work of the Lord. The day before he died, he preached and administered the Lord's supper ; and about ten o'clock the same evening he was taken with bleeding at the nose, and died betwixt two and three next morning, aged fifty-five years. His remains were interred, with great lamentation, in the church of St. Lawrence Jewry, February 7, 1655 ; when Dr. Thomas Jacombe preached his funeral sermon, giving the following high commendatiOns of his character :-He was a burning and shining light in his day, and possessed very excellent parts, even taller by' the head than most of his Neal's Puritans, vol. iii. p. 150. 1- Robert, Earl of Essex, was only son of the unfortunate favourite of Queen Elizabeth, and inherited much of his father's popularity. He was a nobleman of very upright intentions. Owing to the compassion of his nature, and the sincerity of his zeal for the eSsentials of religion, he shewed great kindness to the persecuted ,puritans. Be was one of those few noblemen in parliament who dared to attack the great monster the prerogative." But he never appeared to so great, an advantage as at the head of an army. He acquired a great reputation as a soldier ; a kind of merit that was despised by James 1. and overlooked by Charles. His' courage was great, and his honour was inflexible ; but he rather waited than sought for opportunities for fighting ; and knew better how to gain than improve a victory. When he took the command of the parliament's army, he was better qualified titan any man in the kingdom for the post ; but he is said to have been soon eclipsed by a new race of .soldiers, who, if not his superiors in the art of war, went far beyond him in spirit and enterprise. lie died September 14, 1646; and his death laid a foundation for the advancement of Cromwell.-Bing. Briton. vol_ v. p. 161, 168. Edit. 1778.-Grangsr's Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 332. ii. 249.
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