I2 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. WILLIAM TWISSE, D. D.-This illustrious 'divine was born at Spenham-Land, near Newbury, in Berkshire, about the year 1575, and educated first at Winchester school, then in NewCollege, Oxford, where he was chosen fellow. He spent sixteen years at the university ; and, by a most intense application, obtained an extraordinary knowledge of logic, philosophy, and divinity. His profound erudition appeared Ili his public lectures and learned disputations, but especially in correcting the works of the celebrated Bradwardine, then published by Sir Henry Savile. He took his various degrees with universal applause. He was an admired and popular preacher, and greatly followed both by the collegians and townsmen. He continued in his beloved pursuits at the university, till his brilliant talents and profound literature excited very public attention. His uncommon fame reached the court of King James, who chose him to be chaplain to Lady Elizabeth, then about to leave her native country and go to the Palatine. He cheerfully complied with the appointment, and accom- panied the pious young princess to the foreign court; and, to moderate her grief, and administer comfort to her troubled mind, upon her painful separation from her friends, he expounded some portion of scripture to her every day. He dwelt much upon the great uncertainty of life, and the importance of a suitable preparation for death; and, from his appropriate instructions and admonitions, she derived that signal advantage by which she was enabled to endure the greatest adversity with undaunted courage. This amiable princess was exercised with many trials very soon after her arrival. For, presently after she was crowned Queen of Bohemia, she was forced to flee from the country and to live an exile all the rest of her days. She bore these tribu- lations with christian magnanimity. This is represented as the effect of the doctor's excellent instructions, who taught her, That Divine providence orclereth all the estates and conditions of all men, according to his own good pleasure, and for the eternal advantage of his people :" as, Rom, viii. 28. " We know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.". He did not, however, continuevery long at the court of the Palatine, but was called back to England. His return was the occasion of deep regret both to the prince and princess, which was particularly expressed at the Clark's Lives, last vol. part i. p. 13,14.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=