260 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. soon became so manifest to all, that he was justly reputed a man approved of God, rightly dividing the word of truth., In the exercises of the pulpit he was sometimes aBoanerges the son of thunder ; but more commonly a Barnabas; the son ofconsolation. Under the intolerance and oppressions of Bishop Laud, when the ceremonies were enforced with the utmost rigour, and the most grievous penalties were inflicted on the nonconformists, he became a sufferer with the rest of his brethren. And, upon the publication of the Book of Sports, in 1633, he could not read it with a safe conscience ; therefore, to avoid deprivation, he peaceably resigned his living and turned physician ; in which pro- fession he was much esteemed, and very successful.* The'excellent Dr. Sibbs, who died in the year 1635, bequeathed legacies, in his last will and testament, to his numerous relations and friends ; among whom was Mr, Capel, who received a small legacy.+ In the year 1641 he espoused the cause of the parliament, and renewed his ministerial exercises at Pitchcomb, where be had obtained a distinguished reputation. He still continued in the practice of physic, but preached to the people gratuitously all the rest of his days. In 1643 he was nominated one of the assembly of divines, but never attended, choosing rather to continue his uninterrupted labours among the people of his charge. Towards the close of life, this worthy servant of Christ was exercised with many trials, which, by the help of God, he bore with patience and unshaken confidence. He cheerfully resigned himself to his heavenly Father's will. Being particularly desirous not to die a lingering death, the Lord was pleased to grant him his desire. For, having preached twice on the Lord's day, and performed the usual duties of the family and the closet, he went to bed and died immediately, being September 21, 1656, aged seventy years. Mr. Clark denominates him " a man of a quick apprehen- sion, a strong memory, and great piety ;" and says, " he was a living library, a full storehouse of all good literature, a judicious preacher, and a sound orthodox divine."f In the opinion of Wood, 44 he was a man of great eminence, and much followed by men of note, especially of the Calvinian party. At Estington he was eminent, among the puritans, for his painful and practical preaching, his * Clark's Lives annexed to Martyrologie, p. 303, 309. FAiker's MS. pollee. vol. xx xviii. p. 443. Lives, p. 304,311.
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