BALSOIVI. 79 a Utmost Venturing for the Churches Help, together with the Sin, Folly and Mischief of Self-idolizing, a Sermon before the Honourable House of Commons on the Day of the monthly Solemn Fast, 28 June, 1643." Another is entitled, " The Glasse of God's Pro- vidence towards his Faithful Ones,held forth in a Sermon to the two Honourable Houses ofParliament, at Margaret's Westminster, Aug. 13, 1644, being an extraordinary Day of Humiliation," 1644.- 4. Vindicise Sabbathe, assisted byMr. Daniel Cawdrey.-5. Scripture and Reason pleaded for defensive Armes,-assisted by several others. ROBERT BALSOM.--This pious and courageous divine was born at Shipton Montague in Somersetshire, and educated at New- inn-hall, Oxford. Having finished his studies at the university, he became assistant to Mr. Richard Bernard of Batcombe, in his native county ; and upon the death of this venerable, divine, he removed to Stoke, a village in the same neighbourhood. In this situation, his ministerial labours were attended with wonderful success ; and, it is observed, that he scarcely ever preached a sermon that was not instrumental in the conversion of some poor wandering sinner to God. After labouring at Stoke about two years, the confusion of the civil war obliged him to flee for safety ; when he took refuge in Warder-castle, which was soon after besieged by the royal forces. Previous to this, he had intended to have gone to London ; but through the solicita- tion of Colonel Ludlow, governor of the castle, he remained in the place during the siege. Upon the treaty of surrender, Mr. Balsom, walking on the roof of the castle, heard three soldiers say, We have sworn upon the Bible to take away the life of one in the castle." He asked them who they meant, and whether it was the minister. " Yes," said they, " for he is a witch ; because the castle has been several tittles strangely relieved with provisions." The treaty being ended, and the enemy having entered the castle, Mr. Balsomwas immediately seized and confined in close prison, a soldier being confined in the same room, who was hanged the next morning. At midnight the key of the prison was given to the three soldiers, when they presently entered the room; and having opened the door, they pulled off their hats, and stood at some distance, but said nothing. Mr. 13alsom expecting they were the men who meant to take away his life, thus addressed them : Friends, what is your business ? Are not you the men whohave sworn to take away my life?" With fear and trembling they answered, We have taken a wicked oath : God forgive us. We will do you
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