one of his chaplains, upon pretence of a lapse. But Sir Anthony Cope, who was then sitting in parliament, together with some other members of the house, waited upon the archbishop, and presented Mr Harris, whom his grace, after a long contest, with very great reluctance, admitted. Sir Anthony having formerly spoken in that parliament against insufficient ministers, not without some reflection upon the insufferable proceedings of the archbishops and bishops, Bancroft very readily embraced this. opportunity of shewing his resentment; and, therefore, he referred Mr Harris to be very strictly examined by his most learned chaplain. The chaplain, after sufficient examination, returned Mr Harris moderately learned. This return proving unsatisfactory to the archbishop, Mr Harris was afterward committed to the examination of bishop Burlow, a man who was most exactly suited to Bancroft's wishes. The bishop was a person of great wit and learning, and exceedingly glad of the opportunity. He examined Mr Harris first in divinity, then in other branches of learning, especially in the Greek language, in which his lordship was allowed to be a cele brated critic. As the story is related, “ They Greeked it until they were both run a-ground for want of words, upon which they burst into a fit of laughter, and so gave it over." Burlow returned to the archbishop, and, delivering a most favourable testimony, his grace, it is said, was satisfied. But Mr Harris expressed his fear to become the successor of so eminent a divine as Mr Dod, which was not very pleasing to the archbishop, though at that time he courted Mr Dod. Mr Harris being now settled as pastor at Hanwell, Mr Seudder at Drayton, and Mr Whately at Banbury, they soon became very intimate, and were united in judg men, in brotherly affection, and also by affinity. Mr Harris married Mr Whately's sister, and Mr Seudder his wife's sister. These divines commonly met together once a-week, to translate and analyse a chapter of the Bible. This laudable practice had a strong tendency to promote brotherly love, their mutual edification, and to excite them to greater diligence in their studies. They 1 continued the practice as long as their employments and circumstances admitted. Though Mr Harris was comfortably settled, he was called by Divine Providence to endure many trials. Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. His faith and patience were much exercised by his wife's long and painful illness, upon the birth of her first child. Mr Dod told him, That this affliction was designed to season him, and fit him for his arduous work. And Mr Harris himself often said, "That he should have been quite spoiled, had he not been thus taken down. Young ministers know not on what ground they tread, till God make them humble."-Now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Mr Dod was accustomed to say, "Sanctified afflictions are spiritual promotions." Mr Harris had the experience of the truth of this judicious saying. After some other troubles, he found much encouragement in his labour in the Lord's vineyard. His people now began to relish his ministry, and the Lord, who alone gives the increase, greatly blessed the works of his hands. He did not feed the flock, over which the Holy Ghost had made him an overseer, with airy notions, and dry speculations, but with genuine knowledge, the sincere milk of the word, that they might thereby grow. His discourses, in general, were adapted to persons of the meanest capacity. His people received least benefit from what cost him most labour, his sermons upon the whole epistle to the Colossians. This has often been verified. When he preached these sermons, he thought that he could not speak in too high a style to a people who were so well instructed, but at last he found that he was mistaken. Some of his hearers afterward told him, that his labour upon that epistle was lost to them. A lesson to all ministers of the Gospel. He greatly excelled in handling and illustrating historical passages of the Sacred Writings. He dispensed to his hearers the substantial provision of his degree of Doctor of divinity, was made president of Trinity-college, and became rector of Garlington, near Oxford. He governed his college with much prudence, gaining the affections of all the fellows and students, who reverenced him as a father. He was ten years president of that college. He preached on the Lord's day at his parsonage, once a week in the city of Oxford, and constantly in his turn at the University, both in English and in Latin. Dr Walker and other royalists have stigmatized him as a notorious pluralist. The Doctor rests the evidence of this slanderous accusation upon the authority of a very scurrilous and abusive letter, which was published in those troublesome times, with a view to expose and pour all manner of contempt upon the Puritans. He also observes, "that he had somewhere read, that in those times, Dr Harris's picture was drawn with one steeple upon his head, and with others coming out of his pockets. Pluralities should not be justified. They are certainly indefensible. Respecting this charge, Dr Harris himself made the following generous and open declaration. He says, "That though he stood clear in his own conscience, and in the consciences of those persons who best knew him, that he was far from allowing non-residence and a plurality of livings; yet, to such persons as were ignorant of all circumstances, there was some appearance of evil. And that it would, and should be to him, matter of hu miliation and of caution while he lived, that he had given the least advantage to the adversary. He undoubtedly possessed several benefices; but whether he received the profits of them all, and enjoyed them all at the same time, appears very doubtful. Though Dr Grey denominates him "a fanatical hero, and a professed enemy to the constitution, both in church and state;" yet he partly acquits him of that vile charge, and invalidates, in a great degree, the authority of the above scurrilous letter, upon which it rested. Wood, the famous Oxford historian, brings accusations a Walker's Attempt, Part I. p. 127. A against Dr Harris, which, if true, would prove him to have been one of the very basest of men. He charges him with having taken for his own use two bags of gold, containing one hundred pounds each, which he found among some old rubbish in Trinity-college, soon after he became president. He also affirms, that Dr Harris told most glaring falsehoods, with a view to secure the money to himself. One very judiciously observes here; "Though our documents will not afford us materials for a complete refutation of these charges; yet the whole of what is asserted, and especially the worst part of it, is so contrary to the uniform spirit and deportment of this learned and pious divine, that the account appears extremely suspicious, and only designed to reproach the memory of the Puritans." b Many attempts, in those times, were made to reproach the memory of the Puritans. They were, like the apostles and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, in former times, accounted as the off-scouring of all things. Dr Harris was eminently distinguished by his prudent government of himself and of his family, as well as of his college and of his flock. His government of himself was very remarkable. He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. But the prudent subject of this memoir had much rule over his own spirit, and was like the standing city, having strong walls. He was most exactly temperate in the use of all things, confining himself strictly to hours for food, sleep, labour, and recreation. He ate sparingly and seasonably, which had a strong tendency to preserve in him much vigour, even to a great age. His principal time for recreation was the afternoon of Saturday, when he would unbend his mind, and allow himself some harmless recreation, in order that he might be more vigorous for the important and deeply interesting work of the Lord's day. He was very seldom seen angry; but, if at any time, his mind was discomposed by the improper conduct of other persons, he had such a remarkable a Wood's Fasti Oxon. vol. ii. p. 67. 2d edition. his degree of Doctor of divinity, was made president of Trinity-college, and became rector of Garlington, near Oxford. He governed his college with much prudence, gaining the affections of all the fellows and students, who reverenced him as a father. He was ten years president of that college. He preached on the Lord's day at his parsonage, once a week in the city of Oxford, and constantly in his turn at the University, both in English and in Latin. 992 Dr Walker and other royalists have stigmatized him as a notorious pluralist. The Doctor rests the evidence of this slanderous accusation upon the authority of a very scurrilous and abusive letter, which was published in those troublesome times, with a view to expose and pour all manner of contempt upon the Puritans. He also observes, "that he had somewhere read, that in those times, Dr Harris's picture was drawn with one steeple upon his head, and with others coming out of his pockets." Pluralities should not be justified. They are certainly indefensible. Respecting this charge, Dr Harris himself made the following generous and open declaration. He says, "That though he stood clear in his own conscience, and in the consciences of those persons who best knew him, that he was far from allowing non-residence and a plurality of livings; yet, to such persons as were ignorant of all circumstances, there was some appearance of evil. And that it would, and should be to him, matter of hu miliation and of caution while he lived, that he had given the least advantage to the adversary. He undoubtedly possessed several benefices; but whether he received the profits of them all, and enjoyed them all at the same time, appears very doubtful. Though Dr Grey denominates him "a fanatical hero, and a professed enemy to the constitution, both in church and state;" yet he partly acquits him of that vile charge, and invalidates, in a great degree, the authority of the above scurrilous letter, upon which it rested. Wood, the famous Oxford historian, brings accusations a Walker's Attempt, Part I. p. 127. |