IN all endeavors of persuasion , the credit of the Speaker being of as great moment as the inherent truth and evidence of what is spoke , it will be reasonable that there should go along with this large collection of Sermons , some account of the Person who was the Author of them ; for if it be made out , that they came from one of integrity and knowledge , who neither would deceive others , nor was likely to be deceiv'd himself ; one who practic'd what he taught , and preacht to his own soul what he deliver'd to his Auditory , his discourses must carry with them a proportionable weight and value . That this narrative may be the more satisfactory , by being entire and particular , it shall take the Author from his infancy , and bring him to his grave , without the vain additions of flattery and ostentation , which he abhorr'd while alive , and therefore needs not being dead .

He was the Son of Robert Allestree , a Gentleman of an ancient family in Darbyshire , who being decai'd in his fortune by the profuseness of his Predecessors , retain'd unto Sr. Richard Newport , afterward created Lord Newport Baron of high Arcol , in the quality of his Steward ; and being married , settled himself at Uppington near the Wreken in Shropshire , where Richard Allestree , the person of whom we write , was born , in March An. 1619. He being grown up to be capable of institution , was sent to a neighbouring country free Schole , and from thence to another somewhat more celebrated , at Coventree , where he remain'd till he became fit for the Vniversity . In the year 1636 he was brought to Oxford by his Father , and plac'd a Commoner in Christ-Church , having for his Tutor Mr. Richard Busby , who since is Dr. Busby the eminent Master of Westminster Schole , and Prebend of that Church . Six moneths after his settlement in the Vniversity , Dr. Samuel Fell the Dean observing his parts and industry , made him Student of the College , which title he really answer'd by great and happy application to study , wherein he made remarkable emprovements ; as a testimony and encouragement of which , so soon as he had taken the degree of Batchelor of Arts , he was chose Moderator in Philosophy , and had the emploiment renew'd year by year , till the disturbances of the Kingdom interrupted the studies and repose of the Vniversity , putting them into Arms.

His Majesty in the year 1641 being by tumults driven from London , and issuing out his Commission of Aray into the several parts of the Nation , did also direct it to the Vniversity of Oxford , where it found an active and a ready obedience , as by the generality of the members of that place , so particularly by Mr. Allestree , who engag'd in the service , and continued in it till Sr. John Biron , afterwards the Lord Biron , ( who was sent with a party of horse to support and countenance the Scholars in arms there , ) withdrew from thence ; He after a short stay was call'd off to join with Prince Rupert , and by the assistance of the loial Gentlemen of Worcestershire was receiv'd into that City , where he was prest by the Rebels forces ; but the Prince came up seasonably to reinforce him , and thereupon follow'd the sharp fight in Poyick field near the aforesaid City , the unexpected success of which gave great consternation to the Rebels , who being Masters of the Mony , Forts and Magazeens of the Kingdom , hop'd to have carried all without a stroke . As many of the Scholars as could furnish themselves for a suddain march , went along with Sr. John Biron from Oxford ; the others , among whom was Mr. Allestree , staied behind , and return'd to their Gowns and Studies .

Soon after this , the Lord Say with a party of the Rebels forces drew into Oxford , and plunder'd the Colleges of such plate as had not bin before sent to his Majesty , making enquiry after those who had bin forward to promote the King's service ; on which occasion , and also a particular accident that then happen'd , Mr. Allestree was call'd in question . The occasion was this : at Christ-Church some of the Rebels attemted to break into the Treasury , and after a daies labor forced a passage into it ; but met with nothing , except a single groat and a halter in the bottom of a large iron chest : enrag'd with that disappointment , they went to the Deanery , where having ransackt what they thought fit , they put it altogether in a chamber , lockt it up , and retir'd to their quarters , intending the next morning to return and dispose of their prize . But when they came , they found themselves defeated , and every thing remov'd to their hand . Vpon examination it was discover'd that Mr. Allestree had a key of the Lodgings , the Dean and his family being withdrawn , and that Mr. Allestree's key had bin made use of in this enterprize : hereupon he was seiz'd , and notwithstanding all the defence he could make , had bin severely handled , but that the Earl of Essex call'd away the forces on the suddain , and so redeem'd him from their fury .

In October following , the King having strengthned himself at Shrewsbury with the supplies that came from the North , and Wales , and the Loial Gentlemen of other parts of the Nation , began his march towards London , and was met by the army of the Rebels , commanded by the Earl of Essex , in Keinton field in Warwickshire , where both armies engag'd : at this battail Mr. Allestree was present ; after which , understanding that the King design'd immediatly to march to Oxford , and make his Court at the accustomed place , the Deanery at Christ-Church , which was in part left to his care in the absence of the Dean , hasting thither he was taken Prisoner by a party from Broughton house , which was garrison'd by the Lord Say for the Parliament . His confinement here was very short , the Garrison surrendring it self to the King's forces , who summon'd it in their passage .

The war being now form'd , and the King being return'd from the fight at Brainford , having made Oxford his head quarter , Mr. Allestree settled himself again to his study , and in the next Spring took his degree of Master of Arts ; after which he was in great hazard of his life , being seiz'd by the pestilential disease which rag'd in the Garrison , and which was fatal to very many eminent men of all emploiments and conditions ; and fell more severely upon him by reason of a relapse , which doubled the calamity and danger .

Having recover'd a little strength , he was engag'd to employ it in military service , the exigence of his Majesties affairs calling for the aid of all his Loial Subjects , and in particular the Scholars : and accordingly a Regiment of them was rais'd , who serv'd as Voluntiers without any pay or reward , and perform'd all duties not only in the Garrison , and sallies for the defence of it in case of attacques and sieges ; but were also commanded upon parties abroad , and endur'd the fatigue of marches , and ill treatment of mean quarters , differing in nothing from the poor mercenary Soldier , besides their civility and justice to the country people while they staid with them , and paying them at departure : things so unusual , that when at their going off from quarters they offer'd their Landlords mony , they imagin'd it don in jest and abuse , and at last by finding it left with them , were convinc'd that it was don in earnest . In this Regiment Mr. Allestree , tho a Master of Arts and fellow of the College , thought it no disgrace to carry a musket , and perform all duties of a common Soldier , forward upon all occasions to put himself into action . And in this service he continued till the unhappy end of the war , gaining still what time was left from military duties , to the prosecution of his studies : nay joining both together , frequently holding his musket in one hand and book in the other , and making the watchings of a Soldier the lucubrations of a Student .

But then when carnal weapons prov'd frustrate , and Divine Providence call'd his servants to the more Christian exercises of praiers and tears for the defence of the King and the Church , Mr. Allestree wholy betook himself to these , and put himself into that warfare , to which his former education had design'd him : entring into Holy Orders , at a time when there was no prospect of temporal advantage ; and his being in the service of God threatned no less danger , than his having bin in the service of his Prince .

In that little interval of safety , which the Articles of Oxford gave , and was for some time continued , while the two factions of the Rebels were in contest who should divide the spoil of the Nation , and enjoy the price of bloud ; Mr. Allestree with great sedulity addicted himself unto his studies , and became a Tutor of many young Gentlemen and other Students ; which trust he discharg'd with great sufficiency , as he did also the office of Censor in the College : moreover he bore a part in the signal test of the Loialty of the Vniversity of Oxford , possibly the greatest that has bin given by any society of men ; I mean the passing of the solemn Decree and Judgement of theirs against the Covenant and Rebellion enflamed and fomented by it , perform'd in Convocation , when the City was held by a Garrison of the Rebels , whose swords were at the throats of those Confessors , and yet the decree was carried by a most unanimous suffrage of the whole body , there being but one dissenter in that numerous Senate , and he a person who had absented himself from the Vniversity during the war , and taken part with the Rebels .

Soon after which great performance , the Visitors of the pretended Parliament being at last come with a second Commission to kill and take possession , having lost their first by outstaying in a long praier and sermon the time assign'd for the opening of it , began their enquiry , and did it not as one would have expected from men of Zeal and Godliness , with an inspection into vice and immorality , but set their whole affair upon the short issue of submitting to the Authority of the pretended Parliament ; and they who could prostitute their allegeance to their Prince , and oaths to the Vniversity , and their local Visitors , and comply with the lust of these Vsurpers , tho never so flagitious , were immediatly receiv'd to favor : all others , however meriting , were without farther regard proscrib'd , the method whereof was , to write the names of as many as they thought fit to sacrifice at once in paper , and affix it upon the door of St. Maries Church , wherein 't was signified , that the persons there nam'd were by the Authority of the Visitors banisht the Vniversity , and requir'd to depart the precincts thereof within three daies , upon pain of being taken for spies of war , and accordingly proceeded against . By which practice often repeted , the men of greatest hopes and merit in the Vniversity were spoil'd of all things , and not suffer'd to breath the common air ; so that within the compass of few weeks an almost general riddance was made of the loial Vniversity of Oxford ; in whose room succeeded an illiterate rabble , swept up from the plough tail , from shops and grammar Scholes , and the dregs of the neighbor Vniversity . Tho in that scandalous number , some few there were , who notwithstanding they had parts and learning , were prefer'd upon the account of their Relations ; who merited a better title to the places they possest , and have since prov'd useful men in the Church and State . Those of the ancient stock who were spar'd upon this trial , were afterwards cast off upon the second test of the engagement , till in the end there were left very few legitimate members in any of the Colleges .

In this diffusive ruin Mr. Allestree had an early share , being proscrib'd about the middle of July in the year 1648. And tho he had the care of several persons of quality his Pupils , and accounts of his own and theirs to make up ; he with difficulty obtain'd from the Governor of the town Lieut. Coll. Kelsey a little respit , for his settling his affairs , and doing justice to those for whom he was concern'd ; the Visitors utterly refusing his request , for this reason , as Dr. Rogers , one of their number was pleas'd to word it , because he was an eminent man .

Mr. Allestree being thus driven from Oxford , retir'd into Shropshire , and was entertain'd as Chaplain to the Honorable Francis Newport Esquire , now Viscount Newport , where he continu'd till such time as Richard Lord Newport the father died in France , whither he had some time before retir'd to avoid the insolence of the conquering Rebels . On this occasion Mr. Allestree was sent over to clear accounts , and see if any thing could be preserv'd from the inhospitable pretence of the droit d'Aubeine , which pillages those Strangers who happen to die in the French Dominions . Mr. Allestree having dispatcht this affair with good success , came back to his emploiment , and continued in it till his Majesties march into England with the Scotch Army , and his miraculous escape at Worcester ; at which time the Managers of the King's affairs wanting an intelligent and faithful person to send over to his Majesty , desir'd Mr. Allestree to undertake the journey , which accordingly he did , and having attended the King at Roan and receiv'd his dispatches , he came back into England .

At his return he found his friends Mr. Dolben and Mr. Fell , the present Archbishop of York and Bishop of Oxford , who had likewise bin banisht the Vniversity , adventuring to sojourn privatly there , and serve the uses of those who adher'd to the Church of England in performing Religious offices according to the order of the Church ; whereupon he join'd himself to their assistance , and continued with them till such time as Sr. Antony Cope a loial young Gentleman of considerable quality and fortune in the County of Oxford , prevail'd upon him to live in his family ; which he did for several years , having liberty to go or stay as his occasions requir'd , whereby he was enabled to step aside without notice upon messages from the King's friends ; which service he manag'd with great courage and dexterity .

After several difficult journies succesfully perform'd , in the Winter before his Majesties happy restauration he was sent over into Flanders , from whence returning with letters , he upon his landing at Dover , was seiz'd by a party of Soldiers , who waited for him . The Rebel's Spie , who was emploied by them in his Majestie 's Court , having given notice of his dispatch ; and describ'd particularly his person and his habit . But notwithstanding this diligence of the Rebels , Mr. Allestree had so much presence of mind , to secure his letters , and shift them into a faithful hand , who took care of them .

The Soldiers according to their orders guarded him to London , where he was examin'd by a Committee of the Council of Safety , and charg'd with having correspondence with the King , and having brought letters from him , which they backt with several circumstances of his journy , and threats of utmost severity in case he should persist in contumacy , and not confess the truth . But they not being able by questions to entrap , nor menaces to fright Mr. Allestree to betray either himself or others , he was sent Prisoner to Lambeth house , which was then made a goal for the King's friends , where by ill usage he contracted a sickness which was like to have cost him his life . After the durance of about six or eight weeks , his friends made means for his enlargement , which was the easier obtain'd , for that some of the Leaders of the Party , seeing things move towards his Majestie 's restoration , were willing by kindnesses to recommend themselves in case of a revolution ; among whom was the late Earl of Shaftsbury , who was us'd to value himself , that Mr. Allestree owed his preservation to him . Mr. Allestree having obtain'd liberty , return'd to Oxfordshire , from whence after a short stay he went into Shropshire to see his Relations ; in his return from thence designing in his way to visit his excellent friend Dr. Hammond at Westwood near Worcester , he at the gate met the body of that great man carrying to his burial ; which circumstance is therefore mention'd , because that eminent Light of the English Church , at his death gave this testimony not only of his kindness to Mr. Allestree , but also of his esteem of his parts and learning , that he left to him his Library of books as a Legacy , well knowing that in his hands they would be useful weapons for the defence of that cause he had during life so vigorously asserted .

The King being happily return'd , Mr. Allestree was soon after made Canon of Christ-Church , where he cheerfully concurr'd to the attemt , which was set on foot there for the repairing of those decaies and ruins which had bin made by the late Vsurpers ; for however those Godly Robbers who had invaded that Church and College , suffer'd them both almost to drop upon their heads , and without shame sawed down for firing the timber work of the North side of the great Quadrangle : the legitimate Children were concern'd first to cloth their Mother's nakedness , and not till that was provided for , consider their own .

Mr. Allestree at the same time undertook one of the Lectures of the City , thinking it might be a service to instil principles of Loialty there after the contrary infusions of schismatical rebel Teachers , which for so many years had bin the Gospel of that place , discountenanc'd by none of the Parochial Ministers , besides Mr. Lamplugh the now Reverend Bishop of Exeter , who had the courage and loialty there to own the Doctrines of the Church of England in the worst of times . This Lecture Mr. Allestree continued for several years , never receiving any part of the Salary belonging to it , but ordering that it should be distributed among the poor .

While he emploied himself in popular preaching , he was also call'd to the service of the Court being the King's Chaplain , and also to the severer studies of Scholastical Learning , in his exercise for the degree of Doctor , and Moderator-ship in Divinity in the College ; and soon after upon the vacancy of the chair of that faculty , to the laborious emploiment of Regius Professor in the Vniversity .

In the year 1665 the Provost-ship of Eton falling void , that honorable and beneficial emploiment was by his Majestie 's especial grace and favor conferr'd upon him , to the acceptance whereof he was not without difficulty induc'd ; and particularly the consideration that a great interest was made by a Lay man , who probably might succeed upon the advantage of his refusal , notwithstanding that the Provost there be actually the Parson of Eton Parish , and presented to the Cure , and instituted by the Bishop of Lincoln the Diocesan , as all other parish Priests are : so that as nothing could be more plainly sacrilegious and irregular in it self , than such an usurpation by a Lay person ; so nothing could be a greater disservice to the Church , than by an unseasonable modesty to make way for it . Vpon these motives it was , that Dr. Allestree became Provost of Eton ; and for the same reason it was , that during his life he continued so , never hearkning to any offer of preferment , which might make a vacancy , and repete the former hazar●d . And it may be truly said that this was the greatest secular care that he carried with him into another world , it being his dying request unto his friends , to interpose with his sacred Majesty , that he might have a Successor lawfully capable , and who would promote the welfare of the College .

The Succession in the Chair he more timely secur'd , for finding his health , and particularly his eie sight exceedingly empair'd by the toil of that emploiment , he resign'd it in the year 1679 , and had the satisfaction to be succeeded by his friend Dr. Jane , of whose abilities he had perfect knowledge .

But diseases are not cur'd by the removal of the causes which first occasion'd them , and tho by the use of mineral waters in the Summer season , and the taking of journies in the Autumn , he for some time supported himself , the decay continued and encreast upon him , till it was form'd into a Dropsy ; the prevalence of which was so great and suddain , that his Physicians advis'd him by all means to come up to London , where he might be neer their inspection and care ; in compliance with whose desires more than from an expectation of cure , he went thither , and having taken a privat lodging , submitted himself to the methods they propos'd : in the mean time setling his litle temporal concerns ; but was more intent upon his everlasting interests , employing those vacancies which his sickness gave , in attending the offices of the Church constantly read to him , and his private devotions ; and when he saw his end approching , in receiving the great Viaticum of the holy Sacrament : in reference whereto having desir'd those friends of his who happen'd to be in Town to communicat with him , the present Lord Archishop of York , the Lord Bishop of London , the Lord Bishop of Lincoln , the Lord Bishop of Exeter , the Lord Bishop of St. Asaph , the Reverend Dr. Busby , Mr. Fell one of the Fellows of Eton who continued with him the whole time of his sickness : he afterwards took his last leave of them with great equanimity and constancy of mind , and waited for the hour of his release .

Having hitherto drawn together the series of actions and emploiments which made up our Authors life , it will not be amiss to set him in another light , and take a prospect of his mind and personal qualifications . As to his bodily appearance and outward features , as they are of less importance , so are they in recent memory , and by sculpture and other delineations are so generally known , that there will be no need they should be exprest by words .

His mind , that nobler part of him , was compos'd by an extraordinary indulgence of nature , those faculties which in others use to be single , and are thought necessarily to be so , as excluding each the other , were united in him . Memory , Phancy , Judgement , Elocution , great Modesty and no less Assurance , a comprehension of things , and fluency of words ; an aptness for the pleasant , and sufficiency for the rugged parts of knowledge ; a courage to encounter , and an industry to master all things , make up the Character of his happy genius . Which felicity of temper was seconded by the circumstances of the times in which he liv'd , which engag'd him severally to exert and cultivate his faculties . Before the national calamity of the civil war , he had secur'd the foundations of the whole circle of learning , by his own indefatigable study , as also the indulgent care of his Tutor Dr. Busby , than whom no person is more happy in the Arts of transfusing his knowledge into others ; and the particular encouragement of Dr Fell the Dean , who alwaies lookt upon him as a part of his family , and treated him with the same concern as his own children .

When the war broke out , he had the benefit of being , instead of one , in several Vniversities ; Oxford was then an Epitome of the whole Nation , and all the business of it : there was here the Court , the Garrison , the Flower of the Nobility and Gentry , Lawyers and Divines of all England . And times of action have somewhat peculiar in them to ferment and envigorat the mind , which is enervated by the softness of peace . The calamitous times which succeeded , as they engag'd him to the exercise of popular preaching , a talent which nothing besides necessity and practice can cultivate ; so they led him out into foreign parts , enter'd him into the managery of business of greatest trust and hazard , and made him as well read in Men , as in Books . After all this , it was no small advantage to be return'd by the King 's happy restauration to the Vniversity , and to the opportunities of reading and conversation with learned men , and in that conspicuous Theater , to have the obligation of a public emploiment to exert all his faculties , and with utmost endeavor to emprove and communicate his knowledge . And we may say it without envy , that few of his time had either a greater compass , or a deeper insight into all the parts of Learning ; the modern and learned Languages , Rhetoric , Philosophy , Mathematics , History , Antiquity , Moral and Polemical Divinity , all which was not to be pumpt up , or ransackt out of common place books ; but was ready at hand , digested for his own use , and communication in discourse to others .

From his first child-hood he had a strong impression of Piety , and the Duties owed to God and Men , which next to Divine Grace may be ascrib'd to the strict and severe education which he had from his Father ; a blessing that cannot be sufficiently valued , and on which he often reflected with a great sense of gratitude . Hereby notwithstanding the licence of war , and incitations of youth , he preserv'd his innocence , and love of God and vertue , till he made the more immediat service of them his profession . In his constitution he had a great deal of warmth and vigor , which made him apt to take fire upon provocation ; but he was well aware of it , and kept a peculiar guard upon that weak part : so that his heat was reserv'd for the great concerns of the honor of God , and the service of his Prince and Country , wherein he was altogether indefatigable , and in the most dismal appearances of affairs would never desert them , nor despair of their restauration . There was not in the world a man of clearer Honesty and Courage ; no temtation could bribe him to do a base thing , or terror affright him from the doing of a good one .

This made his friendships as lasting and inviolable as his life , without the dirty considerations of profit , or slie reserves of craft ; not the pageantry of ceremonious address , or cold civility : much less the servile falseness of obsequious flattery . It was a solid and masculine kindness , a perfect coalition of affections and minds : so that there was nothing he possest , but it was his friend 's as absolutely as it was his own ; and it became a general observation , that he and they had all things in common .

This temper of his directed him to live with great kindness with his Neighbors and acquaintance , so that Eton College , while he liv'd there , was but one family , his lodging being every Fellow's chamber , and they as much at home with him as in their own apartment : And in the Vniversity , tho his station and parts might object him to envy , he had no competition or difference with any person ; so that no man ever liv'd with a more universal good will of all that knew him , or died with a more general sorrow at his loss .

His conversation was alwaies cheerful and entertaining , especially in the reception of his acquaintance at his table , and friendly visits ; and in the evening after he had wearied himself with the studies of the day , which he generally continued till eight of the clock at night , during the many years he held the Chair , soon after which he was to be call'd away to the night praiers of the College ; this short interval he made as easy as he could to himself and those that were with him : and he had great reason to relax his mind at this time with a little cheerful discourse , there being no person who more literally verified the saying of the wise Man , that much study was a weariness to the flesh . After his daies work he was us'd to be as faint and spent , as if he had bin laboring all the time with the sithe or flaile ; and his intention of thought made such wast upon his spirits , that he was frequently in hazard , while at study , to fall into a swoun , and forc'd to rise from his seat , and walk about his room for some time , before he could recover himself .

To render secure from the inordination of intemperance , he frequently abstain'd from lawful satisfactions , by the stated returns of fasting and abstinence ; and continuance in celibacy during his whole life . Nor had his singular abilities and endowments the usual effect to make him proud and contemtuous ; all his discourses were with deference and respect , and were spoke with weight becoming a Professor , but the softness of a Learner .

In his conversation he was exceedingly tender of saying any thing that might administer offence , or reflect upon any ones reputation ; and most ready , in case of resentment , to give the person aggriev'd , whoever he happen'd to be , the utmost satisfaction . A remarkable proof hereof is his dealing with one who had taken part with the Rebels in the late war , and who was said to have don an act of cruelty therein , which Dr. Allestree in a private discourse had chanc'd to mention . The party concern'd hearing hereof , wrote to the Doctor , professing his innocence , and charging him with uncharitableness in believing , and injustice in reporting such an untruth . Hereupon , notwithstanding that the matter of fact had for about thirty years gon on as common fame , and also had bin charg'd in print , and that collateral evidence by a person now alive and a sufferer from the same hand , had bin produc'd to enforce the probability , and that here nothing was asserted but on the credit of what had bin formerly heard ; yet Dr. Allestree by letter desir'd the said Complainant's pardon : who , without regard to the laws of civility , printed it as a vindication of his innocence , when indeed it was rather a proof of the Doctor 's candor , and an evidence that the Complainant wanted better arguments for his defence . But it were to be wisht that they who were in their youth so unhappy to be engag'd in an ill cause , would spend their old age , which God's and the King's mercy has given them , rather in repenting of what they have don amiss , than in contesting what they have not don ; and would more busy themselves in humble retractations , than passionat Apologies .

His contemt of the world was very extraordinary , as in his large and constant charities , both by settled Pensions to indigent persons and families , and occasional Alms ; so also his bounteous hospitality , which will need no attestation , being perform'd in so conspicuous a Scene as Eton , and in the view of Windsor , which for several years his Majesty has favor'd with his Court and Presence . Yet a higher instance hereof will be his giving away a fixt and constant revenue that he might have fairly retain'd , to the value of above three hundred pounds by the year ; the particulars whereof are thus .

At his Majesties return , as we have intimated , he was made Canon of Christ-Church in Oxford , and soon after King's Professor in the Chair of Divinity , to which emploiment a Canonry in the said Church , and the Rectory of Ewe Elme in the said County and Diocess are annext , so that the profit of two Canonries and the Rectory belong'd to him , and being earn'd with the labor of that weighty charge , no one who made a just estimate of things , would have envied it to him ; but he regretted it to himself , and for several years gave the whole profit of one of his Canonries to the repairs of the College : and afterwards being mov'd by the right reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of Winchester , in the behalf of an ancient Student of the College , who was destitute of a suitable support , he entirely quitted the advantage of the aforesaid Canonry to him . And as to the Living , he never receiv'd a penny from it , but left it to a friend , whose circumstances requir'd such an accession .