probation of the assembly of divines now sitting at Westminster, do solemnly and seriously promise, in the presence of Almighty God, the searcher of all hearts, that, during the time of my continuance in that charge, I shall faithfully labour to promote piety and learning in myself, the fellows, scholars and students, that do, or shall belong to the said college, agreeably to the late solemn league and covenant, by me sworn and subscribed, with respect to all the good and wholesome statutes of the said college, and of the university, correspondent to the said covenant; and by all means to procure the welfare and perfect reformation both of that college and university, so far as to me appertains.

"JOHN ARROWSMITH."

During the above year he was one of the committee of learned divines which united with a committee of the lords and commons, to treat with the commissioners of the Church of Scotland, concerning an agreement in matters of religion.

By what our reformers did in this affair, they certainly made both the public in general, and the University in particular, their debtors; however little they might both be disposed to acknowledge the obligation. This reformation at tracted much notice; and was warmly praised by some per sons, and as violently censured by others. Mr Neal says, The Lord's-day was observed with uncommon rigour; there were sermons and prayers in all the churches and chapels both morning and afternoon. Vice and profaneness were banished, insomuch, that an oath was not to be heard within the walls of the University; and if it may be said without offence, the Colleges never appeared more like nurseries of religion and virtue than at this time." The same author adds, "I have before me the names of fifty-five persons, who, after they had been examined by the Assembly were put into vacant fellowships in the compass of the yea 1644, and within six months more, all the vacancies were in a manner supplied, with men of approved learning and piety. From this time, the University of Cambridge enjoyed a happy tranquillity, learning revived, religion and good manners *Papers of Accom. page 13.

+ See Walker's Attempt, Part i. respecting the Regulation of the University of Cambridge.

were improved, at a time when the rest of the nation was in blood and confusion. And though this alteration was effected by a mixture of the civil and military power, yet in a little time things réverted to their former channel, and the statutes of the University were as regularly observed as ever."§

When our author was promoted to be Mister of St John's College, one of the schools of the prophets, and a principal seminary of divines, he conscientiously discharged the duties of his office; and pursued his studies and researches, with the most unceasing assiduity. While he had no other public employment, he delivered catechetical lectures in that chapeł on the evenings of the Lord's-day, laying a good foundation of the doctrine of Christ, like a wise master-builder. As Elisha, when he came to Jericho, casting salt into the spring of water, for the preservation and health of all those persons who were in the place, he used his best endeavours to supply what was wanting, and to correct what was amiss, He explained the genuine sources of religious knowledge, in a most judicious and prudent manner, in order to promote a spirit of practical piety, and vital religion, in the hearts of his hearers, and especially of the candidates for the holy ministry. He was peculiarly attentive to the advancement of solid and useful learning in his College. Solid learn ing and true piety were most intimately connected in himself and they were so connected in all his instructions unto others. They ought always to go hand in hand, in the public teachers, of Christianity.When master of this College, he began to apply himself, with eminent success, to that most elaborate and truly excellent work, 4 Chain of Principles. This most beautiful and very important Chain of Theological Principles was designed to form a complete Body of Divinity in thirty distinct Aphorisms, with their respective Exercitations. And the laborious author intended to havé prepared, these learned and pious productions for the press, if the Lord had spared and afforded him health; but sickness and death put an end to his labours, when he had finished only these

Neal's History, as above, where more may be found on the subject.

six Aphorisms, with their respective Exercitations, which have been published to the world, and are entitled, " A Chain of Principles."*

He took his doctor's degree in the year 1647, and was chosen vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge the same year. In the year 1651, he was presented to the rectory of Somersham, and was also constituted Professor of divinity, in this famous University, which office he resigned in 1655, and was succeeded by Dr Tuckney.+ In the year 1653, upon the death of Dr Hill, our illustrious author was removed to be Master of Trinity-College, in said University, which Wood says is the best preferment in it. In a situation so peculiarly agreeable to the views and habits of a scholar and of a divine, he eminently displayed his ardent zeal and great fidelity in the honourable service of his great Master. And the infinitely wise and sovereign Disposer of all things certainly regarded the University of Cambridge with peculiar favour, when he placed this learned and pious divine, in such eminent stations there, where he was made the instrument of great usefulness. It was an observation of Tacitus, that advancement rarely mended the disposition of the human mind; only Vespasian was changed to the better. And Evagrius gives it as the high praise of the Emperor Mauritius, that in the height of all his majesty, he retained his ancient piety. It may be considered, by good information, as the high praise of the subject of this Memoir, as he was seemingly the subject of the unsearchable riches of divine grace, that in the height of all his preferments, he retained his former piety; and even improved greatly in literature, and in the disposition of his mind. There is growth both in knowledge and in grace.

He was a very eminent and useful preacher of the glorious gospel of the grace of God. There is one remarkable instance of this transmitted to posterity, respecting Mr John Machin, of Jesus's College, Cambridge. Mr Machin was born at Seabridge in Staffordshire, Oct. 2d. 1624. He spent his youth

Preface to the Chain, by Messrs Horton and Dillingham. + Kennet's Chronicle, p. 601, 935.

Wood's Athenæ Oxon. vol. ii. Col. 505. Calamy's account, vol. ii. p. 78. 294. Baker's MS. col. vol. i. p. 265.

in vanity and sin. When about twenty-one years of age, he went to the University, without any view to the holy ministry, or to a continuance there. But God was pleased, on his first going thither, to effect a gracious change in him, chiefly by the preaching of Dr Hill; and that of Dr Arrowsmith was much to his comfort and edification. No sooner did he find this blessed change in his heart, than his friends found it by his letters; by which, together with his exemplary conversation afterward, he is said to have been the instrument of converting his three sisters, and there was room to hope, both his parents.

Dr Arrowsmith was also reckoned an eminently learned and highly useful professor of divinity. He was truly a burning and shining light, able to distinguish truth from error, and pure worship from superstitious devices. He was an enlightened leader, and careful instructor of others. He was well qualified to write and discourse upon theological subjects with precision, elegance, ease, and perspicuity. By his great ingenuity and erudition, he was enabled to throw light on many difficult passages of the sacred writings that had been ill understood, and not well applied. Great dexterity, good judgement, profound and admirable learning, with true piety, were very conspicuous, both in his ministry, and in the divinity-chair. He acquired a distinguished reputation in the University, by his excellent wit, amiable manners, singular prudence and plainness. His wit and erudition, being sanctified by the grace of God, were successfully employed by him, as weapons against the adversaries of truth and of religion.

He continued to labour with indefatigable zeal in his Master's service, until he was seized with a lingering sickness, terminating in death, which prevented the completion of his noble designs. + Information respecting the manner of the death of this eminent divine is not attainable. He died in February, 1659, aged 57 years, and his remains were interred in Trinity college chapel, the 24th of the same month.‡

* Palmer's Nonconformist's Memorial, under Whitley, in Cheshire.

+ See Prefaces to his Chain, and God-man. Wood's Athena Oxon. vol. ii. Col. 505. p. 371. and title-page of Arrowsmith's Chain. Baker's MS. Col. vol. i. page 265. Calamy's account, vol. ii. page 78, 294.

Four lines of a little poem of Mr Smart's, on the death of a Mr Newbury, after a lingering illness, which are appro→ priate, may be here introduced."

1

"Henceforth be every tender tear supprest,

Or let us weep for joy that he is blest ;

From grief to bliss, from earth to heav'n remov'd,'

His memory honour d, as his life belov'd."

Mr Neal says, "Dr John Arrowsmith was of an unex-/ ceptionable character for learning and piety. He was an acute disputant, and a judicious divine, as appears by his Tactica Sacra, a book of great reputation in those times.” * He was undoubtedly a real friend to true religion, and has transmitted to posterity a shining example of piety and dili gence in his Master's service. His name ought to be in the list of the eminent divines and men of learning, who were real ornaments to the Reformed Church in the seventeenth century.

Dr Arrowsmith is a writer of distinguished excellence. He may be justly numbered among the benefactors of English literature. By one who appears to have been well acquainted with him, he is characterized "as a burning and a shining light; who, by his indefatigable study of the sublime mysteries of the gospel, spent himself to the utmost, to explicate the darkest places of scripture. This he did with a view to enlighten others in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. He was a holy and learned divine: firm and zealous in his attachment to the... cause of Christ, from which no worldly allurement would shake his faith, or move his confidence. He was a man of a thousand. Those who knew him could give testimony of his diligence, his zeal, and his integrity. His public ministry discovered his great dexterity, sound judgment, admirable learning, and indefatigable labours. His soul aspired, after more than his weak and sickly body was able to perform. He put forth his energy beyond his strength to do good."+

Monthly Review Enlarged, Jan. 1792. vol. vii.
Hist. Purit. vol. iii. 1644.

+Arrowsmith's God Man, Preface, edition 1660.