MEMOIR OF THE LIFE OF JOHN SUDBURY, D. D. DEAN OF DURHAM. Behold, I have not laboured for myself only, but for all those that seek wisdom. Ecclus. xxiv. 34, (Printed, but not published, in folio, Wakefield, 1808.) MEMOIR, &c. JOHN SUDBURY, descended from an ancient and opulent family, was born in 1604, at St. Edmund's-Bury, in the County of Suffolk *. He was educated at Emanuel College in Cambridge, being admitted to his first degree in 1624, and to that of Master of Arts in 1628 †. Though the historian of The Sufferings of the Clergy of 6 * He was probably of the same family with Simon Theobald, aliàs Sudbury, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was cruelly murthered in the rebellion of Wat Tyler, Jack Straw, and others their lawless companions. + Emanuel College, distinguished by the learning and loyalty of it's members, became particularly obnoxious to the ruling party, which during the Grand Rebellion endeavoured to subvert the Established Church. In this college, they made their first attempt to introduce into the University their gothic plans of reform and regulation. This circumstance unfolds the cause, why in this single society more puritans and nonconformists were educated, than perhaps in any seven of the other colleges or halls either at Oxford or Cambridge. (Kennett's Register, p. 933.) In the annals of Emanuel College we observe the names of Dr. Lazarus Seaman, Mr. Antony Burgess, Mr. William Jenkin, Dr. William Spurstow, Dr. William Bate, Mr. Samuel Hildersham, &c. &c. Mr. Sudbury the Church of England in the late times of the Grand Rebellion' has not recorded him among those venerable ecclesiastics who were then harassed with relentless persecution, it appears from the best authority that he sustained many grievous oppressions with the most exemplary patience and magnanimity. His erudition, his piety, his unshaken fidelity to his Sovereign, and the natural munificence of his temper exercising itself in the support of the royal cause, could not fail of exposing him to severe trials. The strict bond of affectionate friendship, which subsisted between him and Dr. John Barwick one of his contemporaries in the University, and afterward the good Dean of St. Paul's, affords a strong presumptive proof that they were both influenced by the same honourable principles of attachment to our civil and religious constitution. The period of the Restoration presents us with a pleasing scene. The Church of England, no longer overwhelmed with desolation, Mr. Sudbury was ordained Deacon, May 31, 1629, and Priest on the ensuing day, by the Bishop of Peterborough; and was instituted May 27, 1646, to the Rectory of Coyd Church, aliàs Llangraels, in the county of Glamorgan. In the Catalogue of the Lower House of Convocation, 1660, occurs For the Col., Westminster, John Sudbury, Doc. Div. Proctor for the Chapter. The same Dr. S. Archdeacon. (England's Glory, p. 80.) |