of four eminent presbyterian ministers, giving their attestation to the truth of the narrative. A late popular writer observes, that, if ever mortal lived the life of an angel while upon the earth, Mr. Janeway seems to have been the man. And he adds, "that his death-bed scene, above all others I have either read or seen, appears to have had in it the largest share of divine communications."+ Wood denominates Mr. Janeway a zealous presbyterian. His three brothers, William, Jaines, and Abraham, were all ejected nonconformists in 1662.§ JOHN LANGLEY, A. M.-This celebrated scholar was born near Banbury in Oxfordshire, and educated in Magdalen-hall, Oxford. Afterwards he was prebendary of Gloucester, where he was master of the college school about twenty years; and, in the year 1640, he succeeded Dr. Gill as chief master of St. Paul's school, London. In both these situations many persons were trained up under his tuition, who became eminently distinguished characters in church and state. Among the number of his learned pupils was Mr. Richard Cumberland, afterwards bishop of Peterborough. He was a judicious divine, a universal scholar, and so celebrated an antiquarian, that his delight in, and acquaintance with, antiquities deserves the highest commendation that can be given. He was highly esteemed by men celebrated for literature, but little regarded by the clergy, because he was a puritan, and a witness against Archbishop Laud at his trial. ** Mr. Langley was indeed called as witness against the archbishop; when he deposed, that, in the year 1616, his lordship, then dean of Gloucester, came down to the cathedral of that place, intending to turn the communion-table into an altar, and to place it altar-wise at the east end of the choir, removing it from its former situation in the midst of the church. Dr. Smith, bishop of Gloucester, opposed the innovation, and warmly protested to the dean and the prebends, that if the communion-table should be removed, or Janeway's Life of Mr. John Janeway. Edit. 1673.—Clark's Lives, last vol, p. 60–81. + Simpson's Plea for Religion, p. 308, 310. Edit. 1810. Athena Oxon. vol. ii. p. 385. Palmer's Noncon. Mem. vol. ii. p. 308. iii. 311, 313. Biog. Britan. vol. iv. p. 558. Edit. 1778. I Reynolds's Fun. Ser. for Mr. Langley. * Wood's Athenæ Oxon, vol. ii. p. 135. VOL. III. any such innovation brought into the cathedral, as Dean Laud then intended, he would never come within the walls of the cathedral any more. But the dean was so violent, that, in direct opposition to the order and appointment of the bishop, he caused the Lord's table to be removed and placed altarwise, from north to south, at the east end of the choir, with popish furniture upon it, bowing towards it himself, and commanding the various officers of the church to do the same. He further deposed, that the bishop was so much offended at these innovations, that he, according to his protestation, came no more into the cathedral to the day of his death. This is the substance of what Mr. Langley testified, which was further confirmed by other evidence. Mr. Langley, being a most celebrated scholar, was chosen one of the licensers of the press for the philosophical and historical department. A minister of his name, but, according to Wood, a different person, was chosen one of the assembly of divines. He died at his house adjoining Paul's school, September 13, 1657. Dr. Edward Reynolds, afterwards bishop of Norwich, preached his funeral sermon, which was afterwards published. Fuller calls Mr. Langley "the able and religious schoolmaster." Archdeacon Echard denominates him "an excellent theologist of the puritan stamp, a great linguist and historian, and a nice and exact antiquary; for which he was highly esteemed by the famous Selden and other learned men." Mr. Strype says, "he was a general scholar, and a great antiquary, especially in matters relating to his own country, the stories and curiosities of which he, during his travels, made a considerable collection." His awful presence and speech produced uncommon respect and fear among his scholars; and such was his behaviour towards them, that they both feared and loved him. His remains were interred, with great funeral solemnity, in Mercer's chapel, Cheapside; when all his scholars attended. And, as he died a single man, they walked before the corpse, having white gloves, and being hung with verses instead of escutcheons, from the school through Cheapside to Mercer's chapel. He was so much in favour with the worshipful company of mercers, that they accepted his commendation of a successor.|| Mr. Langley was author of "Totius Wood's Athenæ, vol. ii, p. 135. * Prynne's Cant. Doome, p. 75-78. Rhetoricæ adumbratio in usum Schola Paulina," 1644 "An Introduction to Grammar"-And some other pieces. JOHN GUMBLEDEN, A. M.-This person was born in Hampshire, in the year 1598, and educated first at Broadgate-hall, then in Christ's church, Oxford, where he took his degrees in arts. In 1632 he was admitted to the reading of the sentences. After completing his studies at the university, he preached for several years at Longworth in Berkshire. When the civil wars broke out, he espoused the cause of the parliament, became chaplain to Robert, earl of Leicester, and afterwards, for some time, rector of Coytchurch in Glamorganshire. In this situation he died about the month of October, 1657, aged fifty-nine years. His remains were interred in the chancel of the church at that place.* His WORKS.-1. A Sermon on Gen. vi. 5-7., 1626.-2. A Sermon on Gen. xxii. 1, 2., 1627.-3. God's great Mercy to Mankind in Jesus Christ, a Sermon at Paul's Cross, on Isa. liii. 6., 1628.-4. Two Sermons before the University of Oxford, 1657.-5. Christ tempted, the Devil conquered: or, a short Exposition on a Part of the Fourth Chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel, 1657.-6. A Sermon on Acts i, 1-5. JOHN FROST, B. D.-This pious minister was son of Mr. John Frost, the ancient and pious minister of Fakenham in Suffolk. During his childhood and youth, he dis covered a sweet and amiable disposition, and was ever harmless and affectionate in his behaviour. He received his school learning first at Thetford, then at Bury St. Edmund's, where he made uncommon proficiency, especially in Greek and Latin. But that which added the greatest lustre to his character was his early piety, and a zealous attachment to the word of God. Even in the days of his youth he diligently searched the scriptures, constantly attended upon the word preached, and spent much time in the duty of private prayer. He was desirous, from a child, to be employed in the work of the ministry; therefore, he earnestly and constantly prayed that God would fit him for that important work. At the age of sixteen he entered St. John's college, Cambridge, where he continued thirteen years, and was chosen » Wood's Athenæ Oxon. vol. ii. p. 135. fellow of the house. During this period, he made amazing progress in all kinds of useful learning; but, having the christian ministry constantly in view, he directed his studies chiefly to those branches of literature which were likely to be most serviceable in that holy office. At the university, on account of the acuteness of his mind, the mildness of his behaviour, his intense application to study, and his great proficiency in useful knowledge, he was greatly beloved by men of learning and piety. He entered upon his ministerial work during his abode at Cambridge; and afterwards became pastor at St. Olave's, Hart-street, London; where he remained to the day of his death. In this situation he continued many years, and gained a distinguished reputation. As he lived highly respected, so he died greatly lamented. And having lived a most pious life, he died a most peaceable and happy death. During his last sickness, he discovered a becoming submission to the will of God, being willing to die, if his heavenly Father had so determined; or willing to live, if most for the glory of God and the advantage of his church. When he was asked how he did, he replied, "Full of peace and sweet submission to God my Saviour, and in dependence upon him." The pangs of death evidently approaching, he called his family together and engaged in prayer, for the last time, with much liveliness and affection. And having received something to drink, his affectionate wife reclining upon his bosom, he exclaimed, "We have overcome, we have overcome!" and spoke no more, but resigned his pious soul to God, and immediately entered upon the joy of his Lord, November 2, 1657. Mr. Crofton, who preached and published Mr. Frost's funeral sermon, gives the following account of his excellent qualifications:-"He was sound in the faith, well studied in polemical divinity, and able to defend the truth, holding fast the doctrines of the gospel, and establishing the minds of his people in the faith, especially against the fancies of arminianism and popery. He was singularly excellent in practical divinity, pressing the observance of duties, rebuking sin with wisdom and affection, and prudently directing persons into all necessary christian conversation, as becometh the profession of the gospel. He was a thorough puritan in principle and practice, but highly esteemed the unity and peace of the church. He studiously laboured to promote concord among the episcopal and presbyterian divines. He was ever solicitous to perform all the duties of his office, by preaching, administering the sacraments, catechizing the youth, and visiting the sick. He was zealous and fervent, circumspect and wise, and always deeply affected with the worth of souls. "His excellent ministerial endowments were manifest to all. What he delivered to the people was first deeply imprinted on his memory by an easy method, and deeply engraven on his own heart by serious meditation. He expressed himself with great power and plainness, and enforced the great truths of the gospel with strong arguments and pathetical affections. In his daily conversation he was courteous and affable to all men, whether his superiors, inferiors, or equals. He was meek and grave, holy and exemplary, as was obvious to all who knew him." He was the author of "Select Sermons," 1657. HUGH EVANS was born in Radnorshire, but removed in his youth to the city of Worcester, where he lived some years. About the commencement of the civil wars, he left that city and went to reside at Coventry. There he found a society of baptists, when he soon embraced their sentiments, and was admitted a member of their church. This was about the year 1643. He approved himself a very pious, sensible, and hopeful young man. His brethren soon perceived that he was endowed with promising gifts for the ministry, and encouraged him to cultivate and exercise them; which he did to their abundant satisfaction. He now began to pity the state of his native country; and, considering its deplorable condition as overspread with gross darkness, and destitute of the means of knowledge and salvation, he felt a strong desire to devote himself to the laudable, but arduous work of enlightening and converting his countrymen. There were then not above one or two gathered churches in all Wales, and very few preachers of the gospel. His friends approved and countenanced his benevolent inclination, but judged it advisable that he should first have some further literary advantage and instruction. Accordingly, he was placed for some time under the care and tuition of Mr. Jeremiah Ives, a baptist minister of considerable respectability. Having continued with Mr. Ives, and enjoyed the benefit of his instructions for a considerable time, he, according to his original intention, returned into Wales. This, it appears, was about the year 1647. * Crofton's Funeral Sermon and Life of Mr. Frost |