Memorials of the Independent Churches in Northamptonshire Part 14

Upon this he grew weary of the inn, and, being in plentiful circ.u.mstances, retired to a house in the middle of High Street, which had a small close behind it, at the extremity of which, upon the Back Lane, there stood some out-buildings, which he converted into a Meeting House. The people enjoyed it during his life, having now got a settled minister, and formed into a Church. This was probably after the Revolution. He always intended, and often promised, to settle it in form; but dying suddenly, it never was done. The heir-at-law was well inclined to it, but melancholy, so that the people dare not trust to a settlement from him. At length they purchased it of those in whom it was vested, repaired it, and continued to use it until 1722, when Mr. Mattock, then the minister at Daventry, built the present place, the old one being by this time much too small.

"The original license granted to Mr. Lindsey, or, as he is there called, Linzey, in pursuance of the royal Declaration of Indulgence, with the signatures of the King and Lord Arlington, the Secretary of State," says the late George Baker, Esq., in his 'History of the County of Northampton,' "is now in my possession; and being the only doc.u.ment of the kind known to be extant in this country, a copy of it is subjoined."

CHARLES R.

Charles, by the Grace of G.o.d King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c., to all the mayors, bailiffs, constables, and others our officers and ministers civil and military, whom it may concern, greeting.

In pursuance of our Declaration of the 15th of March 167-1/2, we have allowed, and we do hereby allow, of a roome or roomes in the house of Allen Linzey, of Daventry in Northamptonshire, to be a place for the use of such as do not conform to the Church of England, who are of the persuasion commonly called Presbyterian, to meet and a.s.semble in order to their public worship and devotion. And all and singular our officers and ministers, ecclesiastical, civil, and military, whom it may concern, are to take due notice hereof; and they, and every one of them, are hereby strictly charged and required to hinder any tumult or disturbance, and to protect them in their said meetings and a.s.semblies.

Given at our Court, at Whitehall, the 8th day of November, in the 24th year, of our reign, 1672.

By his Majesty's command,

ARLINGTON.

This society ranks with the Independent or Congregational, and not the Presbyterian denomination, as named in this license.

At what time a settled ministry was first enjoyed here is not exactly known; but the first pastor of the Church was Mr. Andrew Barnett, born at Uppington, in Shropshire, the youngest of ten children. His father, Mr. Humfrey Barnett, appears to have been celebrated as a preacher, and as a man of devoted consistent character. People in the country around would flock to hear him twice on the Lord's-day, which was a very unusual thing in those times. He refused to read the 'Book of Sports,'

and preached against it; but was cited by the Bishop, and obliged to retire out of that diocese. He was accounted one of the first Puritans in Shropshire, princ.i.p.ally on account of his serious preaching and his devoted life. This son, who became pastor of the Church at Daventry, was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge--was ejected from the rectory of Roddington, in Shropshire, in 1662. He did not suffer so much for his Nonconformity as many of his brethren; having some knowledge of medicine, his skill in diseases obtained him favour among the neighbouring gentry. But on one occasion, being invited privately to preach on the Lord's-day, a neighbouring justice came in while he was praying, and fined him for preaching. Mr. Barnett appealed to the quarter sessions, and pleaded that he had not preached, for he was only engaged in prayer; but his plea was overruled, for the King's Attorney declared that the defendant's praying was preaching; so that on this judgment he was cast, and his fine doubled. He had to pay 40. He was a man of considerable solidity of judgment, a useful preacher, and highly valued by those who best knew him. He published a funeral sermon for Queen Mary, from Psalm ii. 3, 4, dated Daventry, May 21, 1694; and ent.i.tled, 'The Helmet of Hope, Christ in us the hope of glory.'

Thomas Flavell, the eldest son of John Flavell, the eminent Nonconformist divine, was the next pastor; but of his life and ministry we have no account.

John Mason appears to have succeeded Mr. Flavell for a short time. The father of Mr. Mason was rector of Water Stratford, in Buckinghamshire, where he died in 1724, having ministered there for 20 years. He was the author of the 'Select Remains' which form the golden little volume that Dr. Watts so highly recommended to the public. Mr. Mason did not remain at Daventry more than a year or two, when he removed to Spaldwich, in Huntingdonshire, where he died. He was the father of John Mason, author of the well-known treatise on 'Self-knowledge,' who was first minister at Dorking, in Surrey, and subsequently at Cheshunt, in Hertfordshire, where he preached to a considerable congregation. His diligence was attested by his labours as a pastor, tutor, and author. Several of his works are of a very useful character, though not rising to the highest order of excellence.

Mr. John Cambden was the next pastor. His ministry was only for a short time; but whether he died here, or removed, is not known. He published a 'Funeral Sermon upon the Death of Madam Mary Thornton, the pious relict of the late truly virtuous and honourable John Thornton, Esq., of Brock Hall, in Northamptonshire, who departed this life June 19, 1713.

Preached at Daventry; with some account of her life.'

Mr. Jolly, their next minister, continued with them a rather longer time; but before the year 1720, he gave place to a successor in Mr.

Daniel Mattock, who ministered for about 14 years. His preaching appears to have been so attractive and successful that it considerably raised the interest, and rendered it necessary to erect a larger Meeting House, which was done in the year 1722, and is the building which is now standing. In a letter of Dr. Doddridge's, dated December 22, 1726, he says--"Mr. Mattock goes on most triumphantly at Daventry, and makes the most ill.u.s.trious figure of all Mr. Jenning's pupils in these parts." Mr.

Mattock exerted himself to preach the Gospel in the neighbouring villages, as well as to the stated congregation at Daventry.

There are two anecdotes related in reference to these village services, which ill.u.s.trate the spirit in which they were regarded by different clergymen in the vicinity.

While Mr. Mattock was minister of Daventry, having several persons belonging to his congregation who came from villages in the vicinity, and being desirous of extending the knowledge of the Gospel as far as his time and strength would admit, he proposed to some of his country friends to get their houses registered for places of religious worship.

This being done, Mr. Mattock went on a Lord's-day evening, for the first time, to one of the villages, and preached a lecture. The clergyman of the parish, hearing of this "rude intrusion," as he termed it, felt much exasperated, and determined to go and remonstrate against it. As he was going to the house where the service was held, he met, much to his annoyance, several of his parishioners coming from the lecture. In the height of his resentment he addressed first one, and then another, "What, have you been to the conventicle?" "What! have you been to hear the fanatic?" "Are you not ashamed of your conduct?" &c. Soon, however, he arrived at the house; and Mr. Mattock, being apprized of his coming, very politely accosted him, and offered him his chair, begging him to be seated--which genteel request he, with apparent reluctance, condescended to comply with. Being seated, the Rector begins by saying, "So, I find that you have been preaching here." "Yes, sir." "And pray, sir, what right have you to come into my parish, to invade my province? This parish is _mine_, and I am their _lawful_ pastor. I wish therefore to know, by what authority you take this liberty." "Sir," replied Mr.

Mattock, "I beg leave to inform you, if you do not already know, that I am qualified according to law as a Dissenting minister, and am therefore authorized to do as I have done." "Aye! who authorized you, sir, to invade my province?" "The legislature, sir, by the Act of Toleration. I do nothing by preaching here, but what is strictly legal." "Well, it is strange to me that the legislature should allow you this liberty." "I hope, sir," said Mr. Mattock, "that you do not find fault with the legislature of your country." "No, no, G.o.d forbid that I should; but I still wonder that it should grant you such an indulgence. But, sir, I have another question to ask you; pray what is your object in coming here? what do you propose to yourself in doing it?" "Sir, my only motive is the hope of doing good to my fellow creatures." "Good!" replied the Rector, with a contemptuous sneer: "I don't know what good _you_ can expect to do, for _I_ can do no good upon them. They are a parcel of fools. I can make _a fool_ of the wisest of them, in a quarter of an hour." "Sir," says Mr. Mattock, "you give your neighbours a very bad character; but however, if they are bad as you represent them, they have the more need of instruction, that they may be convinced of their folly, and be made wise unto salvation; and if it pleases G.o.d to bless the instructions of his word, it will be so, and my desire will be accomplished." To this he made no reply, but casting his eyes round the house, says, "but can you imagine that G.o.d Almighty will condescend to notice any worship which is performed in such a place as this? Solomon thought that he could not make the holy Temple, which he dedicated to the worship of the Deity, fine enough for the purpose; therefore to suppose such condescension as you seem to expect in the Deity is to affront him." Mr. Mattock replied, "Sir, we know no holiness of places in Gospel times, but all places are alike holy where 'G.o.d is worshipped in spirit and in truth'; and we have every reason to hope for and expect the presence and blessing of Christ, who has said, 'Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.'"

"But," asks the clergyman, "is this place secured for this purpose by law?" "Yes, sir, it is registered in the Bishop's court." "And do you intend to make a practice of coming here?" "I shall come, sir, when it is convenient to myself, and as long as the people give me encouragement by their attendance to do so."

Upon this the Rector rose hastily and departed; but he sent his clerk the next morning to inquire of Mr. Mattock three things--

1. Whether he was qualified as a Dissenting minister to preach?

2. Whether the place he occupied as a place of worship was legally secured?

3. Whether he intended to continue coming there?

To this Mr. Mattock replied, "I answered these three questions in the affirmative last night; but if your master was not satisfied, why did he not come himself, or send for me?" The honest clerk said "that his master could not do either, because _he was going out with the hounds_."

Admirable apology!

But there was another instance, which presented a pleasing contrast to this. Mr. Mattock, having preached in another village on the Lord's-day evening, was returning home the next morning, and the clergyman of the parish, having been to take a short ride, met Mr. Mattock; so, after the usual compliments were exchanged, the clergyman said, "So I perceive, sir, that you have been sowing some seed in my parish." "Yes, sir."

"Well," replied the worthy Vicar, "I am glad of it; and may G.o.d grant that the seed which you sow, and that which I sow, may both spring up together, and do good to the souls of men."

At length, to the deep regret of the congregation, Mr. Mattock accepted an invitation to remove to Birmingham. This we suppose to have taken place about 1734.

In some extracts from the diary of Mrs. Savage, daughter of Philip Henry, we find the following notices of Mr. Mattock. Under date of December 8th, 1740:--"This morning good Mr. Mattock, of Birmingham, entertained us awhile with his good company. He said, my father was in many things like Abraham, which made me look over a small collection I made long ago from annotations on John 9th, that they that would prove themselves the children of Abraham must endeavour to follow his example, come at G.o.d's call, follow wherever he leads, and resign their dearest interests; be strangers and sojourners in the world; keep up the worship of G.o.d in their families; and above all, must always walk before G.o.d in uprightness."

Again:--"_March 12th, 1744_ (_Monday_).--Sad tidings of the sudden illness and death of good Mr. Mattock, minister of the Old Meeting at Birmingham. A very useful person. Such good ministers the world can ill spare. A stroke of the palsy. Lord, what is man--the wisest, the best, the most healthful? What shall we say? what shall we do? Thou hast the ordering of all events. 'The righteous perish; we should lay it to heart.' It is affecting to see such taken away, and such left--poor worthless creatures as I yet left."

During two years, the congregation at Daventry was supplied by neighbouring ministers and probationary candidates.

The next pastor, Mr. James Floyd, was ordained May 6th, 1736. About ten years after this, at Midsummer, 1746, Mr., afterwards Dr., Caleb Ashworth was chosen his a.s.sistant, and in September of the same year co-pastor. In a few years after, Mr. Floyd wholly resigned in favour of his colleague; but continued to reside in the town till his death, which took place July 24th, 1759, in his 55th year. His successor preached his funeral sermon, and at the desire of the family and congregation published it, under the t.i.tle of 'Hope, the Christian mourner's relief.'

Dr. Ashworth was born in Lancashire in 1719, educated for the ministry at Northampton under Dr. Doddridge, who recommended him in his will for his successor in the following terms:--"And I do hereby declare, that so far as I can judge no man living will be more fit for the office, since the removal of my dear friend and a.s.sociate, Mr. Job Orton, than the Rev. Mr. Caleb Ashworth, of Daventry; and if it should so happen, as I think it very probably may, that the congregation should desire to put themselves under his ministerial care, I do hereby make my dying request to him that he would accept the united charge, and thereby perpetuate those schemes which he knows I am forming for the public service, the success of which is far dearer to me than my own life." Coward's trustees approved of the nomination, and Mr. Ashworth refusing to quit his pastoral charge at Daventry, the academy was removed thither in 1752. He was presented with an unsolicited diploma of D.D. from a Scotch University in 1759.

On the 18th of July, 1775, he died of dropsy in the chest, and was buried in the Churchyard, where an altar stone is placed to his memory, on which is the following inscription:--

Here rest in hope, the remains of the Rev. CALEB ASHWORTH, D.D.; pastor of a congregation of Protestant Dissenters, and director of the academy in this town.

He died July 18, 1775, aged 54.

With indefatigable application, with genuine well-regulated zeal, and with growing reputation and success, he exerted his eminent abilities and extensive acquaintance with sacred and human literature in the service of his great Master, and in promoting the important interests of learning, religion, and charity.

"Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing."

Mr. Samuel Palmer, who had been a pupil of the Doctor's, published 'The Want of Labourers in the Gospel Harvest considered and improved'--a sermon preached at Hackney on occasion of the death of Dr. Ashworth.

Several others, in different publications, have eulogized their tutor in the highest terms; one of them, in a memoir of a fellow student, observes--"Dr. Ashworth was a man who, though not distinguished by that ac.u.men of genius and vigour of imagination which some have possessed, yet by strong sense, inflexible resolution, and indefatigable labour, acquired a store of theological learning not often exceeded, and through a long train of years discharged the office of divinity tutor with a respectability and success which have seldom been equalled."

Some of the Doctor's students becoming Unitarians, suspicion has been expressed as to the evangelical soundness of the views entertained by the tutor; but the evil appears to have been, that there was a sub-tutor who took the heretical side on disputed points, while the princ.i.p.al tutor, with all his love for truth, indulged his candour and kindness to excess. Dr. Priestley says "that Dr. Ashworth took the orthodox side of every question," and "that Dr. Ashworth was earnestly desirous to make me as orthodox as possible."

The Doctor was author of 'Reflections on the Fall of a Great Man--a Funeral Sermon on 2nd Sam. iii. 38, on the Death of Dr. Watts, 1749'; a funeral sermon for Mr. Floyd; also, a funeral sermon for Mr. Clark, of Birmingham, ent.i.tled 'The Regard Christian Congregations owe to their Deceased Ministers represented and urged, from Heb. xiii. 7'; 'A Collection of Psalm Tunes, with an Introduction to the Art of Singing;'

also, 'A Hebrew Grammar, with complete Paradigms of the Verbs'; 'An Easy Introduction to Plane Trigonometry,' &c.

Mr. Robins was the next pastor and tutor. After the death of Dr.

Ashworth, it became a matter of great anxiety amongst the friends of the academy who should be appointed his successor. There was one to whom many eyes were turned; but great fears were entertained, lest the extreme diffidence and modesty of his spirit should prevent him from acceding to the earnest requests that were presented to him. This was the Rev. Thomas Robins, who was at this time minister at West Bromwich, in Staffordshire. He was born at Keysoe, near Bedford; studied for the ministry under Dr. Doddridge, at Northampton; first settled at Stretton, in Warwickshire, 1755. The present minister's house at Stretton was built for him. He came to West Bromwich in 1761, where he continued until his removal to Daventry, in 1775.

At this period Job Orton wrote--"The death of Dr. Ashworth, though it has been long expected, has been a very painful event to me. Mr. Robins preached his funeral sermon last Lord's-day to a great auditory, from these words: 'Where is the Lord G.o.d of Elijah?' Coward's trustees, all the neighbouring ministers, and many in this and other neighbourhoods, think that no person is more proper to fill up this vacancy than Mr.

Robins, especially as he is exceedingly acceptable to the congregation at Daventry. He hath been strongly urged to take up the prophet's mantle, but he has an unconquerable diffidence of his own abilities; I wish the many applications he hath received from ministers of all sentiments and denominations may overcome it. If he absolutely refuse, I know not who will be thought of. I pray G.o.d to direct in this very important concern." In another letter he writes--"You have heard by this time, August 31st, 1775, that Mr. Robins has accepted the invitation to Daventry. I had a great deal of trouble in writing to him, and engaging all my friends and correspondents to apply to him, who all concurred in thinking him the most proper person. I do not know a single objection, and I cannot hear of anyone else that makes one. The divines and the laity, of all principles and persuasions in these parts, are agreed in their opinion of him, and everybody is well pleased that he has accepted the office. I look back with pleasure and thankfulness on the pains I have taken in this affair, and firmly believe I shall never have reason to repent it."

Mr. Robins printed 'An Abridgement of Matthew Henry's Work on the Lord's Supper,' which was the only work he could be prevailed on to print, excepting some memoirs of Mr. Thomas Strange, of Kilsby, "one of the wisest and best of men." Mr. Palmer, of Hackney, says, "This was done on my earnest solicitation; and those who are the best judges on such a subject, and who best knew Mr. Strange, will concur with me in p.r.o.nouncing this so excellent a performance, as to render it a matter of deep regret that the same pen should have been employed in no other original composition."

Robert Hall has written, in his 'Memoir of the Rev. T. N. Toller'--

Among many other mental endowments, Mr. Robins was remarkable for delicacy of taste and elegance of diction; and perhaps my readers will excuse my observing, that the first perceptions of these qualities which the writer of these lines remembers to have possessed, arose from hearing him preach at Northampton, on a public occasion. It is to be lamented that he has left none of those productions behind him, which a correct and beautiful imagination, embodied in language of the most cla.s.sic purity, rendered so impressive and delightful. The qualities of his heart corresponded to those of his genius; and though long before his death his bodily infirmities obliged him to relinquish a commanding station and retire into obscurity, he retained to the last such an ascendancy over the minds of his former pupils, and such an interest in their affections, as nothing but worth of the highest order can command.

We may here correct an error into which Mr. Hall has fallen, in stating that Mr. Robins _was first a.s.sistant_ to Dr. Ashworth. He did not come to reside at Daventry until the death of Dr. Ashworth, as his successor.

But while the friends of Mr. Robins were delighting themselves in his ability and success, lo! in the midst of his days and his usefulness, he is compelled to resign all public services and retire into private life.

After discharging his offices with increasing reputation and success for six years, his ministerial usefulness was suddenly destroyed, by imprudently preaching three times to a large congregation at Kettering one Sabbath whilst labouring under a severe cold, by which exertion he irrecoverably lost his voice; and being thus incapacitated for fulfilling the duties of the pulpit or the lecture-room, he relinquished his public engagements, and with great humility and contentment pa.s.sed the remainder of his life in the secular employment of a bookseller and druggist. He died May 20th, 1810, and was buried in the Churchyard, where, on an upright stone, is inscribed a high eulogium, from the pen of his pupil and successor.

The Rev. T. N. Toller, of Kettering, who studied in the academy at Daventry, and spent the last year of his course under Mr. Robins, improved the death of his former tutor in a discourse delivered to his own people the next Sabbath morning, from 2 Kings ii. 12: "And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and the hors.e.m.e.n thereof! And he saw him no more."