SILVER-STREET.-Presbyterian, Extinct. to have taken particular notice of the singular ability discovered by our Divine; who had for his coadjutors, on the side of the parliament, Mr. Caryl, Mr. Marshall, and Mr. Vines. The treaty being broken off, the King was impeached by the army of high-treason. To countenance this proceeding, endeavours were used to obtain the sanction of the London ministers, and the episcopal clergy gave out that the Presbyterians had brought the King to the block, and that the Independents would cut off his head. To wipe away this calumny, the Presbyterian ministers published a vindication of themselves; and it received the signatures of fifty-seven of the London clergy. Among these we find the name of Dr. Seaman. In the year 1654, he was appointed, by Oliver Cromwell, one of the visitors of the University of Cambridge; and, about the same time, he is said to have become Vice-Chancellor of the same university.§ At the Restoration, our Divine lost all his preferments; but he retained his integrity and zeal for public usefulness. The Presbyterians were now divided in their politics; some being for going as far as they could with the court, and others for drawing back. Among the latter were Dr. Seaman, Mr. Jenkyn, &c. who meddled not with politics, and became a little estranged from the rest of their brethren. || After his ejectment from Alhallows, Bread-street, in 1662, Dr. Seamen gathered a private congregation, chiefly among his old hearers, and preached to them as the times would allow. The meeting-house in Silver-street, appears to have been built for him about the time of King Charles's Indulgence, in 1672; and he continued his ministry there till death, the great silencer, removed him to his reward. He died at his house in Warwick-court, Newgate-street, about the 9th of September, 1695, "much lamented by the brethren, (says Wood,) in regard he was a learned man."¶ SILVER-STREET.-Presbyterian, Extinct. His friend, Mr. William Jenkyn, preached and published a sermon upon his death, from 2 Peter, i. 15. During his last illness, which was very painful, his deportment was patient and submissive, even to the admiration of those around him. He was a great admirer of free-grace, and glorified that God who so greatly depressed him. Dr. Seaman was a Divine of considerable learning and abilities, a smart disputant, and thoroughly skilled in theological controversy. His acquaintance with the oriental languages was very considerable. He translated into the Turkish language, Mr. Ball's Catechism; and always carried about with him, for his own use, a small Plantin Bible, without points. He was a most excellent and profound casuist. For more than thirty years, his skill in this branch of divinity, procured him great fame; insomuch that scarcely any Divine in London, was so much resorted to for resolv ing difficult cases. His judgment was deep and piercing. In expounding the scripture, he gave the sense of difficult passages with the greatest perspicuity; so that he might with propriety be called, An Interpreter, one of a thousand. In his sermons, he mixed application with doctrine; and could, upon all occasions, discourse rationally upon any point, without labour or hesitation. Having thoroughly digested every branch of divinity, he could, at all times, deliver himself with readiness and fluency. His judgment concerning the doctrines of the gospel were thoroughly orthodox; and a little before his death, he delivered to his pupils some excellent discourses on faith, justification, and the covenant of grace. He valued one truth of Christ above all the wealth of both the Indies; and would never sacrifice his conscience for the sake of preferment. He was better pleased in being a real pastor to one, than a nominal pastor to a thousand congregations; being desirous to live amongst his own people. He was a great observer of Providence; • Kennett's Chronicle, p. 300. SILVER-STREET. — Presbyterian, Extinct. and whatever were its allotments he was perfectly resigned, and contented with his worldly circumstances. Being of a public spirit, he tenderly felt whatever affected the church of Christ, both at home and abroad. To the poor, especially such as were pious, he was eminently charitable; and those of his brethren who fell under this description, ever found him a hearty friend. Of the value of time he was deeply sensible, and therefore improved it with diligence; but rarely allowing himself any season for recreation. His prudence was very remarkable, both in conversation and behaviour; and in this particular, as well as in others, he may be considered as a truly wise man. This was well known in the circle of his acquaintance, and occasioned his being frequently resorted to for advice. Upon some occasions he could put on a prudent reserve; but upon others he would indulge himself in all the cheerfulness which was consistent with the gravity of a Christian. In his latter days he is said to have much studied the prophetical part of scripture. Dr. Seaman left behind him a very valuable library. It was the first that was sold by auction in England, and produced seven hundred pounds, a very considerable sum in those days. A catalogue of this library is preserved in the Museum belonging to the Baptist academy, at Bristol.* (A) • Calamy's Account, p. 16. Cont, p. 17.-Noncon. Mem. vol. i. p. 80.-Mr. Jenkyn's Sermon at the Funeral of Dr. Seaman. (A) WORKS.-Dr. Seaman, though so learned a man, did not often appear in print. His publications consist of, A Fast Sermon, before the House of Commons, September 25, 1644, entitled, Solomon's Choice; or, a Precedent for Kings and Princes. 1 Kings, iii. 9.-One or two other Sermons before the Parliament:-A Vindication of the Judgment of the Reformed Churches, concerning Ordination, and the laying on of Hands, &c. 4to. 1647. N. B. This was in answer to Mr. Sydrach Sympson's Diatribæ, concerning unordained Persons preaching :-A Sermon against Divisions; preached before the Lord Mayor, April 7, 1650:-A Translation of Mr. John Ball's Catechism into the Turkish Language, 1660-A Farewell Sermon on Heb. xiii. 20, 21. 1663.-Dr. Seaman also drew up some Notes on the Revelation, which he presented to Lord Wharton; but they were never printed. SILVER-STREET.-Presbyterian, Extinct. THOMAS JACOMB, D. D.-This excellent Divine was born in the year 1622, at Burton Lazars, near Melton Mowbray, in Leicestershire. After being trained up in grammar-learning, at the country schools, he was sent to Magdalen-Hall, Oxford, of which Dr. John Wilkinson, was then Principal. He was entered a commoner in Easter term, 1640, at eighteen years of age. Upon the breaking out of the civil wars, he removed to Emanuel College, Cambridge, and afterwards to Trinity College, where he was chosen Fellow, and took the degree of Master of Arts.* At the university, it has been observed, “he became a person of high repute for his good life, good learning, and excellent gravity, greatly beloved of the then Master, who loved an honest man, and a good scholar, with all his heart." + Mr. Jacomb taking orders according to the Presbyterian way, retired to London in 1647, and was received into the family of that pious and excellent lady, the Countess Dowager of Exeter, daughter to the Earl of Bridgwater. He officiated as chaplain to this lady, and enjoyed her patronage for the space of forty years, their friendship being interrupted only by his own death. As he had an opportunity of preaching about the city, it was not long before he came into notice, and he became fixed in the parish of St. Martin's, Ludgate, where his ministry was both acceptable and use- * ful. "From this time to that of his silencing, (observes Mr. Wood,) he was a very zealous person for promoting the cause, and in very great esteem by those of his persuasion, for his piety, parts, prudence; sound, judicious, practical, spiritual, substantial preaching." About the same time, Mr. Jacomb became one of the assistants to the commissioners of London for the ejecting of scandalous, ignorant, and insufficient ministers and school * Wood's Athenæ, vol. ii. p. 800.-Calamy's Account, p. 45. SILVER STREET -Presbyterian, Extinct, masters.* By the thirty-seventh article in the instrument of government, it was enacted, "That all who professed faith in God by Jesus Christ, should be protected in their religion." This being interpreted to imply an agreement in fundamentals, a committee of Divines was appointed to draw up a catalogue of fundamentals, to be presented to the house. Mr. Jacomb was upon this committee, but does not appear to have taken any active part, the business being managed principally by Dr. Owen, and some other Independent Divines.† Our Divine was also one of the commissioners appointed by act of parliament, in 1659, to be approvers of ministers, according to the Presbyterian method, before they were admitted to church livings. But this, as well as many other transactions of the parliament, during the inter-regnum, was set aside at the Restoration.‡ Charles the Second being restored to the throne in the year 1660, the affairs of the church soon reverted to their former channel. The King, however, did not chuse to break with the Presbyterians at once; but endeavoured to lull them asleep by some specious acts in their favour. In the month of November, in the same year, a royal mandate was issued, directed to the Vice-chancellor and senate of the University of Cambridge, commanding them to confer the degree of Doctor of Divinity, upon Mr. Thomas Jacomb, and two other Presbyterian Divines. These were the celebrated Dr. William Bates, and Dr. Robert Wild. The royal letter speaks in terms of high commendation of their piety, learning, and loyalty.§ But these qualities were of little service to them afterwards, when the point of conformity came to be urged. Dr. Jacomb was one of the ministers who carried up the address of thanks to the throne, on the part of the Presbyterians, for his Majesty's declaration concerning ecclesiastical affairs, issued October 25, 1660. || • Wood's Athenæ, ubi supra. Wood's Athenæ, ubi supra. + Neal's Puritans, vol. iv. p. 308. § Kennett's Chronicle, p. 309. Ibid. p. 313. |