SILVER-STREET.-Presbyterian, Extinct. He was also an assistant to the commissioners, on the side of the Presbyterians, at the Savoy conference, in March, 1661; and took a prominent part in drawing up the exceptions against the common-prayer.* The court having sported a sufficient time with the Presbyterians, the bishops, who were determined to keep all the good things to themselves, at length prevailed with the King to remove the mask; and on the 19th of May, to the lasting infamy of the persons concerned in its enactment, the royal assent was given to the celebrated Act of Uniformity, to take place on the 24th of August following. By this act Dr. Jacomb was compelled to relinquish his living of St. Martin's, Ludgate, and to retire into privacy. Fortunately for him, his old friend and patron, the Countess of Exeter, was still living, and her house afforded him a safe and comfortable asylum. Her respect for the Doctor was peculiar, and the favours she conferred upon him extraordinary; for which he made the best return, by his constant care to promote religion in her family.+ But Dr. Jacomb did not consider this legal restraint to be a sufficient warrant for his laying aside the ministry. He, therefore, seized the opportunity afforded by the fire of London, when many churches were burnt, to resume his ministerial labours, for which he was several times brought into trouble. But the noble lady above-mentioned was a great protection to him from his enemies, as she was to many other faithful and excellent ministers, under their sufferings at this period. The King himself professing to be averse to persecution, intimated through his Secretary of State, Sir J. Barber, that it was his intention to give the Nonconformists some respite, by a declaration in their favour. An address was accordingly drawn up, and presented to his Majesty, at the Earl of Arlington's lodgings, by Dr. Jacomb, accompanied by Dr. Manton, and Dr. Bates. The King received them graci * Kennett's Chronicle, p. 398, 505. + Dr. Bates's Sermon on the Death of Dr. Jacomb, p. 118. ously; engaged to do his utmost for their liberty; but soon forgot his promises.* Upon the Indulgence, in 1672, Dr. Jacomb united himself in ministerial work with Dr. Lazarus Seaman, and they preached alternately to the congregation in Silver-street, till the death of the latter, when the learned Mr. John Howe, was chosen in his stead. Dr. Jacomb continued his pastoral connexion with this church till his death, which happened at the Countess of Exeter's house, in Little Britain, on the 27th of March, 1687, in the 66th year of his age.+ During his last sickness his pains were very severe, the cancerous humour having spread through his joints, and the tenderest membranes; but his patience was invincible, and a humble submission to the Divine pleasure, was the habitual frame of his soul. When an intimate friend first visited him, he said, "I am in the use of means, but I think my appointed time is come that I must die: if my life might be serviceable to convert, or build up, one soul, I should be content to live; but if God hath no work for me to do, here I am, let him do with me as he pleaseth: but to be with Christ is best of all." At another time he told the same person, "That it was now visible it was a determined case; God would not hear the prayer, to bless the means of his recovery." He, therefore, desired his friend to be willing to resign him to God, saying, "It will not be long before we meet in heaven, never to part more, and then we shall be perfectly happy; then, neither your doubts and fears, nor my pains and sorrows shall follow us, nor our sins, which is best of all." After continuing long in a languishing condition, without any sensible alteration, he said to a person who inquired how he did, "I lie here, but get no ground for heaven or earth :" upon which one said, "Yes, in your preparations for heaven:"-" O yes," said he, "then I sen"O * Neal's Puritan's, vol. ii. p. 667. + Calamy's Account, p. 45. Contin. p. 65. sibly get ground I bless God." Such was the divine mercy, he had no anxieties about his future state, but a comfortable assurance of the favour of God, and his title to the eternal inheritance. He had a substantial joy in the reflection upon his life spent in the faithful service of Christ, and the prospect of a blessed eternity ready to receive him. This made him long to be above. He said, with some regret, "Death flies from me, I make no haste to my father's house." But the wise and gracious God, having tried his faithful servant, at length, gave him the crown of life, which he hath promised to those that love him.* Dr. Jacomb was interred in the church of St. Anne, Aldersgate. The excellent Dr. Bates preached his funeral serinon from John xii. 26. This admirable discourse was afterwards printed, and contains some of the most striking specimens of solid eloquence, that is any where to be met with. Dr. Jacomb's character is so well drawn by Dr. Bates, in the above discourse, that we shall present the reader with it in his own words. "He was a servant of Christ in the most peculiar and sacred relation: and he was true to his title, both in his doctrine and in his life. He was an excellent preacher of the gospel, and had a happy art of conveying saving truths into the minds of men. He did not entertain his hearers with curiosities, but with spiritual food: he dispensed the bread of life, whose vital sweetness and nourishing virtue is both productive and preservative of the life of souls. He preached Christ crucified, our only wisdom and righteousness, sanctification and redemption. His great design was to convince sinners of their absolute want of Christ, that with flaming affections they might come to him, and from his fullness receive divine grace. This is to water the tree at the root, whereby it becomes flourishing and fruitful; whereas the laying down of moral rules for the • Dr. Bates's Sermon upon the Death of Dr. Jacomb, p. 123–126. VOL. III. D SILVER-STREET,-Presbyterian, Extinct. exercise of virtue, and subduing vicious affections, without directing men to the Mediator, the fountain of all grace, and without representing his love as the most powerful motive and obligation to obedience, is but pure philosophy, and the highest effect of it is but unregenerate morality. In short, his sermons were clear, and solid, and affectionate. He dipped his words in his soul, in warm affections, and breathed a holy fire into the breasts of his hearers of this many serious and judicious persons can give testimony, who so long attended upon his ministry with delight and profit. His constant diligence in the service of Christ, was becoming his zeal for the glory of his Master, and his love to the souls of men. He preached thrice a week whilst he had opportunity and strength. He esteemed his labour in his sacred office both his highest honour and his pleasure. His life was suitable to his holy profession. His sermons were printed in a fair and lively character in his conversation. He was an example to believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. He was of a staid mind, and temperate passions, and moderate in counsels. In the managing of affairs of concernment, he was not vehement and confident, not imposing and overbearing, but was receptive of advice and yielding to reason. compassionate charity and beneficence was very conspicuous amongst his other graces. His heart was given to God, and his relieving beneficent hand to the living images of God, whose pressing wants he resented with tender affections, and was very instrumental for their supplies. And as his life so his death adorned the gospel, which was so exemplary to others, and so gracious and comfortable to himself. The words of men leaving the world make usually the deepest impressions, being spoken most feelingly, and with the least affectation. Death reveals the secrets of men's hearts: and the testimony that dying saints give, how gracious a Master they have served, how sweet his service has been to their souls, has a mighty influence upon those about them. Now His SILVER-STREET.-Presbyterian, Extinct. the deportment and expressions of this servant of Christ in his long languishing condition, were so holy and heavenly, that though his life has been very useful, yet he more glori ́fied God dying than living." To the foregoing account it may be added, that Dr. Jacomb was a nonconformist upon moderate principles, much rather desiring to have been comprehended in the national church, than to have separated from it. At his death, he left behind him an incomparable library of the most valuable books, in every branch of learning. It was afterwards sold by auction, and produced thirteen hundred pounds. +(B) JOHN HOWE, M. A.-This truly great man was born on the 17th of May, 1630, at Loughborough, in Leices • Dr. Bates's Sermon upon the Death of Dr. Jacomb, p. 118—123. (B) WORKS.-1. Enoch's Walk and Change: a Funeral Sermon for Mr. Richard Vines preached at St. Lawrence Jewry, February 7, 1655. Gen. v. 24.-2. The active and public Spirit; preached at St. Paul's, October 26, 1656. Acts xiii. 26.-3. God's Mercy for Man's Mercy; preached at the Spital, before the Lord Mayor, &c. Matt. v. 7. 1657.-4. Two Farewell Sermons at Bartholomew Tide. John viii. 29. 1662. N. B. His picture is before the title, with those of many other Nonconformists.-5. A Treatise of Holy Dedication, both personal and domestic: Recommended to the Citizens of London, upon their entering into their new Habitations. 1681. N. B. This was written after the grand conflagration.-6. Several Sermons preached on the Whole eighth Chapter of the Epistle to the Romans. 4to. 1672.-7. A short Account of the Life of Mr. William Whitaker, late Minister of St. Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey: prefixed to his Eighteen Sermons. 1674.-8. How Christians may learn in every State to be content: In the Supplement to the Morning Exercise at Cripplegate. Phil. iv. 11. 1674.-9. The Covenant of Redemption: In the Morning Exercise methodized. Isa. liii. 10. 1676.-10. The upright Man's Peace at his End. A Funeral Sermon on the Death of Mr. Matthew Martin, Citizen of London, December 8, 1681.-11. Abraham's Death: A Funeral Sermon for the Rev. Thomas Case, June 14, 1682. Gen. xxv. 8. Wood is mistaken in supposing that he had a hand in the Continuation of Poole's Annotations. |