He was born This Richard, the eldest Son of Paul Sibs and Johan, was 5 77. born at Tostock|| in Suifolk, 4 miles from Bmy, anno domini
1577, from whence his Parents soon removed, to a Town adioining, called, Thurston, where they lived in honest Repute, brought up, and maried divers children, purchased some Houses and Lands, and there they both De- ceased. His Father was by his Trade, a Wheelewright, a skilful and painful workman, and a good sound harted Christian. This Richard he brought up to Learning, at the Grammar Schole, though very ^ unwillingly, in re- gard of the charge, had not the youth's strong Inclination to his Book, and wel profiting therein, with some Importunity of Freinds prevailed so far, as to continue him at Schole, til he was fit for Cambridge. Concerning his
His industry loue to his Book, and his Industry in study, I cannot omit the in his study. Testimony of M""- Thomas Clark, High Constable, who was
* See Prynne's ' Canterb. Doome,' p. 3Y6. — M.
t Mr Clark of London. Probably ' Samuel Clarke,' who included a Memoir of Sibbes in his ' Thirty-two lives ' {ante p. xxxvii), without however using Catlin's MS. Perhaps as the volume was published in 1652, and the MS. is dated November 1st of that year, it may not have reached him in time. But neither does any trace of it appear in subsequent editions. — G. J ' Plan ' in Baker, by Mr Mayor. — G.
§ 'Useless ' in Baker, by Mr Mayor. I designate the remaining mis-readings by M. B.— G. II ' Tastock ' in M. B.— G. % ' Yet ' in M. B.-^G.
APPENDIX TO MEMOIK. CXXXV
much of the same Age, and went to schole, together with him, at the same Time, w**" one M''- Rich. Brigs (afteru'ard, Head Master of the Free Schole at NoiTvich) then teaching at Pakenham chm-ch. He hath often told me, that when the Boies were dismist from Schole, at the usuall Hom'es of eleuen, and 5, or 6, and the rest would fal to their pastime, and sometimes to plaiing the Waggs with him, being haimlet* and meanly apparel'd, for ye most part in Leather, it was this Youth's constant course, as soon as he could rid himself of their unpleasing company, to take out of his Pocket or Sachel, one Book or other, and so to goe reading t and meditating, til he came to his Father's house, w"*" was neere a mile of, and so as he went to Schole agen. This was his order also, when his Father sent i^^ ^ ^^y^, him to the Free Schole at Bury, 3, or 4 Miles off, every day. ofx.afr,;, nr-. 'Whereby ye said M''- Clark, did then conceive yt he would in ■jroXvfj.a.Cvis. Time prove an excellent and Able man, who of a child was of ^f a's'phi.hir'to such a manly staydnes § and indefatigable industiy in his study, be (IuXotovos, His Father at length gi-ew vveaiy of his expenses for books and — Ascham4 learning, took him from Schole, bought him an Axe and some other tooles, and set him to his own Trade, to the great discontent of the youth, whose Genius wholy caried him another way. Whereupon, M"- Greaves || then Minister of Thurston, and M'- Rushbrook an Attorney there, knowing the disposition and fitnes of the lad, sent him, without his Father's consent, to some of the Fellowes of S*' John's colledge, of their acquaintance, with their Letters of Recommendation, where, upon examination, he was Hisprofiting so wel approved off, that he was presently entertained as a Sub- inCambr. sizar, shortly after chosen Scholer of the House, and at length came to be Fellow of ye Colledge,^ and one of the Taskers of ye University, His Father being hardly brought to allow him 20 Nobles a yeare toward his maintenance in Cambr. , to which some good friends in the country, M"". 6rreaves,** M''. Knew- stub,f t and some others, made some addition, for a Time as need required.
Anno domini 1608, I came to be Minister of Thurston, and he was then a Fellow of the Colledge, and a Preacher of good Note in Cambr., and weef| soon grew §§ wel acquainted, for whensoeuer he came down into ye Country, to visit his Mother and brethren (his Father being deceased) he would never faile to preach with us, ||j| on the Lords day, and for the most part, twice, telling me, that it was a work of charity, to help a constant and painful preacher, for so he was pleased to conceiue of me. And If there were a Communion appointed at any Time, he would be sm'e not to with- draw himselfe after seimon, but receiving the Bread and wine at my hands, he would always assist me in the distribution of ye cup to the congregation.
As for his kindnes to his kindred,^! IF and neglect of the world, His uindnes it was veiy remarkable, for this I can testify of my own know- a°d hiss"n'^u' ledge, that purchasing of M""- Tho. Clark, and others in our lar neuiect of Town, a Mesuage and Lands, at seueral times, to the value of J^woiid. fifty pounds per annum, he paid the Fines to the Lords, but never took one peny of the Rents or profits of them, but left the Benefit wholly to his