44
THE LIFE OF
Extracts from Mr. Atwood’j - Memoirs, [Aulæ Pemb. foe.]
relating to Bishop Wren.
Hlfioriolam cujlodum, sociorumque omnium [Aulæ Pembrochianæ] ab ineuntecollegii œvo, summa fide, studio, at que arte conscriptam, ad sua fere temperaperduxit .*
In the Bishop’s Diary, in his own Hand, December 25, 1585. Natus sumLondini. Miserere . Dem ! Mar. 10, 1614. Respondi in philosophic!, coramrege Jacobo, jubente senatu Cantabrig. [Summa cum laude. ]
Though the Bishop was born in London, yet was he descended from anantient Family of the Wrens of Binchefier, in the County of Durham, whichhaving been a Roman Station, might inspire him with Antiquities ; for he wasa true Antiquary, and may be traced by his Collections, wherever he came;at Pembroke-Hall, where he was Fellow ; at Peter-House, where Master ; atWindsor, where Dean ; and Ely, where Bishop; several of which I [At-1 wood ] have seen : Besides his Register, which seems in Part to have beendrawn by himself; several Strokes whereof bear his Impression ; and it ispretty remarkable, that he kept a Register, whilst he was Prisoner in theTower, where he could have no Assistance.
His Charities were great, his Chapel at Pcmbroke-Hall , is said to have costhim near 4000/. [above 5000/.] which he endow’d with an Estate at Hard-wick, Com. Cant. for Reparations, &c. and yet, tho’ he had provided wellfor a numerous Family, his Family is extinct in the male Line, but remainsin the Female.]
It must be allow’d, that he was arbitrary to the last, [cum rationc & ju-fiitid] as appears by his admitting J- Dr. Beaumont to the Mastership of Peter-House as Visitor by a Stretch of Power, notwithstanding the College hadnominated Dr. Luc. Skippon, and Dr. Isaac Barrow, two deserving Persons.
The Manner of his Interment may be had from Mr. Worthington, takenfrom the Heralds-Office.
Chrifiopher Wren, 8 . T. B. Ox on. Incorporatus Cantabrigiœ, July 5, Anno1630, Reg. Acad. Cant.
Chrifiopher Wren, 8 . T. P. Cantabrigiœ, Anno T630. Ibid.
This was probably in order to succeed his Brother Matthew Wren, as Ma-ster of Peter-House, for Anno 1634, Feb. 6. Socii Coll. Petri ;lominavcruntEpif. Ellens, ex parte auftrali Angliæ, Chrislophorum Wren, S. T. D. et exparte borcali Johannem Cosin, S. T. D. But though Dr. Wren, was first inNomination, the Bishop [ Francis ] preferr’d Dr. Co fin, probably the rather,because he was of his own College, viz. Caius, and Feb. 8, 1634. fiohannesCofin, S. T. D. admijjus efi magfter, a Francisco Epo. Ellen. reg. Coll.Petri.
Per omnid vita mimia, Matthæus Wren, Epif Ellen, ed gravitate, ac pro -bitate tnorum ; Jpcdlabili adeo pietate, ed demum disciplinœ apofiol. observant idse gefiit, ut homines improbi eum non magis metuerent, quam oderint ; hoc jonte
denvata sunt ilia quœ pasjus efi, &c. in arcem Loud. conjicitur— - cmisl’us
tandem e carcere, quum per duodeviginti plus minus annos cum bestiis, propedixerim, firenue dimicaverat, refiituitur, Anno 1660.
En autem animi vere magni clarijjimum indicium I etfi ingentia detriment aatque damna ed tempeflate pertulerit, neceffe est ; annus tamen cufiodid liberato
* Mr. Atwood. has wrote a Continuation of this M. S.
-|- Dr. Beaumont Regius-Profeflbr of Divinity, was one of the most famous Men that ever fat inthat Chair; he lived to a great Age, an Honour to the University.
quintus