John Ward

John Ward was a celebrated puritan divine, and many years the laborious minister of Haverhil in Suffolk. Afterwards, he appears to have become minister of Writtle, near Chelmsford, in Essex; but, about the year 1584, he was suspended by Bishop Aylmer, for not wearing the surplice. On account of his nonconformity, though he was a most excellent and peaceable man, Aylmer drove him from one place to another, by which means he was exceedingly harassed, and not suffered to continue long in any one situation.S

• Strype's Parker, 391. + MS. Register, p. 569.

t MS. Chronology, vol.ii. p. 419. (1.1.) S MS. Register, p. 584, 748.

evident design to ensnare his He subscribed the " Book of Discipline,"* and united with his brethren in their endeavours to promote the desired reformation of the church, meeting with them in their private associations.+ This persecuted servant of Christ died at Haverhil, where his remains were interred. Upon his grave was a monumental inscription erected to his memory, of which Fuller gives the following translation: t

Grant some of knowledge greater store,

More learned some in teaching;
Yet few in life did lighten more,

None thundered more in preaching.

Mr. Ward was an excellent divine, of whom the famous Dr. William Whitakcr had the highest opinion, and used to say, " Give me John Ward for a text."^ Mr. Richard Rogers, the worthy puritan minister of Wethersfield in Essex, married his widow. Mr. Ward had four sons in the ministry. Samuel and Nathaniel were puritan divines of distinguished eminence. Mr. Ward, the ejected nonconformist, was most probably his son.||