Richard Stock

Richard Stock, A.M This worthy divine was born

in the city of York, and educated in St. John's college, Cambridge; where, on account of his great ingenuity, industry and progress in learning, he was much beloved by the famous Dr. Whitaker. Leaving the university, he became domestic chaplain first to Sir Anthony Cope, of Ashby in Northamptonshire,* then to Lady Lane, of Bourton-onthe-Water in Gloucestershire. Afterwards, he became assistant to Mr. Thomas Edmunds, vicar of Alhallows, Bread-street, London; where his labours were particularly acceptable and useful. He continued for sixteen years to assist Mr. Edmunds, at whose 'death he accepted the pastoral charge, and continued sixteen years more, even to the end of his days. His labours were made a signal blessing to the people. Great numbers were converted, comforted, and established under his ministry. He was the means of bringing many persons to a saving knowledge of the truth, who alterwards became celebrated ministers of the gospel. Though many ministers preached to others, and not to themselves, Mr. Stock practised what he preached. His lite was one uniform practical comment upon his doctrine. He was much beloved, revered and honoured; and always faithful and courageous in reproving sin.

Mr. Stock having in his younger years preached at Paul's cross, he spoke with considerable freedom against

• Morton's Memorial, p. 63.—Morse's American Geog. p. 156, 157.— Mnrv and Parish's New England, p. 30.

+ Sir Anthony Cope signalized himself in the cause of religions liberty, and n»s a constant friend to the persecuted nonconformists. He was burgess for Banbury in Oxfordshire; and, in the parliament of 1586, he offered a bill to the house of commons, to abolish all the penal and disgraceful laws against Dip puritan*, to set aside the Book of Common Prayer, and to adopt a fresh one, not liable to sn many exceptions. The bill was Irarmlv supported by several able statesmen, but was rejected by the superiority of (be court parly.—AS. Chronology, vol. ii. p. 377. (4.)

the iniquities of the city; which some persons took so fll, that they charged him with rashness, and called him Green-head. Towards the close of life, having to preach at the election of the lord mayor, he particularly enlarged upon the same topic, and said, " that a Gray-head now spoke the same things that a Green-head had formerly done." The end of his labours was the beginning of his rest; and having finished his work, he- was called to receive his gracious reward. He died April 20, 1626. He was a person of good learning, excellent talents for the pulpit, and an example to his people in conversation, in charity, in faith, in purity.* Wood denominates him « a constant and judicious preacher, a pious minister, and a zealous puritan and reformer of the profanation of the sabbath."t His remains were interred in Alhallows church, where the following monumental inscription was afterwards erected to his memory :}

To the sacred Memory
of that worthy and faithful servant of Christ,

Master Richard Stock ;
who after thirty-two years spent in the ministry,
wherein by his learned labours,
joined with his wisdom,
and a most holy life,
God's glory was much advanced,
his church edified,
piety increased,
and the true honour of a pastor's place maintained;
deceased April 20, 1C26.
Some of his loving parishioners
have consecrated
this Monument of their never-dying lore,
Jan. 28, 1628.

Thy livelesse trunk (O Reverend Stocke)
Like Aaron's rod, sprouts out again;

And, after two full winters past,
Yields blossoms and ripe fruit amaine.

For why, this worke of piety.

Performed by some of thy flocke
To thy dead corps and sacred urne,

Is but the fruit of this old Stocke,

There was another Mr. Richard Stock, who lived about the same time, rector of Kirk-Eaton in Yorkshire, where he

• Clark's Lives annexed to Mariyrologie, p. 61—66.

t Athena Ozon. vol. i. p. 774.

% Stow's Survey of London, b. iii. p. 200.

left a standing monument of his piety and charity, by the erection and endowment of a free-school. It does not. however, appear whether he was any relation to our learned divine.*

His Works.—1. The Doctrine and Use of Repentance, 1610.— 2. A Sermon at tho Funeral of John Lord Harrington, 1614.—3. Commentary on Malachi, 1641.—4. Stock of Divine Knowledge, 1641.— 6. Truth's Companion.