Samuel Jacomb

Samuel Jacomb, B. D.—This learned divine was born at Burton-Lazers in Leicestershire, and educated in Queen's college, Cambridge; of which, in the year 1648, he was chosen fellow. By the religious instruction of his pious parents, together with his attendance upon the ministry of Mr. Ludlam, he was brought under serious concern for his soul at a very early period. Having resolved to employ himself in the ministry, he became a hard student, a good scholar, and an excellent divine. His preaching while at the university was much admired aud followed by the collegians and others. He was possessed of popular talents, and was appointed one of the university preachers by the authority of the parliament.

Mr. Jacomb continued at Cambridge about twelve years. Af+erwards, he removed to London, and was chosen pastor at St. Mary Woolnoth, in Lombard-street. In this situation, his excellent endowments were much esteemed and admired, as well by his brethren in the ministry as by the people of his charge. His sermons were so demonstrative, that they were sufficient to convince an atheist; so clear, as to enlighten the most ignorant; so awakening, as to rouse the most careless; so persuasive, as to charm the most obdurate; to

• Mather's Hist, of New En;, b. iii. p. 97. + Palmer's Noncon. Mem. vol. ii. u. 200.

fervent, as to awaken the most formal; and so discreet, as to reduce the most fiery zealot to a proper temper. In conversation he was grave, humble, cheerful, affable, serious, and affectionate.* However, with these excellent qualifications, he did not live four years after his removal to London. During his last sickness, he felt happily resigned to his heavenly Father's will. "God is wise," said he, "therefore let him do with me as seemeth him good." His complaint beginning to affect ltis head, and to becloud his mind, he was exercised with fears, and said, "This is the only thing that troubles me, lest I should lose my understanding; but my Saviour intercedes for me: he doth, he doth." His fears were altogether groundless. He enjoyed the perfect use of his mental powers, with solid peace and comfort to the last. His last words were, There remuinelh a rest for the people of God. He died in the month of June, lo\39- He lived and died a nonconformist to the church of England.+ And he appears to have been brother to Dr. Thomas Jacomb, the ejected nonconformist^ Mr. Jacomb published, " Moses his Death, a Sermon preached at Christ's Church in London, at the funeral of Mr. Edward Bright, Minister there," 1657. He was author of two or three other Sermons. Mr. Patrick preached and published his funeral sermon, from which part of this brief memoir is collected.