William Lyford (1598–1653) was an
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
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* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
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nonconformist clergyman, elected to the
Westminster Assembly though not sitting in it.
Life
Lyford was born at
Peasemore, near
Newbury in
Berkshire
Berkshire ( ; in the 17th century sometimes spelt phonetically as Barkeshire; abbreviated Berks.) is a historic county in South East England. One of the home counties, Berkshire was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II as the Royal County of Berk ...
, the son of the rector, an elder William Lyford and his wife, Mary Smith.
He entered
Magdalen Hall, Oxford
Hertford College ( ), previously known as Magdalen Hall, is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. It is located on Catte Street in the centre of Oxford, directly opposite the main gate to the Bodleian Library. The colleg ...
, as a commoner on 26 April 1615, became a
demy of
Magdalen College
Magdalen College (, ) is a constituent college of the University of Oxford. It was founded in 1458 by William of Waynflete. Today, it is the fourth wealthiest college, with a financial endowment of £332.1 million as of 2019 and one of the st ...
in 1617, and graduated B.A. on 16 December 1618. He proceeded M.A. on 14 June 1621 (incorporated at Cambridge 1623), and B.D. 12 May 1631.
On the presentation of
John Digby, 1st Earl of Bristol, he became vicar of
Sherborne, Dorset, in 1631.
His
Calvinistic
Calvinism (also called the Reformed Tradition, Reformed Protestantism, Reformed Christianity, or simply Reformed) is a major branch of Protestantism that follows the theological tradition and forms of Christian practice set down by John Calv ...
views left him undisturbed during the civil war; he was chosen member of the Westminster Assembly, but did not sit. In 1653 he was allowed an annuity out of Lord Digby's estate. Lyford died at Sherborne on 3 October 1653, and was buried under the communion table in the chancel of the church. By his wife Elizabeth he left children.
Works
Lyford published:
* ''Principles of Faith and Good Conscience digested into a Catechistical Form'', London, 1642; 5th edit. Oxford, 1658.
* ''An Apology for our Public Ministry and Infant Baptism'', London, 1653; 3rd edit. 1657.
Posthumous were:
* ''The Plain Man's Senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil'', London, 1655, with a funeral sermon by W. H., D.D., which was also issued separately.
* ''William Lyford his Legacy, or a Help for Young People to prepare them for the Sacrament'', London, 1656; 2nd edit. 1658.
* ''Cases of Conscience propounded in the Time of Rebellion resolved'', London, 1661.
Lyford edited in 1634 the second edition of
William Pinke's ''Tryall of a Christians syncere Love unto Christ''.
Notes
References
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lyford, William
1598 births
1653 deaths
17th-century English Anglican priests
English Caroline nonconforming clergy
Westminster Divines
People from West Berkshire District
People from Sherborne
Burials in Dorset
Alumni of Magdalen College, Oxford