Anno Domini <1648> the Visitation of the Parliament was Oxford, and turned out a great many professors and fellowes. The Astronomy Reader (Dr.[1183] <John> Greaves) being sure to be ejected, Seth Ward, A.M. (living[1184] then with my lord Wenman, in Oxfordshire, and ... Greaves was unwilling to be turned out of his place, but desired to resigne it rather to some worthy person, wherupon Dr. Charles Scarborough and William Holder, D.D. recommended to ... Greaves, their common friend, Mr. Seth Ward) was invited to succeed him, and came from Mr. Freeman's to Oxford, had the Astronomy Professor's place, and lived at Wadham Colledge, where he conversed with the warden, Dr. John Wilkins.
[1185]Anno Domini 165- (quaere), he had from B<rownrigg> bishop of Exon, the grant of the chantor's place of Exon, which then signified nothing.
<_President of Trinity College, Oxford._>
Anno Domini 165<9> William Hawes, ...[1186], then president of Trinity Colledge in Oxford, having broken in his lunges a vein (which was not curable), Mr. Ward being very well acquainted and beloved in that colledge; by the consent of all the fellowes, William Hawes resigned up his presidentship to him, and dyed some few dayes after[CO]. Anno 1660, upon the restauration of King Charles II, Dr. Hannibal Potter (the president sequestred by the Parliamentary Visitors) re-enjoyed the presidentship again.
[1187]Dr. Seth Ward, now bishop of Sarum, when he was president of Trinity College, Oxon, did draw his geometricall schemes with black, red, yellow, green, and blew inke to avoid the perplexity of A, B, C, etc.
[1188]I should have said that, anno 165<4>, he[1189] tooke his degree of doctor in Divinity, at the Act, at Oxford, at the same time with Dr. John Wallis.
He then enjoyed his chanter's place at Excester, and, I thinke, was certainly minister of St. Laurence <Jewry> church (quaere) in London.
Anno Domini 166<1>, the deane of Exon dyed, and then it was his right to step-in next to the deanry.
Anno Domini 1663, the bishop of Exon dyed: Dr. Ward, the deane, was in Devonshire at that time, at ... (I thinke 'twas Taverstoke), at a visitation at ...,[XCVII.] where were a great number of the gentrey of the countrey. Deane Ward was very well knowne to the gentry, and his learning, prudence, and comity had wonne them[1190] all to be his friends. The newes of the death of the bishop being brought to them, who were all very merry and rejoycing with good entertainment, with great alacrity the gentlemen cryed all, _uno uno_[1191], 'Wee will have Mr. Deane[1192] to be our Bishop.' This was at that criticall time when the House of Commons were the king's darlings. The deane told them that for his part he had no interest or acquaintance at Court; but intimated to them how much the king esteemed the members of parliament (and a great many Parliament men were then there), and that his majestie would deny them nothing. 'If 'tis so, gentlemen' (sayd Mr. Deane), 'that you will needes have me to be your bishop, if some of you make your addresse to his majestie, 'twill be donne.'--With that they[XCVIII.] dranke the other glasse, a health to the king, and another to their wished-for bishop; had their horses presently made ready, putt foot in stirrup, and away they rode merrily to London; went to the king, and he immediately graunted them their request. This is the first time that ever a bishop was made by the House of Commons. Now, though envy cannot deny, that this worthy person was very well worthy any preferment could be conferred on him, yet the old bishops (e.g. Humphrey <Henchman>, bishop of London; John Cosins, bishop of Durham; etc.)[1193] were exceedingly disgruntled at it, to see a briske young bishop that could see through all their formall gravity, but 40 yeares old, not come in at the right dore but leape over the pale. It went to their very hearts. Well, bishop of Excester he was, to the great joy of all the diocese[1194]. Being bishop he had then free accesse to his majestie, who is a lover of ingenuity and a discerner of ingeniose men, and quickly tooke a liking to him.