William Lyford
Encyclopedia
William Lyford was an English nonconformist clergyman, elected to the Westminster Assembly
though not sitting in it.
, near Newbury, Berkshire
, and was born there. He entered Magdalen Hall, Oxford, as a commoner on 26 April 1615, became a demy of Magdalen College
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 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.
Posthumous were:
Lyford edited in 1634 the second edition of William Pinke's Tryall of a Christians syncere Love unto Christ.
Westminster Assembly
The Westminster Assembly of Divines was appointed by the Long Parliament to restructure the Church of England. It also included representatives of religious leaders from Scotland...
though not sitting in it.
Life
He was son of William Lyford, rector of PeasemorePeasemore
Peasemore is a village and civil parish in the English county of Berkshire in the United Kingdom. It is located in the West Berkshire unitary authority, west of the A34 road and north of the town of Newbury.-Amenities:...
, near Newbury, Berkshire
Newbury, Berkshire
Newbury is a civil parish and the principal town in the west of the county of Berkshire in England. It is situated on the River Kennet and the Kennet and Avon Canal, and has a town centre containing many 17th century buildings. Newbury is best known for its racecourse and the adjoining former USAF...
, and was born there. He entered Magdalen Hall, Oxford, as a commoner on 26 April 1615, became a demy of Magdalen College
Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £153 million. Magdalen is currently top of the Norrington Table after over half of its 2010 finalists received first-class degrees, a record...
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
John Digby, 1st Earl of Bristol
John Digby, 1st Earl of Bristol , was an English diplomat and a moderate royalist during the English Civil War.- Early career :...
, he became vicar of Sherborne
Sherborne
Sherborne is a market town in northwest Dorset, England. It is sited on the River Yeo, on the edge of the Blackmore Vale, east of Yeovil. The A30 road, which connects London to Penzance, runs through the town. The population of the town is 9,350 . 27.1% of the population is aged 65 or...
, Dorset, in 1631.
His Calvinistic 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.