A

BRIEF NARRATIVE

OF

THE LIFE

OF

GILBERT LATEY.

GILBERT LATEY was born of honest parents, in the county of Cornwall, in the parish called St. Issey in the month called February, in the year 1626, he being the youngest child of his father, who was a yeoman, and dealt in cattle and kept malting, and a house of entertainment both for men and horse, travellers, and others. His mother was of the best family then in the parish; her maiden name was Hocking, a gentlewoman born, whose brother married Attorney General Noy's sister. Gilbert having three brothers, who were abroad, and did very well, was desirous to go to some trade; whereupon he being a very likely lad, a person, by trade a tailor, had a desire to have him his apprentice; and his father and master having agreed on the terms, he was bound accordingly, and faithfully

and truly served his apprenticeship, notwithstanding he had a very wicked and severe

master.

Gilbert desirous to improve himself in his business went to Plymouth, being a great seaport in the west of England, where he was employed by one of the chief of that trade, who was a great professor, and afterwards mayor of the place; he would gladly have had him continue longer with him, and promised him, for his encouragement, the best wages that were given to any man in the town: but he, in those days, had a fear towards, and a desire after the Lord, and saw pretty much the emptiness of his master's profession, for though the person he then lived with was great in profession, yet not being of a good life and conversation, Gilbert was uneasy, and resolved for London; and accordingly, about the month called November, in the year 1648, arrived in London. He was of a sober life and conversation, and having breathings in his heart after the Lord, followed those who were the best reputed of, and esteemed to be the most zealous pastors and preachers in that time, often hearing four sermons in a day, and being frequent in prayer privately. The Lord beholding the integrity of his heart, prospered him in such a manner, that he grew into great reputation in the world; having good business in his way of trade, and being employed

and respected by persons of the first rank and quality then in the kingdom: however, through all these outward enjoyments, his mind and desires were still to find peace with the Lord; and having in this seeking condition gone after those who seemed the most refined, from one of them to the other, even as of old, from mountain to hill, seeking the living among the dead, yet among them all he could not find his soul's beloved; they proving to him only as the watchmen of the night. In this breathing, seeking condition, it was made known to him in the year 1654, or near about that time, that some men were come out of the north, who were to have a meeting at the house of one Sarah Matthews, a widow, that lived in Whitecross street. He repaired thither, and having there heard the truth declared by that eminent minister of our Lord Jesus Christ, Edward Burrough, he at that time was so reached by the power of the Lord, that he was then convinced of the blessed truth, and directed to the light of Christ in himself and not consulting with flesh and blood, gave up to the leadings of the Holy Spirit, greatly rejoicing that he had found his soul's beloved, and resolving, through the Lord's assistance, to take up his cross and despise the shame, accounting all things but as dross and dung, that he might win Christ.

There being few in this city now left who

came so early into the vineyard of the Lord, he was willing, as near as he could remember, to give some account to the present and succeeding age, how the truth prevailed, and also the names of the ministering friends, that in those early days first visited this city, suburbs, and parts adjacent, and were made instruments in the Lord's hand for turning many from darkness to light; and though they are now all gone to their rest, their faithfulness to the Lord, good works, and great labours are still fresh in memory, and the many jeopardies and sufferings they passed through, in their obedience to the Lord, cannot be forgotten by such as were eye-witnesses; who are now reduced to a few in number; yet the Lord's power, still being the same, hath plentifully raised more witnesses, bearing a faithful testimony to the same truth and power of God that the ancients came forth in; and the Lord's work prospers.

The first who brought the glad tidings to this. city were, Francis Howgill, Edward Burrough, Thomas Aldham, George Fox, Richard Hubberthorn, John Audland, Ambrose Rigge, James Nayler, and others; by whom many were turned to the Lord; and by his everlasting power their hearts were opened to receive those his messengers into their houses, and to offer up the same, to have meetings therein for the service of the Lord; among whom was Simon

Dring, who then lived in Watling street, but some time after removed into Moorfields where he also continued to have a meeting in his house on the first days of the week in the afternoon. About this time also, as before related, Sarah Matthews, a widow, in Whitecross street, had a meeting at her house, which was continued on the first days in the morning for some time. Another meeting was at Humphrey Bates's house, at the sign of the Snail, in Tower street; another meeting at Samuel Vasse's, at the Helmet in Basinghall street; another meeting at Glazier's hall in Thames street, where Gerard Roberts was convinced, and gave way to have a meeting at his house, which was in the street called ThomasApostle's; where ministering friends generally met till the year 1666. Another meeting was at William Woodcock's house, who lived in the Strand, between the great gate of Somerset house and the water gate thereto belonging. There were divers other meetings in the suburbs, and in Southwark; at William Shewen's in Bermondsey street; Daniel Flemming's in Blackman street; Henry Clark's on the Bankside, and at Worcester house in the Strand. The work of the Lord thus prospering, and truth increasing, many, both sons and daughters, were convinced, and made help meets in the gospel; among the latter in these early days, came forth in a public testimony, Ann Downer,