Thomas Brightman(1562-1607).

[486]Hawnes, Dec. 21, <16>81.Sir,

Since you have desired and have been put into an expectation of receiving some information concerning Mr. Brightman, tho I have litle or nothing to serve you and your freind with, I send this to let you know that I find nothing of his arms; that upon the stone is engraven

'Here lyeth the body of Thomas Brightman, deceased, minister of this parish, who dyed Aug. 24, 1607.'

'Here lyeth the body of Thomas Brightman, deceased, minister of this parish, who dyed Aug. 24, 1607.'

Over his head are these sad rimes (I hope they are Oxford, tho not much for the honour of it).—

Christ cals his churches candlestiks of old,Altho the candlesticks but the candles hold.The lights on them hee calleth angels pure,Not barely candles, for those must endure.Candles when burn't out are soon forgott,But ministers, as angels, must not rot.Sith God doth ministers so eternize,Let not us mortals give them lower prize.And specially to Brightman's recommendacionAnd bee entomed a light to th' revelationWee must, wee ought, to make such saints lastIn whom wee know the times to come and past.

Christ cals his churches candlestiks of old,Altho the candlesticks but the candles hold.The lights on them hee calleth angels pure,Not barely candles, for those must endure.Candles when burn't out are soon forgott,But ministers, as angels, must not rot.Sith God doth ministers so eternize,Let not us mortals give them lower prize.And specially to Brightman's recommendacionAnd bee entomed a light to th' revelationWee must, wee ought, to make such saints lastIn whom wee know the times to come and past.

I am, Sir, Yours to serve you,Edw. Gibson.

Dr. Fuller, amongst hisWorthies, hath something of Mr. Brightman.

[487]For Mr. John Aubrey: leave this at Mr. Hooke's lodging in Gresham College.

Note.[BG]In MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 3, Anthony Wood has jotted down 'quaere Mr. Aubrey of Thomas Brightman, Dr. Butler, Henry Billingsley, Sir George Wharton'—Aubrey's notes, so far, about these four having been scanty.In MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 48v, opposite Gibson's letter Wood notes an odd omission in it:—'Quaerein what churchMr. Thomas Brightman was buried?'

[BG]In MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 3, Anthony Wood has jotted down 'quaere Mr. Aubrey of Thomas Brightman, Dr. Butler, Henry Billingsley, Sir George Wharton'—Aubrey's notes, so far, about these four having been scanty.In MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 48v, opposite Gibson's letter Wood notes an odd omission in it:—'Quaerein what churchMr. Thomas Brightman was buried?'

[BG]In MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 3, Anthony Wood has jotted down 'quaere Mr. Aubrey of Thomas Brightman, Dr. Butler, Henry Billingsley, Sir George Wharton'—Aubrey's notes, so far, about these four having been scanty.

In MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 48v, opposite Gibson's letter Wood notes an odd omission in it:—'Quaerein what churchMr. Thomas Brightman was buried?'

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