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296
Hereditary Genius
was elected Professor of Divinity and Master of Queen's College. Aet. 38 he
entered into controversies with the Papists, especially with Bellarmine. “He
dealt peaceably, modestly, and gently, without taunting, bantering, wrath,
deceit, or insidious language; so that you might easily see him to be no cunning
and obstinate partisan, but a most studious searcher after divine truth.” He was
endowed with a most acute genius, happy memory, with as great eloquence as
was ever in a divine, and with a most learned and polished judgment. He was a
pious, holy man, of an even, grave demeanour, and very remarkable for patient
bearing of injuries. He was extremely kind and liberal, in season and out of
season, especially to young students who were poor. He was extremely meek,
although so highly gifted and esteemed. Bishop Hall said, “Never man saw him
without reverence, nor heard him without wonder.” It was he who, at a
conference of Bishops, drew up the famous ultra-predestinarian confession of
faith, called the “Lambeth Articles.” He married, first, the maternal aunt (u.) of
William Gouge (see), and second, the widow of the learned Dr. Fenner, and by
these two wives had eight children. It would be exceedingly interesting to know
more of these children, especially those of the first wife, whose hereditary
chances were so high. They appear to have turned out well, judging from
Middleton's phrase that they “were carefully brought up in the principles of
true religion and virtue.” This, unfortunately, is all I know about them.
Saurin, James (1677—1730, aet. 53). Served in the army as a cadet, but the
profession was distasteful to him, and he left it to become a student in
philosophy and divinity. He lived five years in England. He was an admirable
scholar and preacher, and led a holy, unblemished life. Married, and had one
son at least, who survived him.
[F.] An eminent lawyer of Nismes, who was compelled to leave France on the
revocation of the Edict of Nantes.
3 B. They, as well as James, were trained up in learning by their father, and were
all so remarkably eloquent “that eloquence was said to be hereditary in the
family.” The eloquent Attorney-General of Ireland was a descendant.
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