Samuel Ward (minister)

Samuel Ward ( * 1577 in Haverhill, † beginning in March 1639 in Ipswich ) was an English clergyman.

Family and Education

Ward was born in 1577 as the eldest son of the pastor of Haverhill John Ward and his wife Susan. He had two brothers. On the recommendation of William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley Ward was taken on November 6, 1594 as a student at St John's College, University of Cambridge. Two years later, the Bachelor of Arts awarded him there. In 1599 he was among the first students of Sidney Sussex College, where he earned a Master of Arts in 1600. 1604 Ward had, after his marriage to Deborah Bolton, resign from the theological education. 1607 Bachelor of Divinity, however, he was finally awarded. Ward was the father of two sons.

Career

When and by whom Ward was ordained to the priesthood is not known. He taught first in his hometown of Haverhill. 1603 he was appointed pastor of the church St Mary le Tower in Ipswich, an office which he held for over thirty years. At that time counted Ipswich 's most important trade centers in England and with the place was a high reputation connected. 1621 Ward published an engraving on the destruction of the Spanish Armada was ready. On appeal by the Spanish ambassador Ward was interrogated and sentenced to a short prison sentence, but was allowed to return to Ipswich soon. In 1622 he was accused by Samuel Harsnett, then Archbishop of York, the non-conformism and condemned by the Council of Churches of Norwich. However Against Ward successfully passed an appeal. Eleven years later, he was charged again, this time by the Archbishop of Canterbury, William Laud. He was accused of having preached against Jesus and the Church of England. This time, Ward was sentenced to a counter notice to be published and to bear the costs of the proceedings. When he refused to comply with this, he was imprisoned.

After his release from prison, Ward moved initially to Holland. He was probably a long time, along with William Bridge, served as a priest in a church in Rotterdam.

In April 1638 he returned to Ipswich and lived there until his death in early March in 1639. Ward was buried on March 8, 1639 in the cemetery of St Mary le Tower.

Legacies

Today, a school is named in Ward's hometown after him.

Publications (selection )

• A Coal from the Altar to kindle the Holy Fire of Zeal. Published in four volumes up in 1622.
• Jethro's Justice of Peace. Published in three editions, 1618-1623.
• The Happiness of Practice. Published in three editions, 1621-1627.

A complete edition of the collected sermons appeared Wards 1627/1628 and again in 1636 total new parts under the title Sermons and Treatises. A reprint of this work published John Charles Ryle 1862.