Memoirs of the Puritans

The life and death of Mr. Thomas Baylie.

MR. BAYLIE was born in Wiltshire. He was entered of St. Alban’s Hall, Oxford, 1600, being then eighteen years of age. In 1602 he was elected Demy of Magdalen College, and perpetual fellow of that house in 1611, being then master of arts. Some time after this he became rector of Maningford Crucis near Marlborough, in his own county. In the year 1621 he was admitted to the reading of the sentences; from which time forward he warmly attached himself to the puritan party, and was ready to sacrifice every other consideration to what he conceived to be the truths of God; and accordingly avowed his sentiments by an open declaration. He was chosen one of the assembly of divines, became a zealous covenanter, and an indefatigable preacher. He succeeded Dr. George Merely, a royalist, in the rich rectory of Mildenhall, Wiltshire, which he held till the restoration, when he was ejected by the act of uniformity. Upon his expulsion, he retired to Marlborough, and had a private congregation, where he died in 1663, aged eighty-one years, and was buried in the church of St. Peter in that place. Upon his death, his conventicle, according to Wood, was carried on by another as zealous as himself. Both Walker and Wood say he was a fifth monarchy man; but Dr. Calamy assures us that this was not the cause of his ejection, but his nonconforming sentiments.

His works are, l. De Merito Mortis Christi, et Modo Conversionis Diatribse duae.—2. Concio ad Clerum Habita in Templo B; and, according to Wood, some other Sermons.