the rudiments of his education at the place of his nativity,
under the care of Mr. Francis Taylor, matter of the free
school at Guilford, founded by Edward VI, From thence he
was removed to Baliol College, Oxford. Nov. 29, 1563, he
was elected probationer fellow of his college; and having
soon after entered into holy orders, he became a celebrated
preacher in the university. In 1593, he took his Degree of
B. D. and proceeded doctor in that faculty in May, 1597;
and, in the month of September of the same year, he was.
Heylin's life of abp.
Laud, fol. 1688. p. 53.
elected master of University College. About this time it was a
that the differences began between him and Dr. Laud, which
subsisted as long as they lived. In March 6, 1599, he was
installed dean of Winchester: the year following he was
chosen vice-chancellor of the university of Oxford, and a
{{LR sidenote|Ant. Wood, Fast Oxon. vol I. c. 157. & 165.
second time in 1603. In 1604, that translation of the Bible
now in use was begun by the direction of king James; and
Dr. Abbot was the second of eight divines of Oxford, to
whom the care of translating; the whole New Testament
Fuller's ch, hist lib. x. fol. 46. 57. T. Lewis's comp hist. of the transl. of the Bible and Test. 8vo. p. 311.
(excepting the Epistles) was committed. The year following,
he was a third time vice-chancellor. In 1608, died his great Patron Thomas Sackville, earl of Dorset, lord high treasurer
of England, and chancellor of the university of Oxford,
After his decease, Dr. Abbot became chaplain to George
Hume, earl of Dunbar, and treasurer of Scotland; with
whom be went to that kingdom, to assist in establishing an
union betwixt the kirk of Scotland and the church of England;
Heylin's hist. of presbyterians, f. 1672 p. 383. and in this affair he behaved with so much address and
moderation, that it laid the foundation of all his future preferment [1]. When he was at Edinburgh, a prosecution wascommenced
- ↑ King James had suffered so much by the spirit and power of the Presbyterians in Scotland, that he was very desirous of restoring the form of government by bishops in that Kingdom; the care of which was entrusted to the earl of Dunbar. This noble lord had proceeded so far two years before, as to obtain an act for the restitution of the estates of bishops. The Presbyterians, however, had made so stout a resistance, that the whole affair was in the utmost the danger of being overthrown; but, by the good management of Dr. Abbot, many difficulties were removed, and the clergy of Scotland were brought to a better temper; for the earl of Dunbar, who was wholly guided in this, matter by the advice of his chaplain, procured an act in the general assembly, "That the king should have the indiction (or calling), of all general assemblies. That the bishops, or their deputies, should be perptual moderators of the diocesan synods. That no excommunication or absolution should be pronounced without their approbation. That all presentations of benefices should belong to them. That every minister, at his admission to a benefice, should take the oath of suprermacy and canonical obedience
joyed a very singu'ar felicity in the suc cess of their children. Both died in same year, 1606, within ten days of each other, he at the age of 86, and she 80. They left behind them six sons; among which were George, afterwards the archbishop; Robert their eldest, and Maurice the youngest, who will be the subjects, of the two following articles.
