William Jenkyn was born in 1612. At the age of 14 he went to Cambridge,
where he was placed under the tutelage of the great Anthony Burgess at
Emmanuel College. After receiving his M. A. degree, he ministered in
London and Colchester until 1641, when he was chosen vicar of Christ
Church, Newgate Stree, and some months later lecturer of St. Ann's,
Blackfriars. He was one of the London ministers who, along with Christopher
Love and Thomas Watson, were imprisoned for their attempts to restore the
monarchy. Once restored to his ministry at Christ Church, he seems to
have adopted the apostle's motto, "I determined to know nothing among
you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." For during several years he
preached from the names given to Christ in the Scriptures.
Jenkyn was one of the ejected ministers in 1662. So he retired to his
house in Hertfordshire, where he preached privately to his neighbors
until restored to a public ministry in 1671. In 1682, the right to preach
for the non-conformists was again revoked, and Jenkyn, John Flavel,
Edward Reynolds, and others, met and preached secretly. On September 2,
1684, their meeting was interrupted by soldiers who rushed in during the
worship service. All the other ministers escaped, but Jenkyn was
captured. John Flavel recounts that it was because of an act of chivalry that
Jenkyn was captured. He stopped to let a lady out before him, and her
long train hindered his going down the stairs.
He was imprisoned, and severely restricted. He was not allowed to pray
with any visitors, even his own daughter; nor was he allowed to leave
the prison to baptize his grandchild. Soon after his imprisonment his
health began to decline. He died in prison on January 19, 1685, at the
age of 72, and after 52 years of ministry. When the news of his death
reached the court, a nobleman in waiting had the courage to say to the
king, "May it please your Majesty, Jenkyn has got his liberty." Surprised,
the king responded, "Aye, and who gave it to him?" To which the
nobleman replied, "A greater than your Majesty, the King of kings!" Over 150
coaches attended his funeral, it is said.
Jenkyn's most famous work is his Exposition on the Epistle of Jude.
This was the second book published by Soli Deo Gloria, but has been out of
print for several years. |
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