Andrew Willet

Andrew Willet (14 May 1562 – 4 December 1621) was an English clergyman and controversialist. A prolific writer, he is known for his anti-papal works. His views were conforming and non-separatist, and he appeared as a witness against Edward Dering before the Star-chamber. Joseph Hall (who knew him well) eulogised Willet in Noah's Dove, and Thomas Fuller modelled 'the Controversial Divine' of his Holy State on him.

Life He was born at Ely in 1562, son of Thomas Willet (1511?–1598), who began his career as a public notary, and later in life he took holy orders, becoming rector of Barley, Hertfordshire, fourteen miles from Cambridge and admitted to a prebendal of Ely by his patron, Bishop Richard Coxe, with whom he had been associated as sub-almoner to Edward VI.

Andrew had one brother and four sisters. After attending the collegiate school at Ely, he entered Cambridge University, matriculating at the age of fifteen (20 June 1577); he first went to Peterhouse, the master of which was Andrew Perne, his godfather, but in the same year moved to Christ's College, Cambridge. He was quickly elected a scholar, graduated B.A. in 1581, was elected to a fellowship at Christmas 1583 (aged twenty-one), proceeded M.A. in 1584, and in the same year was incorporated a member of the university of Oxford. He was B.D. in 1591, and D.D. 1601. Among the fellows of Christ's, he was on good terms with George Downham, and when Willet spent his vacations at his father's rectory of Barley, he was often accompanied by Downham. He took holy orders in 1585, and was admitted on 22 July 1587, on the presentation of the queen, to the prebendal stall at Ely, which his father had resigned in his favour. Harmonie upon 1 Samuel, Cambridge, 1607. Hexapla upon Exodus, London, 1608. Hexapla upon Daniel, 1610. Hexapla upon Romans, Cambridge, 1611. Ecclesia Triumphans (on Coronation of James I) : Exposition of 122 Psalm, 2nd edit. Cambridge, 1614. Harmonie upon 1 and 2 Samuel, Cambridge, 1614. Thesaurus Ecclesiae: Exposition of St. John xvii., Cambridge, 1614. Hexapla upon Leviticus, London, 1631. King James his Judgment by way of Counsell, &c.; extracted from his speeches, 1642.

The following are undated:

Limbomastix: an Answer to Richard Parkes of Brazen-nose College. In the Descensus controversy, against Richard Parkes. Epithalamium in English, by the author of Limbomastix. Laedoromastix. Against Parkes. Funeral Sermons in English. An English Catechisme. Catalogue of Charitable Works done within space of 60 years (reigns of Edward, Elizabeth, and James); bound up with fifth edition of Synopsis.

Family Of his eighteen children, nine sons and four daughters survived him. His widow was buried in 1637 by his side. His son, Henry Willet (died 1670), who lost a fortune by his loyalty to the king, was apparently ancestor of Ralph Willett. A special licence was granted to another son, Paul, in 1630, for a reprint of the Synopsis Papismi. The fourth son, Thomas Willet, was the first mayor of New York.