Publications 11

Title: A staffe of comfort to stay the weake from falling very needfull for the afflicted. By Richard Bernard, preacher of Gods word; at Batcombe in Somersetshire. Art thou any way tempted, or troubled? reade, beleeue, and reioyce.
Imprint: London: Printed by Felix Kyngston, for Iohn Budge, and are to be sold at his shop, at the South doore of St. Pauls Church, 1616.
Date: 1616
Pages: [12], 250 p.
Copy from: Folger Shakespeare Library

The work is preceded by a 10 page dedication 'To the worshipful his good Christian friends, Mr James Bisse, and Mr Edward Bisse, Esquires: with his very kinde welwisher, Mr Robert Grove. To his loving and assured friends, Master John Bernard, and Mr Edward Bernard, both of Downside, loving brethren, constant in unity.'

James and Edward Bisse were brothers to Dr Philip Bisse, Archdeacon of Taunton, who was Bernard's predecesor at Batcombe. He 'purchased the advowson of Batcombe for one turn' and presented the living to Bernard in November 1613. Robert Grove (1634-96) was a prebendary of St Paul's and later Bishop of Chichester (1691). John Bernard is probably Bernard's father and Edward, his brother.