Light tells us that a few rows eastward the previous graves he describes, in about the centre of this section
of the ground, is the small, fast-decaying headstone of Richard Wavel, BA The words are practically obliterated,
but the stone will not be very difficult to identify.
Inscription:
This adjourns to the family vault of the late Rev. RlCHARD WAVEL.
Here is the resting-place of one of the victims of
the Act of Uniformity. He was born in the Isle of
Wight on April 3rd, 1633, and after he had taken bis
degree of BA he studied Divinity under the tuition
of the Rev. W. Reyner, at Egham, in Surrey. He
afterwards married Mr. Reyner's step-daughter, and constantly
preached in the church at Egham.
When the Act of Uniformity came into force he was
compelled by his conscience to sever his connection
with the Established Church, although many tempting
offers of good livings were made to him. For a time
he preached privately at Egham, in his own house, but
was compelled to cease, as stern measures were taken
against him. He afterwards became minister at Pinners Hall, and on doing so, ''told his people that he would
venture his person if they would venture their purses;
which they did, and they were put to no small expense
by it." It is recorded that "his preaching was plain,
and tended very much to exalt Christ, and the grace of
God in him; and yet it was his dying advice to his
church that they would choose one to succeed him of
whom they should have some ground to hope that he
would preach Christ crucified more than he had done. He
excelled in prayer, more especially upon particular occasions,
to which he would apply Scripture expressions with
great propriety. It was a most frequent petition in his
prayer, which he would express with a warmth and relish
that was very remarkable, 'Father, glorify Thy name;
Father, glorify Thy Son.' During the time of his last
illness, for a fortnight before his death, he enjoyed a
continued serenity of mind, expressing to those about
him his desire to depart, and rejoicing that his work
was finished. To a minister who visited him, telling
him that he had suffered much for his Master, Christ,
his answer was, 'He owes me nothing.' As he sat in
his chair, he lifted up his hands and blessed his children;
and as he was going to bed died in his chair, December
19th, 1705, in the 72nd year of his age."
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