I was familiar with him for many
years: he died about 1647.
A word or two of Dr. Napper, who lived at Great Lindford in
Buckinghamshire, was parson, and had the advowson thereof. He descended
of worshipful parents, and this you must believe; for when Dr. Napper's
brother, Sir Robert Napper, a Turkey merchant, was to be made a Baronet
in King James's reign, there was some dispute whether he could prove
himself a gentleman for three or more descents. 'By my saul,' saith King
James, 'I will certify for Napper, that he is of above three hundred
years standing in his family, all of them, by my saul, gentlemen,' &c.
However, their family came into England in King Henry the Eighth's time.
The parson was Master of Arts; but whether doctorated by degree or
courtesy, because of his profession, I know not. Miscarrying one day in
the pulpit, he never after used it, but all his life-time kept in his
house some excellent scholar or other to officiate for him, with
allowance of a good salary: he out-went Forman in physick and holiness
of life; cured the falling-sickness perfectly by constellated rings,
some diseases by amulets, &c.
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