A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Gostling, John
GOSTLING, Rev. John, born about the middle of the 17th century, was sworn a gentleman extraordinary of the Chapel Royal on Feb. 25, 1678, and three days later was admitted in ordinary, on the death of William Tucker. He is called 'a base from Canterbury, Master of Arts.' He subsequently became a minor canon of Canterbury, vicar of Littlebourn, chaplain to the King, Sub-dean of St. Paul's and Prebendary of Lincoln. He died July 17, 1733. He was one of the most famous singers of his time, on account of the volume and compass of his bass voice. He was one of the 'ministers' at the coronations of James II, and of William and Mary. Hawkins gives an anecdote explaining the origin of Purcell's anthem, 'They that go down to the sea in ships,' a work written to suit Gostling's voice, and at his own request, in his History, p. 707 (Novello's ed.). [See vol. i. p. 148a, iii. p. 47a, 49b.]
[ M. ]