Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Eedes, Richard
EEDES, RICHARD (d. 1686), presbyterian divine, born at Feckenham, Worcestershire 'became either a either clerk or chorister' of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, in 1626, graduated B.A. in February 1629, and took the curacy of Bishop's Cleeve, Gloucestershire, at Michelmas 1632. He proceeded M.A. 17 March 1634. He continued at Bishop's Cleeve 'in good esteem for his conformity' until the civil war broke out, when he subscribed to the covenant. About 1647 he became vicar of Beckford, near Bishop's Cleeve, where he remained until 1658. By the persuasion of 'a parliament captain,' who had a farm in Bishop's Cleeve, he then returned to his old cure there in the hope of succeeding; to the rectory. From his published sermons it is plainly evident that he had tired of presbyterianism and longed for the king's return. Immediately after the Restoration he delivered an ultra-loyal harangue on the text, 'As whatsoever the king did pleased all the people' (2 Sam. iii. 36), before the mayor and aldermen of Gloucester, but all his attempts to conciliate the court party proved unavailing. He remained at Bishop's Cleeve as minister until the Bartholomew Act of 1662, when 'he silenced himself,' but continued to attend the services of the church' as much as his age would give him leave.' Some few years before his death he removed to Gretton, in the parish of Winchcomb, Gloucestershire, where he died in the beginning of April 1686, and was buried on the 6th in the middle of the north side of Bishop's Cleeve Church in the presence of 'a vast crowd of those who knew and loved him.'
Eedes was the author of: 1. 'Great Salvation by Jesus Christ,' a sermon (on Heb, ii. 3), 8vo. London, 1656. 2. 'Christ exalted and Wisdom justified; or, the Saints' Esteem of Jesus Christ, as most precious, handled; and their wise Choice and Subjection to Him as their Lord and Saviour vindicated,' 8vo, London, 1659), 'commended to the world,' says Wood, 'by the epistle of Mr. Rich. Baxter.' 3. 'Great Britain's Resurrection; or, England's Complacencie in her Royal Soveraign King Charles the Second. A sermon [on 2 Sam. iii. 36] preached in the Lecture at Gloucester, 5 June 1660,' 4to, London, 1660. 4. Sermon (on 1 Pet. ii. 7).
[Wood's Athenæ Oxon. (Bliss), iv. 187-8; Wood's Fasti Oxon. (Bliss), i. 451, 474.]