Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Bunny, Francis
BUNNY, FRANCIS (1543–1617), theological writer, was born 8 May 1543, at the Vache, being third son of Richard, and youngest brother of Edmund Bunny [q. v.] He entered Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1558, was admitted a demy in 1559, and graduated B.A. 10 July 1562, M.A. 9 July 1567. He was probationer fellow from 1561 to 1572. Taking orders, he began to preach 1 Nov. 1567. His preaching was popular, and procured him a chaplaincy to the Earl of Bedford. On 9 May 1572 he was inducted into a prebend at Durham (eighth stall, installed 13 May), and succeeded Ralph Lever as archdeacon of Northumberland, 20 Oct. 1573. He resigned the archdeaconry on becoming rector of Ryton, Durham, 11 Sept. 1578 (inducted 13 Sept.) Like his brother Edmund, he was an indefatigable preacher, and a strong Calvinist. He died at Ryton, 16 April 1617, and was buried in the chancel of his church. He married Jane, daughter of Henry Priestley, and had five children, all of whom died before him. Bunny published: 1. 'A Survey of the Pope's supremacie . . . and in it are examined the chief arguments that M. Bellarmine hath, for defence of the said supremacie . . .' 1590, 1595, 4to (black letter). 2. 'Truth and Falsehood; or a comparison betweene the truth now taught in England, and the doctrine of the Romish church, &c., with an answere to such reasons as the popish recusants alledge, why they will not come to our churches,' 1595, 4to, two parts. 3. 'A Comparison between the auncient Fayth of the Romans and the new Romish religion,' 1595, 4to. 4. 'An Answere to a Popish libell intituled: A Petition to the Bishops, Preachers, and Gospellers, lately spread abroad in the North parts,' Oxford, 1607, 12mo. 5. 'Of the Head Corner-stone by builders still overmuch omitted; i.e. a forme of teaching Jesus Christ out of all the holy Scriptures,' 1611, fol. 6. ' An Exposition of the 28 v. of the 3 chap, of the Epistle to the Romans. Wherein is manifestly proved the doctrine of Justification by Faith, and by Faith onely,' 1616, 4to. 7. 'A Guide unto Godlinesse; or a plain and familiar Exposition of the Ten Commandments by questions and answers,' 1617, 8vo. Wood mentions also his manuscript 'In Joelis prophetiam enarratio,' dedicated 1595 to Tobias Mathew, bishop of Durham, and containing the substance of sermons preached about 1575 at Berwick.
[Wood's Athenæ Oxon. (Bliss), ii. 200; Fasti, i. 179, 202; Willis's Survey of the Cathedrals, 1742, i. 262, 270; Bloxam's Register of Magdalen College, the Demies, i. 154 sq.]
Dictionary of National Biography, Errata (1904), p.42
N.B.— f.e. stands for from end and l.l. for last line
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