Background
Barnard was the son of John Barnard, and was born at Caistor, Lincolnshire.
Barnard was the son of John Barnard, and was born at Caistor, Lincolnshire.
He was educated at the grammar school of his native place, and at Cambridge, where he was a pensioner of Queens" College.
In 1648 he proceeded to Oxford, where, by preferment of the board of visitors, he was granted the degree of Bachelor of Arts on 15 April, and on 29 September following was presented to a fellowship of Lincoln College. In 1651 he proceeded to his Master of Arts degree, and became then for some time a preacher in and near Oxford. Conforming after the Restoration, he was made prebendary of Asgardby in the church of Lincoln 13 April 1672, and in the year 1669 was granted the degrees of Bachelor of Divinity and Doctor of Divinity in succession.
Barnard was the author of a pamphlet in three sheets quarto, entitled Censura Cleri, against scandalous ministers not fit to be restored to the church"s livings in prudence, piety, and fame.
This was published in the latter end of 1659 or beginning of 1660, ‘to prevent such from being restored to their livings as had been ejected by the godly party in 1654-1655.’ His name is not set to this pamphlet, and Anthony a Wood says he did not care afterwards, when he saw how the event proved, to be known as its author He is best known as the author of Theologo-Historicus, a true life of the most reverend divine and excellent historian, Peter Heylyn, Doctor of Divinity, sub-dean of Windsor (London, 1683, Octavo).
This was published, according to the author, to correct the errors, supply the defects, and confute the calumnies of George Vernon, Master of Arts, rector of Burton in Gloucester, who had brought out a life of Doctor Heylyn in 1682. Printed with Theologo-Historicus was an answer to Mr.
Baxter"s false accusation of Doctor Heylyn.
He died on 17 August 1683 at Newark-on-Trent, while on a journey to the Spa, and was buried in his own church of Waddington.