COVERDALE. 127 Magnus, at the Bridge-foot. But he being old and poor, petitioned Secretary Cecil and others, to be released from paying first fruits, amountii,im to upwards of sixty pounds, adding, " If poor old Miles might be thus pro- vided for, he should think this enough and as good as a feast. " This favour was granted.. Coverdale continued in the undisturbed exercise of his ministry a little more than two years ;+ but not coming up to the terms of conformity, he was driven from his flock, and obliged to relinquish his benefice.# Though he was laden with old age and infirmities, be did not relinquish his beloved work. He still continued preaching as he found an opportunity, without the habits ; and multitudes flocked to hear him. They used to send to his house on a Saturday, inquiringwhere he was to preach on the following sabbath, andwere sure to follow him. This, however, givingoffence to the ruling prelates, the good old man was, at length, obliged to tell his friends, that he durst not any more inform them of his preaching, through fear of offending his superiors. He, nevertheless, continued preaching as long as lie was able ; and died a most comfortable and happy death, January 20, 1568, aged eighty-one years. He was a- man of most exemplary piety, an indefatigable student, a great scholar, a celebrated preacher, a peaceable nonconformist, and much admired and followed by the puritans ; but the Act of Uniformity brought down his grey hairs with sorrow to the grave. His remains were honourably interred in the chancel of St. Bartholomew's church, behind the Exchange, London ; when vast crowds of people attended the funeral procession. A monumental inscription was afterwards erected to his memory, of which the following is a translation :1 In MEMORY of the most reverend Father, MILES COVERDALE, -who died, aged eighty years. This Tong, contains the mortal Remains of COVERDALE, who having finished his labours, now lies at rest. Hewas once the most faithful and worthy Bishop ofEXETER, a man remarkable for the uprightness of his life. Strype's Grindal, p. 91.-Parker, p. 148, 149.-Annals, vol. i. p. 967. + Newcourt's Repert. Eccl. vol. i. p. S98. Strype's Parker, p. 149. § Parte of a Register, p. 25. Stow's Survey of London, b. ii. p. 122.
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