LIVES OF THE PURITANS. in a foreign land. But, surely, such proceedings were unworthy of a protestant prelate, and too obvious an imita- tion of the popish severities. Do we find any such pro- ceedings in the first ages of the church of Christ ? " 1 am Sure," says the learned Dr. Stillingfleet, " it is contrary to the primitive practice, and the moderation than used, to suspend or deprive men of their ministerial functions, for not consenting to habits, gestures, and the like. THOMAS BECON.-This celebrated divine was born in Suffolk, and educated in the university of Cambridge. He afterwards became chaplain to Archbishop Cranmer, and a zealous advocate for the reformation, even from its very commencement in the reign of King HenryVIII. He endured many troubles from the persecuting prelates; and in the year 1544, was apprehended, withMr. Robert Wisdome, another excellent reformer, by the cruel Bishop Bonner, when he was obliged to make a public recantation atPaul's cross, andburn his books.+ Having obtained his release, he travelled for future safety towards the north, and settles at -Alsop in the Dale, in the Peak of Derbyshire, where he taught school for his subsistence. At this place, Mr. Alsop, a piousgentleman, and an avowed friend to the reformation, shewed him much civility, and afforded him seasonable relief. The severity of the times not suffering the 'zealous and faithful servants of the Lord to abide long in anyone place, Mr. Becon was obliged to move into Staffordshire, where he was kindly entertained in the house of Mr. John Old, a man eminently distinguished for charity and piety. Mr. Wisdome, mentioned above, was also entertained with him. Mr. Becon, in his treatise, entitled " The Jewel of Joy," published in the reign ofkingEdward, gives this character of Mr. Old " Hewas to me and Wisdome, as Jason was to Paul and Silas : he received us joyfully into his house, and liberally, for the Lord's sake, ministered to our neces sities. And as he began, so did he continue a right hearty friend, and dearly loving brother, so long as we remained in the country.t Here, as in his former situation, he educated children in good literature and sound christian doctrine, continuing, at the same time, in a close application to his studies. Afterwards, he removed into Leicestershire, * Conformist's Plea, p. 14. Edit. 1681. From " Irenicum." 4 Fox'sMartyrs, vol. ii. p. 48. t Strype'5 Cranmer, p. 576, 817.
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