LEVER. . 215 44 and from fyve untill syxe of the clocke, use common 44 prayer, wyth an exhortation of God's worde, in a common 44 chappell ; and from sixe unto ten of the clocke, use ever " eyther private study pr common lectures. At tenne of "the clocke they go to dynner, where as they be contente 4 wyth a penye pyece of biefe amongest foure, havynge "a fewe porage made of the brothe of the same byefe, 't wythe salte and otemel, and nothynge els, t' After thys Slender dinner, they be either teachinge or " learnynge untyll fyve of the clocke in the evening, " whenas they have a supper not much better than theyr " diner. lannedyatelye after the wyche, they go eyther to " reasonynge in problems or unto some other studye, untyl "it be nyne or tenne of the clocke ; and there beynge " wythout fyre, are fayne to walke or ramie up and dowse " halfe an houre, to gette a heate pn their feete, when they o to bed.". Notwithstanding the heavy pressures under which the university, and particularly St. John's college, groaned, of which Mr. Lever complains in his sermons, occasioned by the hungry courtiers invading the ecclesiasticalpreferments ; yet his college greatly flourished, as well in religion as in sound learning. The reformation in no place gained more ground, or was maintained with greater zeal, than in, this college, and under the worthy example and just government of this master, This was manifest in the day of trial ; when he, with twenty-four of his fellows, quitted their places and preferments, to preserve their own consciences.+ Mr. Lever was a zealous advocate for the reformation, as well as genuine piety. lie held a correspondence with his numerous friends ; and among his letters, the following, which contains information not unworthy of notice, is given as a specimen of his sentiments and address. It is addressed to the learned Roger Ascham ; and though there is no year mentioned, it appears from the contents to have been written November 13, 1551, and about the time when he was Prey ferred to the mastership of his college.+ t' To Roger Ascham, e My salutation in Christ. I have received your letters 4' written unto As concerning a privilege to be pro- " cured for you, so that the reading of Greek in Cambridge "might be free from Celibatus, and such acts as the fellows Baker's MS. Collec. vol. i. p. 147, 148. + Ibid. p. 149, 150, t Ibid. vol. xxxii. i. 496, 497,
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