LIVES OF THE PURITANS. those disgraceful broils, but was invited thither to be one of the pastors of the church, and a judicious mediator between the contending parties. Herein his worthy service utterly failed. He also visited the learned protestants. at Stras, burgh, Basil, Zurich, Berne, Lausanne, and Geneva ; among whom he discovered great learning, sound doctrine, and godly discipline, especially in Bullinger and Calvin ; as he wrote to his intimate friend Mr. John Bradford, then in confinement previous to his martyrdom.. While Mr. Lever was in a state of exile, he lived chiefly at Arran in Switzer- land, where he was chosen pastor to the English church. The members of this church, under his pastoral care, are said to have lived together in godly quietness among themselves, and in great favour with the people among whom they were planted. Upon the arrival of news of the queen's death, and a prospect of better days in his own country, he united with his brethren at Arran, in addressing a most affectionate letter of congratulation to their brethren in exile at Geneva.+ On the accessionof Queen Elizabeth, Mr. Lever returned home, but not to the mastership of his college, having brought with him, it is said, " that unhappy tincture which disqualified him for his preferment."t This was his non- conformity. Having acted upon the genuine protestant principles, in matters of ceremony and discipline, while in a foreign land, he wished to act upon them now he was re- turned to his native country, and was desirous that the reformation might be carried on towards perfection, He was a celebrated preacher at court, and was often called to preach before the queen. He had so much influ- ence over her majesty, that lie dissuaded her from assuming the title of Supreme Head; for which, though he did it with great temper, he was severely censured by persons of another spirit§ It was, this which gave the first and great offence to the ruling courtiers. Though they had heard him with great attention in the days of King Edward, they would not amend their lives under Queen Elizabeth, nor would many of them attend upon his ministry. He entered upon the married state soon after his return from exile, and sooner than he could do it with safety. His marriage, as well as his puritanical principles, appears to 4. Troubles at Frankeford, p. 50.-Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 181. + Troubles at Frankeford, p. 159, 164. 4-+ Baker's MS. Collec. vol i. p. 150. CStrype's Annals, vol. i. p. 182.
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