WH1TTINGHAM. 229 beneficed in the city of London ; but whether hewas the sameperson appears rather doubtful.* WILLIAM WIIITTINGHAM, A. M.-This excellent divine was born in the city of Chester, in the year 1524, and educated in Brazen-nose college, Oxford. In 1545, he became fellow of All-Souls college. Afterwards, being accounted one of the best scholars in the university, he was translated to Christ-church, then founded by Henry VIII. In the year 1550, he travelled into France, Germany, and Italy, and returned towardsthe close of the reign of Edward VI. Upon the accession of Queen Mary, and the com- mencement of her bloody persecution, he fled from the storm, and retired to Frankfort, where he settled among the first of the English qxiles. Here he was the first who took the charge of the congregation, but afterwards resigned to Mr. JohnKnox. 'Mr. VVhittingliam and his brethren having comfortably settled their church at Frankfort, invited their brethren, who had taken refuge in other places, to come to them, and participate of their comforts : but on the arrival of Dr. Cox and his friends, instead of union and comfort, they were soon deeply involved in discord and contention; and manyof them, in a short were time, obliged to leave the place. Our historian observes,that when "Dr. Cox and others with him came to Frankfort, theybegan to break that order which was agreed upon : first, by answering aloud after the minister, contrary to the determination of the church ; and being admonished thereof by the seniors ofthe congregation, he, with the rest who came with him, made answer, that they would do as they had done in England, and that they would have the face of the English church. And the Sunday following, one of his company, without the consent and knowledge of the congregation, got up suddenly into the pulpit, read the litany, and Dr. Cox with his company answered aloud, whereby the determination of the church was broken."+ These imperious exiles having, by very ungenerous and unchristian methods; procured the use of the church, Mr. Whittingham said, he did not doubt that it was lawful for him and others to join themselves to some other church. But Dr. Cox sought that it might not be suffered. Then Mr. Whittingham observed, that it would be great cruelty to force men, contrary to their consciences, Nevveourt's Repent. Feel. vol. i. p. 406, 422, 519. + Troubles at Frankeford, p. 31.
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