280 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. doth his dear subject and disciple Anthony Gilby, and others of that fraternity, shoot their wild-fire against the statutes of England ; by which they chew their schism and madness, more than their christian prudence.". This is wholly the language of misrepresentation and abuse. Notwithstanding these calumnies, Mr. Gilby enjoyed the favour of several of the nobility, men of excellent character and high reputation. The Earl of Huntington, who was his constant friend and patron, presented him to the vicarage of Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire; where, through the blessing of God on his ministry, he was made exceedingly useful. Here he obtained a distinguished reputation, when the worthy earl used to style him Father Bishop Hall, who probably had some acquaintance with him, denominates him " a reverend and famous divine;"t. and he is said to have lived at Ashby " as great as a bishop." He was highly esteemed by some of the learned prelates, as well as many of the most celebrated divines of the age, with whom he held a friendly correspondence. The fol- lowing is the copy of a letter, which he received from the lishop of Lichfield and Coventry :§ " To my loving friend and brother in Christ, Mr. Gilby, " at Ashby. " With my hearty commendations to you Mr. Gilby. " received your letter but now and heretofore, to the which " I proposed to have made some answer by this time ; but " either lack of convenient messenger, or some other present " business, have stayed ; and, therefore, these are in few " words to signify to you, that such reports as you have " heard of me, touching Stretton, were untrue, (I thank " Almighty God) and so saying to mybrother. Augustin " added these words, that I marvelled much if you did " judge as you wrote. Notwithstanding, I was not dis- pleased with your writing, but accepted the same as " friendly and lovingly as I can any man's writing. " It is plain that many enormities remain uncorrected, " either for lack of knowledge thereof, or else through the " corruption of mine officers, or otherwise through negli- " gene or forgetfulness of myself; yet when I have proof " of them, I either call the offenders myself, or charge mine Foulis' Hist. of Plots, p. 36. Nichols's Hist. of Leicestershire, vol. ii. p. 626. t Life of Bp. Hall prefixed to his Works, Baker's MS. Collec. vol. xxxii. p. 434.
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