STROUD. 301 from his own mouth, nor by the credible relation of others, that lie has publicly in his sermons, or privately in conver- sation, taught unsound doctrine, or opposed the discipline, about which, alas ! there is now so great a controversy. And as he hath given a faithful promise to forbear handling any questions concerning the policy of the church ; so we think in our consciences, he has hitherto performed it. " In consideration of thesethings ; and that our country may not be deprived ofso excellent a labourer in the Lord's harvest; that the enemies of God's truth, the papists, may not have cause of joy and triumph; and that the man himself may not be thus discouraged and wounded to the heart, in receiving condemnation without examination We, therefore, most humbly beseech your grace, for the poor man's sake, for your own sake, and for the Lord's sake, either to take judicial knowledge of his cause, that he may be confronted by his adversaries ; or, of your great wisdom andgoodness, to restore him to his liberty of preaching the gospel among us. So we shall heartily thank God, and shall continually pray for you. "* Besides the above petition, signed by many worthy persons, another was signed by twenty-four ministers and others ; a third by George Ely, vicar of Tenderden, and his parishioners ; a fourth by Thomas Bathurst, minister of Stapleherst, and his parishioners ; a fifth by William Walter, vicar of Gouldhurst, and parishioners; a sixth by Matthias Water, minister of Frittenden, and parishioners; a seventh by Anthony Francis, minister of Lanaberhurst, and parishioners ; an eighth by Alexander Love, minister of Rolvenden, and parishioners; a ninth by Christopher Vinebrook, minister of Helcorne, and parishioners ; a tenth by MatthewWalton, curate of Benenden, and parishioners; an eleventh by William rocks, minister of Marden, and parishioners ; a twelfth by William Vicar, minister of Tisehurst, and parishioners ; and a thirteenth by William Hopkinson, minister of Salehurst, andhis parishioners.t So high a reputation had Mr. Stroud among persons of true piety, and holy zeal for the protestant religion. All these petitions, signed by numerous persons respectable both for learning and piety, were presented to Whitgift ; but whether they proved the happy means of procuringhis lordship's favour, is extremely doubtful. Mr. Stroud was a man of most exemplary piety, and universally beloved, MS. Register,p.196, 197. t Ibid.
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