SAMPSON. 377 a preacher, and no bishop. There is yet a general prohibi- tion of preaching ; and still a crucifix on the altar at court, with lights burningbefore it. And though, by the queen's order, images are removed out of the churches all over the kingdom, yet the people rejoice to see that this is still kept in the queen's chapel.* Threebishops officiate at the altar : one as priest, another as deacon, and a third as sub-deacon, all in rich copes before the idol : and there is sacrament without any sermon. Injunctions are sent to preachers not to use freedom in reproving vice." Ile then asks Martyr, Ballinger, and Bernardin, what they thought of these things ; and whether, if similar injunctions were sent to all churches, the clergy ought to obey, or suffer deprivation rather than comply. May 13th he wrote again, signifying that a bishopric had been offered him, but he had refused to accept it ; for which, he desired Peter Martyr not to censure him, till he became acquainted with the whole matter. He rejoiced that Parkhurst+ was made Bishop of Norwich. And Norwich, it seems, wasthe bishopric offered to him. t This illustrious divine, therefore, refused the offered preferment, because he was thoroughly dissatisfied with the episcopal office, the popish habits, and the superstitious ceremonies. During the three first years of Queen Elizabeth's reign, Dr. Sampson delivered the rehearsal sermons at Paul's cross, and is said to have been appointed to do this on account of his wonderful memory and fine elocution ;§ and in her royal visitation in the north, he was the visitor's preacher. In the year 1560, he became dean of Christ-church, Oxford, To procure his settlement in this public situation, the members of the house wrote to Lord Dudley, urging him. to prevail upon the queen, in behalfof Sampson. In this letter, subscribedby twenty-two persons of distinguished o Dr. Sampson having laid a Common Prayer Book, (adorned with fine cuts and pictures ' representing the stories of the saints and martyrs,) in the queen's chapel, for her use, it is said, that she severely reprimanded him for so doing, and told him, " That she had an aversion to idolatry, and " to images and pictures of this kind.-That he had forgot her proclaina- " tion against images, pictures, and Roman relics in churches.-And she " ordered that no more mistakes of this kind should be committed within " the churchesof her realm for the future." It seems difficult to reconcile this, to her majesty's conduct in still retaining idolatrous worship in her own chapel.-Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 239. + Bishop Parkhurst, who was an exile in the days of Qoeen Mary, wat a person of great learning, a worthy prelate, and always a decided friend to the nonconformists.-MS. Chronology, vol. i. p. 273. (2.) t Burnet's Hist. of Refor. vol. iii. p. 291, 292. Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 238.
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