D. FENNER. $95 subscribing the " Book of Discipline.". Afterwards, on account of the severities of the times, there being no prospect of enjoying his liberty in the ministry, or some further troubles awaiting him, he was obliged to flee from the storm, when he went to Middleburgh, where he died towards the close of the year 1589.+ His widow became the famous Dr. Whitaker's second wife. Mr. Fenner, who is styled 46 an eminent light, yea, a bright-burning candle in his time,"# was a man of distin- guished learning and abilities, and the author of many excellent works, some of which were upon the contro- versies of the times. Among these, was "A Defence of the godly Ministers against Dr. Bridges' Slanders, with a true Report of the ill Dealings of the Bishops against them." This work was finished a month only before the author's death.4 Dr. Bridges having asserted, that the puritans were not grievously afflicted, unless it was produced by their own deserts, Mr. Fenner made the following reply :-- " Is it no grievous affliction, by suspension to be hung up between hope and despair for a year or two, and in the mean time, to see the wages of our labours eatenup by loiterers ? Nay, our righteous souls are vexed with seeing and hearing the ignorance, the profane speeches, and evil examples, of those thrust upon our charges ; while we ourselves are defamed, reproached, scoffed at, and called seditious, and rebellious ; cited, accused, and indicted, and yet no redress to be found. All this we have patientlyborne, though we come daily to the congregations to prayers, to baptisms, and to the sacrament, and by our examples and admonitions have kept many from those excesses whereunto their rashness of zeal would have-car- ried them. And though to such as you, who swarmwith deaneries,double benefice's, pensions, advotosons, reversions, &c. these molestations may seem light; yet, surely, upon every irreligious man's complaint, to be sent for by pursuivants, to pay two-pence for every mile, to find messengers, to defray our own charges, and all this by such as can hardly provide for themselves and their families, it is not only grievous, but heart-burning. 44 We will not justify ourselves in all things," says he, " but acknowledge, that when comingby dozens and scores Neal's Hist. of Puritans, vol. i. p.'406, 423. + Wood's Athena' Oxon. vol. i. p. 172. t Paget's Church Government, p. 56. MS. Register, p. 557.
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