414 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. sounding that way ? To whom, when, and where, and what was your meaning, and only meaning thereby ? "o Such inquisitionwas certainly designed to ensnare his conscience, and to compel him to become his own accuser, even in the presence of his judges. After having suffered eleven months' close imprisonment, Mr. Snape united with many others under similar oppres- sions, in presenting a supplication to the lord treasurer, humbly desiring to be admitted to give bail. At the same time, Archbishop Whitgift sent them a form of submission, which they unanimously rejected. A particular account of these transactions is given in another place.+ But when he was released from prison, we are not able to learn. The following anecdote is related of this persecuted servant of God. Mr. Snape, it is said, being cast into prison by the bishops for nonconformity ; and all his money being expended by his long confinement, he met with much unkind usage from the jailer. The good man being one day on his knees in fervent prayer to God, and the window ofhis chamber being open, observed something thrown into the room ; but he resolved to finish his prayer, before he examined what it was. When he rose from his knees, he found, to his great surprize, a purse full of gold lying on his chamber floor. By this unexpected supply, he was more comfortable in his situation, and enabled to make his keeper better natured ever after.# The Lord heareth the young ravens when they cry ; how much snore will he hear his afflicted people ! Joni HOLMES was brought up under Bishop Jewel, and was an excellent preacher, and a man of great piety. Bishop Woolton of Exeter having obtained a good opinion of him, presented him to the benefice of Keane in Devon- shire. He no sooner entered upon his public charge, than he began to labour as a faithful steward of the manifold mysteries of God. Being deeply concerned for the weliare of his flock, he manifested a strong affection for their best interests. He embraced every opportunity of affording them the best instruction, particularly by his catechetical exercises, a practice to which they had been very little accustomed. He also faithfully reproved their gross vices and disorders ; for which he was complained of to. the * Baker's MS. Collee. vol. xv. p. 76. See Art. Cartwright. t Mather's Hist. of New Eng. b. iii. p. 10.
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