3. MORE. 449 and institution of the bishop, unto your late benefice, a trial, examination, ordination, calling, and approbation by some of your brethren and neighbouring ministers assembled in classes or conference ? In what manner and form was it performed ? By whom, when, and where?". What could his tyrannical judges mean by these iniquitous proceedings, unless it was to force him to become his own accuser, and prove *him guilty from his own con- fession ? JOHN MOBE.-This learned and pious divine was fellow of Christ's college, Cambridge, where he most probably received his education. After his removal from the uni- versity, he became a very popular and useful preacher at St. Andrew's church in the city of Norwich ; but here he met with persecution on account of his nonconformity. Having refused to wear the surplice, principally on account of the offence which it gave to others, he was convened before the bishop of the diocese, who told him that it was better to offend a few private persons, than to offend God and disobey the prince. His lordship, indeed, gives him this honourable character: "'I have not known that he has at any time spoken against her majesty's book of Injunc- tions, nor can I find any manner of stubbornness in him. And surely," adds the bishop, " he is a godly and learned man, and hath done much good in this city."e He was a zealous champion for the purity of the gospel, and a bold opposer of all false doctrine, as appears from his public contest with the famous Dr. Pern of Cambridge..t. What a pity thenwas it, that a divine, endowed with such excellent, qualifications, should have been interrupted in his public ministry. The prelates rigorously imposing the ceremoniesupon the clergy, Mr. More, with his brethren' in and about Norwich, were among the numerous sufferers. These divines, seeing the approaching storm, prepared for it by presenting their humble supplication to the lords of the council, dated from Norwich, September 25, 1576. In this supplication they declare their great readiness to yield their bodies, their goods, and their lives in the service of 1. Baker's MS. Collec. vol. xv. p. 76, 77. fi Strype's Parker, p. 452. ' Strype's Annals, vol. ii. p. 282. VOL. a. 2 G
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=