56 INTRODUCTION. Whitgift, and suspended. Mr. Hildersham wasprosecuted a second time in the high commission, and again suspended. He was obliged to enter into bonds not to preach in any part of England ; and when restored he was not allowed, for some time, to preach at any place south of the river Trent. The celebrated Mr. Cartwright, with many of his brethren, endured much severe persecution. This divine leaving been prosecuted for nonconformity, was driven into a foreign land, where he remained several years in a state of exile. Upon his return for the benefit of his health, he was immediately apprehended, and, though in a very lan- guishing condition, was cast into prison. At length, leaving obtained his liberty, he was suspended by his diocesan, and convened before the high commission, when thirty-one articles were exhibited against him. But re- fusing the oath ex officio, to answer these articles, he was immediately committed to the Fleet, with his brethren, Messrs. Stephen Egerton, Humphrey Fenn, Daniel Wight, - Farmer, Edward Lord, Edmund Snape, Andrew King, - Rushbrooke, - Wiggins, John Field, -- Royde, John Payne, William Proudlove, Melancton Jewel, &c.. Many others were summoned at the same time : as, Messrs. Henry Alvey, Thomas Edmunds, William Perkins, Edmund Littleton, John Johnson, Thomas Stone, Thomas Barber, Hercules Cleavely, and Andrew Nutter. Thesebelieving it to be their duty to take theoath, deposed many things relative to the associations, and thus became witnesses against their brethren ; for which they were most probably released. But the others underwent many exami- nations; received much unkind treatment in the high commission and star-chamber ; and they continued in prison several years. As this storm was gathering, Mr. Francis Kett, a man of some learning, and master of arts in one of the universities, was convened before the Bishop of Norwich ; and for holding divers detestable opinions, as they are called, he was condemned and burnt near the city of Norwich.+ Such was the outrageous persecution in the reign of Queen Elizabeth ! In the year 1592, the nonconformistshad many bold and zealous advocates in both houses of parliament. Mr. Attorney Morrice, a man of distinguished eminence, moved the house of commons to enquire into the inquisition and other proceedings of the bishops, contrary to the honour strype's Whitgift, p. 331-333. f Parallel betwixt Phanatics, p. 11. Edit, 16611 from Stow.
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