THE LIVES OF THE PURITANS. JOHN TIDAL. - This celebrated puritan was educated in the university of Cambridge, andwas a man of excellent parts, great learning, genuine piety, and untarnished loyalty to Queen Elizabeth, but a great sufferer on account of his nonconformity. He was preacher about seven years, at Kingston-upon-Thames ; but afterwards deprived, imprisoned, and condemned ; and, at last, he died quite heart-broken in prison. Some of his hearers at Kingston, taking offence at his faithful warnings and admonitions, brought complaintsagainst him to those in power, when he was put to silence by the official, Dr. Hone, and committed to prison. But by the unsolicited favour and influence of the Countess of Warwick, Sir Drue Drury, and other excellent persons, he was released, and restored to his ministry. September 26, 158G, hewas convened before the Bishop of Winchester, and the Dean of Windsor, when they entered upon the following conversation : Bishop. Mr. Udal, you are beholden to my lady of Warwick. She bath been earnest for you and tellethme; that you will submit yourself. Udal. I thank God for her ladyship's care. I am contented, and always have been, to submit to any thing that is just and godly. B. What you will do, I know not. Hitherto you have not done it ; for you refused to swear according to law. U. By your honour's favour, I never refused to swear, so far as the law cloth bind me. B. No ! herefore then were you committed ? U. You know best. I wascontented to swear, ifI might first see the articles. B. That is a slender foundation to stand upon. VOL. II.
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