BROUGHTON. 227 fit for his age, study, and past travels, bearing always a most dutiful heart to your majesty. From Middleburg, Aug. 1604. " Your most humble servant, " HUGH BROUGHTON." While our divine was at Middleburg, besides the care of his congregation, he published his smart discourse against Archbishop Bancroft, and sent the whole impression to Mr. William Cotton, younger brother to Sir Rowland Cotton, living in. London ; with a request, if he dare venture, to deliver a copy into the hands of the archbishop. Mr. Cotton was not without apprehension of danger; yet he could not well deny Mr. Broughton's request. Therefore, he waited upon the archbishop, and, after making the requisite apology, delivered a\ copy of the book into his hands, politely asking pardon for his great boldness. Though his grace treated him with all the civility that .could have been desired, he was no sooner dismissed than the archbishop's officers came to his lodgings, seized all the books they could find, and carried them away. This was Bancroft's short and easy method of refuting the arguments of his learned opponent !". Mr. Broughton having a complaint settled on his lungs, and being desirous of dying in his own country, returned at length the third and last time to England. In the month of November, 1611, he landed at Gravesend; and upon his arrival in London, told his friends that he was come to die in his native country ; and if it was the will of God, he wished to die in Shropshire, his native county. Therefore, Sir Rowland Cotton, formerly his pupil, pro- vided suitable accommodations for him, at his house in Shropshire. Herein, however, both the pupil and the tutor were disappointed. He continued in London during the winter, and in the following spring removed to a suitable situation in the vicinity. During his confinement under affliction, Mr. Broughton gave his friends many pious and profitable exhortations. He often urged them to observe practical religion, saying, Study your Bible. Labour for the salvation of one " another. Be peaceable. Meddle with your own matters. " Some judgment will come upon this kingdom. Never " fear popery : It will never overflow the land. But the " course which the bishops take will fill the land with Clark's Lives, p. 6.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=