TRAVERS. 315 Mr. Travers, soon after his ordination, became assistant to Mr. Cartwright, then preacher to the English merchants at Antwerp. He was a person highly distinguished for prudence, learning, and piety ; and, therefore, upon his return to England, the Lord Treasurer Burleigh made choice of him for his domesticchaplain, and as tutor to his son Robert, afterwards Earl of Salisbury. The treasurer was, indeed, a constant friend and patron of the noncon- formists, and discovered his affectionate regard for them through the whole of his life.. In the face of the whole nation, therefore, he countenanced this learned and excel- lent divine, and received him into his family, notwith- standing his nonconformity. Mr. Travers could not conscientiously subscribe ; on which account he was inca- pable of any considerable preferment in the church, which, we may suppose, his noble patron was ready to bestow upon him. The lecturer'splace at the Temple becoming vacant, the learned gentlemen of that society invited him to accept it; and, as no subscription was requisite for that office, he complied with their invitation. In the year 1584, a short time before Dr. Alvey, master of the Temple, closed his eyes in death, the doctor, with the learned gentlemen of that society, recommended Mr. Travers for his successor. Dr. Alvey the master, and Mr. Travers the lecturer, lived together some years in great amity and love. They mutually united in carrying on the work of reformation in the place ; and, with much zeal, wisdom, and resolution, they joined in promoting true Christian piety among the learned benchers, by whom they were both very highly esteemed.t The above recom- mendation was presented to the treasurer, whocommunicated the same to the queen, signifying to her majesty his appro- bation of their choice. But, by the powerful endeavours and superior influence of Archbishop Whitgift, he was rejected, and Mr. Richard Hooker, author of " Ecclesiastical Polity," was nominated to the office. Whitgift most vi- gorously opposed theadmission ofMr. Travers, and signified to the queen, " that he was one of the principal authors of dissention in the church; that he contemned the Book of Common Prayer, and other orders as by authority established ; that he sought to promote innovation ; and that he was only ordained abroad, and not according to the form of the church of England." Mr. Travers, however, MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p. 513. (14.) 4. Ibid. p. 431. (S.)
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