ROTHWELL. 351 avowed puritan, and a conscientious nonconformist. He is said to have soon become so deeply versed in this controversy, that he satisfied many, and silenced all who disputed with him. He was so thoroughly fixed in his principles, and in such constant expectation of troubleson account of his conscientious scruples, that he would never marry. His common observation was, persecution is the pledge offuturehappiness. On the same account he would never accept of any benefice, though many rich livings were offered him. He was many years a lecturer at a chapel in Lancashire, and afterwards domestic chaplain to the Earl of Devonshire. During the severe persecutions raisedby the bishops, as he enjoyed no living, he had none to lose. He used pleasantly to say, my head is too big to get into the church. He was frequently called before the. prelates, especially Bishop Neile, with whom hehad several contests about nonconformity.. By the recommendation of Lady Bowes, afterwards Lady Darcy, a person celebrated for piety and liberality,+ Mr.. Rothwell removed to Barnard-Castle, in the county of Durham. When the good lady expressed her fears about his going amongthese rude and fierce people, he replied, " Madam, if I thought I should not meet the devil, I would not go : he and I have been at odds in other places, and I hope we shall not agree there." The worthylady therefore consented, allowing him fortypounds a year; andthe people, upon whom God wrought by his ministry, further con- tributed to his support ; but he would not receive a farthing of anyothers. Being once on a journey, Sir Talbot Bowes made a collection for him among the people, amounting to thirty pounds; but when he came home, he caused it to be returned to the persons who had contributed saying, " he sought not theirs but them." Uponhis first settlement among these rude people, he bad manydifficulties to encounter: he met with much opposition; and they even sought to take away his life. By faithful perseverancein the duties ofhis calling, his greatest enemies afterwards feared him ; and the blessing of the Lord was so wonderfully poured forth upon his labours, that he seldom preached a sermon which did not bring, some poor wander- ing sinner to God. Many vain gentlemen from a distance Clark's Lives annexed to his Martyrologie, p. 69. + This excellent lady expended one thousand pounds a year in support of destitute ministers. Her preachers were all silenced nonconformists. She obtained liberty for many of them when confined in prison ; then sent them into the north, the Peak in Derbyshire, or those places where their labours were most wanted, allowing them a comfortablesupport.-Thid.
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