354 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. Preston having renounced all inclinations of preferment, and even the present opportunity of obtaining the royal favour, his conduct became the subject ofmuch speculation. Courtiers, and those aspiring after posts of honour, wondered that he did not embracethe goldenopportunity. Perceiving the young man to be void of ambition, and that he rejected all prospect of rising in the world, they began to be jealous of him. But having found the treasure hid in a field, he wisely relinquished every thing for the invaluable purchase. He had the King of kings to serve and honour, which to him appeared infinitely more desirable than any worldly emolument. From the above act of mortification, good men began to admire him ; and their opinion receivedadditional confirma. tion from the following circumstance :-The king visiting the university a second time, Preston was requested that one of his pupils might support a female character, in a comedy for the entertainment of his majesty ; but he politely refused, saying, 44 I do not like the motion ; and I cannot believe his friends intended him to be a player ; therefore, I beg to be excused." This instance of his peculiarcare for his pupil greatly advanced his reputation. He was soon accounted one of the best tutors in the university. Many persons of distinguished eminence committed their sons to his tuition. He was particularly careful to train them up in sound religion, as well as good literature.. Fuller denominates him " the greatest pupil- monger ever known in England, having sixteen fellow- commoners admitted in Queen's college, in one year."+ He was, at thesame time, an indefatigable student, refusing to allow himself sufficient rest and sleep. He used to lay the bed-clothes upon himself in such a manner as they would be sure to fall off at an early hour in the night, and so the cold awoke him. This, in time, did irreparable injury to his constitution ; but by the use of suitable means his health was again in a great degree restored. It might be expected that so great a man would become exceedingly popular. When he delivered his catechetical lectures in the college chapel, the place was usually crowded with strangers before the fellows came. This awakened the malice of those who envied his popularity, that the bullet was directed by St. Chad. Archbishop Laud made a particular memorial of this in his diary.-Prynne's Breviato of Laud, p. 27.-Granger's Biog. Hist. vol. ii. p. 143,144. 1. Clark's Lives, p. 82. + Fuller's Worthies, part ii. p. 891.
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