398 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. used his utmost endeavours to hinder him from taking his doctor's degree. He was willing to endure any sufferings himself; rather than that the truth and cause of God should suffer.. He was afterwards convenedbefore the high corn- mission, as a notorious delinquent, only for generously unitingwith his brethren in promoting a private contribu- tion for the poor afflicted ministers of the Palatinate, even after public collections failed : but it does not appear what further molestation he endured.t Dr. Taylor, upon leaving the university, settled first at Watford in Hertfordshire, then at Reading in Berkshire, and afterwards, in 1625, he became pastor of Aldermanbury, London. At each of these places his labours were made a blessing to many souls. During his abode at Reading, a generation of young preachers was raised up under his ministry, who afterwards became bright ornaments in the church of God.f He preached at Paul's cross before Queen Elizabeth, and afterwards before King James. He spent thirty years in his beloved work, and continued faithful and laborious to the end. As the true servant of Christ, he was desirous to spend and be spent for the glory of God and the good of souls. With all sincerity and purity, and all zeal and meekness, he watched over the flock of Christ. His sermons were judicious, substantial, and admirably well delivered. He was an avowed enemy to popery, arminianism, and antinomianism ; against the last of which he published a work, entitled, " The Use of the Law." Though envy opposed him, real worth always admired him. This worthy divine, when in the prospect of death, was desirous to have done more service for Christ ; yet he was willing to obey the summons. Having finished the work which the Lord gave him to do, he was ready to depart, and to be with Christ. During his last sickness, he experienced much joy and peace in believing, and enjoyed a triumphant confidence in Christ as his gracious conqueror of death, and hell, and sin. " Oh r said he, " we serve a good Lord, who covers all imperfections, and gives great wages for little work, and in mercy bath provided for me some of the greatest." Having languished a short time under his complaint, he died in the beginning of the year it Life of Taylor prefixed tohis" Works." Edit. 1653. I. Huntley's Prelates' Usurpations, p. 164. Newcourt's Repert. Eecl. vol. i. p. 918.-,Clark's Lives annexed to Mirtyrologie, p. 126.
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