AMES: 405 WILLIAM AMES, D.D.-This learned divinewas born in the county of Norfolk, in the year 1576, and educated in Christ's college, Cambridge, under the famous Mr. William Perkins. Having received the truth of the gospel, he became exceedingly zealous in its defence, avowing his opposition to every kind of error and sin, especially the delusive corruptions of popery. About the year 1610, having for some timebeen fellowof his college, he preached a sermon at St. Mary's church, against playing at cards and dice ; which gave great offence to many of his audience, particularly because he was well known to be zealous in the cause of nonconformity.. He beheld the approaching storm, and was obliged to quit the college and university, to prevent expulsion. Previous to his departure, he was called before Dr. Carey, master of the college, who urged him to wear the surplice ; and to convince Ames's under- standing, andbring him to a compliance, he warmly urged the words of the Apostle : " Put on the armour of light ;" that is, said he, the white surplice.t The doctor's learned argument was, however, too futile to prevail upon Ames to conform. He adhered too tenaciously to the word of God, to defile his conscience by any sinful compliance; but resigned his fellowship, and forsook the university ; and soon after, to escape the indignation of ArchbishopBancroft, he left the kingdom. He fled to Holland, and was chosen minister of the English church at the Hague. But there he could find no long repose. The resentment of the prelates followed him into a foreign land. He was no sooner comfortably settled at the Hague, than ArchbishopAbbot, Bancroft's successor, wrote to Sir Ralph Winwood, the English ambassador at the court of Holland, urging Ames's removal from his present situation. The archbishop's letter to Winwood is dated March 12, 1612, which he concludes by saying, " I " wish the removing ofhim to be as privately and as cleanly " carriedas the matter will permit. We are also acquainted " what English preachers are entertained inZealand, where- " unto in convenient time we hope to give a redress."# What intolerance could be worse than this ? Good men must enjoy peace neither at home nor in a,Meeign land. When Ames was about to be chosen pidessor of divinity at Leyden, endeavours were also used through the + Fuller's Hist. of Camb. p. 159. + MS. Chronology, vol. iii. A.D. 1633. p. 4. t, Winwood's Memorials, vol. iii. p. 846, 347.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=