CLARK. 413 the man, " with a full resolution to stab you, but God has prevented me. This was occasioned by your terrifying sermon yesterday. But, if you please to forgive me, shall, by the grace of God, never attempt any such thing again." Mr. Clark freely pardoned the offence ; and, alter giving him suitable advice, dismissed him.* In the year 1590, Mr. Clark removed from Oundle, and succeeded Mr. Edward Lord, another worthy puritan, in the pastoral charge at Woolston in Warwickshire. He was chosen to the pastoral office by the people, and received a presentation to the living from Sir Roger Wigston, when he waited upon BishopOverton for his institution. But the bishop, designing the living for one of his chaplains, endeavoured to persuade Mr. Clark to relinquish it, pro- mising that he would bestow upon him some other prefer- ment. Mr. Clark, considering his clear call to the place, and hoping that the Lord had there, some work for him to do, told his lordship, that he could not give it up with a good conscience, and, therefore, requested his institution. The bishop, being disappointed, gave orders for-the ablest of his chaplains to examine him, and dispute with him; hoping, by this means, to obtain some grounds of exception. His lordship, meeting with 'another disappointment, still refused to grant his institution; and Mr. Clark, after several unsuccessful journies, was under the painful necessity of, threatening the bishop with a prosecution, before it could be obtained. His lordship ,did not forget, however, to recompense him for the affront, by sending spies to watch him, and by citing him, on the most trivial occasions, to appear in the ecclesiastical court. This was disagreeable and expensive to Mr. Clark ; though he was not much interrupted by these molestations from attending to the duties of his ministry. Thaarigry prelate did not desist, but seemed determined, if possible, to ruin him ; therefore he went himself to Woolston, to hear him preach on a sabbath morning,. Though Mr. Clark saw him in the church, he was not in the least discckraged, but went through the service, and dispensed the word of life with his usual zeal and fervency. During the sermon, his lordshipwas much displeased, which he manifested by shifting from place. to place, as if he sat upon thorns. A person observing his extreme uneasiness, without knowing whole was, fetched a cushion for him to v Clark's Lives annexed to his Martyrologie, p. 127, 1213 ..!LIEPr+r.
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