SIBBS. 417 the knowledge of the gospel, by the preaching of Mr. Paul Baynes, then lecturer at St. Andrew's church. Having obtained mercy of the Lord, he resolved to devote himself to Christ in the work of the ministry ; and shortly 'after was chosen lecturer at Trinity church. Here his preaching was numerously attended by the scholars and townsmen, and became happily instrumental in the conversion and establishment of many souls. He appears to have been vicar of the above church, during only the two last years of his life, the celebrated Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Thomas Good- win having resigned inhis favour. His celebrity having spread abroad, and reached the metropolis, he was, in the year 1618, chosen preacher at Gray's-inn, London, where he became remarkably popular and useful. Besides the learned lawyers, many of the nobility and gentry, as well as citizens, flocked to hear him ; and great numbers had abundant cause to bless God for the benefit which they derived from his ministry. He con- tinued in this public situation to the end of his days. Dr. William Gouge, who frequently heard him, says, 44 he had sometimes a little stammering in the time of preaching, but his judicioushearers always expected some rare and excel- lent notions from him.". About the year 1625, he was chosen master of Katherine- hall, Cambridge, which, though he was a puritan, he was enabled to keep till his death. He was, however, convened before the high commission, and deprived of his fellowship and lecture, on account of his nonconformity.+ His great erudition, piety, and usefulness, were not sufficient protec- tion against the fury of the times. As master of the above house, he was eminently useful. He found the society in a very declining state; but, through his influence and exer- tions, it soon obtained 'considerable enlargement, was stored with learned and religious fellows, and became famous for genuine piety and sound literature. Soon after the above period, he was chosen one of the feoffees for buying impro- priations, for which he and the others concerned in the generous undertakingwere prosecuted in the star-chamber; but the prosecution was so manifestly invidious, that it was afterwards relinquished4 This business, however, brought no small odium upon'Hisbop Laud, who was the sole insti- gator and chief promoter of the prosecution. He was Clark's Lives annexed to Martyro1ogie, p. 143, 144. + Prynne's Cant. Doome, p. 362.-Clark's Lives,p. 108. Prynne's Cant. Dome, p. 385, 386. VOL. tr. 2E,
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