490 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. chapel soon becametoo small to contain so large a company; but having a clear strong voice, great numbers enjoyed the privilege of hearing him who could not gain admittance. He was instrumental in turning many to righteousness. Under his ministry at this place, Mr. Simeon Ashe, after- wards the famous nonconformist in 1662, received his first religious impressions.. Mr. Herring, after preaChing at Caulk about eight years, could be no longer sheltered from the severities of the prelates, but was driven from the place for nonconformity. Previous to his removal he entered into the married state. His wife was his constant comforter under all his future trials. They had thirteen children ;und by the blessing of God upon their appropriate religious instructions, had the unspeakable happiness to behold the indications of piety in the whole oftheir offspring. To the honourof Mr. Herring; it is observed, that whenever he corrected his children, he previously endeavoured to convince them of theevil of their sin in the sight of God, and then lookedup to the Lord for a blessing upon his corrections. This method the Lord seemed to own for much good. His public labours being interrupted in the above si- tuation, and having no prospect of again enjoying the peaceable exercise of his ministry, the Lord opened for him a door of usefulness at Shrewsbury. Here he preached at St. Alkmond's church every Tuesday morning, and occasionallyon the Lord's day. But spies were appointed to watch him, that if possible some advantage might be obtained with a view to his prosecution in the ecclesiasti- cal courts. Yet he conducted himselfon all occasions with somuch prudence, and invariably prayed so fervently for the king and government, that his very adversaries gave this testimony of him : " That though he was scrupulous in matters of ceremony, he was a loyal subject to the king, and a true friend to the state." His clerical enemies were nevertheless envious of his reputation and popularity, and at length brought complaints against him to Bishop Morton, on account ofhis nonconformity ; but other objec- tions they had none. The bishop committed him to the examination of two clergymen, when Mr. Herring delivered his scruples in writing, and replied to their answers. They, in the conclusion, gave a certificate to the bishop, that they believed Mr. Herring, on conscientious grounds, still re- * Clark's Liyes annexed to his Martyrologie, p. 161,161.-Palmer's lioneon. Mem, vol. i. p. 94.
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