HERRING. 491 mained unsatisfied ; to which his grace replied, "that he was satisfied in his integrity." He was nevertheless sus- pended ; and though, by the mediation of friends, his suspension was taken off several times, he was as repeatedly brought under the ecclesiastical censure. He thus con- tinued at Shrewsbury seventeen years, sometimes enjoying his liberty, and sometimes under the frowns of the persecut- ing ecclesiastics. This worthy servant of Christ, at last finding no pros- pect of public usefulness at Shrewsbury,removed toWren- bury in Cheshire. Nor did he enjoy his liberty there, but went from house to house, instructing and comforting the people of God. It was hls very meat and drink to do the will of his heavenly Father, and to be useful to souls. Therefore, in imitation of Christ, he went about doing good. His frequent suspension from his beloved work was ex- ceedingly grievous to his active and pious soul. As there was no prospect of his restoration at any future period, he accepted an invitation, in the year 1636, to succeed Mr. John Paget, as co-pastor with Mr. Rulice to the English church at Amsterdam. Notwithstanding this, his difficulties were not ended ; for by the power and influence of Arch- bishop Laud, all ministers were forbidden to leave the country without a license from the council. The faithful servants of the Lord were persecuted, and cast asidens use- less, for attempting to worship God according to the testimony of scripture and the dictates of conscience, and were prohibited from retiring into a foreign land where they could enjoy the privilege without restraint. This surely savoured too much of the Romish bigotry and oppressions. In these painful circumstances was Mr. Herring; but he prayed to the Lord for deliverance, and so escaped the snare of his enemies. He took shipping at Yarmouth, and arrived at Rotterdam, September, 20, 1637, and went immediately to Amsterdam, where he was most affectionately received by his colleague, the English mer- chants, and the magistrates of the city. In this situation he continued the rest of his days, and was particularly esteemed for his genuine piety and ministerial usefulness. Mr. Herring, towards the close of life, especially the night befbre he died, laboured under the furious assaults of Satan. But the painful conflict was no sooner over, than he arose upon his knees in bed, and, with his hands lifted up * Clark's Lives, p. 161, 10!. IllionmiliresenatoesamessmesersetLyn-,_or
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