104 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. contrary to his conscience.. He next removed to Heddon in Northumberland, where, as in other places, his labours were made a blessing to many souls. But even in this remote corner of the land, the eye of Laud was upon him, and this tyrannical prelate would not suffer him to preach without a perfect conformity to the ecclesiastical injunctions and the new ceremonies. Thus, being shut out from all prospect of future usefulness, he resolved to withdraw from the storm, and retire to New England. Previous to his departure, he very narrowly escaped being taken by the bishop's officers. And, towards the close of the year 1634, having taken shipping at Harwich, the ship had not been many hours at sea before a most tremendous storm arose, in which they were in the utmost danger of being lost. An eminent, but profane officer on the shore, observing their distress, was heard to say, " As for that poor collier, I pity him much : but as for the puritans in the, other vessel, bound for. New England, I am. not concerned; for their faith will save them." The ship at last returned safe into. the harbour. The next day Mr. Shepard went ashore to bury his first-born son ; but, onaccount of the watchful pursuivants, who were still anxious to take him, he dare not be present at the funeral.t In the month of July, 1635, Mr. Shepard, after having again narrowly escaped falling into the hands of the bishop's, officers, sailed from Gravesend in company With Mr. Wilson, Mr. Jones, and others, and arrived at Boston in New Eng-- land, in the beginning of October following. Previous to his arrival, Mr. Hooker and his congregation having removed from - Cambridge to the banks of-the riverConnecticut, Mr. Shepard was- chosen pastor of the church at Cambridge, and there continued Jo the day of his death. When the antinomian and familistic errors broke out in the new colony, this worthy divine, by his endeavours and influence,was the happy means of stopping the progress of the infectious malady. He was an excellent preacher, and took'great pains in his preparations- for the pulpit. He used to say, " God will curse that man's It is observed of Dr. Neile, that, when he was Bishop of Lincoln, and " when any man preached before KingJames that had renown of piety, he, unwilling the king should hear him, would in the sermon-time entertain the king with a merry tale, after which he would laugh, and tell those near him, he could not hear the preacher for the old bishop," It is added " When he was Archbishop of York, his head 'was so filled with Arminian impiety, that in the next king's reign he was looked upon by the parliament to be one of the great grievances of the kingdom."-Ls Nine's Lives, vol. i. part ii. p. 146, 147. Mather's Hist. of New England, b, iii. p. 84-87.
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