2 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. allow their people to go and hear him; and for the singular crime of multitudes flocking to his ministry, he was several times questioned in the bishops' courts.. In addition to this, being exercised with some other trials, he was induced to consult Mr. Greenham, his excellent father-in-law. This reverend divine, after hearing his complaints, said, " Son, son, when affliction lieth heavy, sin lieth light;" and gave Mr. Dod such suitable advice, that he had abundant cause to bless God for it, and found it of excellent use all the rest of his days. However, he was at length suspended from his ministry at Hanwell by Dr. Bridges, bishop of Oxford. Being chiven from his affectionate and beloved people, he preached a short time at Fenny Compton in. Warwickshire, then accepted an invitation to Canons Ashby in Northamptonshire. In the latter situationhe was treated with peculiar kindness by Sir Erasmus Dryden, a gentleman of great learning and piety ; but he did not continue long without molestation. For, upon the complaint of Bishop Neile,+ he was silenced by the archbishop.# Though this excellent divine was cast aside,. he did not remain idle. When his efforts of public usefulness were set aside, he went about from house to house, giving private instructions ; and by his pious discourse and holy deport-, ment, he was nearly as useful as when he enjoyed his public ministry.§ He was particularly desirous of a more pure reformation. of the church, and therefore united with his brethren in subscribing the " Book of Discipline.1 He continued under the above suspension several years. But on the accession of King James, Sir Richard Knightly procured him his liberty ; and he renewed his ministerial labours at Fausley in Northamptonshire, where he continued, in great reputation and usefulness, all the rest 'of his days. Clark's Lives annexed to Martyrologie, p. 170. 1- Bishop Belle of Durham and Bishop Andrews of Winchester, attend- ing upon King James, had the following conversation with him: His majesty, always intent upon his prerogative, asked the bishops, " My lords, cannot I take my subjects' money when I want it, without all this formality in parliament?" The Bishop of Durham readily answered, God forbid, sir, but you should ; you are the breath of our nostrils." Upon this the king turned, and said to the Bishop of Winchester, " Well, my lord, what say you ?" " Sir," replied the bishop, " I have no skill to judge of parliamentary cases." The king answered, "'No put offs, my lord ; answer me presently." " Then, sir," said he, " I think it lawful for you to take my brother Neife's money, for he offers it." This pleasantry afforded great entertainment' to the company.-Biog. Briton. vol. i. p. 185. Edit. 1778. Clark's Lives annexed to Martyrologie, p. 170. Fuller's Worthies, part i. p. 181. 41 Neal's Puritans, vol. i. p. 422.
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