166 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. kept up' aboitt thirty-five years. Indeed, so great was his fame, that when religious persons from distant parts of the country went to London, they did not think their business finished; unless they had attended Blackfriars lecture. The success of his ministry was also very great. is said, that tholisands were converted and built up under his ministry.. He was long employed in the work, and eminently faithful and laborious as long as he could get into the pulpit. His preaching was always distinct, his method easy, and his language adapted to persons of the meanest capacities. Dr. Gouge, while he preached the gospel, to others, en- joyed its consolations in his own mind. He found so much true comfort in his work, as, he belieVed, could not be found in any other employment. He often professed, that his greatest pleasure in this world was in preaching the gospel. His heart and his haPpiness were so much in his work, that lie often said to Lord Coventry, then keeper of the great seal, that he envied not his situation. His whole life was par- ticularly exemplary. The doctrine which he delivered to others had its proper influence and effect upon himself. Although his conduct was unblamable and irreprovable in the sight of all men, he was not without his enemies. He was as excellent and peaceable a subject as any in the nation ; yet, through the instigation of Bishop Neile, he was cast into prison only for republishing Finch's book on a The Calling of the Jews." - Having remained in prison nine weeks, he was released. In the year 1626, he was chosen one of the feoffees for purchasing unpropriations ; for which he was ordered to be prosecuted in the star-chamber: but the prosecution being so manifestly invidious, was afterwards dropped.t During the intolerance of Bishop Laud, he was prosecuted in the high commission, for opposing armmianism and the newceremonies.t This celebrated divine was deeply concerned for the Redeemer's cause in foreign countries, as well as at home. He exercised particular compassion towards the foreign pro, restants, under all their afflictions and persecutions. He rejoiced in their prosperity, but was afflicted in their adversity. Therefore, when public collections for the poor and distressed ministers of the Palatinate utterly failed, he united with his brethren in promoting a private contribution for their relief; a Clark's Lives annexed to his Martyrologie, p. 234-239. 1' Ibid. p. 239W -241. Prynne's Cant. Doonie, p. 362.
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