T. WILSON. 179 the pursuivant. And I did undertake for Mr. Wilson, that he should answer his accusers in any of the king's courts at Westminster. The bishop made me answer, ' I am sure that he will not be absent from his cure a twelvemonth together.' ". Upon the above resolution of the house, he was released from all his troubles, when he returned to his charge and wonted labours at Otham. In the year 1643, he was nomi- nated one of the assembly of divines ; and, though at so great a distance, he constantly attended. In the assembly he was much esteemed for his meek and humble deportment, and his grave and judicious counsels. Having continued some timeat Otham, he removed to Maidstone, where he remained to the day of his death. Here his first care was to promote the reformation of the church, and to administer the sacra- ments, according to his views of the word of God. To this end he preached upon the necessity of observing scriptural discipline, and the qualifications necessary to church-fellow- ship. At first he met with considerable opposition, but by prudence and perseverance things were brought to a favour- able issue. Mr. Wilson was indefatigable in his attendance upon his numerousduties, and usually observed the following method he protracted his studies on Saturdays nearly till midnight, and rose by two or three o'clockon a sabbath morning, being much displeased if he was later. About seven he came out of his study, and called his family together, when he 'read and expounded a portion of scripture, requiring those present to give some account of the exposition ; then sunga psalm, and concluded with prayer. At nine o'clock he went to church, and entered upon public worship by singing, then prayed for a blessing, and expounded out of the Old Testament about an hour; then, besides singing and prayer, he preached an hour, and concluded. Then, goinghome, he invariably prayed with his family before dinner. In the afternoon he observed the same method as in the morning, only his exposition was upon some part of the New Testament. The public services of the day being ended, he called his family together, when many neighbours attended ; then they repeated the sermons and expositions, sung a psalm, and concluded with prayer. After this he usually went to a friend's house in the town, where many attended, and did the same. He administered the Lord's supper regularly once a month, delivered weekly lectures, attended meetings for religious conference, and was Collection of Deering's Speeches, p. 9, 10. Edit. 1642.
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