186 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. him, and observes, that " this Madebim pers1st in his by- ways, and his followers judge him faultless." Though the prosecution was slow, it was sure. It was committed into the hands of proper persons, and success was certain. Therefore, in the year 1638, Mr. Erbery was forced to resign his vicarage, and he left the diocese in peace.. Being thus deprived of his living, and driven from his flock, he most.probably went from place to place through the country, and preached as he could obtain an opportu- nity, as did his brethren, Messrs. Wroth, CradUck, and Powell. In the year 1640, says Wood, he shewed himself openly, preached against the bishops and ceremonies, and 'made early motionstowards independency.+ Mr. Edwards, with his usual scurrility, gives the following account of him : In the beginning of the parliament, he was an inde- pendent, but by degrees is fallen to many gross errors, holding universal redemption, &c. and is now a seeker, and I know not what. This man was a chaplain in the Earl of Essex's army a great while, and there did broach many antinomian doctrines, and other dangerous errors : but having left the army a good 'while since, he was about London, and did vent his opinions here. About last spring he betook himself to the Isle of Ely for his ordinary resi- dence, from whence he takes his progress into one county or another in private houses, venting his opinions amongst well-affected;'people, under the habit of holiness. In July last he was at Bury, where he exercised hr private, some forty persons being present, and declared himself for general redemption; that no man was punished for Adam's sin ; that Christ died for all ; and that the guilt of Adam's sin should be imputed to no man. He said.also, that within a while God would raise up apostolical men, who should be extraordinary to preach the-gospel; andAfter that shall be the fall of Rome. He spake against gathering churches, the anabaptists' re-baptizing, and said men ought to wait for the coming of the Spirit, as the apostles did. Look, as in the wilderness they had honey and manna, but not circumcision and the Passover till they came into Canaan ; so now we may have many sweet things, con- ference and prayer, but not a ministry and sacraments. And then, af:er the fall of Rome, there shall be new heavens and anew earth : there shall be new Jerusalem ; and then shall the church be one, one street in that city, andno more.' Wharton's Troubles of Laud, vol. Lis. 533-555. + Athena Oxon. vol. ii. p. 103.
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