J. WHITAKER. 191 Ile often said, in the days of his youth, a I had much rather be a minister of the gospel than an emperor." While at the university, he made considerable progress in the various branches of useful literature ; and, upon_ his removal, he settled at Oakham in Rutlandshire, where, for some time, he taught school. Here he became intimate with Mr. William Peachy,an eminent scholar and preacher, whose daughter he afterwards married. Having 0. been at Oakham abbut four years, he accepted the pastoral charge at Stretton in the same county. He naturally cared for the souls of the people, and the preaching of the gospel was his beloved work. His heart was so deeply engaged in the work, that, having received an invitation to become master of a college, he returned this reply : My heart," said he, 44 doth more desire to be a constant preacher than to be master of any college in the world." Upon the publication of the Book of Sports, this amiable divine, with multitudes of his brethren, was exposed to the persecution of the ruling prelates. Though, for refusing to read it, he was involved in some difficulties, he happily escaped the malicious threatenings of his enemies. Being afterwards required to afford pecuniary assistance for the purpose of carrying on the war against the Scots, he refused, and openly told the bishop, or his chancellor, that he could not do it with a good conscience ; for which, if one of his friends had not paid the money, he would have suffered suspension and deprivation. Mr. Whitaker, having preached at Strettonthirteen years, ' was chosen, in the year 1643, one of the assembly of divines. This called him up to London, when he accepted an invitation to the pastoral office of St. Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey, in Southwark ; and he became one of the morning lecturers at the Abbey church, Westminster, In 1647 he was appointed a member of the first provincial assembly holden in London, and was once chosen to the office of moderator. During the same year, by an order from thehouse of lords, he was appointed, with Dr. Thomas Goodwin, to have the oversight and examination of the papers to be printed for the assembly of divines.i- The year following he was in danger of being deprived of 'his lecture at Westminster for refusing the engagement; but, Clark's Lives annexed to his Martyrologie, p. 264, 265. 1- Dissenting Brethren's Propositions,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=