194 LIVES -OF THE PURITANS. tire scriptures, laborious in his ministerial function, zealous for God's glory, and of a humble, melting spirit, and a wonderful instance of patience during the whole of his heavy afiliction.". Fuller includes him among the learned writers of Sidney college, Cambridge.i- We have not been able to collect any long list of his writings; only he published certain sermons preached before the parliament, and probably some others. Mr. William Whitaker; ejected in 1692, was his son .t Mr. Whitaker, during his heavy -affliction, wrote a letter to the Protector Cromwell, the sight of which will be highly gratifying to every inquisitive reader. It is tran- scribed from the original in Mr. Whitaker's own hand, and though there be no date, it was evidently written in the year 1651. It is addressed To his Highness the Lord Pro- tector," of which the following is a copy :1 , May it please your highness to pardon this boldness in presenting this book, composed by some godly men, to appease the heat of the present controversies; wherein is proved-, That the office of the ministry is not the intru- sion of men, but the institution of Jesus Christ.-That the necessity of this office is perpetual.-That the ministry was so preserved under antichrist, that it is not antichristian.- That this office is peculiar to some, and not common to all. - And that theywho assume this office must be called lawfully at present, and also hereafter.' Ordination in general is necessary, and how that is to be observed is justifiable. I cannot come to tender it, being confined to my cham- ber under extreme tormenting pains of the stone, which forced' me to cry and sorrownight and clay. But blessed for ever be the Lord, who bath begotten .us to a lively hope and joy by Jesus Christ ; that the thoughts of eternity do sweeten the bitter things- of time : that, when we are weary of the things of this life, we may greatly rejoice in hope of a better. In this dying condition, give me leave to tender many thanks to your highness for taking away the engage- ment, whereby you have greatly refreshed the consciences of many. The good Lord recompense this great act of mercy, and enlarge your heart to prevent the like snares in future, at which the worst of men frown, and the best of men mourn. And the sameGod who bath raised you above other men, still raise you to be higher than yourself, far 4. Leigh's Religion and Learning, p.364. f History of Cambridge, p. 154. Palmer's Noncon. Mem. vol. i. p. 157. 4 Sloane's MSS. No. 4159.
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