1VIARSIIALL. 243 as low as himself: yea, if he can, lower than he was him- self when he was at Godmancliester2". This is the representation of a known adversary, and is evidently designed to cast a stigma upon his character. Notwithstanding his conformity, as here represented, after his removal to Finchingfield be was .silencvd for noncon- formity ; and he remained a long time in a state-of suspen- sion. Upon his restoration to his ministry, in 1640, he did not return to his former charge, but was appointed- lecturer at St Margaret's church, Westminster. Although he was greatly despised and reproached by the oppositeparty, he was a man of high reputation, and was often called to preach before the parliament, who consulted him in all affairs of importance relating to religion. " And without doubt," says Clarendon, " the Archbishop of Canterbury had never so great an influence upon the councils at court, as Mr. Marshall and Dr. Burgess had upon the houses of parlia- ment."t November 17, 1640, was observed as a day. of solemn fasting by the house of commons, at St. Margaret's, Westminster, when these two divines were appointed to conduct the public service of the day ; on which occasion, it is said, they prayed and preached at least seven hours. The service being closed, the house voted thanks to both the preachers, desiring them to print their sermons ; and, to afford them encouragement in future, a piece of plate was, by order of thehouse, presented to each.$ Lord Clarendon, with other historians of a similar spirit, brings against him a charge unworthy- of any honest man. The accusation.,relates to the ministers' petition presented to the parliament; and, says he, " The paper which con- tained the ministers' petition', was filled with very feW hands, but that many other -sheets were annexed for the reception of numbers who gave credit' to the undertaking: But when their names were subscribed, the petition itself was cut off, and a new one, of a very different nature, annexed, to the long list of names; and when some of the ministers complained to Mr. Marshall, with whom the petition. was lodged, that they never saw the petition to which their names were annexed, 'but had signed another petition against the canons, Mr. Marshall is said to reply, that it was thought fit by.those who understood the business better than they, that the latter petition should be preferred 4, Life of Marshall, p. 10. 1- Clarendon's Hist. vol. i. g. 239. Nalbon's Collec. vol. i. p. 530, 533.
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