266 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. EDWARD COREBT, D. D.-This worthy person was born at Pontesbury in Shropshire, in the year 1602, descended from the ancient family of Corbets in that county, and edu- cated in Merton college, Oxford, where he was chosen fellow. He was made proctor of the university ; but, refusing conformity in certain points, hewas called before the vice-chancellor. He was no enemy to the church of England, but could not with a good conscience observe all its superstitious ceremonies. And while the vice-chancellor laid his case before Archbishop Laud, chancellor of the university, he petitioned his lordship for relief; but it was not likely he could obtain the least redress.. The civil war having commenced, and Oxford being garrisoned by the king's forces, he was deprived of his fellowship, and expelled from the college, for refusing to espouse the-royal cause.t Archbishop Laud, being afterwards prisoner in the Tower, refused him the rectory of Chatham in Kent, because he was a puritan : and when he was appointed rector of that place, by order of parliament, his lordship still refused his allowance; but his refusal was to no pur- pose4 He was witness against the archbishop at his trial, and deposed " that, in the year 1638,-. his grace visitin!, Merton college, by his deputy, Sir John-Lamb, one article propounded to the wardens and fellows was, ' Whether they made due reverence, by bowing towards the altar, when they came into thechapel:-That he and Mr. Cheynel were enjoined by the visitors and commissioners to use this ceremony ; but they refused ; for which, though he assigned his reasons for refusing, hewas particularly threatened. - That, after this, Dr. Frewin, the vice-chancellor, told him that he was sent to him by the archbishop, requiring him to Use this ceremony.-That the archbishop afterwards sent injunctions to Merton college, requiring them to bow towards -the altar, and the visitors questioned those who refused.- And that in Magdalen college there was a crucifix placed over the communion table, and pictures in the windows; -and a new crucifix was set up in Christ's church, none of which innovations were ever heard of before the time of this archbishop."§ Mr. Corbet was chosen one of the assembly of divines, one of the committee for the examination and ordination of Wharton's Troublesof Laud, vol. ii. p. 1552156. 1- Wood's Athense Oxon. vol. B. p. 88. t Pryone's Breviateof Laud, p. 27, 28. Prynne's Cant. Doome,p. 71.
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