CAWTON. 321 wards, he became domestic chaplain to Sir William Arinin, of Orton in Nothamptonshire ; where he was exceedingly beloved for his piety, abilities, and faithfulness. Having con- tinued in this situation fOur years, he, in the year 1637, became rector of Wivenhoe in Essex,. being presented to the living by Sir Roger Townshend. When he entered upon his charge at Wivenhoe, it was a place remarkable for drunk-. enness, swearing; sabbath-breaking, and almost everyother scene of profaneness ; but, by the blessing of God upon his faithful labours and exemplary deportment, it soon became equally remarkable for sobriety, the observation, of the sab- bath, and unfeigned piety. The inhabitants of the town usually brought their fish to sell on the sabbath day, when they kept their market near the ,church-doors. Mr. Cawton's, righteous soul was sorely vexed with their ungodly ways; and, byhis faithful and unwearied endeavours, the evil practice was abolished, and a happy reformation followed. It is further added, that he was the means of bringing great numbers to the saving knowledge of the gospel; and that no minister was ever more beloved by his people.± Hemarried the daughter of Mr. William Jenkin, the ejected nonconformist. Mr. Cawton having continued his ministerial labours at the above place about seven years, his health began visibly-to decline, whenhe was advised to remove to some other situa- tion, particularly for a change of air ; and receiving, about the same time, an invitation to Bartholomew's church, behind the Exchange, London, he removed to the metropolis. The change proved happily instrumental in the restoration of his health;and.the means' of preventing the return of the ague. In London, Sir Harbottle Grimstone, who lived in his parish, was his constant hearer and his verygood friend. In the year 1648, he united with the London ministers in their declaration against the king's death :t and, the same year, was brought into trouble for his zeal in the royal cause. Being invited by the lord, mayor and aldermen, to preach at Mercer's chapel, he prayed for the royal family, especially for king Charles II., whom 'he considered as the legal sovereign : but delivered nothing in his sermon. prayer, how- ever, proved offensive to the ruling party. The day follow- ing, the council of state issued a warrant to apprehend hiin.S Newcourt's Repert. Eccl. vol. ii. p. 679. 1. Life of Mi.. Cawton, p. 1-22. Edit. 1662. Calamy's Contin. vol. ii.p. 743. § The warrant, dated from Derby-house, February 26, 1648, was the following: -" These are to will and require you forthwith, upon sight "hereof, to make speedy repair unto any such place where you shall VOL. III.
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