384 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. Alhallows the Great. In this situation he continued till things became more settled in the nation, and then, with several others, resumed, his labours in his native country. It does not appear, however, that he returned to his former charge at Wrexham, or to anyother stated ministry, but was employed, with many others, as an itinerant, under the direc- tion of the parliament, for propagating the gospel in Wales. Hewas a leading man among the travelling gospellers, as Dr. Walker is pleased to call them;* and went from place to place preaching the word of God with great popularity and success. This incurred the displeasure and roused the malice of his enemies. The writer just mentioned cannot speak of him without misrepresentation and abuse. He observes that Mr. Cradock, Mr. Powell, and other enthusiasts, represented their countrymen to the parliament " as pagans and infidels, and a people that understood nothing of God, or of the power of godliness ; and so had need be converted to the faith." From the deplorable darkness which at this time overspread the whole of the Principality, there was certainly too much truth in this representation. But he adds, " that they made it their business, by all possible methods of calumny and reproach, to decry not only the old ministers, but the ministry itself, and the tithes and revenues, as Baby- lonish and antichristian ; and this they did from the .pulpit, with all the bitter railings and invectives that can beimagmed."+ They undoubtedly disapproved of the ceremonies, govern- ment, and persecution of the church of England, as savouring too much of the church of Rome., They might also endea- vour to instil the same sentiment in the minds of the people. This was certainly the practice among all parties. In those distracted times, all ministers, whether friends or enemies to the established church, laboured to propagate their own opinions. And, surely, if they believed their opinions to be the truth, they were sufficiently authorized so to do, provided they proceededwith christian moderation. That Mr. Cradock, or his brethren, acted at all inconsistent with sound Chris- tianity, could appear only to Dr. Walker and writers of a similar spirit, whose pens are always dipped in gall. It was impossible for him to escape the bitter censures of Mr. Edwards's presbyterian bigotry. This intolerant writer says, " There is one Master Cradock, who came out of Wales, and is going thither again to be an itinerary preacher, who declined coming to the assembly; but now lately, seeing Walker's Attempt, part i. p. 158. t Ibid. p. 147, 159.
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