408 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. prison, he took the oaths of allegiance .and supremacy, for which he was severely censured by many of his brethren. It is, indeed, observed, that, for some time previous to his imprisonment, he had publicly declared his readiness to take the oaths ; the same he also made known to his friends while he was in confinement. When he was brought before the court, he found that he must take them, or return to prison, when he complied without hesitation. He was of opinion, that, if he had refused " he should have sinned against God, against the flock over which the Holy Ghost had made him overseer, against his family, and against himself.. In the "Declaration of the several churches of Christ, and godly people in and about the city of London," published in the above year, nine of those who subscribed it are said to be " of the church that walks with. Mr. Simpson."s Dr. Calamy mentions One John Simpson as silenced from his lecture at Botolph's church, Bishopsgate or Aldgate, whom he denominates " a great antinomian." He afterwards acknowledges, that he died previous to the black Bartholo- mew-day, in 1662, and so should not have been included in the list ofejected ministers.# This was undoubtedly the same person. Whether Mr. Simpson was, indeed, a great antinomian, we shall not attempt, because we are unable, to ascertain; but, from the account given of him by the author of his funeral sermon, he appears to have been a diligent, pious, and useful minister of Christ. We will let the author speak for himself. Addressing the bereaved congregation, he says, " Many of you lived for years under the ministry of this faithful servant of Christ, and his ministry hath been to you as a very lovely song of one that bath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument : you have heard his words, but you would not do them. There hath not been a suit- able conversation to such a ministry. A gospel, spiritual, and heavenly ministry, calls for a gospel, spiritual, and hea- venly conversation. Such was his ministry, but such, I fear, bath not been the conversation of many of his hearers. Indeed, all of us who enjoyed more or less of his labours, lave cause to mourn before the Lord this day for our mis- improvement of his ministry, and for taking no more care about hearing; receiving, and practising what God was pleased to reveal unto us by his servant. This 'faithful man, according to the judgment of reason, might have lived 1. Funeral Sermon for Mr. Simpson. .1- Declaration, p. 22. Calamy's Account, vol. i. p. 39,-Contin. vol. i. p. 58.
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