420 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. a serious concern for his soul. He now resolved to devote himself wholly to the ministerial work, and soon became a most accomplished and popular preacher. He frequently preached upon the necessity of faith, repentance, and holi- ness, which, by the eloquence of his language, accompanied with a spirit of most serious devotion, he set forth in a most interesting and engaging light. Though his ,prospect of rising in the church was very flattering, he refusedall prefer- ment, on account of the ecclesiastical impositions. His aver- sion to arminianism and the superstitious ceremonies, hin- dered him from possessing a rich benefice which his uncle designed to have conferred upon him. It is also observed, that the pious Dr. Sibbs was so taken with his excellent endowments, that he earnestly solicited hint to accept a fellowship at Cambridge ; but he was so thoroughly dissatis- fied with the terms of admission, that he could not do it with a gOod conscience. He was content with lesser things, and therefore became domestic chaplain to Sir William ISTar- sham, preaching as he found opportunity. Though no minister was more highly admired and esteemed for every engaging and excellent accomplishment, he was utterly silenced for nonconformity. Having no prospect of any further Usefulness in his native country, heresolved to remove to America, where he could worship God according to the light of scripture and his own conscience, without the impo- sitions of men.. He, accordingly sailed for New England, where he arrived in October, 1635. During the voyage, the ship, in a most dreadful storm, was in the utmost danger of being lost. The storm is said to have been ,so tremendous, that as it washed several of the seamen overboard on one side of the ship, it threw them on board on the other side. After Mr. Norton's arrival, he was chosen pastor of the church at Ipswich, where he laboured with great zeal, assi- duity, and success about seventeen years. But upon the' death of Mr. Cotton, pastor of the church at Boston, he accepted an invitation to become his successor. Upon the restoration of Charles II., Mr. Norton and Simon Brad- street, esq. were sent to England, as agents of the colony, with an address to his majesty, soliciting the continuance of their privileges. This address contained, among other-things, the following passages:-=" To enjoy our liberty and to walk " according to the faith and order of the gospel, was the cause of us transplanting ourselves, with our wives, eur Mather's Mist. of New Eng. b. iii. p. 52, 23, '
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