426 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. Mr. Kiffin, he was set apart in Devonshire-square, June es, 1666;, Mr. Harrison and Mr. Knollys assisting on the occa- sion. In this office, however, he was not suffered to con- tinue long, by reason of death ; as appears from the following memorandum in the church-books belonging to that society :- " July 30, 1666: Thomas Patient was, on the 29th instant, discharged by death from his work and office, he being then taken from the evil to come ; and having rested from all his labours, leaving a blessed savour behind him of his great usefulness and sober conversation. This his sudden removal being looked upon to be his own great advantage, but the church's sore loss. On this day he was carried to his grave, accompaniedby the members of this and other congregations, in a christian, comely, and decent manner.". Mr. Patient published nothing besides " The Doctrine of Baptisme," 16.54. WILLIAM THOMPSONwas a lively, powerful, and useful preacher, but much persecuted for nonconformity. He was preacher at some place in Lancashire ; where, through a divine blessing upon his zealous and affectionate labours, many souls were converted to God. This worthy servant of Christ having endured manifold interruptions, he, to avoid the furious proceedings of the prelates, retired from the scenes of oppression and persecution ; and, in the year 1637, he went to New England.i. Upon his arrival in the new plantation, he was chosen pastor of the church at Braintree, where he continued for many years in the faithful and successful discharge of his numerous ministerial duties. Some time after his settlement at Braintree, he was sent, by the churches of New England, with the glad tidings of the gospel, to Virginia. But the good effects of his mission became no sooner manifest than persecution was raised against him, and he was driven from the place by those who called themselves The Church of England4 The good man, therefore, returned to his stated charge at Braintree, where he continued the rest of his days. Towards the close of life Mr. Thompson was deeply afflicted with melancholy ; and was obliged, several of his last years, to relinquish all public ministerial exercises. It pleased Wilson's Hist. and Antiq. of Dissenting Churches, vol. i. p. 482, 431. -1 Morton's Memorial, p. 181. Mathes Mist, of New England, b. iii. p. 119.
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