432 LIVES OF THE .PURITANS. the books in his power, both for and against conformity, and entered upon a minute and impartial examination of the arguments'on both sides ; the result of which was, that he cordially espoused the principles of the nonconformists. Mr. Wilson having, upon conviction, imbibed these senti- ments, acted upon them, and omitted certain human impo- sitions in the worship of God ; for which the Bishop of Lincoln pronounced his expulsion from the university within fifteen days, if he'did not conform. His father, Dr. WilliamWilson, rector of Cliff, and prebendary of St. Paul's, Rochester, and Windsor, used all the means in his power to bring him back to conformity, and interceded with the bishop to have a longer time allowed him. He sent his,son to several learned doctors, with a view to have his scruples, and objections removed ; but this, instead of reclaiming him, only served to confirm him the more in his principles. His father then diverted his attention from the ministry, and directed him to the study of the law. He accordingly went to London, and spent about three years at one of the inns of court. All his father's efforts, nevertheless, proved in- effectual. He was still bent upon the ministry, and he could be satisfied with no other employment. Therefore, with the consent of his father, he returned to Cambridge, and, by the favour of the Earl of Northampton, obtained admission into Emanuel college without subscription. Mr. Wilson, having finished his studiesat the university, became chaplain in several respectable families; and after preaching about three years at Bumsted, Stoke, Clare, and Cavendish, in. Suffblk, he was chosen to succeed old Mr. Jenkin, minister at Sudbury in that county. Here he preached with great acceptance and applause for several years ; but was at length suspended by the Bishop of Lon- don; and after being restored, he was ,again silenced by the. Bishop of Norwich. Afterwards, by the favour and media- tion of the Earl of Warwick, he again obtained his, ministerial exercise. But, as he found himself constantly exposed to fresh troubles, he resolved to withdraw from the scenes of persecution, and retire into a foreign land. Previous to his departure, visiting his father on his death- bed, the old gentleman thus addressed him :-" I have taken much care of thee," said he, " while thou wast at the university, because thou wouldst not conform. I fain would have brought thee to some higher preferment ; but I see thy conscience is very scrupulous about some things imposed in the church. Nevertheless, I have rejoiced to see the grace
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