SYMES-DAVENPORT. 447 santness, and the .engaging elocution with which they were delivered. His very enemies allowed him to be an excel- lent preacher ; and by his midnight studies, and his un- common industry, he obtained the just reputation of a universal scholar. About the year 1626 Mr. Davenport was chosen one of the feoffees for buyingimpropriations ; but BishopLaud, looking with great jealousy upon the undertaking, lest it should become the nursery of puritanism, put an effectual stop to it. This he did, to the great grief of all good people, and the lasting reproach of his own character. About the same time Mr. Davenport, by a conference with Mr. Cotton, became an avowed, but a peaceable nonconformist. Soon after his removal to London he became vicar of St. Stephen's church, Coleman-street, where he continued some years. Here his preaching, with that of Mr. Norton's, was instrumental in the conversion of the excellent Mr. Kiffin.° In the year 1631 he was convened before Bishop Laud, by whose arbitrary proceedings he was afterwards driven into Holland.+ He was also convened before the high commis- sion as a notorious delinquent, only for uniting with some other worthy persons in promoting a private subscription for the poor distressed ministers of the Palatinate, even after public collections failed.t. Previous, however, to his depar- ture for Holland, finding himself in danger, he called together the principal people of his charge, desiring their opinion and advice ; when he acknowledged their right to him as their pastor, and declared that no danger should drivehim from any service which they required or expected from him. But with a noble disinterestedness of soul, which reflected great honour upon them, and demonstrated their tender affection, they relieved him from his scruples of conscience ; and, though aware of their own, loss, they advised him to resign his office for his own safety. Having sent in his resignation, instead of enjoying the peace and quietness which he expected, he found himself more offici- ously watched than ever, being continually hunted by hungry pursuivants. Therefore, in the year 1633, he fled from the storm and retired to Holland; where he was imme- diately chosen co-pastor with Mr. JohnPaget tothe English church at Amsterdam.l Wilson's Hist. and Antic', of Dissenters, vol. i. p. 404, 405. Wharton's Troubles of Laud, vol. i. p. 596. t Huntley's Prelates' Usurpations, p.164. Mather's Hist. of New Eng. b. iii. p. 51-55. ,Nweriur
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