472 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. SAMUEL WHITING, A.M.-This worthy divine was born at Boston in Lincolnshire, November 20, 1597, and edu- cated in Emanuel college, Cambridge. He was awakened to a serious concern for his soul by attending upon the ministry of the excellent Dr. Sibbs and Dr. Preston. After he had finished his studies at the university, he became domestic chaplain to Sir Nathaniel Bacon and Sir Roger Townsend, in whose families, by his wise, and serious instructions, the interests of religion were greatly promoted. He was next chosen colleague in the ministry with Mr. Price of. Lynn in Norfolk, where he continued three years. During this period he was interrupted by the Bishop of Norwich, and prosecuted in the high commission court, where, for the single sin of nonconformity, he expected to lose a considerable' estate ; but, happily for him, while the causewas pending, KingJames died, and so for the present the prosecution was dropped. The Earl of Lincoln inter- ceding for him, the bishop promised to molesthim no more, if he would remove out of his diocese.* Mr. Whiting afterwards settled at Shirbick, near Boston, where he remained for some time unmolested, the Lord blessing his labours. In this situation he was amonghis old friends, and near Mr. Cotton and Mr. Tuckney, by whom he was highlyesteemed. He found, however, that therewas no continued rest under the government of persecuting ecclesi- astics. He was again prosecuted and silenced for rejecting the traditions of the popish fathers. He considered the im- position of human rites and ceremonies in divine worship as involving the very spirit and conduct of the church of Rome. The gospel he thought was insecure, while such rites and ceremonies were imposed ; therefore concluded that the parade of human ceremonies, and the preaching of the word of God, had a direct tendency.to drive each other out of the church. Having no prospect of being ever restored to his ministry, he resolved to withdraw from the cruel oppressions, when he found an asylum in New England. On leaving his native country, and expecting never to return, he sold all his estates, saying, " I am going to sacri- fice unto the Lord in the wilderness, and will not leave a hoof behind." He, embarked j,n tine beginning of April, 1636, and arrived in New England towards the end of May, being so sick during the whole voyage that he could preach only one sermon. Upon his safe arrival he made Mather's Hist. of New Eng, b. iii. p. 156, 157.
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