KNOLLYS. 499 though he lived in evil times, and endured manypersecutions, and other tribulations, he lived to see better days. Mr. Knollys was favouredwith an extraordinary measure of bodily strength, which fitted him the better for his great labours in the ministry, and enabled him to bear with resolu- tion his numerous sufferings in the cause of Christ and a good conscience. He was very diligent and laborious in his work, both before and after his separation from the established church. While a conformist, he commonly preached three or four times on the Lord's day : at Halton, at seven in the morning; at Humberstone, .at nine ; at Scartho, at eleven ; and at Humberstone again, at three in the afternoon. In ad- dition to this, he preached every holiday, and at everyfuneral, as well of the poor as the rich. Nor was he less diligent in his beloved work after he became a nonconformist. For upwards of forty years successively he preached three or four time's every week, whilst he enjoyed health and liberty; andwhen he was in prison it was his usual practice to ,preach every day. He possessed an excellent gift in prayer, and has recorded several remarkable answers to his petitions, par- ticularly during the time of the great plague. The success of his ministry, after he became a baptist, was very great; but he seems to think that his labours were without any fruit while he continued in the church. How far this statement might proceed from prejudice, we will not pretend to ascertain; but the manner in which it is recorded appears to savour too much of it. He seems at first to have carried his separating principles to the same rigorous extent as the :Brovvnists, who, not wholly unlike their episcopal brethren, were too free in their uncharitable censures. Indeed, bigotry, even in good men, appears to have been the prevailing evil of those times. Mr. Knollys continued in his work as long as he had strength to perform it. He often entered the pulpit when he could scarcely stand, and when his voice could with difficulty be heard. Such an affection he had for his work, that he was unwilling to leave it. Hebore his sufferings with the greatest courage and cheerfulness ; took up his cross and followed the Lord daily ; and behaved with great meekness towards his enemies. Through the whole of his life he exhibited a bright example of christian piety. He did not confine his affections to christians of his own party, but loved the image of God wherever he saw it. And so cir- cumspect was he in the whole of his behaviour, as even to command the reverence and esteem of those who were 11.11M1011PC7SUIMPParrinitELVAIIIIK:
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