528 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. severely persecuted, he was a zealous puritan, and kept con- venticles in the house of Dr. Scott, dean of York, though unknown to him. The doctor being much addicted to cards and other games, had not the least concern about puritanism. But Mrs. Scott, the dean's wife, being much inclined to con- venticles, her house was chosen not only as the most con- venient Place, but the most secret and secure in those perilous times. Lady Bethel!, with other persons of quality, and those in meaner circumstances, united in these private reli- gious exercises.. THOMAS SCOTT was a zealous puritan minister in the diocese of Norwich, but suspended for nonconformity. He was under the ecclesiastical censure, said Bishop Wren, when he first entered personally into the diocese; and, with all tender and respectful usage, he absolved him for threeMonths, then for six months, and, at the expiration of that period, for eight or nine months longer. During this period, Mr. Scott sent his lordship severafletters, expressing his grateful ac- knowledgments of these favours. After all, it seems ex- tremely doubtful whether he was ever fully restored to his ministry. He died in the year .1640.+ There were two ministers of the same name, who lived about this time ; but it is difficult to say whether either of them was this Mr. Scott.t WILLIAMMADSTARD was a pious minister at Bridgnorth in Shropshire, where, towards the close of life, he had the celebrated Mr. Richard Baxter for his assistant. He was a nonconformist, particularly in refusing to wear the surplice and the useof the cross in baptism ; but a manofan exemplary christian character. Mr. Baxter denominates him " a worthy pastor, a grave and severe divine, very honest and con- scientious, and an excellent preacher ;" but adds, " he was deeply afflicted with a dead-hearted, unprofitable people." He died, together with his wife, of a malignant fever, in the month of July, 1641, at an advanced age. Mr. Baxter preached his funeral sermon.i MS. Chronology, vol. iii. A. D. 1640. p. 12. + Wren's Parentalia, p. 94. t Wood's Athena Oxon. vol. i. p. 846.-Granger's Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 367. § Sylvester's Life of Baxter, part i. p. 15, 20.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=