For several years the ministry of Mr. Nokes, at Beccles, was attended with success.
In the early part of 1710, however, there were some things in him of which his people disapproved; chiefly, it has been supposed, his disposition to conform. But he was not hastily or harshly dismissed. The case was submitted to the ministers of the neighbouring churches in Norfolk and Suffolk, for their advice. [172] The result was, however, a determination, recorded in the church book and signed by the deacons and several other members, to withdraw their communion from him, with a renewed resolution stedfastly “to adhere to their church covenant, and pursue the common interest of Christ among them.”
Mr. Nokes did not, as has been imagined, immediately conform. In the same year in which he left Beccles, he undertook the charge of the congregation at Ropemaker’s Alley, London, which had been for many years under the pastoral care of Mr. Walter Cross, a minister of considerable attainments. [173a]
In 1712, Mr. Nokes had a good living given him in the Church of England, [173b] which he accepted. Little more is known of him. Mr. Harmer says, “he was afterwards disordered in his mind, and died in one of the streets of London;—some think, on the steps of St. Andrew’s church, Holborn.” [174]
For about a year the church was without a pastor. On the 16th May, 1711, Mr. Edmund Spencer was received into communion with them, preparatory to his assuming that office. They seem to have been very happy with him for many years. But growing old and infirm, he received a good deal of uneasiness from a part of the congregation, who wished him to resign. The mischief was greatly aggravated through the undue influence exercised by an individual who introduced some preachers from a distance. These occupied the pulpit, while the aged pastor consented to continue preaching in a private house. The most eminent ministers of Norfolk and Suffolk evinced the greatest respect for Mr. Spencer, and expressed their disapprobation of what they regarded as a sad violation of Christian tenderness. Mr. Spencer was pastor at Beccles nearly twenty-five years, and died there about 1736. His remains were carried to Norwich, and deposited in the Congregational meeting-house, St. Clement’s,—several of his own people attending.
He left one daughter, who, some time before his death, was married to a Mr. Pougher, a gentleman of fortune, educated for the ministry, but who, being blind, lived in a private capacity. He was a remarkable example of that beautiful provision of nature, by which the sense of feeling is improved to such exquisite acuteness, as almost to compensate for the loss of sight. [175a]
At a meeting held 13th March, 1722–3, John Utting and Philip Lefabuer were ordained to the office of deacons “without imposition of hands.”
Mr. Spencer was succeeded by Mr. Thomas Tingey, a son of Mr. Tingey, first of Northampton, afterwards of Fetter-lane, London. [175b] He had pursued his studies at the academy in London, under Dr. Ridgley.
Mr. Tingey, the subject of this notice, preached his first sermon “in Mr. Russell’s place,” from Jerem. i. 6, “Then said I, Ah, Lord God; behold I cannot speak, for I am a child.” On which occasion he “gave uncommon content and satisfaction,” and his friends were encouraged to look forward with sanguine expectations of his future instrumentality in promoting the glory of God, and the salvation of souls. [176a]
About 1730, he settled with the congregation at Lower Rotherhithe, as successor to Mr. Thomas Masters. He is described as possessing at that time good pulpit talents, combined with too much self-esteem and instability of character. [176b] But he was a young man, and there was reason to hope that time and experience would correct these failings.