[128c] 1 Cor. xi. 23–26.
[133] Mather’s Hist. New England, b. iii. p. 100.
[134] See Neal, i. 305.
[135] This expression, (as well as the practice itself,) was evidently borrowed from the “prophesyings” of the Elizabethan times.
[137] Neal, iv. 172.
[139a] Harmer’s Miscellaneous Works, p. 150.
[139b] Neal, iv. 177.
[141] Mather’s Hist. New England, b. iii. p. 4. Palmer’s Nonconf. Mem. passim. It is no satisfactory answer to the statement in the text, that the episcopal clergy had suffered persecution at a previous period. See on this subject, Adkins’s Hist. Indep. Ch. at Southampton, p. 38, note; and Rogers’s Life of Howe, p. 129.
[142] Mr. Samuel Baker’s Experience, 1667, MS. He was born about 1645, at Wrentham, of which place he declared his belief that religion had there flourished longer, the gospel had been more clearly and powerfully preached, and more generally received, the professors of it were more sound in the truth, open and stedfast in the profession of it in an hour of temptation, more united among themselves, and more entirely preserved from enemies without, than in any village of the like capacity in England. He was sent to school at Beccles, and mentions that, during the latter part of his stay there, being about twelve or thirteen years old, he was “exceedingly pleased with Mr. Ottee’s ministry, and became more serious and affectionate.” He afterwards studied at Cambridge, and at one of the Inns of Court. He became the proprietor and occupier of Wattisfield Hall, a zealous Congregationalist, and a sufferer unto bonds for a good conscience. Ibid. And see Harm. Misc. Works, p. 182. Palm. Nonconf. Mem. iii. 283.
[144a] Dedication to “Christ set forth.” William Bidbanck, M.A. was ejected under the Act of Uniformity, from Scottow in Norfolk, and was afterwards pastor of the congregation at Denton, where he was greatly beloved for his sweetness of temper, obliging deportment, and excellent preaching. He died, much lamented, about 1693.—Palm. Nonconf. Mem. iii. 14.