After the death of Mr. Armitage, in 1655, Mr. Thomas Allen, M.A., gave up the station he held of “Preacher to the City” in January, 1656, to become pastor of the Old Meeting. During his long ministry of 17 years, the cause continued to flourish, the congregation being large. He died September 21, 1673. On October 9th, 1675, Mr. John Cromwell was ordained pastor, and Mr. Robert Asty an assistant pastor. Mr. Asty was an ejected minister of Suffolk, an author, and a useful, devout preacher. Still the church grew, and was the centre of much good to the city and county, for many congregations were established in Norfolk and Suffolk, at Wymondham, North Walsham, Guestwick, Tunstead, Stalham, Edgefield, and other places. Then followed, about 1685, Mr. Martin Fynch, who was an ejected clergyman of Totney, in Lincolnshire. An elaborate inscription yet remains on his tombstone, to record his worth and usefulness. He was carried to his grave on the shoulders of his deacons, amidst great lamentations of the whole church and congregation. About two or three years before his death, a handsome and spacious brick edifice was erected, which is the present Old Meeting House. In 1688, the Revolution promoted the cause of religious liberty. Many distinguished residents in the city now joined the nonconformists, and the resources of the society were increased by endowments left for the benefit of the poor, and other purposes. Mr. John Stackhouse succeeded Mr. Fynch in 1690, and continued pastor for 17 years. Towards the close of his pastorate, the church began to suffer from its altered circumstances. It had become far too worldly for its spiritual welfare. The bonds of unity, so long preserved by Christian charity, grew weak. The members divided in reference to the choice of a co-pastor, and the dispute ran so high, that the minister and most of the congregation were actually driven out of their place of worship, and were obliged to fit up a meeting house in the ruins of the Black Friars’ convent. Mr. Stackhouse died without witnessing a reconciliation between the mutually offended parties. Mr. Thomas Scott left the pastorate of the church of Hitchin, in Herts, and settled in Norwich in 1709. The two parties were reconciled under his ministry, and he returned to the Old Meeting House about 1717, under very favorable auspices. His son, Mr. Nichol Scott, became his assistant, and a most unhappy difference on a point of doctrine once more kindled the flame of discord. The son was dismissed in 1737, and numbers of his hearers left with him. For a time he lectured in the French Church, but finding little encouragement, he became a doctor of physic, and practised in the city. The father’s mind was so shattered by the dispute, that he became almost unfit for ministerial work. He died in 1746.