Memorials of the Independent Churches in Northamptonshire: with biographical notices of their pastors, and some account of the puritan ministers who laboured in the county.Coleman, Thomas
History
Memorials of the Independent Churches in Northamptonshire: with biographical notices of their pastors, and some account of the puritan ministers who laboured in the county.
Coleman, Thomas
Clergy -- England -- Northamptonshire; Independent churches -- England -- Northamptonshire; Puritans -- England -- Northamptonshire
The following anecdote is related of this persecuted servant of God: "He
was cast into prison by the bishops for his Nonconformity; and all his
money being expended by his long confinement, he met with much unkind
usage from the gaoler. The good man being one day on his knees in
fervent prayer to God, and the window of his chamber being open, he
observed something thrown into the room; but he resolved to finish his
prayer before he examined what it was. When he rose from his knees, he
found to his great surprise that it was a purse full of gold. By this
unexpected supply he was more comfortable in his situation, and enabled
to make his keeper more humane ever after. "The Lord heareth the young
ravens that cry; how much more," it is observed, in connexion with this,
"will he hear his afflicted people?"
Humphrey Fenn was several years minister at Northampton--a most learned
and venerable divine, whose ministry was rendered very successful: yet
he underwent many troubles for Nonconformity. While at Northampton he
experienced the cruel oppression of the times--was apprehended and
committed to close prison, where he remained a long time. During his
confinement the inhabitants of Northampton presented a supplication to
Queen Elizabeth, humbly and earnestly desiring her Majesty to grant his
release, and his restoration to his beloved ministry. In this
supplication they affirmed, upon their dutiful allegiance, that during
his abode in that place he had lived a honest and a peaceable life; and
they gave a high character of his diligence in preaching, his obedience
to God, and to those in authority. It does not appear whether this
application was at all successful. Mr. Fenn, with some others, presented
a long letter to the Queen in vindication of their own innocency; but we
have not discovered how long they remained in prison after that period.
John Penry, a very distinguished Puritan, after leaving the University,
was settled for some time at Northampton. He was brought before the High
Commissioners for Nonconformity, and after examination, cast into
prison. After a month's confinement, he was discharged; but when he had
obtained his release, they sent their pursuivants to apprehend him, and
again commit him to prison. Walton, one of them, went immediately to
Northampton, and upon entering Mr. Penry's house ransacked his study,
and took away all the books and papers which he thought proper; but Mr.
Penry was not to be found. Upon the publication of 'Martin Mar-Prelate,'
he was again apprehended.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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