Soon after the pastorate of Clyfton began, John Robinson became associated with the band of worshippers in the manor-house--a man who by his character, influence, and writings won the title of Apostle of Independency. Born in Lincolnshire in 1576, he entered Emanuel College in 1592, took the degree of M.A. in 1600, and B.D. in 1607. He began his ministerial labors in Mundham, where, participating in the opposition to the ceremonies enforced by the hierarchy, he was at length suspended from his functions. He afterward retired to Norwich, where he gathered about him a small congregation of Puritans, with whom he labored until he finally renounced all communion with the Church. In Hanbury’s memorials the following passage is quoted from Ainsworth’s answer to Crashaw: “Witness the late practice in Norwich, where certain citizens were excommunicated for resorting unto and praying with Mr. Robinson, a man worthily reverenced of all the city for the grace of God in him, as yourself also will acknowledge.” He is afterward spoken of by Ephraim Pagitt as “one Master Robinson, who, leaving Norwich malcontent, became a rigid Brownist.” Robinson himself said “that light broke in upon him by degrees, that he hesitated to outrun those of his Puritan brethren who could still reconcile themselves to remain in the Establishment,” but that continual persecution drove him to the extremes of separation. His high character was well attested by Baillie, one of the opponents of Separatism, who calls him in his writings “the most learned, polished, and modest spirit that ever that sect enjoyed.”