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preferment, and bring him into the ministry of the Gos pel; a profession which he had before not a little despised.

In 1609, that this, five years after his first admission into the university, and the twenty-second of his age; on account of his extraordinary learning and parts, he was patronized by the bishop of Ely, and admitted fellow of his own college. He was a good logician and able dispu tant, and had a principal part allotted him in the disputations at the commencement before James I. The king was so well pleased, and particularly with Preston, that he resolved soon to pay Cambridge a second visit, which proved an opening at court for Preston, if he had now been willing; and many great people put him in mind of it, and promised him their assistance. Sir Fulke Greville, afterwards lord Brook, was so much pleased with him, that, after other demonstrations of regard, he settled fifty pounds a year upon him, and was his friend while he lived. Preston's conduct, in not eagerly improving this opportunity of the royal favour, became matter of speculation. He was naturally reserved, so that few knew what a change Mr. Cotton's sermon had wrought, respecting his views in life: some attributed it to his modesty, some to a degree of melancholy, and others to the attention and delight he took in his pupils, who now began to come from all parts; but certain politicians were persuaded, that it was from some inclination to Puritanism (a name not favourable to the views of courtinterest); for "it could not be said they) that he should let so fair an opportunity slip, if he had not something else in view," Mr. Preston had indeed the King of kings in view, and his glory; and having found the treasure in the field of the Gospel, he wisely sold all things that stood in competition with its purchase. He preferred spiritual, heavenly, and eternal riches and honour, to all that the world calls great and good. This act of crucifixion to the world was interpreted much in his favour by good men; and he was further confirmed in their good opinion, from a circumstance, that happened upon the king's second visit to Cambridge. It was proposed to entertain his majesty with a comedy; and one of Mr. Preston's pupils was nominated to support a female character, being a fair modest young gentleman; and

leave was requested of Mr. Preston for that purpose. But he answered, "I do not like the motion; I cannot "believe his friends intended he should be a player, and "therefore I beg to be excused." This instance of care and fidelity to his pupil, raised his reputation to such a pitch, that he was thought the fittest tutor in the uni versity; and many great men had an eye to him for their sons and relations.

There is an observation, which was true in Mr. Preston, that there is usually no moderation in men of great parts. In his youth he would not sleep soundly, but laid the bed-clothes upon him in such a manner that they should fall off, that the cold might wake him; but now, through the many labours public and private, the many hours allotted for study, and the great attention he paid to the youth committed to his care, he could not sleep; but, about midnight, he still awoke and slept no more, He applied to Dr. Butler, of Clare Hall, the oracle in physic, who, after asking him some questions, advised him to smoke tobacco. Mr. Preston, supposing him to be in jest, took no notice of his prescription; till his want of rest, which continued, incapacitated him for study and labour; he then waited on the doctor again, who still urged the smoking of tobacco. Mr. Preston, perceiving the doctor to be serious in his advice, immediately began to smoke, and soon found, that the hot fume of the tobacco drew away those crudities from the mouth of the stomach, that hindered concoction of his meat the removal of these obstructions occasioned sleep, and so restored him to rest and strength.

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Mr. Preston, having taken orders, and become a cele. brated preacher, came in course to be dean and catechist, which he resolved to improve by going through a body of divinity, with the view of being a guide to the scholars in their study of that science, He was unwilling they should study, as he had done, the schoolmen first, and then the modern writers; but first, that they should read systems in divinity, and settle their opinions and judgements, and then read the fathers, schoolmen, and the like. He had not proceeded far in his lectures, before some towns people, passing by, stepped in, and, reporting the nature and manner of his lecturing, many of the towns people attended, and also several scholars from VOL. III.-No. 75.

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other colleges; so that the outward chapel would be often full, before the fellows came. There had indeed been other deans and catechists before Mr. Preston, but no such crowding: therefore some, moved with envy, complained to the vice-chancellor, that at this unusual kind of chatechising not only scholars and townsmen mingled, but other colleges also intruded; so that the fellows could not get through the crowd, into the chapel to their places;-that it was not safe for any man to be thus adorned, unless they had a mind to cry up Puritanism, which would soon pull them down; and that the crosierstaff would not support them, if such assemblies were en⚫ couraged. In consequence of this complaint, an order was agreed on in the consistory, and sent to the college, that the scholars and towusinen, should be confined to their own preachers, and not be suffered, on any pretence whatever, to attend these lectures, that were proper only to the members of the college. The like complaint has been urged at other times, whenever the gospel of the kingdom had been faithfully and experimentally preached, not for hire, or for the emoluments resulting from the pockets of the people, but for their spiritual edification and salvation.

About this time the lecture of Trinity Church, and the sermons at St. Andrews were put down, and the scholars confined to St. Mary's, which put Mr. Preston upon lecturing to his pupils on the Lord's day evening; but the scholars of other colleges, and those townsmen that had heard his other lectures, solicited him to preach in a place where they also could attend. St. Botolph's Church belongs to Queen's College, and is usually supplied by one of that house; and as Mr. Preston had lately been instru mental in the election of Dr. Davenant, afterwards bishop of Salisbury, to the headship of Queen's, Mr. Preston was allowed to lecture in that church. But there lived in that parish a Dr. Newcomb, a civilian, who had enticed to his house, with a view to marry his daughter, a pupil of Mr. Preston, Sir Capel Bedel, a young gentleman of large estate in Huntingdonshire. Sir Capel Bedel's parents were dead, and old Sir Arthur Capel was his guardian, and he had placed him, as he had done his own sons before, under the care and tutorage of Mr. Preston, who ever watched the conduct of his pupils very narrowly,

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and no sooner discovered what was going on between Sir. Capel and Newcomb's daughter, than he acquainted Sir Arthur with it, and contrived to get Sir Capel to his grandfather's house at Audley End. Sir Arthur thanked Mr. Preston for his fidelity, and told young Sir Capel, that he was now come to a proper age to travel, which was absolutely necessary before he settled.

Dr. Newcomb, thus disapointed, was glad to find an opportunity to be revenged on Mr. Preston; and this he found not only as a parishioner, but also as being commissary to the chancellor of Ely. He therefore went to church and ordered that prayer only should be read, but no sermon; the minister intreated for that time that Mr. Preston might be allowed to preach, as did the earl of Lincoln and several others in the church; but the chancellor was resolute; and, because he would not be further importuned, he went home with his family, and left them to determine at their peril what they should do. Mr. Pres1on was advised to preach, which he did from 2 Pet. iii, 17, 18. But so much time had been spent in sending messages to the commissary, before he left the congregation, that Mr. Preston was obliged to omit reading prayers before sermon, that the scholars might get home to their college prayers. This Dr. Newcomb made matter of fur: ther complaint; and as the court was at Newmarket, he went thither the next day, and complained to the bishop of Ely and several of the clergy; assuring them, that Mr, Preston was in heart, and would soon be in practice a Nonconformist, and was so followed and adored in the university, that, unless some speedy course be taken with him, they might cast their caps at all conformity, and see their power trod under foot; and added, that gentleness was not the way, for he was cunning, and would recover all, if he were not seriously and thoroughly dealt with.

There was no advocate for Mr. Preston; but the doctor, being first in his own cause, seemed just. The Puritans began to be considerable, and from Newcomb's complaint, they were afraid Mr. Preston might become their leader. The king being at Newmarket, the commissary told his tale to his majesty, who, upon inquiry, finding that the bishop and chancellor's jurisdiction extended to the members of colleges, ordered that Mr. Preston should be proceeded against by them. Accordingly, a letter was sent 4 F 2

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to Dr. Scot the vice-chancellor, to summon Mr. Preston before himself and the heads of houses, to answer for his notorious disobedience to the commissary. Mr. Preston made his defence with great meekness and modesty, saying, he was not guilty, and wished to refer them to his auditory to prove, that, because so much time had been taken up in treating with the commissary, he had omitted reading prayers purposely, that he might dismiss the congregation in time for the scholars to be present at their own college prayers, and not out of any disrespect to the service, which he usually attended at other times. They told him, they were engaged to support, by all just means, the bi shop's jurisdiction, that the king had honoured him in leav ing that offence to be examined by his proper judges, and that except he could take off the court, they must and would proceed to a very round and serious censure.

Mr. Preston was not altogether a stranger at the court: however, now there was no remedy. When he came to Newmarket, he found that bishop Andrews, then bishop of Ely, was chief, and that his jurisdiction in the commissary, was that which was pretended to be affronted, and therefore applied himself to him, and told him that he did not purpose to offend, but being engaged to preach at that time, could not with honour disapoint the auditory; if he suspected him for any thing, he desired he would examine him, and satisfy himself. The bishop told him, the king was informed he was an enemy to all forms of prayer, and held no prayer lawful but conceived; and therefore being popular, his judgement and opinion might be hurtful. Mr. Preston answered that it was a slander; for he thought set forms lawful, and refused not on all occasions to be present at the college prayers, and, when it was his turn, to read them. The bishop answered, that he was glad, and would inform the king, and do him all the good he could, and bade him wait awhile, and then repair again to him for satisfaction in it; and so time passed on, and there was nothing done. At length, however, an order was drawn, and sent to the vice-chancellor, that Mr. Preston should in Botolph's Church declare his judgement, concerning forms of prayer, on such a Sunday, or else they should immediately proceed against him, according to their first instructions. Mr. Preston was glad there was a way found out for him to escape, though sensible of the hard hand that

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