for a son, who would not own the church of England for his mother." After travelling up and down the country, preaching against the laws and ceremonies of the church, he went to reside at Northampton. Here his preaching soon gave offence, and he was cited before Bishop Lindsell of Peterborough, who, upon his refusing to appear, publicly excommunicated him for contempt. The solemnity of this censure made such an impression upon Brown, that he renounced his principles of separation, and having obtained absolution, he was, about the year 1592, preferred to the rectory of Achurch, near Oundle in Northamptonshire.+ Upon his promise of a general compliance with the church of England, improved by the countenance of his patron and kinsman, the Earl of Exeter prevailed upon the archbishop to procure him this favour. Mr. Brown having obtained a settled and permanent abode, allowed a salary for another person to discharge his cure; and though, according to our author, he opposed his parishioners in judgment, yet agreed in taking their tithes. He was a person of good parts and some learning, but his temper was imperious and uncontrollable; and so far was he from the sabbatarian strictness espoused by his followers, that he seemed rather a libertine than otherwise. "In a word," continues our historian," he had a wife with whom he never lived, a church in which he never preached, and as all the other scenes of his life were stormy and turbulent, so was his end." For being poor and proud, and very passionate, he struck the constable of his parish for demanding the payment of certain rates; and being beloved by nobody, the officer summoned him before Sir Rowland St. John, a neighbouring justice, in whose presence he behaved with so much insolence, that he was committed to Northampton gaol. The decrepid old man not being able to walk, was carried thither upon a feather bed in a cart; where, not long after, he sickened and died, in 1630, aged upwards of eighty years, boasting, "that he had been committed to thirty-two prisons, in some of which he could not see his hand at noon day." Such was the unhappy life and tragical end of Robert Brown, founder of the famous sect, from him called BROWNISTS. He lived in a little thatched house at Thorp Waterville, which was still subsisting in the year 1791, and Fuller's Church Hist. b. ix. p. 167. + Collier's Eccl. Hist. vol. ii. p. 582. Fuller's Church Hist. b. ix. p. 168, 169. Though inhabited by a tenant of the Earl of Exeter. Fuller does not believe that he ever formally recanted his opinions, several of our historians assert that he conformed, and became an obedient son of the church of England, to which he appears to have been tempted by the above valuable benefice.+ If he conformed to the national church, he does not properly belong to the list of puritans, though it was requisite to give some account of him. His WORKS, in addition to the article already mentioned.-1. A Treatise upon the twenty-third chapter of St. Matthew, both for an order of studying and handling the Scriptures, and also for avoiding the Popish disorders, and ungodly communion of all false Christians, and especially of wicked preachers and hirelings.-2. A Book which sheweth the life and manner of all true Christians, and how unlike they are unto Turks, and Papists, and Heathen folk. Also the points and parts of all Divinity, that is, of the revealed will and word of God, are declared by their several definitions and divisions following. FRANCIS HIGGINSON, A. M.—This excellent minister was born in the year 1587, and educated in Emanuel college, Cambridge, and afterwards became pastor of one of the churches in Leicester. His preaching was truly evangelical, and multitudes from all quarters flocked to hear him. The great object of his ministry was to produce that change of heart, and holy rectitude of conduct, without which no man can see the Lord. The effect, through a divine blessing, was such as might be expected. A remarkable revival of religion was the reward of his labours, and many were effectually turned from sin to holiness; but, in the midst of his usefulness, he was deprived on account of his nonconformity. For some years after his settlement at Leicester, he continued a strict conformist; but, upon his acquaintance with Mr. Hildersham and Mr. Hooker, he was induced to study the controversy about ecclesiastical matters. He searched the scriptures, together with the earliest antiquity; and as he searched, the more he became dissatisfied with the inventions of men introduced into the worship of God. From his own impartial examination, therefore, and the clear evidence of truth, he became a decided and conscientious nonconformist. At this time the weight of his influence burst forth; and the Bridges's Hist. of Northamptonshire, vol. i. p. 366. + Fuller's Church Hist. b. ix. p. 168.-Collier's Eccl. Hist. vol. ii. p. 582. VOL. II. 2 B arm of ecclesiastical power could not obscure the lustre of his talents. Such were the pathos and enchanting eloquence of his ministry, that the people could not be denied the benefit of his instructions. "He was unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument.” The people obtained liberty for him to preach a lecture on one part of the sabbath, and on the other to aid an aged minister, who stood in need of assistance. They supported him by their own voluntary subscription; and such was his reputation, that, while it was safe, all the conformist ministers in the town invited him into their pulpits. He also preached to another congregation in the church at Belgrave, a village near Leicester. His labours and usefulness were thus expanded. This, indeed, was through the connivance of the generous and worthy Bishop Williams of Lincoln; and continued till Laud became bishop of London, when he determined to extirpate all nonconformists. As it often happens in other cases, so it did in this; while one part of the community was delighted and encouraged in the practice of religion, another part, feeling themselves rebuked and condemned by his preaching, became more violent opposers, and more cruel persecutors. Mr. Higginson openly avowed his opinion, that ignorant and immoral people ought not to be admitted to the Lord's table. Accordingly, having preached a sermon from this text, "Give not that which is holy to dogs;" and being about to administer the sacrament, he saw a known swearer and drunkard before him, to whom he publicly said, "he was not willing to give the Lord's supper to him, until he professed his repentance to the satisfaction of the brethren, and desired him to withdraw." The man went out in a rage against Mr. Higginson, and, with horror in his conscience, was immediately taken sick, and soon after expired, crying out, "I am damned." Another profane person being offended with his wife for attending upon Mr. Higginson's This very learned and religious prelate was a constant friend to the persecuted puritans, many of whom, as will appear from the present work, he protected from the intolerant proceedings of the ecclesiastical courts. We have given a particular account in the introduction, of the barbarous persecution he endured from Archbishop Laud and his associates. He was greatly admired for his deep penetration, solid judgment, and his wonderful memory, which was deemed almost a miracle. His parts were very extraordinary; and his constitution still more extraordinary than his parts; for, notwithstanding his hard study, and a multiplicity of business, he never required more than three hours sleep.-Le Neve's Lives, vol. i. part ii. p. 154.-Granger's Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 355. ministry, vowed revenge against him. Accordingly, he resolved on a journey to London, to complain against him in the high commission court. All things being ready for his journey, as he was mounting his horse, he was seized with insupportable pain of body, and most dreadful horrors of conscience; and being conducted into the house, died in a few hours. During Mr. Higginson's abode at Leicester, a clergyman lived in the town who was a doctor in divinity, a prebendary in a cathedral, and chaplain to his majesty; but very seldom preached. Indeed, when he did preach, he discovered so much ostentation, that the people mostly attended upon Mr. Higginson's edifying preaching, rather than his affected and empty harangues. This greatly displeased the doctor, who embraced every opportunity of expressing his resentment and indignation against Mr. Higginson; and declared he would certainly drive him out of the town. This doctor was nominated by the sheriff to preach the assize sermon, and had three months notice to make preparation. During the whole of this period, he was, however, unable to provide a sermon to his own satisfaction. About a fortnight before the time was expired, he expressed his fears of ever being provided; when his friends urged him to attempt it again; and sig nified, that, if there was no other alternative, Mr. Higginson, being always ready, might be procured. The doctor, being exceedingly averse to the last proposal, studied with all his might to prepare an agreeable sermon, but without success. So the very night preceding the assize, he got a friend to prevail upon Mr. Higginson to supply his place; which he did, to the great satisfaction of the audience. Afterwards, when all the circumstances were known, and become the common topic of conversation, the doctor was so mortified and confounded, that he left the town, declaring he would never come into it any more. While Mr. Higginson, therefore, continued highly respected in the place, the learned doctor was driven out.+ Mr. Higginson was afterwards chosen by the mayor and aldermen to be the town-preacher. He thanked them for the honour which they conferred upon him; but, because he could not with a good conscience conform, he declined the offer, recommending to them Mr. John Angel, then a Mather's Hist. of New Eng. b. iii. p. 71, 72. + Ibid. p. 72, 73. conformist, but a good man, whom they accepted. Indeed, several rich livings were offered him; but, as his nonconformity was growing upon him, he modestly refused them all. He could never sacrifice truth and a good conscience to obtain any worldly emolument whatever. Mr. Higginson was very useful in the education of young men, many of whom afterwards became famous in their day. Among these were Dr. Seaman, Dr. Brian, and the excellent Mr. John Howe, all noted for their learning, moderation, and nonconformity. At length, however, when Laud was translated to London, complaints were exhibited against him in the high commission court, and he was in continual expectation of being dragged away by pursuivants, when perpetual imprisonment was the least he expected. A number of respectable and wealthy merchants, having obtained a charter of King Charles I., and being incorporated by the name of the governor and company of Massachu setts' Bay, in New England, determined, in the year 1629, to send over some ships to begin the plantation. They, having heard of Mr. Higginson's situation, sent two messengers to invite him to join their company, engaging to support him on the passage. These messengers, understanding that Mr. Higginson was in daily expectation of officers to carry him to London, determined to have a little sport. Accordingly, they went boldly to his door, and with loud knocks, cried, "Where is Mr. Higginson? We must speak with Mr. Higginson." His affrighted wife ran to his chamber, entreating him to conceal himself. "No," said he, "I will go down and speak to them, and the will of the Lord be done." As they entered his hall with an assumed boldness, and roughness of address, they presented him with some papers, saying, "Sir, we come from London: our business is to carry you up to London, as you may see by these papers.""I thought so," exclaimed Mrs. Higginson, and immediately began to weep. Upon a slight examination of the papers, Mr. Higginson found himself invited to Massachusetts by the governor and company of the intended colony; he welcomed his guests, had free conversation with them, and after taking proper time to ascertain the path of duty, resolved to cross the Atlantic. His farewell sermon was preached from Luke, xxi. 20, 21. "When ye see Jerusalem encompassed with armies, &c. then flee to the mountains." Before a vast assembly he declared his persuasion, that England would be chastised by war, and that Leicester would have more |