The life and death of that old disciple of Jesus Christ and eminent minister…

One morning came a Friend, and told me, a School-master on great Tower-hill dyed last night, and if I would come presently, I might probably get some of his Scholars, so I went and got three or four Scholars that day, and there I had a great School, and continued till I was chosen Master of Mary-Axe Free-School, whither I carried sixty Scholars from great Tower-hill, and within one year I had above seven-score Scholars, and sixteen Boarders, which Free-School and all the Benefits thereof, I left to go into the Parliaments Army, and preached freely to the common Soldiers, till I did perceive the Commanders sought their own things more than the Cause of God and his People, breaking their Vows and solemn Engagements. Whereupon I left the Army, and came to London again; shortly after the Committee for plundered Ministers sent their Warrant to the then Keeper in Ely-House to apprehend me, and bring me in safe Custody before them, who took me out of my House, carried me to Ely-House, and there kept me Prisoner several days, without any Bail, and at last carried me before the Committee: who asked me several Questions, to which I gave them sober and direct Answers. Among ⟨p. 21⟩others, the Chairman Mr. White asked me who gave me Authority to preach, I told him the Lord Jesus Christ; then he asked me, if I were a Minister; I answered, I was made a Priest by the Pre•ate of Peterborough, but I had Renounced •hat Ordination, and I did here again Renounce the same. They asked me by what Authority I preached in Bow-Church, I told them, after I had refused the desire of the then Churchwardens three times one day after another, their want of Supply and Earnestness prevailed with me, and I went •hither: They opened the Pulpit-door, and I went up, and preached upon Isa. 58. and gave them such an account of that Sermon (thirty Ministers of the Assembly of Divines, then so called, being present) that they could not gainsay, but bad me withdraw, and said nothing unto me, nor would my Jailer take any charge of me; for the Committee had called for him, and did chide him, and threaten to turn him out of his Place for keeping me Prisoner so many days. So I went away without any blame, or paying of any Fees. Not long •fter I was brought before the Committee of Examinations, being accused to them, that I occasioned great disturbance to Ministers