The life and death of Mr. Tho. Wilson, minister of Maidstone, in the county…

CHAP. VI. His removal into Kent, with the occasion of it.

His next removal was from Tedington to Otham, within two or three miles of Maidstone in Kent. The occasion is this, there were many serious understanding Christians in Maidstone, much troubled and dejected at the deadness and dullness of that Ministry, under which they lived. Alas, the children asked bread, and their Spiritual Father (by Profession and Office) gave them stones, that their souls were ready to famish for want of food. Whereupon Mr. Robert Swinnoche an active Godly person, one of the Aldermen or Jurats of the Town, got the presentation of Otham, upon the death of the Incumbent, and consulted with his friends and Christian Neighbours, how he might procure an able Minister for that place, aiming herein not only at the benefit of that Parish, but also of the Christians at Maidstone, who might with a little trouble and travail reap the fruit of his ⟨p. 9⟩labours. In pursuance of this they repaired to London, where they heard of Mr. Wilson, to whom they presently take their journey, hear him Preach at Darking in Surrey to their great satisfaction. After Sermon they acquainted him with the cause of their coming, and the sad condition of the good people in those parts, where they lived and desired him to accept the presentation of Otham, He who was never hasty, especially in matters of such weight, asked the judgement of his Neighbour Ministers in the Country, and others of the City of London, who did concur and agree in this, that-in regard of the necessities of those that feared God about Maidstone, and the great opportunity he should enjoy there, of doing good to many souls he ought to embrace the Call. Upon the declaration of their opinion he was presented to Otham, where the Lord was pleased to prosper his Ministry, for the conversion and edification of many.

HIs next removal was from Tedington to Otham, within two or three miles of Maidstone in Kent. The occasion is this, there were many serious understanding Christians in Maidstone, much troubled and dejected at the deadness and dulness of that Ministry, under which they lived. Alas, the children asked bread, and their Spiritual Father (by Profession and Office) gave them stones, that their souls were ready to famish for want of food. Whereupon Mr. Robert Swinnoche an active Godly person, one of the Aldermen or Jurats of the Town, got the presentation of Otham, upon the death of the Incumbent, and consulted with his friends and Christian Neighbours, how he might procure an able Minister for that place, aiming herein not only at the benefit of that Parish, but also of the Christians at Maidstone, who might with a little trouble and travail reap the fruit of his