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

CHAP. XII. His removal to Maidstone.

His last remove was to Maidstone, the Shire-Town of Kent, for who so fit for so populous a place (where there is but one English Church) as one of such vast parts exemplary Holiness and strong constitution of body. As soon as the way was opened to his induction into Maidstone, (through the ejection of the old Incumbent, by the Committee of Plundered Ministers) his old Hearers there, whose hearts were close knit to him, longed for his settlement among them. But the Parliament ordering that Plundered Ministers should first be provided for, where any Livings were vacant, they could not at present obtain their desire: For one Master Smith, an able holy man, of the number of the foresaid Ministers, was by the Committee of Plundered Ministers sent down to Maidstone. Mr. Smith had not been long in Maidstone, but a rumour was spread, that eminent persons should be removed to great Towns and Cities, that they might be capable of doing the more good, and that Mr. Wilson should be removed from Otham, to some considerable place. At which news the people of ⟨p. 24⟩Maidstone were much startled, fearing they should lose their beloved Pastor. To prevent which, they apply themselves to Mr. Smith, desiring him to accept of some other Living, that Maidstone might be free for Mr. Wilson. Mr. Smith considering the vehement desires of the good people after Mr. Wilson, yielded to refer the business to six judicious Ministers of the Assembly, whereof three to be chosen by himself, and three by the Christians of Maidstone. The Ministers met accordingly, and having heard what could be said on both sides, and weigh the matter throughly, gave their advice that it would be best for Mr. Smith to resign the place to Mr. Wilson, which also he did, and having a considerable place, some six or seven miles from Maidstone provided for him, viz. Harrison, he took his own time to remove thither. Thus at last by the good hand of God, Mr. Wilson and the people of Maidstone (who brought him first into Kent) who were long before joined together in heart, were joined together in Habitation, amongst whom he continued with much love and faithfulness, till God called him out of this World.