§ 5. It happened that soon after this, the Famous Mr. John Cotton was fallen under such a Storm of Persecution for his Non Conformity, as made it necessary for him to propose and purpose a Removal out of the Land: Whereupon, Mr. Davenport, with several other Great and Good men, considering the Eminent Learning, Prudence, and Holiness of that Excellent Person, could be at no Rest, until they had by a Solemn Conference informed themselves of what might move him to such a Resolution. The Issue of the Conference was, that instead of their Dissuading him, from exposing himself to such Sufferings, as were now before him, he convinced them of the Truth in the Cause for which he Suffered and they became Satisfied both of the Evil in Sundry Matters of Worship and Order imposed upon them, and of the Duty, which lay upon them, in their places to endeavour the Reformation of things in the Church according to the Word of God. Mr. Davenports Inclination to Non Conformity from this time, felt under the Notice, and Anger of his Diocesan; who presently determined the Marks of his Vengeance for him: Of which being Seasonably and Sufficiently advertised, he convened the Principal Persons under his Pastoral Charge in Coleman-street, at a General Vestry, desiring them on this Occasion to declare, what they would advise; for, acknowledging the Right, which they had in him, as their Pastor, he would ⟨p. 7⟩not, by any Danger, be driven from any Service, which they should expect or demand at his hands; but he would Imitate the Example of Luther, who upon Letters from the Church of Written berg, from whence he had with-drawn for his Security, upon the Direction of the Duke of Saxony, returned unto the Courageous Exercise of his Ministry. Upon a Serious Deliberation, they Discharged his Conscientious Obligations, by Agreeing with him, that it would be best for him to Resign; but although he now Hoped for something of a Quiet Life, his Hope, was disappointed; for he was continually dogged by Raging, Busy Pursuivants, from whom he had no safety but by Retiring into Holland.
§ 5. It happened that soon after this, the Famous Mr. John Cotton was fallen under such a Storm of Persecution for his Non Conformity, as made it necessary for him to propose and purpose a Removal out of the Land: Whereupon, Mr. Davenport, with several other Great and Good men, considering the Eminent Learning, Prudence, and Holiness of that Excellent Person, could be at no Rest, until they had by a Solemn Conference inform'd themselves of what might move him to such a Resolution. The Issue of the Conference was, that instead of their Disswading him, from exposing himself to such Sufferings, as were now before him, he convinced them of the Truth in the Cause for which he Suffered and they became Satisfied both of the Evil in Sundry Matters of Worship and Order imposed upon them, and of the Duty, which lay upon them, in their places to endeavour the Reformation of things in the Church according to the Word of God. Mr. Davenports Inclination to Non Conformity from this time, felt under the Notice, and Anger of his Diocesan; who presently determined the Marks of his Vengeance for him: Of which being Seasonably and Sufficiently advertised, he convened the Principal Persons under his Pastoral Charge in Coleman-street, at a General Vestry, desiring them on this Occasion to declare, what they would advise; for, acknowledging the Right, which they had in him, as their Pastor, he would ⟨p. 7⟩not, by any Danger, be driven from any Service, which they should expect or demand at his hands; but he would Imitate the Exemple of Luther, who upon Letters from the Church of Written berg, from whence he had with-drawn for his Security, upon the Direction of the Duke of Saxony, returned unto the Couragious Exercise of his Ministry. Upon a Serious Deliberation, they Discharged his Conscentious Obligations, by Agreeing with him, that it would be best for him to Resign; but although he now Hoped for something of a Quiet Life, his Hope, was disappointed; for he was continually dogg'd by Raging, Busy Pursevants, from whom he had no safety but by Retiring into Holland.
