CHAPTER II.

KIFFIN'S RELIGIOUS CHANGES.

Studies the Nonconformist Controversy-Becomes a Dissenter-Exercises his gifts-Remarkable adventure with a Blacksmith-Imprisoned for preaching-Conduct of Judge Mallet-Singular preservation while in prison-Interview with Lord Brook-Delivered from prison by the impeachi ment of the Judge-Cured of a severe illness by Dr Trigg— • Generosity of the Doctor.

MR DAVENPORT, Mr Hooker, and several other ministers, leaving the kingdom about this time, because they could not conform, I was put upon the

examination of the reasons of their conduct. To this end, I furnished myself with all the books and manuscripts I could get. Upon perusing of which I found, comparing what I read with the Scriptures, that God was always very jealous of his worship, and had left many examples of his severity on. those who had added any thing thereto. Of this we are furnished with examples in the cases of Nadab and Abihu; and of Uzza, who was struck dead for touching the ark. Yet being myself very weak, and

finding many able ministers, that did conform, I applied myself for satisfaction to those I judged most able; but I found that instead of satisfying me, they rather despised my youthful years, shewing more passion than reason; although some years after, those very men, in the synod, condemned the same things, as unlawful, which they were offended with me for desiring satisfaction in.

Finding myself greatly disappointed of what I had hoped I might have received from them, I was the more provoked to beg earnestly of God to direct me; and searched more closely the Scriptures, wherein I received much satisfaction: being much helped by hearing Mr Glover, who went to New England, and Mr Burroughs, who, a while after, went to Holland.

Sometime after, I joined myself to an Independent congregation, with a resolution, as soon as it pleased God to open a way, to go to New England; being now arrived to the age of 22 years. But the providence of God prevented me, and soon after it pleased God to provide for me a suitable yoke-fellow, who was one with me in judgment, and joined to the same congregation.

It being then the heat of the Bishops' severities, we were forced to meet very early in the morning, and to continue together till night. At the desire of the church, I improved amongst them those small abilities God was pleased to give me; and although many times our meetings were disturbed, yet I was generally kept out of the hands of the persecutors. But meeting one Lord's day at a house on Towerhill, on coming out, several rude persons were about the door; and many stones were flung at me which did me no hurt-only one fell upon my eye, but without any great prejudice; so I escaped out of their hands. About a year after, I was sent for by a poor man, a smith, who lived in Nightingale Lane, who lay very sick. When I came to him he was wasted almost to skin and bones. He asked me if I knew him? I answered I did not. He replied that he knew me; for he was the man that disturbed our meeting at Tower-hill, and gathered the people together to stone me. At that time, he said, he was as strong a man, he thought, as most men were; but he went home from that place, and fell ill; and had wasted in his body to what I now saw him. He entreated me if I had any compassion for such a vile wretch, that I would pray with him, which accordingly I did;-but he died that

day. Looking at this as a remarkable providence, I think it not amiss to record it.

Not long after, the parliament began to sit; but before any difference arose between the king and them, being at a meeting in Southwark, I was taken and carried before some Justices of the Peace. The Assizes being next day I was bound to answer there. Judge Mallet sitting as judge, I was committed to the White Lyon prison. Here I remained a prisoner till the judge returned home from riding the circuit out of Kent. While I was there, by the malice of a prisoner, whose chamber was under mine, the prisoners in the common gaol were incensed against me, to do me a mischief; and as they themselves told me, to take away my life. Se* veral of them had been condemned, but had obtain ed a reprieve, and others were in prison for great robberies. Accordingly, on a Lord's-day, in the evening, several of them came up to my chamber, my door being open, and only myself, my wife, a maid servant and child in the room. One Jackson, a noted rogue, came before them, having a great truncheon in his hand. He asked me what company I had there? To whom I replied, that I had none but what he saw. Having upon my table some Spanish

tobacco, which a friend had left me; I asked him if he would accept of it. He, looking wistfully on me, and several others of his company being behind him in the room, took it and thanked me. I also asked him, if he and the rest would drink, which they did. Then this Jackson turned to them, and bid them go out of the room, and he bid me farewell and went away.

The man's chamber, who had set them on, being under mine, they, finding the door shut, endeavoured to break it open; which I hearing went down and asked them what they meant to do? Jackson told me, that he was the man that had engaged them to knock me on the head; but they would do his work for him, although they should be hanged the next day. But at last, through much entreaty, they were persuaded to desist. This was a signal providence of God to me, to preserve me from such bloody men.

But my neighbour that set them on, not effecting his end, had prepared a charge against me to deliver to Judge Mallet upon his return, which accordingly he did. In this charge he set forth, that several persons coming to my chamber, I had preach