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WILLIAM BREWSTER.

THE place of this gentleman's birth is unknown: the time of it was in 1560. He received his education at the university of Cambridge, where he became seriously impressed with the truth of the christian religion, which had its genuine influence upon his character through his whole life. After leaving the university, he entered into the service of Davison, a man of abilities and integrity, who was a courtier of Queen Elizabeth, and her ambassader in Holland and in Scotland. Davison esteemed him as a son, and conversed with him of religious and political subjects with the greatest familiarity; and on all occasions which required secrecy, Brewster was his confidential friend.

Courtier, s.; one who attends the courts of princes.Familiarity, s.; easy intercourse.

When the queen entered into a league with the United Provinces, in 1584, and received possession of several towns and forts as security for her expenses in defending their liberties, Davison, who negotiated the matter, entrusted Brewster with the keys of Flushing, one of those cautionary towns, and the states of Holland were so sensible of his merit as to present him with the ornament of a golden chain. He returned with the ambassader, to England, and continued in his service until Davison, having incurred the displeasure of his arbitrary mistress, was fined, imprisoned, and ruined. During these misfortunes, Brewster faithfully adhered to him, and gave him all the assistance of which he was capable. When he could no longer serve him, he retired to the north of England, where he was highly esteemed by those who were most exemplary in religion.

Negotiate, v. a. ; to have intercourse of business.— Cautionary, a.; given in security.-Incur, v. a. ; to become liable to a punishment or reprehension.—Arbitrary, a.; despotic, absolute.

Being possessed of a handsome fortune, and some influence, he made use of both in promoting the cause of religion, and procuring persons of good character to serve in the office of ministers to the parishes in his neighborhood.

He gradually became disgusted with the impositions of the prelatical party, and their severity towards persons of a moderate and peaceable disposition, and was led to inquire critically into the nature of ecclesiastical authority, and the constitution, forms and discipline of the Established Church. The result of his inquiry was, that he withdrew from its communion, and joined with others in instituting a separate church, of which the aged Mr. Clifton and the younger Mr. Robinson were appointed pastors. The newly formed society met on the sabbath at the house of Mr. Brewster, where they were entertained at his expense so long as they could continue to assemble without op

Prelatical, a.; belonging or relating to a prelate.

position. And when the oppression of the hierarchy under the authority of king James, the successor of Elizabeth, obliged them to seek shelter in a foreign land, Brewster was the most forward to assist in their removal. He was one of those who went on board a vessel in the night at Boston; and was the greatest sufferer, because he had the most property. When liberated from confinement, he first assisted the weak and poor of the society in their embarkation, and then followed them to Holland.

His family was large, his dependents numerous, and his education and modes of living unsuited to a mercantile or a mechanical life; and he could not practice agriculture in a commercial city. The hardships which he suffered in consequence of this removal were grievous and depressing; but when his finances were exhausted, he had resources in his learning and abilities. In

Hierarchy, s.; ecclesiastical establishment.-Mercantile, a.; trading, commercial.-Finance, s. ; income.

Leyden he instructed the youth of the city in the English language, by means of the Latin, which was common to both, and a grammar of his own construction. By the help of some friends he also set up a printing-office, and was instrumental of publishing several books against the hierarchy, which would not have been licensed in England.

His reputation was so high in the church of which he was a member, that they chose him a ruling elder; and confided in his wisdom, experience, and integrity, to assist in their temporal as well as ecclesiastical concerns, particularly their removal to America. With the minority of the church he came over, and suffered all the hardships attending their settlement in the wilderness. He partook with them in labor, hunger and watching; his bible and his arms were equally familiar to him; and he was always ready for any duty or suffering to which he was called.