William Cole

William Cole, D.D.—This learned divine was most probably educated in Corpus Christi college, Oxford, where he took his doctor's degree. Upon the commencement of Queen Mary's bloody persecution, he fled from the storm, and retired to Frankfort. He was there involved

settlers being excluded from the privileges of the place, by the oificiousncss of Dr. Cox and his party, he retired, with several of his brethren, to Zurich.t He went afterwards to Geneva, where he was highly esteemed by his fellow-exiles. He united with the venerable Miles Covcrdalc and other learned divines, in publishing the Geneva translation of the Bible.t Upon his return from exile, he sat in the convocation of 1562, and subscribed the articles of religion.^ He was in high favour with Queen Elizabeth, who, on account

* Biog. Britan. vol. ii. p. 613, 619. Ldit. 1778. t Troubles at Frankeford, p. 13.

} Wood's Athena- Oxon. vol. i. p. 133.—See Art. Coverdnle. k Strype's Annals, vol, I. p. 329.

in the troubles

the English exiles; and the first of his great celebrity, preferred him, in 1568, to the presidentship of Corpus Christi college, Oxford,* in which office he continued at least thirty years. A divine of the same name, and very probably the same person, was cast into prison for nonconformity. Though it does not appear how long he remained under confinement; yet, upon the earnest intercession of friends, a letter from the court at Greenwich, dated April 4, 1574, was addressed to the Archbishop of Canterbury, signifying, that, in consideration of his great years, her majesty was willing for him to be released from his present confinement: but that he should remain within twenty or thirty miles of London, in some honest person's house, ns his lordship should think most convenient; and should obtain sureties, that he would not henceforth meddle, by teaching or otherwise, in matters of religion.t In the year 1599, he exchanged this preferment with Dr. John ltainolds, for the deanery of Lincoln; but died at an advanced age, in the year l6OO.f Mr. Strypc denominates him a sober and religious nonconformist; and observes, that being chosen chaplain to the Earl of Leicester or some other great courtier, he attended at court in his hat and short cloak, and endeavoured to overthrow all attempts to enjoin the clerical habits.^