Page:History of the Nonjurors.djvu/243

Rh Ken's resignation, which led to the publication of Dodwell's Case In Fact, and to the return of several of the Nonjurors to the National Church. In a short time the pious Bishop himself was removed from time to eternity, dying in March 1710, or 1711, according to our present reckoning. Even Ken was exposed to the attacks of envy and malice. Among other charges, it was alleged, that he had united with the other Lords in inviting the Prince of Orange to come into England. How such a charge could have been advanced, it is difficult to imagine, Compton being the only Bishop who signed that document. The summer and autumn of 1710 were spent by the Bishop, at the Hot Wells, Bristol: and he expired at Longleat on the 19th of March. For many years he had travelled with his shroud in his Portmanteau, remarking that it might be wanted as soon "as any other of his habiliments." The shroud was actually put on by himself some days before his death, in order that his body might not be stripped. "He was buried at Frome Selwood, it being the nearest parish within his own diocese to the place where he died, as by his own request, in the churchyard, under the east window of the chancel, just at sun-rising, without any manner of pomp or ceremony, besides that of the Order for burial in the Liturgy of the Church of England; on the 21st day of March 1710, anno ætat. 73." The following extract from his Will is very characteristic of the man. "As for my