Various reasons were assigned by his enemies for this singular choice of abode.

They affirmed--and with some reason--that he selected it because he desired to elude observation,--and that his mode of life, sufficiently improper in a layman, was altogether indecorous in an ecclesiastic.

By the common people he was universally regarded as a conjuror--and many at first came to consult him; but he peremptorily dismissed all such applicants; and, when seven females, supposed to be possessed, were brought to him that he might exercise his power over the evil spirits, he refused to interfere.

He also publicly examined and rebuked a juggler, named Hartley, who pretended to magical knowledge.

But these things did not blind his enemies, who continued to harass him to such a degree, that he addressed a petition to James the First, entreating to be brought to trial, when the accusations preferred against him might be fully investigated, and his character cleared.