The best broadcloth from Blackwell Hall, and the best poultry from Leadenhall Market, were frequently left at his door.

His influence over his flock was immense.

Scarcely any member of a congregation of separatists entered into a partnership, married a daughter, put a son out as apprentice, or gave his vote at an election, without consulting his spiritual guide.

On all political and literary questions the minister was the oracle of his own circle.

It was popularly remarked, during many years, that an eminent dissenting minister had only to make his son an attorney or a physician; that the attorney was sure to have clients, and the physician to have patients.
While a waiting woman was generally considered as a help meet for a chaplain in holy orders of the Established Church, the widows and daughters of opulent citizens were supposed to belong in a peculiar manner to nonconformist pastors.