HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. [249 



he entered upon the office of Chancellor of Cambridge. He per- 

 formed all the regular exercises for his degree with distinguished 

 approbation, supplied the place of Professor of Divinity, at an 

 act which was kept for a doctor's degree in that professorship, and 

 was exemplary for the diligence and fidelity with which he dis- 

 charged his duty as Viee-Chancellor. He was now engaged with 

 other learned professors in completing the celebrated Polyglot 

 Bible, and was patronized by Oliver Cromwell, then Lord Protector. 

 Dr. Lightfoot expressed his satisfaction at this high patronage, in 

 his speech delivered at the commencement of the work, and at the 

 same time manfully expressed his commiseration for the oppressed 

 clergy of the Church of England, and extolled their learning, 

 zeal, and confidence in God. 



On the restoration of Charles the Second, Dr. Lightfoot offered 

 to resign the mastership of Catherine Hall to Dr. Spurstow, who 

 declined it. Another person would have been preferred by the 

 Crown, in which the right of presentation lay, but as Dr. Light- 

 foot's compliance with the measures of the Republican government 

 had arisen rather from necessity than choice, Gilbert Shelden, 

 Archbishop of Canterbury, procured him a confirmation both of 

 his place and of his living. This attention on the part of the 

 Archbishop arose entirely from his respect for the high character 

 of Dr. Lightfoot for learning, abilities, and virtue, for he was not 

 personally acquainted with him ; and this circumstance was 

 equally honourable to both parties, as it proved the liberality of 

 the one and the merit of the other. 



After the Restoration, Dr. Lightfoot was appointed one of the as- 

 sistants at the Conference upon the Liturgy which was held in the 

 beginning of 1661, but he attended only once or twice, being more 

 intent upon the completion of his " Harmony/' and his attention to 

 his parishioners at Munden, among whom he lived in a hospitable 

 and charitable manner, much beloved and respected. So great was 

 his attachment to his flock, and his love of retirement, that he sel- 

 dom left his rectory, except to perform the requisite residence at 

 Cambridge and Ely. During his absence he frequently said "he 

 longed to be with his russet coats." 



Dr. Lightfoot was of a strong healthy constitution, and remark- 

 ably temperate ; which enabled him to pursue his studies with un- 

 abated vigour and attention to the end of his life. He continued to 

 publish, though in a letter to Buxtorf he declares "that he could 

 scarce find any bookseller in England who would venture to print 



