His reply was, "Sir, I could not do it." The master applauded the youth for his honesty, but expressed his sorrow at the loss of his election. The disappointment was cheerfully borne. He subsequently entered at Cambridge, but was cut off by an early death in the year 1714-15.[1]
After Hickes's death, Collier was, undoubtedly, the most able man of the party, and continued to be their leader, until the body separated into two sections, in consequence of the controversy respecting the Usages. Collier was prepared to uphold the separation at all hazards: consequently in the year 1716, Henry Gandy and Thomas Brett were consecrated to the episcopal office by Collier, Spinkes, and Hawes.
Gandy was the author of several works in this controversy, and appears to have been as strenuous in his views as any one of the party. But the circumstances connected with Brett are very remarkable. He was ordained in the year 1690, at which time he entertained some scruples respecting the Oaths. He saw that the Tories, who had sworn allegiance to King James, took the Oath to William and Mary. He had never taken an Oath to James, and therefore he was not hampered by any preceding engagements. On becoming acquainted soon after with Gery, he imbibed that gentleman's views. The pupil, however, proceeded much farther than the instructor: for the latter died Vicar of Islington in 1707, while the former became a Nonjuror.[2] After taking the Oath
