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Parsons (FATHER ROBERT the Hall Oxford)

FATHER ROBERT, the Hall, Oxford, and after two years to Balliol College, where he took his deg of bachelor and master, and became a fellow and tutor. Here he twice took the oath abjuring the papal supremacy, but he never received orders in the Eng-ference on the next Succession to the lish Church. His enemies in college Crown," written with the assistance of brought charges against him which led forced retirement from Oxford in but he never received orders in the Engference on the next Succession to the Crown," written with the assistance of Allen and Sir Francis Englefield in fasists on the right of the people to set PARSONS aside, on religious grounds, the natural heir to the throne; and advocates principles which afterward obtained for him the title of the first English Whig. Parliament made it treason to possess a copy of the book, which was reprinted in the interests of Cromwell in 1648.

It was again reprinted in 1681, and publicly burned at Oxford in 1683. Another curious work by Parsons, was his "Memorial for the Reformation," in which he lays down rules for the guidance of the government, in the expected event of England's subjection to the Pope. His " "Apology" for the government of the archpriest (1601) is his torically interesting, while his "Manifestation of the Great Folly and Bad Spirit of Certain in England Calling Themselves Secular Priests," a passionate attack upon the conduct and morals of his clerical brethren, exhibits him on his weakest side. He died in Rome, as rector of the English college, April 15, 1610.