My forefathers, their history from records & traditions - Tracey/Tracy ...

BRADHURST, BROADHURST, de BRADEHURST 7
as a Sower of Sedition. When this savage sentence was passed on
him, the cruel Laud exhibited signs of the most indecent joy, and
publicly gave God thanks for it. Excepting the imprisonment for
life and the fine, the sentence was put into execution to the full
extent. He was released by the Long Parliament after an imprison-
ment of ten years. His confinement and cruel usage had so impaired
his health, that when he was released he had scarcely the power of
walking or seeing or hearing. As a sort of remuneration for his
troubles the parliament appointed him keeper of Lambeth Palace, at
that time converted into a prison. He died in 1644, insane.'" His
son Robert Leighton (brother of Mrs. Lightmaker, of Broadhurst),
was educated in Scotland, and distinguished himself above his con-
temporaries. After his academical studies he went abroad for im-
provement, and spent some years in France. On his return he
obtained Presbyterian ordination, and was chosen to a congregation
at Newbottle, near Edinburgh. Soon after this he conceived a dislike
to the Presbyterian form and manner of church discipline, and retired.
His main object was to teach the principles and duties of religion and
morality, urging his flock not to trouble themselves with religious and
political disputes. In the year 1648 he declared himself for the king,
for whom he would have exposed himself to much trouble, had not
the Earl of Lothian, who lived in his parish, proved his friend, and
prevailed with those in power not to molest him. Again he withdrew
into retirement, but shortly after was chosen Principal of the College
of Edinburgh, the duties of which office he performed with great
reputation during ten years. Upon the Restoration, when it was
determined to establish Episcopacy in Scotland, Leighton was fixed
on as a proper person for the mitre, and was consecrated, with other
bishops, at Westminster. He now vainly endeavoured to promote a
plan for uniting the Presbyterians and Episcopalians. When he
found that the government was determined to enforce conformity on
the Presbyterians by the most rigorous measures, he laboured with
all zeal to show the impolicy of such proceedings. He remonstrated
with the king respecting the arbitrary proceedings of the Ecclesiastical
High Commission Court, of which his father had been so signal a
' Toulmin's NeaWs History, Vol. II.