Early career Samuel Fisher (died 1681)

thomas morton, painted simon luttichuys in 1637.

the clergy of church of england database (cced) has record of samuel fisher s ordination priest @ eccleshall thomas morton, bishop of lichfield, on 18 december 1630. 5 years, 1630-5, between fisher s ordination , appointment rector @ upton magna, largely unaccounted for. rigg s account in dictionary of national biography implies worked @ st bride s church in london before coming shropshire: untrue, known have worked there in 1650s. fisher s ordination thomas morton seems connect him outset of career west midlands , preaching @ shrewsbury in 1633 shows moderately known preacher in region before presentation rectory. however, not known how or where, or if, had ecclesiastical living during period.

despite mystery activities in period, fisher did make significant public impact on friday 20 september 1633, when preached sermon in shrewsbury. previous week had seen canonical visitation bishop robert wright, had been used enforce , propagate high church ideas , practices. had provided support peter studley, divisive curate or incumbent of st chad s church, shrewsbury, hosted bishop preacher in church on 8 september, speaking on obedience king religious duty. bishop dined studley, concluded matters week later publicly reading out list of injunctions on church fittings , decorations. fisher s sermon intended counter-blast laudian triumphalism. attacked enforced conformity laudian norms, considered threat free passage of out blessed gospel , potentially path restoration of popery. spoke in st mary s church, shrewsbury, in gift of town s corporation , provide platform guest preacher: puritan incumbent @ time, had secured services of fisher, james betton. possibility invitation puritan julines herring, appointed town s public preacher @ st alkmund s church in 1618 parishioner of st mary s.