148 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. worthy, religious persons, but great sufferers in the same cause. These proceedings against zealous protestants, of pious and sober lives, excited the compassion of all unpre- judiced beholders, and brought manyover to their interests. It was, indeed, a great grief to the prelates, to see persons White. I would speak a word, which I am sure will offend, and yet I must speak it. I heard the name of God taken in vain. If I had done it, it had been a greater offence than that which I stand here for. Gerard. White, White, youdo not behave yourself well. White. I pray your worship, spew me wherein, and I will beg your pardon andamend it. L. C. J. I may swear in a matter of charity. White. There is no such occasion now. Gerard. White, you do much misuse yourself. White. If I do, I am sorry for it. Ill. Requests. There is none here but pitieth thee. White. If it be so, I praise God for it. But because it is said, that at my last being before you, I denied the supremacy of my prince, I desire your honours and worships, with all that be present, to bear witness, that I acknowledge her majesty the chief governor, next under Christ, over all persons and causes within her dominions, and to this I will subscribe. I acknowledge the Book of Articles, and the Book of Common Prayer, as far as they agree with the word of God. I acknowledge the substance of the doctrine and sacraments of the church to be sound and sincere ; and so I do of rites and orders, as far as they agree with the word of God. Dean. Are not all things in the Articles and the Book of Common Prayer, taken out of the word of God ? White. Though they were ; yet being done by man, I may not give them the same warrant as the writings of the Holy Ghost. Dean. You will not then allow of sermons. White. We are commanded to search the scriptures, and to try the spirits; therefore, we most allow of sermons as they agree with the scriptures. L. C. J. Take him away. White. I wonld to the Lord Jesus, that my two years' imprisonment might be a means of having these matters fairly decided by the word of God, and the judgment of other reformed churches. L. C. J. You shall be committed, I warrant you. White. Pray, my lord, let me have justice. I am unjustly prosecuted. I desire a copy of my presentment. L. C. J. You shall have your head from your shoulders. Have him to the Gatehouse. White. I pray you to commit me to some prison in London, that I may be near my house. L. C. J. No, sir, you shall go thither. White. I have paid fines and fees in other prisons: send me not where I most pay them again. L. C. J. Yes, marry shall you. That is your glory. M. Requests. It will cost you twenty pounds, I warrant you, before you come out. White. God's will be done. The good man was then carried to the Gatehouse ; but bow long he remained in a state of confinement, we are not able to learn. These severe proceedings, insteadof crushing, greatly promoted the cause of puritanism. The sword of persecutionwas always found a bad argument to convince, fl/fn of understanding and conscience.4--/IIS. Register, p. 176- 111.
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