224 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. Bishop. Merbury, where have you been since your last enlargement ? Merbury. At Northampton. B. You were especially forbidden to go to that place. For there you did all the harm. M. I was not, neither in justicemay be inhibited from that place. Neither have I done harm there, but good. B. As you say, sir. M. Not so. I refer myself to the judgment of God's church at that place. B. The last time, you found more favour than you deserved, and more than you shall find hereafter; and yet you vaunted that you had rattled the Bishop of Peterbo- rough, and in like manner you would treat me. M. If your ears be open to every sycophant, you will have slanders enow : but for proof, bring forth mine accusers. For if bare words will serve your purpose, you may as well accuse me of high treason. B. Well, sir, what have you to say against my lord of Peterborough, or me ? M. Nothing ; but God save you both. B. Nothing ! Why, you were wont to bark much of dumb dogs. Are you now weary of it ? M. I came not to accuse, but to defend. Yet because you urge me for advantage, I say, that the bishops of London and Peterborough, and all the bishops in England, are guilty of the death of as many souls, as have perished by the ignorance of the ministers of their making, whom they knew to be unable. B. Whom such have I made ? M. I accuse you not particularly, because I know not your state. If you have, you must bear the condemnation. B. Thy proposition is false. If it were in Cambridge, it would be hissed out of the schools. M. Then you had need hire hissers. B. If I, finding one well qualified with learning, admit him, and he afterwards play the truant, and become igno- rant, and by his ignorance slay souls, am I guilty of their death ? M. This is another question. I distinguish and speak of them whichnever were able. B. Distinguish ! thou knowest not a distinction. What is a distinction ? M. It is the severing of things which appear to be the same.
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