STROUD. 299 is of age to defend himself. And as for the book, I think your lordship will not utterly condemn it. B. I confess there is something in it. godly. It is a very evil book that hath no good thing in it. But I say the book is wicked, and is the cause of error and dissention in the church. Catlin. Wilt thoucondemn the Book of Common. Prayer ? Is it antichristian ? S. For these five years, I have not served in any church ; but when I have attended, I have resorted to common prayer, which, if I had condemned it, I would not have done. Yet if I should allow of all things in our ministry, I should allow of those things which his lordship has denied. For lie said, in his sermonat Paul's cross, '4 that there were certain evils in our ministry." B. Indeed, I said there were. Yet ought they not to be removed by private, but by public authority. S. That is granted. But are those things to be removed ? B. Though they may be removed, they are such things as cannot offend the church ; and every true christian ought to bear with them until they be removed. S. I have borne with them, or 1 should not have resorted to the church, as I have done. B. Have you been a minister, and now given it up ? Every one laying his hand tothe plough, ought not to look back, without some special cause. S. About five or six years since, I was called before my ordinary, who told me I must subscribe, or lose my living, and be discharged from the ministry. Accordingly, I refusing to subscribe, he deprived me of my ministry. C. Wilt thou receive the communion according to the order prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer ? S. 1 have never refused to receive it according to the word of God ; and where I have resorted, I have received it more than six times in the year. Goodman. Name one church where thou hast received the communion. S. You seek to injure me. G. Nay ; we seek to save thee. S. I have refused to attend upon idle shepherds ; and, as you said they were dumb dogs, there can be no good received from them. Therefore, I beseech you to endeavour to get them removed. G. Why, every member of the church of Christ is a sinner.
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