318 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. terian church erected at Wandsworth in Surrey.* About two years after this, he was accused of being concerned in Undertree's sham plot ; and with Mr. Bonham, another puritanminister, was cast into prison : but upon their ex- amination, being found innocent, they were both acquitted, and released by order of the council.+ Mr. Standen and Mr. Bonham were convened before the high commission for nonconformity, and committed to prison, where they remained a long time. After having endured a shameful confinement, together with the sickness of the prison, they were released by order of the queen, as will appear more at large in anotherplace.# Mr. Standen, with other nonconformable ministers, wrote an answer to this question, 64 Whether the ministers, for certain ceremonies laid upon them under pretence of policy only, may forsake their ministry ?" Upon this question,he gives his opinion with great freedom, particularly against the use of the cross in baptism. He proves with great clearness, that the use of the cross in that ordinance, is wholly founded in superstition ; that it can answer no good purpose whatever, but oftentimes a bad one; and conse- quently, that it ought to be laid aside.l This divine being always anxious to obtain better regulations in the church, unitedwith his brethren about the year 1586, in subscribing the Book of Discipline."0 JOHN FIELD, A. M.-This excellent divine was a great sufferer in the cause of nonconformity. There having been several persons of the same name, has rendered it rather difficult to distinguish them ; yet this Mr. John Field appears to have been fellow of Lincoln college, Oxford. Wood intimates, that he was afterwards a famous preacher at St. Giles, Cripplegate, London ; but this is rather doubtful... It is certain, however, that he was the excellent minister of Aldermary church, in the city. The puritans having in vain sought for a furtherreforma- tion from the queen and the bishops, resolved in future to apply to the parliament, and stand by the constitution. Accordingly, they made all the interest in their power among the members, and compiled a treatise, setting forth * Fuller's Church Hist. b. ix. p.102. Strype's Parker, p. 466. See Art. Bonham. § MS. Chronology,vol. ii. p. 373, (8.)-Parte of a Register, p. 409. 0 Neal's Puritans, vol, i. p. 423. ** Athena Oxon, vol. 1. p. 188.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=