J. WILSON. 351 to make men swear to they know not what. You may ask site things which it is not lawful for me to make known. S. What are those things ? W. It is against the law of the land, that a man should be sworn to accuse himself. And by this oath, you may urge me to disclose the secret things of my heart, or the Secrets of my friends, both of which are unnatural and unlawful. Such dealing is intolerable and cruel. Let use see the articles ; and if I may lawfully answer them, I will do it upon my oath. S. Let him then see the articles. W. Setting aside all circumstantial questions, I will answer these articles upon my oath. S. Well, all other matters shall be set aside. W. I will make a true answer to these articles, so help me God.. S. I can tell you, Mr. Wilson, ifyou mean to preach here, you must alsominister the communion, at least thrice every year. W. There is one to do that in the place already. S. That is no matter. Youmust join him in that action, to chew that you do not divide your ministry. W. My ministry shallbe to preach the word only. S. The laws of the realm allow of no such ministry. W. But the laws of God do. S. But I am set toexamine the laws of the realm. W. And I am set to maintain the laws of God, and to declare the truth of them. S. It must be as I tell you. And that is not all : you must subscribe to certain articles. W. What are those articles ? S. I think they are here. Read them, and tell me what you think of them. W. I think it is unlawful to subscribe tothem. S. What is there you dislike ? W. Many things, and the second article altogether. S. Shew me this at large. These articles, nineteen innumber, consist of certain things professedly collected from his sermon at Cornhill. They are said to have been his expressions, and are mostly against pluralities, nonresidents, and idle, ungodly, and nonpreaching ministers. In one of them he is charged with having saidof such ministers, They eat up the sins of the people." And in another, " That by the word of God, it is necessary that every congre- gation should have a preaching minister." This is a specimen of the treasonable charges brought against Mr. Wilson; but the whole, together with his answers, is too long to he inserted.--diN. Register, p. 529-551.
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