i3AINBRIG6. 397 refusing to answer upon their oath, they were committed to prison. The reason of their refusal being demanded, they made this three-fold protestation :-1. " That we do from our hearts, reverence your authority set over us by God.- 2. That we refuse not an oath, as if it was unlawful on all occasions.-3. That we are neither afraid, nor unwilling to acknowledge and defend that which we have openly taught, if any person shall impugn it, or charge it to be unlawful." March 13th, they underwent another examination, when they protested, " That if they had committed any crime, their only objectionagainst taking the oath, was, that by so doing, they might be constrained to bringmatter of accusa- tion against themselves, which was contrary both to the word of God, and the laws of the land." And appearing again April 18th, they protested, " That if the oath then offered to them, could be shewn to be warranted by the word of God, and the laws of the land, theywere ready to take it." Their case exciting so much attention, was, at length, sent up to Lord Burleigh, chancellor of the university. Upon this, they further protested, " That if they might be suffered to appear before his lordship, they would clear themselvesof the chargesbrought against them, or willingly suffer any condign punishment.-And that if their accusers would charge them with those things with whichhis lordship had been made acquainted, they would themselves, or by witness, disprove the charges, or suffer any kind of punish- mentthey deserved : adding, that theywereready to answer, according to their honourable chancellor's letter, which required simply their answer, without any oath." They further observe, that they preached their sermons at the usual time and place, as they were required; and in the hearing of many hundreds of persons, both of the town and university, who were sufficiently able to satisfy their judges. But for them, merely by their office, to search what they delivered, by extorting it from them upon their oath ; in this case, if they were guilty, they would be obliged to accuse themselves. This they looked upon as contrary to the word of God, and the established laws of the realm.. The vice - chancellor and heads sent the following information to Burleigh the chancellor, containing, it, is Strype's Annals, vol. iii. p. SW-591.
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