416 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. multitudes from all quarters, flocked to him as to a wise physician, and by the blessing of God, obtained the desired comfort. Numerous persons who to his own know- ledge had laboured under the most racking terrors of conscience, were restored to joy and peace in believing. When any complained of blasphemous thoughts, his advice was ado not fear them, but abhor them.".. Mr. Greenhorn was a man remarkable for peace. He was celebrated for promoting peace among those who were at variance, and in labouring incessantly for the peace of the church of God. He was a most exact and conscientious nonconformist, choosing on all occasions to suffer, rather than sacrifice a good conscience. Though he cautiously avoided speaking against conformity, or those things which to him appeared objectionable in the established church ; lest he should give the least offence, he was suspended from his ministry, for refusing to subscribe and wear the habits.i. He was of opinion that rites and ceremonies introduced into the church of Christ, without the warrant of scripture, were of no real advantage, but productiveof much super- stition ;t therefore, he prayed that all such things, as hinderances to the success of the gospel, might be taken away. To subscribe to any thing besides the word of God, or not collected from that sacred volume, he durst not, but peremptorily refused.s Whoever will read his letter to Dr. Cox, bishop of Ely, will easily perceive what manner of spirit they were of, who could bear hard upon so excellent and peaceable a divine.l When he was called before the bishop, upon a complaint ofhis nonconformity, he discovered at once, his prudence, peaceableness, and good sense. His lordship observing that there was a great schism in the church, asked him whether the blamewas attached to the conformists, or nonconformists. To which Mr. Greenhorn immediately replied, "that it might be attached to either, or to neither. For," said he, " if both parties loved each other as they ought, and did acts of kindness for each other, thereby maintaining love and concord, the blame would be on neither side; but which party soever made the rent, the charge ofschism belonged to them." Thebishop is said to * Clark's Lives annexed to bis Martyrologie, p. 12-14. Parte of a Register, p. 86-93. Greenbam's Works, p. 278. Edit. 1601. § Parteof a Register, p. 88, 89. This letter is preserved, bat too long fir our insertion.-Did, p. 86-4/3.
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