CAWDREY. 437 a second application to the treasurer, giving hima correct account of the bishop's proceedings, and further soliciting his favour and assistance. His letter, dated nine days after the former, was as follows "My honourable lord, I am bound most humbly to thank God for your honourable and good favour in this my great vexation, having now for the space ofmore than nine weeks, been bound over to answer from time to time. It grieveth me to be importunate with you in the midst of so many of your affairs, especially as you are in a poor state of health, from which I beseech God to restore you; but, my good lord, my miserable state even forceth me. Not.' withstanding your favourable message and letters to the Bishop of London in my behalf, he still keepeth me from performing those duties which I owe to God, my people, and my wife and children;' and he seems as if he meant to wear me out. I having lately claimed before the high commission, the benefit of her majesty's graciouspardon, the bishop then caused me to take a new oath, and to answer new articles ; namely, whether I would in every point observe the Book ofCommon Prayer; and whether I would wear the surplice. These being answered, he appointed me to appear again the 30th of this month, when my case will be further considered. Will it, therefore, please your good lordship, even at this time, to use such means to procure my discharge, as to your godly wisdom shall appear most proper ? To you, next under God, I fly for refuge in this case. I protest, I am not obstinate in any one thing, as He knoweth whom I am most loath to displease. I am your honour's, &c. " ROBERT CAWDREY." But the treasurer being sick, Mr. Cawdrey could receive no answer to the above letter; therefore, upon the arrival of the day appointed, he appeared againbefore the commis- sion. When he was called, and his accusations wererea4 the bishop asked him what he had to say against their pro- ceeding to pronounce upon him the sentence of deprivation. " To which I answered," says the good man, " that so far as my knowledge and counsel serve, I cannot see how you can deal so hardlywith me. For if the rigour of the law should be extended against me for speaking against the book, the penalty, as set down in the statute, is only half a year's imprisonment, and the loss of my living to beT MS. Regictor, p. 797.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=