INTRODUCTION. 39 We renounce all foreign power, and acknowledge her majesty's supremacyto be lawful and just. We detest all error and heresy. Yet we desire that her majesty will not think us disobedient, seeing we suffer ourselves to be dis- placed, rather than yield to some things required. Our bodies; and goods, and all we have, are in her majesty's hands ; only our souls we reserve to our God, who alone is able to save us or condemn us. " We humbly crave," say they, " that you will deal with her majesty, in our behalf. Let her majesty under- stand, that all laws commanding things which edify not, but are offensive, are contrary to the word of God. Let her further understand howdangerous a thing it is, to urge the observance of human ceremonies with greater severity, than the observance of the law of God. The word of God is in danger of being made of no effect, by the traditions of men. Though, in scripture, ministers are commanded to preach the word of God, this is now not half so strictly examined and enforced, as the observance of the ceremonies. Through the whole land it is manifest, that a minister who is conformable to the ceremonies, may continue on his charge undisturbed, though he cannot teach : so if he be ever so able to teach as God path commanded, yet if he cannot conform to those ceremonies which men have devised and appointed, he must not continue in the ministry. This must needs be preferring the ordinance of man before the word of God.". This supplication proving ineffectual, Messrs. JohnMore, Richard Crick, George Leeds, Thomas Roberts, Vincent Goodwin, Richard Dowe, and John Mapes, all ministers in or near the city of Norwich, were suspended.+ Mr. Thickpenny, a minister of good learning, and much be- loved byhis parishioners, was suspended for nonconformity. Mr. Greenham, a divine of a most excellent spirit, received the like treatment, because he could not in conscience sub- scribe and wear the habits, though he cautiously avoided speaking against them, lest he should give offence. Mr. Rockrey, a divine of great eminence at Cambridge, was twice expelled from the university for a similar offence. Mr. Field and Mr. Wilcocks having already suffered a long and painful imprisonment, were brought into fresh troubles. They were convened before Bishop Aylmer, who pro- nounced Mr. Field obstinate, for having taught children in Ms. Register, p. 258-25&. + limit. p. 285.
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