INTRODUCTION. 53 and the old Book of Common Prayer, and for the esta- blishment of a new one ; but the queen being offended, forbad them to proceed.* All the endeavours of the puritans proving ineffectual, and being wearied with repeated applications to 'their superiors, they began to despair of obtaining relief. There- fore, in one of their assemblies, they came to this con- clusion : 44 That since the magistrates could not be induced to reform the discipline of the church, it was lawful, after waiting so many years, to act without them, and introduce a reformation in the best manner they could." They had their private classes or associations in Essex, Northampton- shire, Warwickshire, London,Cambridge and other places, when they consulted about the most proper means of pro- moting the desired object. And having revised their book, entitled cc The Holy Discipline of the Church, described in the Word of God," it was subscribed by abovefive hun- dred ministers, all divines of good learning, and of unspot- ted + In the year 1587, Mr. Holmes, rector of Kenn, was driven from his flock and his living. Mr. Horrocks, vicar of Kildwick, in the West-Riding of Yorkshire, was con- vened before the high commission at York, committed to York castle, and enjoined a public recantation, for suffer- ing Mr. Wilson, another puritan minister, to preach in his church, though it was his native place. Mr. Wilson was also convened, and cast into prison. After lie had obtained his release, he was obliged to remove out of the archbishop's province ; and going to London, he was called before Whitgift and suspended. Mr. Allison was twice suspended. Mr. Penry was summoned before the high commission and committed to prison. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Bainbrigg, both fellows in the university of Cambridge, and popular preachers, were cast into prison, where they continued a long time. Mr. Jewel was tried at the public assizes for nonconformity, and condemned to suffer five months' imprisonment. Mr. Wight was harassed for many years, when his study was broken open, searched, and his private papers carried away. Mr. Darrel and Mr. Moore were both cited before the high commission at Lambeth, when the former was deposed from his ministry, and committed close prisoner to the Gatehouse, and the latter close prisoner to the Clink, where they continued MS. Remarks, p. 465. + Neal's Puritans, vol. i. p. 423.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=