F. JOHNSON. 93 " her most just title, which is most agreeable to the word of " God, and conformable to the example of most ancient " churches, which have been ruled by christian magistrates. " And whereas I did affirm the want of elders (being the " ordinary means appointed by God) to be the cause of "ignorance, atheism, idolatry, profanation of the sabbath, " and disobedience to superiors ; and these words of mine " seemed to some, injurious to the present state of the " church and commonwealth of the land and magistrates " of them both, as not having care so to establish the " government as might root out such great enormities : for " the better explanation of my mind on this subject, I " cannot say of my certain knowledge, that these vices are " more abounding here in our churches than in such " churches.where elders are at this day placed. And I am " of opinion that her majesty, and such as are in authority " under her, have by wholesome laws provided against " such evils. "* Mr. Johnson was required to make the above ridiculous recantation in the pulpit of St. Mary's church ; and because he; performed it " in mincing terms, and did not fully revoke his opinions," according to the form given him, he was, October 30th, in the above year, expelled from the university : and because he did not depart from the place, he was, December the ISth, again cast into prison.i. By the recommendation of Burleigh the chancellor, he made, an appeal to the university against these illegal andi cruel proceedings, and wrote a long and excellent letter to the chancellor,'of which the following is a copy : " To the right honourable the,Lord Burleigh. " I came hither to Cambridge, as I was by your lordship advised, to follow my appeal to the university. I went in a quiet manner to Vice-chancellor and to Dr, Bying, to desire that either some. law might, be shewed to cut off my appeal, or else my appeal not hindered, further thanwas alleged by your lordship ; which I then answered, there hath been no one clause of law shewed me, sufficient to debar me from the benefit of appeal. I requested the proctor to prosecute my appeal, and to procure delegates to be chosen according to the statute, which was all I could here do. And now not only have I profited nothing, iota being called before Mr. Vice-chancellor and the heads, the 18th of the present month, I was there, (for any thing I Baker's MS. Collec. vol. vi. p, 187. 1- Ibid.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=