94 LIVES OP THE PURITANS. heard,) by the sole authority of the vice-chancellor, charged the next day to depart the university, except I would there desire some longer respite for the ridding away of my stuff. Whereunto I making answer, that I waited for the prosecu- tion of my appeal made to the university, which depending, I-was by law to remain in state as before. I was again required to answer whether I would depart the next day, or ask respite for the removal of my stuff: whereunto I answering that I was not so minded to let fall myappeal, andwas by the vice-chancellor committed to close prison, without bail or mainprize, until such time as I would yield to let fall my appeal, and give over my title to the university and to my fellowship ; where I did continue three days in the Tolbooth, in a close and cold corner, straitly kept, that none of my friends might come at me, nor comfort come to me from them. And now, because of ? the extremity of the weather, I am removed to the bailiff of the Tolbooth's house, with most strait charge, that none at all, are suffered to come unto me. " Neitherdoth this most violent dealing only fall upon me. But I beseech your lordship also to consider, whether the 'sovereign authority of our gracious queen (whomGod long continue among us with much glory) be not impugned, by making themselves without, nay against law and statute, supremefudges and governors not to be appealed from; the -honourable protection of your lordship over us trampled under their feet, bymost straitly imprisoning me, for that which your lordship permitted and advised me to do ; and the express statute of our whole university by all violence broken and disannulled, for the maintaining of their own indiscreet and unlawful proceedings.- And, touching myself and my cause at this time, I most humbly beseech your lordship also to consider, what injustice it is to wring from me by violence and forcible imprisonment, in more strait manner than is usual to felons, and like malefactors, that which by law I might rightfully maintain. " To God, who judgeth right, I commit my cause, heirs in myself persuaded, and rejoicing, that 1 have receive honour to suffer for the truth of the eternal God ; which at first and now still, they persecute in me the unworthiest of the servants of God. 0, my God ! look down from heaven : stay the fury of men : strike thy fear into their hearts, that they may consider their last end. " Now to your lordship, I, a poor prisoner, overthrown by the power of mine adversaries in a just cause, being put
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