132 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. the hands of another minister, because that which is used in our church is without warrant of the word ?-2. Whether he did name kneeling when we receive the sacrament, as superstitious and antichristian ?-3. Whether he did not denominate kneeling towards the east to be a corruption ?" -The witnesses mostly answered in the affirmative; but, in several particulars, they could not give any testimony. Mr. Bainbrigg closed the evidence by observing, with respect to kneeling at the sacrament, " He thought our Saviour sat, and," in his opinion, t4 it was better to come near to that which He did, than that which was done in time of popery." He thought also that it was better not to kneel towards the east. After the examination of the witnesses, Mr. Perkins was allowed to speak in his own defence, when he addressed his spiritual judgesas follows As this doctrine of faith and a good conscience is to be applied to the congregation, so it is by God'sprovidence come to pass that I must apply it to myself. I am thought to be a teacher of erroneous doctrines.. I am enjoined to satisfy, and, in truth, I am now willing with all my heart to do it.-Of ministering the communion to a man's own self, this was my opinion, that in this place it was better to receive it from another, because we are thirteen ministers ; and, by this means, the minister would not only receive the sacrament, but also the approba- tion of his brother, that he was a worthy receiver. It is observed, that I saidthis action was unlawful, and a corrup- tion of our church. I said it not ; and truly, I protest before God, if I had said it, the same tongue which had said it, should unsay it ; that God might have the glory, and that shame and confusion might be unto me. " I said not that kneelingwas idolatrons and antichris- tian. I do remember it. My opinion was this, that of the two gestures which we used, sitting and kneeling, sitting is more convenient, because Christ sat, and the pope knseleth, as Jewel observes against Harding. And in things in different we must go as far as we can from idolatry. Mr. Calvin taught me this, in his sermon on Dent. vii. I think a man may use it with a good conscience ; for I am far from condemning any. And I beseech you how can we altogether clear ourselves, who, sittingbefore, fall down on our knees when the bread cometh, and, having received it, rise up again, anddo in like manner with the wine. " I hold looking unto the east or west to be indifferent, and to be used accordingly : but this I marvel at, why the
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