150 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. entertained. You had best take heed, that you run not upon the same rock, which the papists themselves split upon, and draw upon yourself the same penalty ordained for those who alienate the hearts of the subjects both from their prince and religion." To these accusations and foul aspersions, Mr. Cartwright, with becoming christian meekness, only said, " I have the word of God for my warrant, and the example of the reformed churches for my guide, in what I have done." Dr. Longworth, on this occasion, boldly challenged him to a public disputations but Mr. Cartwright wisely declined. He was, therefore,: dismissed without receiving any ecclesiastical censure.. Mr. Cartwright was undoubtedly concerned for the reformation of the church ; and he laboured, in the most peaceable manner, to promote it to the utmost of his power. For the accomplishment of this great object, he joined with his brethren in their associations, and united with them in perfecting and subscribing the "Book of Discipline."+ He was one of the heads in these assemblies, and was sometimes chosen moderator. Though, upon his release from prison, he could not obtain his liberty to' preach, but still continued under suspension, he constantly attended to his ministerial exercise in his hospital, and preached occasionally at other places, particularly at Banbury. His endeavours to carry on the English reform- ation towards perfection, were considered as a -violation of established customs; and disobedience to the ecclesiastical laws ; therefore, in the year 1590, he was summoned to appear before the high commission. Previous to his appearance before this terrible tribunal, hewrote the follow- ing excellent and generous letter, addressed " To the right worshipful Mr. Puckering, one of her majesty's serjeants at law :"t " Having received Mr.Puckering's letter on Wednesday,' I came no sooner with.it : the cause bath been in part a strain of one of my legs, and in part the importunity of my friends, begging me to stay until I had gotten some ability of my leg, to travel with more commodity. And now that I am come to the town, I bring not the letter myself. The cause is, that being sent for by a pursuivant, I was loath to be attached before I had made my appearance without attachment, and that I might as it were be mine own * Baker's MS. Collec. vol. xxviii. p. 443, 444. "1 Neal's Puritans, vol. i. p. 423. t Baker's MS. Collec. vol. xv. p. 105, 106.
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