190 LIVES OE THE PURITANS. offices and titles, they ought, according to the word of God, to refuse them. P. When in honour they are offered, would you have them wilfully and unthankfully to refuse them ? F. Whenever the prince is so disposed, they, in the fear of God, should say, " A greater charge is already laid upon us than we are well able to fulfil. We cannot labour so faithfully in this function as the Lord requireth ; there- fore, we most humbly desire your majesty to lay the charge of civil matters upon those who have time and skill to manage them, and to whom in duty they belong ; and let us exercise ourselves in the office of the ministry alone." No names can be more blasphemous than those of lord-bishops and archbishops. They take that honour to themselves which belongs to Jesus Christ alone, as lord and king in Zion. P. If for religion the prince appoint fasts, we ought not to obey ; but it in policy, when victuals are dear, he appoint them, we are bound in conscience to obey. F. As you plead so much for policy, we suffer imprison- ment for opposing the popishhierarchy, the policy ofwhich is directly contrary to that which was used in the primitive church. P. Must we then in every point follow the apostles and primitive church ? W. Yes; unless a better order can be found, In matters of government and discipline, the word of God is our only warrant ; but rites and ceremonies not mentioned in scrip- ture, are to be used or refused, as shall best appear to the edification of the church.. Here the conversation closed ; and soon after this Mr. Wilcocks and Mr. Field presented a supplication to Lord Treasurer Burleigh, written, says Mr. Strype, in a good Latin style. In this they vindicate their own innocence, and petition his lordship to procure their liberty, by addressing him as follows: -" Confiding in your singular benevolence, we were induced to address you, hoping to obtain our liberty, and to propagate the truth. We are aware that we are spoken against and slandered by many. But let the truth speak for itself-it never seeks to be hid in corners. While we commend the innocency and equity of our cause to yourconsideration, we humbly and earnestly beseech you to grant us favour. We have, indeed, lately written a book, urging the reformation ofhorridabuses; and MS. Register, p. 132-187.
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