248 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. account of his zeal -in the same Cause he very narrowly escaped being constrained to make a public recantation.. He wrote and published a " Treatise against Bowing at the name of Jesus," shewing the superstition and absurdity of that popish relict. In the year 1606, Mr. William Laud, afterWards the famous archbishop, having preached at Oxford, his sermon contained many scandalous and popish sentiments,; for which he was called before Dr. Airay the vice-chancellor, to give an account of what he had delivered. It was the opinion of many that he was a papist, or very much inclined to popery ; and he narrowly escaped making a public recantation.+ Dr. Airay having accomplished his days upon earth, meekly and patiently surrendered himself to God, earnestly desiring todepart and to be with Christ. And having devoutly committed his soul to the care of his dear Redeemer, he closed his eyes inpeace, and was carried to his grave with honour. He died October 6, 1616, aged fifty-six years ; and his remains were interred in the inner chapel of Queen's college. His WORKS.-1. Lectures upon the whole Epistle to the Phili- plans, 1618.-2, The just and necessary Apology touching his Suit in Law, fur the Rectory of Charlton on Otmore, in Ox.fordshire, 3. ATreatise against Bowing at the Name of Jesus. GEORGE WITHERS, D. D.-This person was a divine of good learning, incorporated in both universities, and after- wards preacher at Bury St. Edmunds ; but in the year 1565, refusing to enter into bonds to wear the square cap, hewas silenced by Archbishop Parker. Afterwards, how- ever, by the urgent entreaties ofhis people, he wrote a sub- missive letter to his lordship, signifying his willingness to wear the cap, rather than the godly people should be dis- couraged, or the wicked led to triumph.$ Dr. 'Withers being a learned and popular preacher, was chosen one of the preachers to the university of Cam- bridge ; and being an avowed enemy to popery, he recom- mended to the university to pull down the superstitious and ridiculous paintings in the glass windows. This occasioned a considerable noise in the university, and created him 40 Wood's Athens, vol. i, p. 481.-Ilist. and Antiq. of Oxon. vol. ii, p. 288. Edit. 1796. Ibid.-Heylin's Life of Laud, p. 54. Strype's Parker, p. 187, 188.
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