250 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. yet to think that its authors erred in nothing, is a reverence due to the canonical books of scripture alone, andnot to any human author whatever. The things in the book which, I wish reformed are, first, such as cannot be defended : as private baptism. How to reconcile it to the doctrine of the church as by law established, to me appears impossible. Also the ministerreceiving the other sacrament with the sick man alone, is contrary to the nature of the communion; contrary to the doctrine established ; and is cousin-german to the private mass. The other things are taken out of the popish portuis, and translated into the Book of Common Prayer, which serves to confirmour adversaries in popery. I wish the weapon were taken out of their hands. " It is also'an inconvenienced that the translation of the scripture, as corrupted by the bishops, still remainetis in the Book of Common Prayer uncorrected : that the interroga- tories in baptism are directed to infants ; and that the pre- sent urging of subscription, instead of producing greater unity, I fear it will make greater division. For I thinkthat many who now use the book, and are in other things con- formable, will hardly yield to subscribe according to the form now required. Beseeching your lordship to pardon my boldness, I commit you to the protection of Almighty God. " Your lordship's in Christ, " GEORGE WITHERS." Dr. Withers quitted the rectory of Danbury in 1605, most probably on account of his nonconformity ; but re- mained archdeacon to his death. He died previous to April 10, 1617.. The Oxford historian denominates him, " The Puritanical Satirist."-t He published " The Lay- man's Letters," 1585.-" A View of the Marginal Notes in the Popish Testament," 1588. FRANCIS BONNETi A. B.-This person was born at Vach, near Chalfont St. Giles, in Buckinghamshire, May8, 1543, and educated in the university of Oxford, where he became fellow Of Magdalen college. He entered upon the ministerial work in 1567, and soon became an admired and a popular preacher. He was for some time chaplain to the Earl ofBedford ; but, upon the resignation of his fellow- ship, he retired into the north of England, where he dis- . Newcourt's Repert. Eccl. vol. i. p. 92. f Wood's Athena Oxon. vol. i. p. 494.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=