256 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. whether I may use or practise. Wherefore, I humbly pray, that I may have the liberty allowedby the said book, of having in some convenient time, a favourable conference, either with mine ordinary, or with some other by you appointed. This I seek not for any desire I have to keep the said living, but only for the better resolution and satis- faction of myown conscience, as Godknoweth. Subscribed by me, " Lame, EUSEB1US PAGET." This answer proving unsatisfactoryto Whitgift and his brethren, Mr. Paget was immediately suspended; and venturing to preach after his suspension, he was deprived of his benefice. The principle reasons of his deprivation, were, 44 The omission of part of the public prayers, the crass in baptism, and the surplice ; and the irregularity of deal- ing in the ministry after his suspension." In the opinion of the learned civilians, however, these things were not sufficient cause of deprivation, and, conse- quently, the proceedings of the high commission were deemed unwarrantable. The case was argued at some length ; and being now before me, the reader is here favoured with the reasons on which the opinion is founded. His deprivation was accounted unwarrantable, because he had not time, nor conference, as he desired, and as the statute in doubtful cases warranted. He had not three several admonitions, nor so much as one, to observe those things in due time, as the law required. If this had been done, and, after such respite and admonition, he had not conformed, then the law would have deemed him a recusant, but not otherwise. And if the whole of this process bad been regularly observed, Mr. Paget's omissions had so many favourable circumstances, as, that the parish had not pro- vided a Prayer Book, and his ordinary had promised that he should not beurged to observe all the ceremonies, that it was hardly consistent with prudence and charity to deprive him so suddenly. As to his irregularity in preaching after his suspension, the civilians,were of opinion, that the suspension was void, because founded upon a process not within the cognizance of those who pronounced the sentence. For the ground of the sentence was his refusing to subscribe to articles devised and tenderedby theecclesiastical commissioners,who bad no warrant whatever to offer any such article& Their authority, as expressed in their commission, extended no farther than to reform and correct those things: which were
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