$26 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. being once lawfully done, ought not to be repeated. The pastors and teachers in the New Testament hold the same kind pf callingthat I had. To repeat our ordination would make void our former ordination ; and, consequently, all such acts as weredone in virtue of it, as baptisms, marriages, &c. By the same rule, all people coming out ofa foreign land ought to be rebaptized and married over again. Be- sides, by the statute of 13Eliz., thosewhohave been ordained in foreign protestant churches, upon their subscribing the articles therein specified, are qualified to enjoy any benefice in the kingdom, equally with those who have been ordained according to the laws now in force ; which, seeing it com- prehends all who are priests according to the order of the church of Rome, must necessarily be as favourable to ministers who are ordained among foreign protestants, In consequence of this law, many Scots divines are now in possession of benefices in the church ; as was Mr.Whitting- ham, who, though he was called in question in this case, enjoyed his benefice as long as he liVed. 6, It is, moreover, said, that I preached without presenta, tion or license. ,4 To this, I answer, thatthe place in which I exercised my ministry required nopresentation, nor had I a title, nor did I reap any benefit by law ; but only received a voluntary contribution, and was employed in preaching only : and as to a license, I was recommended to be minister of that place, by two several letters from the Bishop of London to the gentlemen of the Temple, without which letters, those gentlemen would not havepermitted me to officiate. 4, I am charged with indiscretion, and want of duty to Mr. Hooker ; and with breaking the queen's order against bringing disputes into the pulpit. As to want of duty, I answer, though sonic have sus- pected mywant of good-will to Mr. Hooker, because he suc- ceeded Dr. Alvey in that place which I desired for myself; this is a mistake, for I declined the place, because I could not subscribe to my lord of Canterbury's late articles, which I would not do for the mastership of the Temple, or any other place in the church. I was glad the place was given to Mr. Hooker, as well for the sake of old acquaint- ance, as because there is some kind of affinity between us, hopingwe should live peaceably and amicably together, as becometh brethren. But when I heard him preach against the doctrine ofassurance, and for salvation in the church of Rome, with all its errors and idolatry, I thought myself
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