T. HILL. 389 proof of these points in their own retired and serious contemplations." . For these slight glances at popery and Arminianism,he was, by the instigation of Bishop Laud, convened before the vice-chancellor and heads of houses, when he was required to make the following, degrading recantation, in a full convocation, on his bended knees :t-" I, Thomas Hill, " do freely and sincerely acknowledge before this venerable " assembly of convocation, that in a sermon lately by me " preached in St. Mary's, I did let fall divers scandalous " speeches, partly in opposition to his majesty's injunctions, " by odious jostling together the names of certain factions " in the church, and imputing Pelagianism and popery to " the one side: partly in disparagement of the present " government of state and church, by making foul and " erroneous opinions the readiest steps now a days to pre- " ferment. As also in disparaging the whole order of " bishops, in paint of learning and religion, making them " favourers of unsound and erroneous doctrine, and dis- " favourers of sound doctrine. As likewise in imputing to " agreat part of our clergy, onlypolitic and lunatic religion : "besides private glances against particular persons, con- " cerning some speeches delivered in their late sermons. " In all whichpassages in my sermon, I confess to have "given just offence to the university, and to deserve the " sharpest censures. Wherefore, with all humble sub- " mission, I beseech the whole university, represented in " this venerable house, to pass by this my wilful error of " undiscreet and misguided zeal, and do faithfully promise " henceforward to abstain from all such scandalous asper- sions and intimations, as tending only to the disparagement " of the church, and the distraction and disquiet of the " university. And this my submission I humbly crave may " be accepted, which I do here make willingly, and from " my heart, with true sorrow for what is past. TitomAs HILL." It appears from the records of the university, that Mr. Hill made the above recantation, July 16, 1631, when he was no doubt released from the hands of his cruel oppres- sors. There was another puritan divine of the same name, who lived at the same time, was doctor in divinity, and a person of distinguished eminence in his day. Prynne's Cant. Dome, p. 173. .1 Ibid. p. 174.-Wharton's Troubles of Laud, vol. ii. p. 51.
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