ggTTLE. 47 authority." Mr. Settle replied, " I thank God, you can use no violence only upon my poor body." So Whitgift committed him close prisoner to the Gatehouse, where the good man continued about six years ;* till the year 1592,s when he was released. After his deliverance from this cruel bondage, Mr. Settle became a member of the Brownists' congregation, which assembled in private places in and about London. His troubles, however, were not ended : bonds and afflictions were still awaiting him. For, towards the close of the above year, hewas apprehended at a private assembly, held in the school-house of Mr. George Johnson, in Nicholas- lane, and committed to prison. After remaining under confinement for fifteen weeks, without either examination or indictment, he was carried before the'high commission, April 6, 1593, when he was required to take the oath ex officio, but he absolutely refused. Thoughhe would not accuse either himself or his brethren; yet, during his examination, he acknowledged certain things, from which we have collected the following particulars :-He confessed that he had held his opinions, and separated himself from the established church, for about a year; but had not received the sacrament in the parish church for three years. He acknowledged that he hadopposed the discipline of the church for seven years ; but he refused to say by what means he had been induced ,,to imbibe these opinions. When he was commanded to say whether he possessed, or had ever read, any of Barrow's, Greenwood's, or Penry's books, he refused to give a direct answer, but said, he would not be his own accuser. Being asked, how many he had persuaded, and brought over to his opinions, he said, lie was firmly fixed in what he professed, and was desirous of bringing over as many others as he was able ; but more he would not answer. He, moreover, confessed, that he was present at the assembly in a house in Aldgate, when Robert Stokes was excommunicated for. his apostacy ; and that he was excom- municated by Mr. Francis Johnson the pastor, when the rest of the officers and congregation were present, and con- sented to what was done. He said, also, that he had never served in any office in the congregation ; but had occa- sionally taught or prophesied in the 'assembly. He like- wise confessed, that he had received the Lord's supper in * MS. Register, p. 799. t Str}pe's Annals, vol. ie. p. 96.
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