50 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. the state; and that all the- queen's good subjects should take him so to be. But Mr. Penry, about the same time, went into Scotland, not merely for safety, from the storm, but as a student in divinity, where he remained till the year 150. While he was in the north, he made many observations relative to religion, for his own private use ; and, at length, prepared the heads of a petition or an address to the queen. This petition, was designed to represent to her majesty the true state of religion, and how ignorant she was of the many abuses in the church. Likewise - to intercede with 'her, that he might, by her authority, have liberty to go into Wales, and preach the gospel in his native country, where, indeed, it was much wanted. He intended himself to deliver it to the, queen, as he should find opportunity. The heads of the- petition, clothed in plain and smart language, were as follows : " The last days of your reign are turned rather against " Jesus Christ and his gospel, than to the maintenance of " the same. " I have great cause and complaint, madam; nay, the Lord and his church have cause to complain of your " government, becausewe, your subjects, this day, are not " permitted to serve our God, under your government, " according to his word, but are sold to be bondslaves, not " only to our affections, to do what we will, so that we " keep ourselves within the compass of established civil " laws, but also to be servants to the man of sin (the pope) " and his ordinances. " It is not the force- that we seem to fear that will come " upon us, (for the Lord may destroy both you for denying, " and us for slack seeking of his will,) by strangers : " come unto you with it. If you will hear it, our cause " may be eased ; if not, that posterity may know that you "have been dealt with, and that this age may know that " there is no expectation to be looked for at your hands. " Among the rest of the princes under the gospel, that " have been drawn to oppose it, you must think yourself to " be one ; for until you are this, madam, you see not " yourself; and they are but sycophants and flatterers " whoever tell you otherwise : your standing is and has been " by the gospel. It is little beholden to you for any thing " that appears. The practice of your government shews, " that if you could have ruled without the gospel, it would " have been doubtful whether the gospel should be estab- " fished or not; for now that you are established in your
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