J2 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. and squatting down, nodding of heads, and whirling about till their noses stand eastward ; in candlesticks, crucifixes, burn- ing of wax-candles, and (what- is worst of all) gilding of angels, garnishing of images, and setting them up : if, I say, religion consists in these, and such like superstitious vanities, ceremonial fooleries, apish toys, and popish trinkets, we had never more religion than now., They are whores and whore- mongers, they commit spiritual fornication, who bow their bodies before the idol.". These were the most exceptionable passages in Mr. Smart's sermon, even his enemies being . judges. The, very day on which he preached this invective and seditious sermon, as it is called, against the decent and allowed ceremonies of the church of England, a letter missive was issued to apprehend him, and bring him before the dean and other commissioners. Upon his appearance he delivered up his sermon to be copied, declaring that he would justify every particular therein contained. After he had entered into a bond of one hundred pounds for his future appearance he was dismissed. From the time of his first appearance to January 29th following, he appeared no less than eight different times before his ecclesiastical judges. In the mean time, articles were exhibited against him, to which he gave his written answers. At length, however, he was sent to the high com- mission at Lambeth. Fuller says, that for preaching the above sermon, " Mr. Smart was kept a prisoner four months by the high commision of York, before any articles were exhibited against him, and five months before any.proctor was allowed him. From the high commission of York he was carried to the high commission at Lambeth, and, after long trouble, remanded back to York, fined Jive hundred pounds, ordered to recant, and, for neglecting which, he was fined a second time, excommunicated, degraded, deprived, and com- mitted to prison, his damage amounting to many thousand pounds."t It is inquired by what law Mr. Smart was treated thus, for preaching against setting up images, altars, placing them at the east end of the church, and bowing to them, directly contrary to the Book of Common Prayer, and the homily against idolatry, confirmed by act of parliament?t He remained in prison eleven or twelve years, till he was released by the long parliament. The puritans had so much esteem Grey's Examination of Neal, vol. i. p. 118, 119.-Illustration of Neal, p. 131. + Fuller's Church Ilist. b. xi. p. 173.-Illustration of Neal, p. 5, 72. t Huntley's Prelates' Usurpations, p. 160.
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