208 The HISTORY of the PURITANS. Chap. V. .Teen " deacons, chofen by the people, and they only to have the whole go- Elizabeth, g, vernment of the church in ecclefiaftical matters ? rcr:73v (q,.) " Whether there fhould be an equality among the minifters of " this realm, as well concerning government and difcipline, as the mi- " niftration of the word and facraments? (5.) " Whether the patrimony of the church, as glebe lands and tytbes, " &c. ought to be taken from them ? (6.) " Whether the prefent minifters of the church of England are " true minifters, and their adminiftrations effectual? (7.) " Whether it be more agreeable to God's word, and more for o. the profit of the church, to ufe a form of common prayer ; or " that every minifter pray publickly, as his own fpirit (hall direct " him ? (8.) Whether the children of papifs ought to be re-baptized? (q.) " Whether an ecclefiaftical perfon may have more livings than one? (to.) " Whether a minifter of Chrift may exercife a civil function?" Pierce's The reft of the articles, making in all above twenty, were about the Vied. p. 8a.obligation of the judicial laws of Mofes, and the power of the civil ma- gi/lrate in matters of religion. To all which Mr. .Deering gave wife and modeft anfwers, yielding as much as his principles, and the nature of things would admit ; but being called, as it were, before an inquifition, as he thought himfelf not, bound to be his own acculer, fo he prayed their honours, that what he had Paid might not be interpreted to his prejudice ; yet the commifiioners ungeneroufly took advantage of his anfwers, and deprived him of his le&ure. He is rills- Mr. Deering appealed from the commißioners to the council, who red. were pleafed to reftore him, which galled the archbifhop, as appears by his letter to one of the commiffioners, dated fuly the 6th, 1573. in which are thefe words, " We have Pent you certain articles taken out of " Cartwright's book, by the council propounded to Mr. Deering with " his anfwers to the fame ; and alto a copy of the council's letter to " Mr. Deering, to reftore him to his former reading and preaching, not- " withftanding our advices never required thereunto. Thefe proceedings " puff them up with pride, make the people hate us, and mag- " nify them with great triumphing, that her majefty and her privy " council have good liking of this new building but we are per- " fuaded her majefty has no liking thereof, howfoever the matter be " favoured by others." Mr. Deering was a learned, pious, and peaceable non- conformift; his printed fermons are polite and nervous. In his letter to the lord treafurer ,Burleigh on this occafion, he offered to fhew before any body of
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=