Neal - Houston-Packer Collection BX9333 .N4 1754 v1

Chap. V. The HISTORY of the PURITANS. 213 had been difpatched, Mr. White was brought before them, whom my lord Queen chief juftice accofted after this manner; Éhzabeth, L. C. .7. Who is this ? 1573- White. White, a'nt pleafe your honour. Mr. White's L. C. f. White, as black as the devil. examination. . White. Not fo my lord, one of God's children. L. C. 7 Why will you not come to your parish church? White. My lord, I did ufe to frequent my parish church before my- troubles, and procured several godly men to preach there, as well as in other places of preaching and prayer; and.liince my troubles, I have not frequented any private affemblies, but as I have had leave and liberty have gone to my parish church; and therefore thofe that prefented me have done it out of malice; for if any of thefe things can be proved againft . me limply, or that I hold all things in common, yourlordship may difmifs, me from hence to the gallows. Mr. Ger. You have not ufually frequented your own parish church.., White. I allow I have more ufed other places, where I was better edified. Mr. Ger. Then your prefentment is in part true ? White. Not, an't pleafe you, for L am prefented for not coming at all to my parish church. Ger. Will you then come to prayers when there is no fermon ?' White.. I would avoid thofe things that are an offence to me and others, and disturb the peace of the church; however, I crave the liberty of a. fubjett, and if I do not publickly frequent both preaching, prayer, and the facraments, deal with me accordingly. Dean We/l. What fault find you in the common prayer? White. Let them anfwer to whom it appertains ; for being in prifon,. 3lmoft a year about thefe matters, I was upon a fiatute relating to that- book indicted, and before I came to liberty almoft out-Jawed; as your worfhip, 'Mr. Gerard, knows. Mall. Req. What fcripture have you to ground your confcience againff thefe garments? White. The whole fcriptu,res are for destroying idolatry, and every,: thing that belongs to it. Ma/l. Req. Thefe things never ferved to idolatry... White.. Shough ; . they are the fame which heretofore were ufed to that- RI]r pofe. Ma/ì. Req. Where is the place where thefe are. forbidden ?` White. In Deuteronomy, . and other places, the fraelites are command- ed,'not only to destroy the altars groves, and images, with all thereto: belonging, but alto to abolish-.the very.names; ,and God by faiab, com- manded;

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=