[144]"Of Reformation in England," book first, Mitford, I. 3.
[145]"Areopagitica," II. 411-12.
[146]"Of Reformation in England," book second, 40.
[147]"Areopagitica," II. 406. "Whatsoever time, or the heedless hand of blind chance, hath drawn down from of old to this present, in her huge drag-net, whether fish or sea-weed, shells or shrubs, unpicked, unchosen, those are the fathers." ("Of Prelatical Episcopacy," Mitford.)
[148]"Areopagitica," Mitford, II. 400.
[149]Ibid. II. 404.
[150]"Areopagitica," II. 431-2.
[151]When he is simply comic, he becomes, like Hogarth and Swift, eccentric, rude and farcical. "A bishop's foot that has all his toes, maugre the gout, and a linen sock over it, is the aptest emblem of the prelate himself; who, being a pluralist, may, under one surplice, which is also linen, hide four benefices, beside the great metropolitan toe."—"An Apology," etc. I. 275.
[152]"Of Reformation in England," Mitford, I. 17.
[153]Ibid. I. 71. (The old spelling has been retained in this passage.—Tr.)