Judge. "But do you not know that you are bound by the law to administer the sacraments to your parishioners?"
Palmer. "No, my Lord. I know no such law in force compelling me to administer the holy sacraments to my parishioners; neither are ministers now enjoined any such thing when inducted into any living. Yet, I humbly suppose if any such law were still unrepealed, it ought to be repealed, when so much against the law of Jesus Christ."
Judge. "Oh, you will teach Parliaments, &c. But if you do not know there is such a law in force you shall know it. Clerk, read the statute of the 1st of Edward VI., &c. What say you to this?"
Palmer. "My Lord, I will not dispute the law read, but humbly pray your Lordship to inform me whether ignorant, profane, and scandalous persons be included in the statute?"
Judge. "No."
Palmer. "Then I may deny to administer to such."
Judge. "What have you to do to exercise an arbitrary power over other men's consciences? Let a man examine himself, &c."
Palmer. "No, my Lord, I have no such sole power in me as a minister, but I conceive it is in the Church, and that is the reason I have not administered these holy ordinances, as not having visible godly people to join with me in approving who are fit and who are not fit."
Judge. "But why did you not give the people liberty to get another to administer the sacrament to them, and when you promised it?"
Palmer. "My promise and their desire was (in words) with limitation of a godly orthodox Divine. But my parishioners nominated and offered to me such old, malignant ministers, formerly of the King's party, as I could not approve of, and I would not approve of; and this sorely displeased."