The protestation of Iohn White Doctor in Divinitie which he caused to be written the day before his death, to the end the papists might vnderstand he departed out of this world, of the same opinion and iudgement he maintained both by preaching and writing whilest he liued.
White, John, 1575-1648.
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THE PROTESTATION OF IOHN WHITE DOCTOR IN DIVINITIE, which he caused to be written the day before his death, to the end the Papists might understand he departed out of this world, of the same opinion and iudge∣ment he maintained both by preaching and writing whilest he liued.
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN. I Iohn White Doctor in Diuinitie, weake of body, but of perfect remembrance, being fully perswaded of Gods loue and mercy to me, do briefly make this my last Will and Testament in manner fol∣lowing: First I bequeath my soule into the hands of Almightie God, who infused it when I was borne, and all the daies of my life hath enriched it with such graces and ha∣bits, as haue enabled me vnto the seruices whereto he hath called me, of what nature soeuer they haue bene: And my body to be interred at the pleasure of my deare and louing brother Maister Edward White, where and in what manner he shall thinke good.
And touching Religion, and the state and disposition of my conscience therein, I professe that I depart in peace, beleeuing with a Christian faith all things contained in the Apostles Creede, and other Creeds receiued in the Church of England: To whose iudgement I perfectly adhere, in the articles of the Deitie, Tri∣nitie, Creation, the fall and Reparation of mankind; Redemp∣tion by Christ alone, Iustification, Faith, and necessity of good works, &c. touching the nature and institution of the Church, authoritie of the Scriptures, vse and number of Sacraments, and doctrine concerning death, and the resurrection of the dead, and the state of the world to come: And all that which our Church doth vniformly teach against the Church of Rome.
And whereas I haue these twenty yeares past, by preaching and writing, published in two bookes, ingaged my selfe against Papistry, I professe I haue done nothing therein against my con∣science, but desire all men to assure themselues, that if any error haue escaped me, it hath passed me through ouersight; for I al∣waies bended my selfe to that worke of writing with much humi∣lity to God, and such diligence as I was able to vse; and hauing the bookes alwaies by me, I writ nothing but what I found in an∣tiquity, and in the writings publickly receiued in the Church of Rome it selfe. And I do constantly auouch, that what I haue writ∣ten is the truth, and haue bene the more confirmed therein by the vnconscionable dealing of my aduersaries against me, when no learned man amongst them hath encountered me, but onely such as vse base courses of railing and scurrilitie, vnbefitting Christian Religion. The which my writings I commend to my children, praying God they may liue and die therein, without opening their eares vnto seducers: and to all my people to whom I haue prea∣ched; and generally to all people that haue bene acquainted therewith And this my Protestation I was desirous to insert in my will, wishing it were also printed in my bookes; nothing doub∣ting but Romish Priests and their followers, when they shall heare of my death (according to a common practise of theirs) will be readie enough to diuulge some tales or other touching my vncertainty in Religion.
And hauing finished his Will and Testament, seeing himselfe almost spent, he used these words following:
I am scarce able to say any more, greater occasion calles me off, my owne weakenesse and more necessary meditation with God, breakes me off, and haue taken me by the hand; with whom I hope to be shortly, hauing a stedfast perswasion, that through faith in Christ, I shall see him, and enioy him, and liue with him for euer. Which he grant of his abundant mercy, who will haue mercy on whom he will haue mercie; and will shew compassion on whom he will shew compassion. Amen.
