M. Hardinge.
The auncient fathers are but men, if they please you not. But if ye finde anie colour of aduan∣tage but in the newe Schoolemen, ye make mutche of it. So that your owne opinion is the rule to esteeme them or despise them.* 1.1 Councles ye admitte as your phansie and pleasure leadeth, sometimes three, sometimes foure, sometimes fiue or sixe. But al ye would neuer admitte: and yet so many, as are general and haue bene confirmed by the See Apostolike,* 1.2 they are al of like authoritie. Concerninge Ceremonies, if ye shewe vs not the vse of Chrisme in your Churches, if the signe of the Crosse be not borne before you in Processions, and other wheres vsed, if Holy VVater be abolished, if lightes at the Gospel and communion be not had, if peculiar Vestimentes for Deacons, Priestes, Byshoppes be taken awaie, and many suche other the like: iudge ye, whether ye haue duely kepte the old Ceremonies of the Churche.
As for your newe Traditions, P••ites and Ceremonies, I can not tel, what to make of them, nor whether I maye so terme them.
No manner of thinge haue we changed that is of necessitie either to be beleued, or to be obserued.