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The answere.
I say first, that the scripture telleth vs of the death of Saint Steuen, of S. Ioseph, of Moses, and others, as also of their [ 1] funerals▪ but not one word of inuocatiō or adoration done vnto their reliques. I say secondly, that ye fathers which tel vs of the [ 2] miracles done by the reliques of saintes, doe neither will vs to inuocate, nor to adore them. I say thirdly, that miracles, (as [ 3] S. Austen and S. Gregory doe truely write,) are for infidels and not for the faithfull. For which respect they were frequent in the primitiue Church, & as rare as a white crowe, or black swanne in latter daies. I say fourthly, that God wrought mi∣racles by the reliques of his chosen seruantes, aswel to prooue [ 4] his owne diuine soueraigntie, as their true faith in him. But not that we should adore dumbe bones, and dead ashes; or seeke to merite by such pilgrimage. I say fiftly, that God confirmed the authoritie of Elizaeus, by the myracle wrought at the con∣tact [ 5] of his dead bones; that at the sight thereof, the people might embrace his doctrine, which they contemned in his life time; or at least be thereby confounded, to their greater condem∣nation. And the same I say of other miracles, done by other re∣liques. I say sixtly, yt if the good king Ezechias was highly cō∣mended [ 6] in the holy scripture,* 1.1 because he pulled downe the bra∣sen serpent set vp by Gods appointment, so soone as the people committed idolatry by adoring the same; worthily are those christian princes commended, who prohibite their people from gadding on pilgrimage, in popish idolatricall maner; albeit ye originall therof was tolerable, and a long time free from popish godles superstition. I say seuenthly, that waters haue natural curatiue qualities in sundrie places, as haue also certain herbs, [ 7] stones, and metals. Which effects some ascribe to the water of Burton, though my selfe haue long doubted thereof. How soeuer that be, to go thither for merite, or in way of such satis∣faction for our sinnes, is flat idolatrie.