Chap. 7. the seuenth Diuision.
Thirdly, bycause also by experience we dayly vnderstand, that such as consent in wearing this apparell, consent also in all other points of doctrine, and kepe the peace of the church, which is one of the prin∣cipall causes of edifying: contrariwise, such as refuse the same appa∣rel, not only dissent & disagree among themselues, but fal into diuers & strange opiniōs without stay: & slander the gospel with their con∣tentiousnesse, and teare in peeces the Church of Christ with their fa∣ctions and schismes: and be the cause why both the worde of God, and Christian magistrates be almost generally contemned.
The thirde reason is, that they which consent in wearing the surplices, consent also in all o∣ther poyntes of doctrine, and they that doe not weare it, do not consent, not so muche as amongst themselues. I〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 this consent in the points of religion be in the surplice, cope. &c. tell vs I beseech you, whether in the matter, or in the forme, or in what h〈1 line〉〈1 line〉dde and vnknowne qualitie standeth it? If it be n that the ministers vse all one apparell, then it is maruel〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 that this being so strong a bonde to holde them together in godlie vnitie, that it was neuer commaunded of Christe, nor practised of Prophets or Apostles, 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ether of no other re〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ormed Churches. I had thought whol∣ly, that those things whiche the Lorde oppoynteth to mayntayne and keepe vnitie with, and 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉∣specially the holie Sacramentes of Baptisme, and of the Lordes Supper, had bene strong ynough to haue fyrste of all knitte vs vnto the Lorde, and therefore also to his doctrine, and then one of vs to an other, and that the dissentings in suche a Ceremonie as a Surplice. &c. ney∣ther should nor could in those that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnto God, breake the vnitie of the Spirite, which is bounde with the bonde of truthe. And although there bee whyche lyke not this apparell, that thinke otherwyse than eyther theyr brethren, or than in deede they oughte to doe, yet a man may fynde greater dissent amongest those, whiche are vnyted in Surplice and Cope. &c. than there is amongest those whyche weare them not, eyther wyth them selues, or with them that weare them. For howe many there are that weare Surplices, whiche woulde bee 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to saye a Masse, than to heare a Sermon, lette all the worlde iudge. And of those that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 weare this apparell, and be otherwyse well mynded to the Gospell, are there not whiche wyl〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 weare the Surplice and not the cappe: other that will weare bothe cap end surplice, but not the tippet: and yet a thirde sorte, that will weare surplice, cappe, and tippet, but not the cop〈1 line〉〈1 line〉? It hathe bene the manner alwayes of wyse and learned men to esteeme of things by the causes, an〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 not by the euent, and that especially in matters of religion, for if they should be esteemed of the euent, who is there which wil not condemne the Israelites battel agaynst Aye, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a∣gaynst the Bemamites? which notwithstandyng, the cause which was Gods wil, and Gods 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉∣maundement, iustifyeth. And therfore in a word I answer, that if there be such con〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ent 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉mongst those which like well of this apparel, and such 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉arres amongst those yt like it not, as M. 〈◊〉〈◊〉