This is a straunge collection, that the booke of Common prayer maynteyneth an 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉∣preaching ministery, bicause it appoynteth a number of Psalmes and other prayers and chapters to be read, whiche may occupie the time that is to be spent in preaching. Would you haue prea ching onely, and neyther reading nor praying in the publike congregation? or doe you thinke that the chapters and prayers that are read occupie too long time? or are you persuaded that there commeth no profite by rea〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ing and praying? If you meane the first, you haue the examples of the Churches in all places, and at all tymes a∣gaynst you: if you meane the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the time is not so long that is spent in pray∣ing and reading, but that there may be preaching also: the longest tyme (if there b〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 no Communion) is not more than an houre, and can you spende that houre better than in praying and hearing the scriptures read? If you meane the thirde, I shall haue oc〈1 line〉〈1 line〉asion to speake more of it héereafter.
But you say it dothe not so muche maynteyne an vnpreaching ministerie in that* 1.1 poynt, as for that it requireth nothing necessarily to be done by the minister, whiche a childe of ten yeres olde can not doe as well, and as lawfully, as that man wherewith the booke contenteth it selfe. It requireth of him (besides playne and distincte reading) the administration of the Sacramentes: and maye a childe of ten yeres olde doe that also? Who séeth not, that you are of purpose set to deface the booke, thoughe it be with chyldishe reasons? Bicause a chylde may reade the booke, dothe it therefore mayn∣teyne an vnpreaching ministerie? you mighte as well saye, that bicause a chylde of ten yeres olde can reade the Byble translated into Englishe, therefore the Byble translated into Englishe maynteyneth an vnpreaching ministerie. This argument is à non caus〈1 line〉〈1 line〉.