Nowe whereas M. Doctor citeth Augustine and Ierome to proue that in the Churches in theyr times, there were holy dayes kepte besides the Lordes day, he might haue also cyted Ignatius, and Tertullian, and Cyprian, which are of greater aunctencie, and would haue made more for the credite of his cause, seing he measureth all his truthe almoste through the whole booke, by the crooked measure and yarde of tyme. For it is not to be denied but this keeping of Holydayes (especially of the Easter and Pentecoste) are very auncient, and that these holydayes, for the remembraunce of Martyrs were vsed of long tyme, but these abuses were no auncienter than other were, grosser also than this was, as I haue before declared and were easie further to be shewed if neede required, and therefore (*) 1.1 I appeale from these examples to the Scriptures, and to the examples of the perfectest Churche that euer was, which was that in the Apostles tymes.
I knowe that I might haue alleaged many other authorities for the proofe of* 1.2 this matter, but I thought these two sufficient (as they be in déede) in such a matter as this is, and your lightly reiecting of them will winne no credite to your cause, a∣mong wise and learned menne. You may easilie perceyue by the woordes of bothe these Authours that these dayes in their tyme were rightly and without all supersti∣tion vsed. But you do well to appeale from these examples, and from all other aun∣cient authoritie of learned menne: for you knowe full well your lacke of abilitie to maynteyne this and other your opinions by the testimonies of auncient wryters: nay you can not but confesse that the olde learned Fathers are vtterly agaynst you, which is the cause why you appeale from them: but it is an vnlearned shirt.