Last of all they take vpon them those things, which are neyther lawfull for ciuil nor ecclesiasti∣call iurisdiction, nor simply for any man to do, of which sort diuerse are reckened vp by the Abmo∣nition and some confessed by M. Doctor. I will not here speake of the vnfitnesse of those whiche are chiefe officers in these courtes, that the most of thē are eyther Papists, or bribers, or drunkerds, (I know what I write) or Epicures and suche as liue of benefices and Prebends, in Englande and in Irelande, doing nothing of those thinges whiche apperteyne vnto them, and of other suche naughty persons, which are not only not meete to be gouernours in the Churche, but which in any reformed Church, shoulde not be so much as of the Church. I speake not of all, I doubt not but there be some do that which they do of conscience, and with minde to help forward the Churche, whiche I trust will (when the Lorde shall giue them more knowledge) keepe themselues in theyr vocations, and being men, for their gifts apt and able eyther to serue the Churche or the common wealth, in some other calling, will rather occupy their gifts there, than where they haue no ground to assure themselues, that they do please God.
For as much as you referre vs to the Admonition to know what these thinges be that Chancellours. &c. take vpō thē, being lawful neyther for ciuil nor ecclesiasticall iurisdictiō, I will also referre you to my Answer made to that part of the Admonition.
Your slaunderous and opprobrious speaches against the men (hauing little to say* 1.1 against their offices) they must take in good part vntill you come foorth namely to accuse them: but I am sory that they (being as you saye suche persons) shall haue little occasion to be perswaded to amendment of life by you, whome they sée as fa∣ctious in religion, as they are péeuish in condition: as corrupt with affections, as they be with bribes: as deepe in spite and malice, as they be in drunkennesse: What di∣uinitie call you this, thus to libell against men in authoritie, whome you dare not accuse to their faces? I defend them not if ther be any such, nay I wish them seuere∣ly punished: but you vtter nothing lesse than the frutes of diuinitie, and I woulde haue you come foorth to accuse them. Touching their benefices and prebendes, they will defend themselues by the examples of your adherentes: whereof some haue shaken off the ministerie, and yet kéepe their Prebends, some misliking the state of this Church, crying out of the Canon lawe, the Court of faculties. &c. take notwith∣standing all the benefyte thereby that they can, some of them reteyning two, some 4. &c. and yet do full little duetie, nay rase vp rather than plant.
But why do I fall into this vayne, which I mislike in you? I am therevnto forced by your intollerable outrageousnesse, the which howsoeuer I suffer against my selfe, yet may I be bold something to say vnto you, thus swelling and raging agaynste other.