Whether M. Doctor liketh the reformation or no; so it is in the church where M. Calu〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ne w〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉astor, and ha〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 be〈1 line〉〈1 line〉e for these many yeares. And although the Englyshe churche in Geneua had that in the booke of common prayer, yet (as I haue heard of those which were there present) it was no〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 so vsed. And if it had bene, yet thereby it is not proued that M. Caluine allowed of it. For with things wherein there was no great and manifest disorder, M. Caluine did beare that whiche hee liked 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉t of. And there being no Papistes in all the citie, and all beyng well instructed, there was no such〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉unger in a funerall sermon there, as is here amongst vs, where there be many Papistes and mo ignorant. I w〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ll saye nothing of the great abuse of those whiche hauing otherwyse to lyue on of the churche, take nobles for euery such sermon, and sometyme a mournyng gowne, which cau∣seth th〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to open their mouthes wyde, and to say that the marchandise of sermons is much beare〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 than of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, for that they might haue for a groa〈1 line〉〈1 line〉e or sixe pence, and the sermon they can not haue vnder a rou〈1 line〉〈1 line〉der summe.
I haue tolde you before howe much M. Cal〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ine him selfe misliketh this ambitious* 1.1 morositie, which woulde driue all churches to the example of one. It firste brought Rome to that extreame pryde & arrogācie, wherewith it is now so greatly puffed vp.
I must beleue that booke that is printed published and vncontrolled, before I be∣leue your vncertaine reportes, although in such matters I do not depende vpon the churche of Geneua, whiche will not I am sure condemne our vse in these sermons, though it vse them not it selfe.
I heare as yet no probable reason why funeral sermons should not be where ther〈1 line〉〈1 line〉* 1.2 are Papistes, and suche as be ignorante. I am fully perswaded that they be in those places moste necessary, where there are moste Papistes, bicause they minister espe∣ciall occasion to confute these errors, wherein the Papistes be moste blynded, & from the which they are with most difficultie drawen. But we must permit vnto you your paradoxes, and your fansies, else all is marred.
You saye you wyll not speake of the abuse of those that take nobles for such Sermons, ha∣uing otherwyse to lyue, neyther will I defende them if they either exacte it, or require it, or take it with offence. Yet if it be giuen vnto them by the wyll of the dead, or for the bet〈1 line〉〈1 line〉er solemnizing of the burials of suche as be noble or worshipfull, I sée no cause why it should be vnlaweful for them, to take that which by such meanes is giuen vn∣to them: otherwyse I thinke it not méete for preachers to make a common or vsuall gayne of it.