Surely M. Doctor may well triumphe, that so good a cause hath no stronger aduer∣saries.* 1.1 Your argumentes are too too slender, and in déede very friuolous: The first is this, that they nourishe an opinion that the dead are better for them, of the which argumente, bicause you are ashamed your selfe, you father it vpon the Admonition, wherin there is not one worde spoken of any such reason. But why doth a funerall sermon nourish that opiniō? forsooth, bicause the Papistes be most desirous of them. First, it is very strange to say that sermons nourishe an opinion yt the dead are the better for them, when it is well knowen that both he that preacheth, thinketh otherwise, & the ende of preaching is to roote out of mens heartes such persuasions, which kinde of sermōs be most mete at that time to be vsed, when such especial occasiōs be offered. Secōdly, it is as strange to thinke that Papistes should for any such cause desire them, who are persuaded the doctrine that is taught to be flat heresie, and the preacher to be none of the church: and surely it is a strange fansie that can imagine a Papiste to thinke that sermon to helpe the dead, which condemneth prayer for the dead, Purgatorie, Masses, Diriges, Me∣rites, and such like Popish trashe, wherein the Papistes place all their hope of helpe for the dead. Wherfore if Papistes be so desirous of these sermons (which I can not beleue) and in many of them it is indéede vntrue, it is rather to auoyde the suspition of Papistrie, than to procure any helpe to the dead.
The seconde argument you will haue this, The minister is driuen by this meanes to* 1.2 preache of a suddeyne, and thereby the worde of God is negligently handled. &c. and is this so good a reason? Do you remember what you answered before, for the defense of prea∣ching twyse in a daye? you sayde it was a very simple Sermon that had not some good∣nesse* 1.3 and edyfying, and very slender meate, whiche is not better beyng gyuen euerye daye, than the best and deyntyest meate once onelye in a month. &c. And howe can hée bée taken so vn∣prouided, that is able to preach so often? or why should the woorde of God be more negligently handled by a minister preaching a funerall sermon vpon suddeyne war∣ning, than by the same minister preaching two sermons euery daye? your memory waxeth feble towardes the ende of your booke, else would you not haue so reasoned a∣gainst your selfe. But why may not he that preacheth a funerall sermon haue suffi∣cient warning? or if he haue not, why may he not refuse to preache it? There is no order or lawe that doth of necessitie binde him vnto it.