A reply to Dr. Mortons generall Defence of three nocent [sic] ceremonies viz. the surplice, crosse in baptisme, and kneeling at the receiving of the sacramentall elements of bread and wine.

SECT. XIII. XIIII.

COncerning the profession of our Church so often brought in, enough hath been said before, now it sufficeth to answer, that no profession whatsoever can make humane significant cere∣monies in Gods worship agree with Christian liberty.

As for superstition, vvhich the Defendant doth now the second time most ridiculously object, I haue answered in the beginning of this Confutation. Now onely I note: 1 how loosely he describeth that superstition vvhich he calleth affirmative: as if no man could use any thing superstitiously, except he did hold that without it the faith of Christianity, or the true worship of God could not possible consist. Never was there such a description given by any man that considered what he said.

2 Hovv manfully he concludeth our negatiue superstition, up∣on this ground, that Christ hath left these ceremonies free,

which is the maine question betwixt him and us.

3 How he mis-reporteth our opinion, in saving absolutely that we•• hold a Surplice to haue unholinesse and pollution in it: wher∣as we hold that it is onely made more unfit for Gods service then it was before through idolatrous abuse: but yet unto other us••s it may be applyed.

4 That in stead of Scripture, he bringeth forth the universall practise of men in the Church: vvhich yet hath been formerly¦ly also refuted.

5 That he can finde no Divine that calleth opposing of cere∣monies superstition, but onely M. Calvin in one place speaking rhetorically, as he useth to doe, and not intending any definition or distribution of that vice.

6 How he corrupteth P. Martyrs words, to haue some colour for a new accusation. P. Martyr taking there upon him the per∣son of an adversarie unto Hoopers opinion (with whom notwith∣standing afterward he consented, and recalled the counsell which then he gaue, as appeareth p. 1125) saith that if we should refuse all things that the Papists used, vve should bring the Church into servitude: which assertion is most true, because the Papists abu∣sed many necessarie things, even Christs own Ordinances, the ob∣serving of which is liberty. Now the Def. would haue that pre∣cisely u••derstood, and that in the rigour of every word concer∣ning the Surplice.

I haue here subioyned apart an Epistle of Zanchius who otherwaies was somewhat favourable to Bishops: wherein the Reader may see his iudgement concerning superstitious garments.

To the most renowmed Queene Elizabeth, Defen∣dresse of the Christian Religion, and most mighty Queen of England, France and Ireland H. Zanchius sendeth greeting.

MOST gracious and most Christian Queene, we haue not without great griefe understood, that the fire of con∣tention about certaine garments, which we thought had been quenched long agone, is new againe to the incredible offence of the godly, as it were raised from hell, and kindled a fresh

in your Majesties Kingdome: and that the occasion of this fire is, because your most gracious maiestie being perswaded by some, otherwise great men, and carried with a zeal (but certainly not according to know∣ledge) to retaine unitie in religion, hath now more then ever before re∣solved and d••c••eed, yea doth will and command that all Bishops† 1.1 and M••nisters of the Churches shal in divine service put on the white and linnen garments which the Popish Priests use now in Poperie; yea that it is to be feared, least this fire be so kindled, and cast its flame so farre and wide, that all the Churches of that most large and mightie king∣dome, to the perpetuall disgrace of your most renowned Maiestie, be set on a flaming fire: seeing the most part of the Bishops, men greatly re∣nowned for all kinde of learning and godlines, had rather leaue their office and place in the Church, then against their owne conscience, ad∣mit of such garments, or at the least signes of Idola••rie and Popish su∣perstititon, and so defile themselues with them, and giue of fence to the weak by their example. Now what other thing will this be, then by retaining of these garments, to destroy the whole body of the Church•• For without doubt that is Satans intent, by casting a seed of dissentions amongst the Bishops. And that hee aimed at in the infancie of the Church by stirring vp discord between the East and West Churches, a∣bout the Passover and other ceremonies of that kind. Therfore Irene∣us Bishop of Lions, had just cause in his Epistle sent out of France to Rome, sharply to reproue Victor the Pope of Rome, because he out of a kind of zeale, but not according to knowledge, was minded to excom∣municate all the churches of Asia, because they celebrated not the Pass∣over just at the same time, as they at Rome did. For this was nothing but by an unseasonable desire to retaine the same ceremonies in all chur∣ches to rent and teare a peeces the vnitie of the Churches. I therefore so soone as I heard that so great a ruine hanged over the Church of Christ in that kingdome, presently, in respect of that dutie which I owe to the Church of Christ, to your gracious Maiestie, and to that whole kingdom, intended to write thither, and to try by my uttermost endevor whether so great a mischiefe might possibly be withstood: some that fear Christ, and wish wel to your Maiestie, exhorting me to the performance of this dutie. But when I had scarcely begun to think of this course, behold our most illustrious. Prince commanded 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to do it, which com∣mand of his did not onely spurre me one, who of mine owe accord was

alreadie running, but laid a necessitie of writing upon me. Wherefore this my boldnesse will seeme the lesse strange unto your gracious Maie∣stie, seeing my writing proceedeth not so much from mine owne will and counsell of friends, as from the commandement of my most No∣ble Prince, who is one of your gracious Maiesties speciall friends. Now I thought I should doe a matter verie worth the paines taking, if first I should humbly admonish your most famous Maiestie what your dutie is in this cause: and secondlie, if as your humble sup∣pliant I should beseech you for our Lord Iesus Christs sake, to performe the same. I beseech your gracious Maiestie to take this my writing in good part, for it proceedeth from a Christian loue toward the Church, and from an especiall reverend respect that I beare to your most gracious Maiestie. The Lord knoweth all things. Now to the matter in hand.

Whereas the Apostle writing to Timothie, commandeth that praiers be made for Kings, and all other that be in authoritie, and saith, that the end wherefore they bee ordained, is, that wee may lead a peaceable and quiet life in all (that is, perfect) godlinesse and honestie, he teacheth plainlie enough what is the dutie of godlie Kings and Princes, namelie, that they take care, and bring to passe, that first and aboue all things, true religion, and the true worship of God, where it is banished, bee restored, and being restored, bee kept pure: all things which smell of impietie being farre remo∣ved. Secondlie, that men may liue honestlie and holilie, all kinds of vncleannesses beeing abandoned. Lastlie, that publicke peace and holie friendship bee maintained among the subiects, all occa∣sions of contentious being, as much as possiblie may be, taken out of the way.

As the Apostle teacheth manifestlie, as we haue seene, so all lear∣ned men who bee of sound judgement concerning the Magistrates of∣fice, doe with one consent affirme, that these bee the three chiefe parts of the office of the Prince, and of everie godlie Magistrate. Which thing being so, I see not how your gracious Maiestie can, with good conscience, propound againe the garments in question, and other things of that kinde, smelling as yet of Popish superstition, and once banished out of the Churches, to the consciences of the Bishops* 1.2 to be taken on againe, and so propound them that you should compell them

by your commandement to receiue them againe. For first, this is quite contrarie to the first and chiefe part of the Princes office. For if the Magistrate ought to haue a chiefe care, that the worship of God be kept pure and without mixture; and if for this cause all things are to bee abandoned which may anie way either by themselues, or by acci∣dent defile this worship: and therefore all things are to bee called backe as much as may be, to the rule of God, and to the former and A∣postolicall, and so the more pure and simple forme of religion: Fi∣nallie, if as the Apostle commandeth, we bee to abstaine, not onelie from all evill, but also from all appearance of evill; to what end, I beseech you most renowned and most godlie Queen, should those things bee brought againe into the Church of God, by the Princes comman∣dement, which be contrarie to the puritie of the Apostolicall worship, which smell of Popish superstition, which bee neither availeable to the edification of the godlie, nor to order, nor for ornament, except that which is whoorish: which lastlie, can bring no profit, but on the contrarie, manie evills to the Church? It is out of all doubt, that by this law concerning apparrell, all godlie men will be offended, but the wicked will laugh in their sleeve, and hereby be put in hope to get ma∣nie moe things: as for those of the middle sort, that is, such as bee newlie converted and turned from ungodlines to godlines, and be not as yet well grounded, they will be in great danger, and if we speake according to mans judgement, they will rather looke back to the old superstition, to which by nature wee are inclined, then fixe and fasten their eyes upon true religion. And therefore this is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a decree which will bring no advancement at all to godlines, but may much further vngodlinesse. For though these garments bee not evill and vncleane of and by themselves, that is, of their owne nature, yet because of the former and late abuse, they are not altogether free from uncleannesse. Certainlie it cannot bee de∣nied, but that they will at the least, ••giue occasions of manie e∣vills and verie grievous superstitions. Now the verie occasions also of evills are to bee shunned. To what end then should these bee thrust upon the Church, from whom no profit can bee hoped, verie much evill may come? for this is to tempt God. Your famous Maiestie may well remember, that not without cause it was written, Hee that toucheth pitch, shall bee defiled with it:

that the Apostle had reason to command, that we should purge out the old leaven, that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lumpe. And that Hosea did not foolishly reprove the Iewes, because they translated and brought a yong graffe (of superstitions) out of Israel into their owne garden, that is, the true Church. We ought, most religious Queene, to haue nothing at all to doe with the Papists in matter of religion, saue in those things which they haue common with the Apostles. Why, I beseech you, were some kings, otherwise godly, reproved and blamed in the Scriptures, that they had not taken away Churches or Temples for divine service in the mountaines, which were built by holy Fathers ere the building of the Temple, in which the Lord was wont to bee wor∣shipped? Surely, because the Temple being now builded and ordained for divine service, God would not haue any footsteps of any other chap∣pell at all to bee extant. Therfore also when once the kingdome of Christ was manifested, the ceremonies and garments of Aaron ought not any more to take place. For this cause the Apostles were upon good ground carefull, that after Christs ascention, they should so be ta∣ken away, that no relickes of them remained. And if they tooke them away holily, unholily haue the Papists called them back againe. Now whether it be better to follow the godly simplicitie of the Apostles, or the ungodly pompe of the Papists, who is ignorant? This recalling of such Popish garments, your gracious maiestie may beleeue me, will bee a greater evill, then peradventure it may bee seene, even to very wise men at the first blush: For me thinkes I see and heare the Monks cry∣ing out with very loud voyces in the Pulpits, both confirming their followers in their ungodlie religion, by the example of your gracious Maiestie, and also saying, What? doth not even the Queene of Eng∣land also, a most learned and a most prudent Princess, beginne by little and little to come back to the religion of the holy Church of Rome, the most holy and sacred vestments of the Clergie men being taken on a∣gaine? we are to be in good hope that the day will come, wherein she will a length, though now they be thought to be dead, recall also all the other rites and sacraments of the holy Church of Rome. These and such like words, no doubt, most prudent Queene, the Monkes and Ie∣suites will use in the Pulpits. For they take all occasions to confirme their superstitions. Therfore to recall these stinking garments, and o∣ther rubbish of the Popish Church into the Church of Christ at this

time, what is it but to giue the Papists an occasion, and the best that may bee, to confirme and harden themselves and thei•• in their su∣perstitions, and also to helpe them in this businesse? But let us heare what the Prophet sayd to Iehosaphat King of Iuda, when he helped Ahab; Darest thou helpe the wicked, and loue those vvho hate the Lord? For this thing the vvrath of the Lord is vpon thee. And what other thing will this bee, then even to call backe the weake from the studie of pure Religion, and to giue them a privie warning to looke backe, and returne into Aegipt? It is an easie mat∣ter for us weake men, who of our owne nature are prone to supersti∣tion, to slide backe to impietie. Therefore occasions of sliding backe to vngodlinesse, ought to be taken away, and at no hand to bee given. And what else, I pray you, meant God in forbidding to plow with an Oxe and an Asse, to sow the same field with diverse kinds of seeds, and to weare a garment woven of linnen and wollen together? It is an odious and detestable thing with God, that the same field of the Lord should bee tilled by ungodlie and godlie Bishops together; If in the same Church Popish Doctrine be taught with the Doctrine of the Gospell; Finallie, if sacraments, ceremonies, and rites, part∣lie Apostolicke, and partlie Popish, be used, and the Church bee cloathed with them as with a garment of linsey-wossey. For what agreement hath light with darknesse? And therfore those things which bee not of God, but from them who haue defiled Gods wor∣ship, are utterlie to be cast away, which the Lord himselfe comman∣ded to bee done, when hee charged utterlie to destroy all things which appertained to those who should giue vs counsell to follow strange Gods, and to burne their garments, and all their stuffe with fire in the middest of the street, to shew our detestation of such Seducers, and that they might bee an execrable thing to the Lord. And who knoweth not that these garments are a part of the houshould stuffe of that Romish Seducer? There shall cleave no∣thing of the execrable thing, sayth hee, to thy hand, that the Lord may turne from the fiercenesse of his wrath, and multiplie thee, as he hath sworne to thy Fathers, &c. Wherefore to bring these garments, seeing they bee the houshold stuffe of Antichrist, into the Church of Christ, what is it else then to provoke God to anger, and to kindle his furie against us? Certaine it is, that he who is a true friend

of Christ, will never seeke to haue the ornaments of Antichrist in his owne house, and much lesse will hee suffer them in the Temple of Christ. For who can indure the armes of his enemie in his owne house, and specially in the chiefest roome of the same? And if God will haue a thing destroyed and abolished, who are we that we dare build it up againe. But it is Gods will that after the death of Christ all gar∣ments of Aaron and Levi should be abolished: and hee hath plainlie enough manifested everie where, that in these our dayes he would haue all vngodlie and vaine ceremonies, pompes, deceits, and paintings of the Papists driven away by the shining brightnesse of the Gos∣pell: because these things haue no power in them to kindle and increase godlines, but greatlie availe to the quenching of the same. Neither verilie can I see to what other end these garments tend, then in ve∣ry deed (that I may now come vnto the second head) to defile and disgrace the faire face; nay, the whole bodie of the Church of England reformed according to the† 1.3 Gospell; as if the chaste and honest daughter of a King should bee attired with those verie gar∣ments wherewith some famous and notable whoore used to bee a∣dorned, and when shee were so clothed, were commanded to goe abroad in the streets. Now who can allow or judge this to bee to∣lerable? Wherefore though for no other, yet for this very cause, such garments ought not to bee thrust upon the Church of Christ, because that harlot of Rome hath abused, and doth still at this day abuse them (though in their owne nature they bee not evill) to evill, and to cover her fornications, or rather to entice men to commit fornication. For all these pompes, and Popish ceremo∣nies are nothing else but whoorish paintings invented and devi∣sed for this end, that men might thereby bee allured to spirituall fornication. Is it not therefore a filthie and dishonest thing, to haue these in the Church of Christ? If the brasen serpent, which had beene ordained of God, and that for the wholesome vse of the Israelites, was taken away by godly King Ezekias, because the Israelites had abused it contrarie to the word of God: and if Ezekias bee highlie commended for this so doing, because hee had ••••ned that Serpent into ashes, and commanded them to bee cast into the running water, that there might never bee any print or

signe of it extant any more; how much more then are these vn∣cleane garments to bee banished out of the Church of God, see∣ing the Apostles never vsed them, but the whoore of Rome hath used them in her Idolatrous worship, and to seduce men? For it is a verie dishonest thing, that such things as are of themselues indifferent, and haue been long used to the dispight and disho∣nour of God, should bee retained in the Church of God, to the hazard of the salvation of godlie men. And much lesse that kinde of garments, which is nothing but an invention of men, or ra∣ther of the Divell himselfe, devised to seduce the simple ones. Wee all know what praise those common-wealthes deserue, which make good lawes that the subiects shall not weare out-landish and strange apparrell, nor bring it into the Common-wealthes, be∣cause it is a corruption of good and honest manners, and of the Common-wealthes themselves. How then can that counsell which is given to your Maiestie, bee commended, to wit, that gar∣ments unknowne to the Christian world in tht time of the Apo∣stles, and Apostolicall men, should bee brought into the Church of Christ. A••d if an out-landish kinde of attire bee not tolerated in well-governed Common-wealthes▪ how much lesse are Idolatrous, and heathenish garments to bee borne with in the Church, where God is to be worshipped in spirit and truth, and where hee would haue few and verie simple ceremonies? Also if God established by his Law, that a woman may not put on a mans apparrell, not a man a womans, the one beeing so well of it selfe dishonest, and contrarie to nature as the other: Why then should godlie Bishops,† 1.4 and the servants of Christ bee clothed, or rather shamed and defor∣med with the garments of godlesse Priests, and slaues of Anti∣christ? Why should wee not rather, as wee bee of a divers religi∣on from them, so also be discerned from them, at least in the per∣formance of such duties as belong unto Gods worship, by outward signes, such as garments be? Verilie this was Gods will, and hee re∣quired of his people, that it should bee discerned from the pro∣phane Gentiles, as by other things, so also by a divers sort of ap∣parrell, and so should professe by this publicke signe, that it would haue nothing to doe with the Gentiles.

And why should not wee doe the same? Are wee not the people of God? abides not the equitie of the same commandemet? And if the word honest bee derived of honour, what honour will it bee for the Church of Christ to haue Bishops attired and disguised with Popish vi∣sors in the administration of the Gospell and Sacraments, so as they shall rather be derided then be reverenced any whit by the people? And what commendation shall it be for your gracious Maiestie in true Churches, and among true beleevers, that you permit such trifles to bee called back into your Church? Therfore it standeth not with honesty, that holy Bishops† 1.5 be compelled to receiue such visors, neither is it in∣deed a matter worthy of honour and praise, neither deserveth it the name of vertue. For if your Majestie should command that all Eng∣lish men, leaving that ancient and very graue and comely attire, should weare Turkie coats, or a souldiers weed, as it is called: who would e∣ver approue this decree as honest? And it is much lesse praise-worthy, if godly Bishops be enioyned, laying aside, or at least changing the ho∣nest and ancient apparrell, which the Apostles wore, to wit, that com∣mon and graue habit, to put on the ridiculous and execrable or accursed garments of godlesse Mass-priests.

Now concerning the third part of the Princes duties, there is nothing fitter to trouble the publicke peace of the Church then this counsell. For everie noveltie, especially in religion, either by it selfe, if it bee e∣vill, disturbs and troubles a good peace, or if it bee good, gives occasion of trouble by accident, by causing contention betweene e∣vill and good men. But as in things which be good of themselves, of which nature the reformation of the Churches according to the will of God is, we are not to care for the troubling of that vngodlie peace, that is of the world (for Christ came not by his Gospell to keep such a peace, but rather to take it away, and to send a sword) so assuredly, by the ur∣ging of things indifferent, to trouble the peace of Churches, and to cause strife between good men and bad, yea between godlie men them∣selues, is so wicked, that it can by no meanes bee defended, so that Ireneus had just cause to reproue Victor Bishop of Rome, for this cause, as hath been sayd afore. For it must needes bee, that at such times the Churches be rent in peeces, then which thing, what is more hurtfull? Many examples in the histories of the Church proue this

which I say. How many and how great troubles arose in the Primi∣tiue Church, between those who beside the Gospell urged also circumci∣sion and the law, and between those who upon good ground reiected them? And how great evills would this dissention haue brought to the Church of Christ, had not the Apostles betime withstood them by that councell gathered together at Ierusalem, by a lawfull examination and discussing of the cause by manifest testimonis of the Scriptur••s, and by sound reasons? If your gracious Maiestie (as you ought) desire both to be and to seeme Apostolicke, then imitate the Apostles in this matter. Neither lay and impose this yoke upon the neckes of Christs Disciples your selfe, nor suffer it to be imposed by others. But if you see that the Bishops disagree about this matter among themselves, assemble a Sy∣nod, and cause this controversie to be examined by the Scriptures. And then looke what shall be proved by plaine testimonies, and strong rea∣sons, propound that to be observed by all, and command by your decree•• that that be observed, and so take disagreement out of the Church. For your gracious Maiestie ought to be verie carefull, that there be no in∣novation in religion, but according to the word of God. By this means shall a true peace, concord and unitie of the Churches bee preserved. But if the proceeding be otherwise, what other thing will it be, then to take away vnitie, and to trouble the Christian peace? And this I may not passe over with silence, that by this noveltie of the busines, not onely the publick peace shall be troubled in that kingdome, but also ma∣nie else-where out of that kingdome will haue occasion given them to raise new contentions in Churches, and that to the great hinderance of godlines, and the more slow proceeding of the Gospell. For all men know, that the most part of all the Churches, who haue fallen from the Bishop of Rome, for the Gospels sake, doe not onely want, but also ab∣horre those garments, and that there be some Churches, though few in comparison of the former, which doe as yet retaine those garments in∣vented in Poperie, as they verie stifly retaine some other things also, because the reformers of those Churches, otherwise worthy men, and ve∣rie faithfull servants of Christ, durst not at the first (neither iudged they it expedient) vtterly abolish all Popish things. But as the common manner is, every man likes his owne best. Now I call those things a mans owne, not so much which everie man hath invented, as those be∣side,

which every man chooseth to himselfe, receiveth, retaineth, and pursueth, though they be invented to his hand by others. But if there be also annexed the examples of other men, they bee more and more hardened in them, and are not onely hardened, but also doe their ut∣termost endevour by word and writing, to draw all the rest to be of their minde? Therfore wee easilie see what the issue wil bee, if your graci∣ous Maiestie admit of that counsell which some doe giue you, to take on apparrell, and other more Popish things besides. For some men, who be not well occupied, being stirred up by the example of your Maiestie, will write bookes and disperse them throughout all Germanie, of these things which they call indifferent, to wit, that it is lawfull to admit of them, nay that they be altogether to be retained, that Papists may bee the lesse estranged and alienated from us, and so we may come the nee∣rer to concord and agreement. As if forsooth the Papists, though we for peace sake admitted of all those things, would ever amend their Doctrine, and banish out of their Churches, or at any hand lay downe their false and godless decrees, manifest and abhominable superstitions and idolatries: and there will bee some who will an∣swer such bookes once dispersed. So of this English fire there will rise a new burning flame in Germanie and France, on which hot coles the Papists as so many Smiths a forging, will sprinkle cold water to make the flame the more vehement. And is not this a goodly benefite? Who therefore doth not see that this counsell tends to the troubling of all Churches.

To conclude, that golden saying of a certaine learned man is verie true and certaine, and approved by long experience, that indifferent things, that is, the question about indifferent things, is that golden apple of contention. So much shall suffice to haue spoken of the troubling of publick peace; what should I say of the consciences of privat belevers? It is manifest, that they are greatly troubled with this commandement, to put on these linnen garments. For they do so greatly complain, that their lamenting voyces & grones doe reach vnto, and are heard in Germany. Now how grievous and distastfull an offence it is to trouble the con∣sciences of the godly, the holy Scripture sheweth: partly when it com∣mandeth that we make not the holy Spirit sad, neither offend the weak ones▪ partly when it threatneth grivous punishments against those who

feare not to doe these things: partly also when it propoundeth the exam∣ples of the Saints, and specially of Paul, who speakes thus; If meat of∣fend my brother, Ile eat no flesh while the world standeth, that I may not offend my brother. For in those words hee giveth a generall rule, by his example, taken out of the doctrine of Christ, to wit, that no indifferent thing is to be admitted and yeelded unto, much less to bee ur∣ged upon others, and least of all to be commended by decree: if in the ad∣mitting, urging & commanding of it, the minds of good men, and con∣sciences of the faithfull be offended, for a tender conscience, which fea∣reth God, is a thing most pretious and acceptable to God. How therefore can that counsell be approved, which would haue a law established and proclaimed by the Princes command for the use of garments to be u∣sed by Ministers in the ministerie. For (to speak many things in few words) if such garments be to be propounded to the faithfull, they are to be propounded either as indifferent, or as necessary: If the later, wee doe vngodlily, because we make those things necessarie, which Christ would haue to be free: If the former, then are they to be left free to the Churches. But by commanding and compelling, we make things that bee free and indifferent, to be necessarie, and so fall into the same trespasse••. Moreover, either they be ordained of God by Moses, or they be delivered by Christ God manifested in the flesh, or they be ordained by the ho∣ly Ghost working and speaking in the Apostles, or they are of men, ei∣ther godly or wicked. Those ceremonies and Levitical garments, which were ordained of God by Moses, ought all of them to haue an end after the death of Christ, as the scriptures shew plainly, especially the Epistles of Paul to the Coloss. and Hebr. therefore they cannot be revoked & cal∣led back without the transgression of Gods will. It cannot be sayd that Christ taught them, because ther is no word extant to that end, but rather he taught plainly oftentimes, that all Moses his ceremonies were ended. And the same I affirme concerning the Apostles. It remaines therefore that they be sayd to be of men. If they be from godly men, then were they ordained of them, either to edefication, or for order and comelines. But they avail not to edification, that is, to further comelines, but rather tend to the overthrow of it, as we saw before; neither for any good order, but rather they tend to disorder, for there is a confusion of godly and wicked Bishops, whereas it is meet and equall, that one of them bee discerned

from anothe••, even by their garments also. Neither doe they make Christs spouse comelie, as we shewed a little before. Therfore we ought not to yeeld unto them. And such things as haue been invented by men, voyd of Gods spirit, doe nothing appertaine to us. Lastly, the Apostles vsed not these garments. For we haue no authenticke testimonie. Now the Church is to be fashioned after the rule of that Apostelicall Church in ceremonies and garments, as well as in Doctrine. What doe wee then with these garments in the Church? By whose authoritie can they be approved? What profit or wholsome use can the Christian people haue by them? But on the contrarie we haue shewed that godliness is weakned by them, the pure worship of God is violated, Popish super∣stition is by little and little called back, the godlie be offended, the wic∣ked be confirmed and hardened in their ungodlinesses; the weak in faith are brought into hazard of their salvation; there are occasions of many evills given; Monkes and other Popish preachers are hereby helped to confirme their followers in their superstition; the wrath of God is provoked against us; those things which God would haue to bee destroyed, are hereby builded againe by 〈◊〉〈◊〉; the whole face of the Church is defiled and disgraced: there is a foule sinne committed against ho∣nest and good lawes forbidding the putting on of strange and outlan∣dish garments: and so the whole Church is dishonored, Besides, the publick peace of the Church, yea of many Churches is troubled: one Bishop is set against another, the consciences of the godly are troubled, and the minds of goood men are offended, Gods spirit is made sad in them, and this apple of contention is cast, as it were, upon the table of the Gods.

Now seeing the matter stands thus, most gracious Queene, not one∣ly I•• but all my fellow-ministers, and all the godly prostrate before you, intreat your Maiestie, and for Iesus Christs sake, whom we are per∣swaded you loue from your heart, we humbly beseech your Maiestie not to embrace that counsell aforesayd, neither to giue eare to such coun∣sellors. For those counsells (most godly Queene) are not for the good of that your Church and kingdome, nor for the honor of your Maie∣stie, seeing they neither serve to the increase of godliness, nor to the re∣taining of the honestie of the Church, neither to the preservation of pub∣lick peace, but rather verie greatly weaken all these good things, which

your. Princely Ma•• ought chieflie to stand for. Let your Ma•• rather bend all your thoughts,* 1.6 authoritie and power hereunto, that first and a∣boue all you may haue Bishops, who be trulie godlie, and well exercised in the holie scriptures, as by the blessing of God you haue very many, and that you make much of, and giue eare to them. Secondlie, that you bee carefull that with all diligence they may discarge their office, watching over the flock teach sound doctrine, confute heresies, driue away Wolues, keepe everie man in his own calling, and exhort and stirre up everie man to lead a life beseeming a Christian. The Elders also and Deacons are to be admonished, that everie one be diligent in his own of∣fice, and if need be, they are to be compelled by your gracious Ma•• autho∣thoritie, that neither the former by their sleeping and winking at the misdemeanors of the flock, suffer the reines to be loosed to all licenti∣ousnes, and to the lusts of the flesh; neither that the later, by reason of their immoderate care for their own private businesses, neglect the poore people of the Church, and omit such other things as belong to their of∣fice. For these three sorts of men bee the verie sinewes of the Church, upon whom the salvation or destruction of the Church doth chieflie de∣pend. Furthermore, your gracious Ma•• ought to vse great care and di∣ligence, that the Vniversities, and in them good and godlie teachers, bee well looked to, cherished, liberally maintained and preserved, for these are as the mothers, and nurses of the Churches, in which and by which those are to be fashioned, borne, brought up and adorned, who being fit, may be called from time to time to rule and governe the Churches. Last of all such things as cannot be corrected & amended by the word and discipline of the Church, as it is necessarie, that according to Gods word they be cut off and taken away by the sword of the Magistrate, so your gracious Maiestie is to take care of them: as adulteries, blas∣phemies, and other capitall crimes of that sort. For God hath given the Magistrate the sword for this end, that ungodly seducers, filthy knaues, and unquiet men being restrayned, the rest may lead a quiet and peace∣able life in all godlines and honesty. This is the matter (most gracious Queen) whereon you are to spend your thoughts, hereabout are your counsells to be occupied, here is all your strength to be shewed, namely, that (to end in a word) we all denying vngodlines and worldly lusts, may liue soberly, justly, and godlily in this present world. For this

is the true and fairest garment of all other. For which everie man ought to take care, to wit, that having put off the old man with his workes, we put on the new man, that is, our Lord Iesus Christ, neither are there any other true ornaments which become Christian Bishops, besides those which the Apostle hath laid downe in his writings to Tim. and Tit. A Bishop must bee unreproveable, the husband of one vvife, vvatching, sober, modest, harborous, apt to teach, not given to vvine, no stryker, nor given to filthy luere, but gentle, no fighter, not covetous, one that can rule his house honest∣ly, having children under obedience in all honestie, not forward, not angrie, righteous, holy &c. For garments and ornaments of Aarons high Priest, were types of these true ornaments; those were the shadowes, these be the bodie. Wherefore let those bee gone, and let these abide still. And then at length shall we haue the whole Church, and so the Bishops rightlie and trulie apparrelled.

Once againe I humblie beseech your gracious Maiestie, that think∣ing no more of those outward garments, you will mind and consider how these true and spirituall ornaments may be retained, put upon, and kept in the Churches. And as I said in the beginning, that according to your gracious Maiesties clemencie you will be pleased to pardon my boldnes in writing. Our Lord Iesus Christ long preserue your gracious Maiestie safe and sound to vs, and to the whole Church. From Hei∣delberg. 10. Septemb. 1571.

THus (good sir) you see how I haue endevoured to satisfie your desire concerning the general part of the Defence. If this doe not fully content you, I vvill (if it please God) add vvhat is vvanting another time. For it is fit vve should helpe one another in private, concerning these things, lest the publick sway of forma∣litie should make us forget or forgoe that sinceritie vvhich those men of God taught us, in whom vvhen we vvere yet children, we saw the power of godlines that made us loue their footsteps.

Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walke na∣ked, and they see his shame, Apoc. 16. 15.

Notes

• † 1.1

  Zanchius it is like was misinfor∣med, for Bi∣shops haue bin the chief devisers and advisers.
• * 1.2

  Pauls Bi∣shops ••hee meaneth, or els as I sayd before, he is misinfor∣med.
• † 1.3

  Vntrue, or misin∣formed.
• † 1.4

  still mis∣informed.
• † 1.5

  still mis∣informed.
• * 1.6

  In making 3 sorts of officers af∣terwards Bishops Se∣niors, or El∣ders & Dea∣cons, hee must take word Bi∣shop in the scripture language, as common to all Pastors.