The reply of the most illustrious Cardinall of Perron, to the ansvveare of the most excellent King of Great Britaine the first tome. Translated into English.

THE REPLIE.

THOSE demaundes of reformation in the head and in the members propounded before the last deuisiōs of the Church haue bene demaundes of reformation, not in the doctrine of Faith and of the sacraments, or vniuersall ceremonies of the Church, but in manners and in the practise of ecclesiasticall disci∣pline, which euen these words of reformation both in the head and members, principallie vsed in the time of the Councells of Constance and of Basile testifie. Now as there is great difference betweene complayning of the personall practise of Iustice, and of the exercise of the Officers of a Kingdome, and desiring the reformation thereof, and betweene complayning of the lawes, ordinances, and constitutions of the state: soe there is great difference betweene complayning of the conuersation and manners of Ecclesiasticall persons, & betweene complayning of the doctrine and institutions of the Church. For when the corruption (to speake by hypothesis) is in the doctrine, or in the sacraments, or vniuersall ceremonies of the Church, none can remaine in the communion of the Church, without participating in that contagion; but when it is in the manners and in the practise of dis∣cipline, those onely that committ the faultes are culpable therein, and not the rest who tolerate them as sainct AVGVSTINE saith for the good of vnitie, that which they detest for the good of equitie. And to whom the more frequent and fowle such scandalls are, by soe much the more is the meritt of their perseuerance in the communion of the Church, and the martir-dome of their patience, as sainct AVGVSTINE calls it. For this only Sacrifice of choosing rather to support the remayning in communion with such persons, then to rent the coate of Christ, and to separate themselues from his Church to auoid their Socie∣tie, is the most pleasing Sacrifice that can be offered vp to God. Now the Church hath alwaies, not only since the last ages, but from all antiquitie, bene filled with such like complaints. For while she shall remaine in this world, she shall alwaies singe this verse of the Canticle; I am black, but I am louelie, That is to saie, black in manners, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 louelie in doctrine; our Lord ha∣uing deferred till his second Coming, the making her glorious and without sport. And not only so, but euerie one in his time,

hath alwaies beleeued himselfe to bee in the worst age of the Church for manners and for the practise of discipline, because they sawe the euills of their owne time, and did but heare the historie of other times; whereof the relation doth not soe liuely touch the eares, as the sight touches the eyes. But neuerthelesse, neither the euill hath alwaies gone on increasing, nor the good alwaies diminishing; but according to the diuersitie of the ages, the Church hath bene either more or lesse pure in manners. For, as for those, that in the beginning of these last diuisions either perswaded in some pointes by the innouators, or ioyned to the partie of the innouators themselues, haue attempted to seeke out some accommodation in matter of doctrine, and of the vniuersall Religion of the Church, to come to a reunion, perswading themselues, that as the Poet saith.

— — — all men doe Sinn, Without the walls of Troy, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 within.

It will bee alwaies easie for vs to shew, that the desire of reconciliation rather then the knowledge of antiquitie and truth, hath caused them to speake this language.

Notes

• Augu. ep. 162
• Cantic. 1