A reply to an answer made of M. Doctor Whitgifte Against the admonition to…A replye to an ansvvere made of M. Doctor VVhitgifte Against the admonition to…

And whereas he sayeth that they are changed / and made of notes of Antichristianitie / marks of Christianity / I say that they can not be changed so by any decree or commandment / for as much as notwithstanding that profession of change / the hearts of men unto which every man must have regard unto / are not changed. For not so soon as the magistrate will say that these things shall be from henceforth used as things indifferent / forthwith men do use them so / but those only use them so / which have knowledge / both the ignorant and the weak take them still otherwise. The rest of those things which M. Bucer / and those which M. Bullinger and Gualter bring / are all of that sort / whereunto answer is made.

And wheras he sayeth that they are chaunged / and made of notes of Antichristianitie / markes of Christianitie / I say that they can not be chaunged so by any decree or commaundement / for as much as notwithstanding that profession of chaunge / the heartes of men vnto whych euery man must haue regarde vnto / are not chaunged. For not so soone as the magistrate will saye that these thyngs shall be from henceforthe vsed as things indifferent / forthwyth men doe vse them so / but those only vse them so / whych haue knowledge / both the ignorant and the weake take them stil otherwise. The rest of those things whych M. Bucer / and those whych M. Bullinger and Gualter bring / are all of that sorte / wherevnto answere is made.

Only this they add / that if the people do abuse and pervert these ceremonies / they ought to be better instructed / which is a counsel not so convenient / that the ministers and pastors which have so many necessary points to bestow their time on / and to inform the people of / should be driven to cut of their time appointed thereto / to teach them not to abuse these things / which if they use never so well / they can gain nothing / and to take heed that they hurt not them selves at those things / which in their best estate do no good / especially when one sermon of the taking of them away joined with authority to execute it / may do more good then a thousand sermons without authority.

Only this they adde / that if the people do abuse and peruert these ceremonies / they oughte to be better instructed / whych is a counsell not so conuenient / that the ministers and pastors whych haue so many necessary poynts to bestowe their time on / and to informe the people of / should be driuen to cutte of their time appoynted thereto / to teache them not to abuse these things / which if they vse neuer so well / they can gaine nothing / and to take heede that they hurte not them selues at those things / whych in their best estate do no good / especially when one sermon of the taking of them away ioyned wyth authoritie to execute it / may do more good then a thousand sermons wythout authoritie.