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 the maintainers of this apparel / have for their greatest defence / that it is a thing mere civill: to let pass / that they confound Ecclesiastical orders with civill (which they can no more justly do / then to confound the church with the common wealth) I say to let that pas / they do by this means not only make it an Ecclesiastical ceremony / but also a matter of conscience. For if so be that the white apparel of the minister have any force / either to move the people / or the minister unto greater pureness / or to any other godliness whatsoever / then it is that which ought to be commanded / and to be obeyed of necessity / and to be retained / although the contrary were forbidden. And then also if there be a virtue in a white garment / and the signification thereof be so strong to work godliness / it were meet that order were taken / that the whitest clothe should be bought / that it should be often (at the least every week once) washed by a very good launder / and with soap: for if the white help / more white helpeth more / and that which is most white / helpeth most of all to godliness. Although the church have authority to make ceremonies (so they be according to the rules before recited of Gods glory / and profiting the congregation) I could for all that never yet learn / that it had power to give new significations / as it were to institute new sacraments. And by this means is taken clean away from us / the hold which we have against the papists / whereby (against all the goodly shows which they make by the colour of these significations) we say / that the word of God / and the sacraments / of baptism / and of the supper of the Lord / are sufficient to teach / to admonish / and to put us in remembrance of all duty whatsoever. So we are now come to the superstition of the Grecians / for as they will have neither graven / nor carved image in their Churches / but painted / so we will nether have graven / nor carved / nor painted / but woven. And truly I see no cause / why we may not have as well holy water & holy bread / if this reason which is here / be good: for I am sure the significations of them are as glorious as this of the surplice / and call to remembrance as necessary things.

And whereas the maintainers of this apparell / haue for their greatest defence / that it is a thyng meere ciuill: to let passe / that they confounde Ecclesiasticall orders wyth ciuill (whych they can no more iustly do / then to confounde the church wyth the common wealth) I say to let that pas / they do by thys meanes not only make it an Ecclesiastical ceremonie / but also a matter of conscience. For if so be that the white apparell of the minister haue any force / either to moue the people / or the minister vnto greater purenes / or to any other godlynes whatsoeuer / then it is that whych ought to be commaunded / and to be obeyed of necessity / and to be retained / althoughe the contrarye were forbidden. And then also if there be a vertue in a white garment / and the signification therof be so strong to worke godlynes / it were meete that order were taken / that the whitest clothe should be bought / that it should be often (at the least euery weeke once) washed by a very good launder / and wyth sope: for if the white helpe / more white helpeth more / and that whych is moste white / helpeth moste of all to godlynes. Although the church haue authoritye to make ceremonies (so they be according to the rules before recited of Gods glory / and profiting the congregation) I coulde for all that neuer yet learne / that it had power to giue newe significations / as it were to institute newe sacramentes. And by this meanes is taken cleane awaye from vs / the holde whych we haue against the papistes / whereby (against all the goodly shewes whych they make by the coloure of these significations) we say / that the word of God / and the sacramentes / of baptisme / and of the supper of the Lord / are sufficient to teache / to admonishe / and to put vs in remembrance of all duetye whatsoeuer. So we are nowe come to the superstition of the Grecians / for as they will haue neyther grauen / nor carued image in their Churches / but painted / so we wil nether haue grauen / nor carued / nor painted / but wouē. And truely I see no cause / why we may not haue as wel holy water & holy bread / if this reason whych is here / be good: for I am sure ye significations of them are as gloryous as this of the surplice / and call to remembraunce as necessarye things.