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…

Common reason also doth teach / that contraries are cured by their contraries: now Christianity and Antichristianitie / the gospel and popery / be contraries / therefore antichristianitie must be cured not by it self / but by that which is (as much as may be) contrary unto it: So that a meddled & mingled estate of the order of the gospel / & the ceremonies of popery / is not the best way to banish popery. And therefore as to abolish the infection of false doctrine of the papists / it is necessary to establish a divers doctrine / & to abolish the tyranny of the popish government / necessary to plant the discipline of Christ: so to heal y• infection y• hath crept ⟨p. 132⟩into mens minds by reason of the popish order of service / it is meet that the other order were put in the place thereof. Philosophy which is nothing else but reason / teacheth / that if a man will draw one from vice which is an extreme unto virtue / which is the mean / that it is the best way to bring him as far from that vice as may be / and that it is safer and less harm for him to be led somewhat too far / then he should be suffered to remain within the borders and confines of that vice wherewith he is infected. As if a man would bring a drunken man to sobriety / the best and nearest way is to carry him as far from his excess in drink as may be / and if a man could not keep a mean / it were better to fault in prescribing less then he should drink / then to fault in giving him more then he ought. As we see to bring a stick which is crooked / to be straight / we do not only bow it so far until it come to be straight / but we bend it so far / until we make it so crooked of the other side / as it was before of the first side / to this end / that at the last it may stand straight / and as it were in the mid way between both the crooks / which I do not therefore speak / as though we ought to abolish one evil and hurtful ceremony for an other / but that I would show / how it is more dangerous for us that have been plunged in the mire of Popery / to use the Ceremonies of it / then of any other idolatrous and superstitious service of God. This wisdom of not conforming it self unto the ceremonies of the Idolaters in things indifferent / hath the church followed in times passed.

Common reason also doth teach / that contraries are cured by their contraryes: now Christianitie and Antichristianitie / the gospell and popery / be contraries / therefore antichristianitie must be cured not by it selfe / but by that which is (as much as may be) contrary vnto it: So that a medled & mingled estate of the order of the gospell / & the ceremonies of popery / is not the best way to banish popery. And therfore as to abolishe ye infection of false doctrine of the papistes / it is necessary to establish a diuers doctrine / & to abolish the tirāny of ye popish gouernment / necessary to plant the discipline of Christ: so to heale y infection y hath crept