A fresh suit against human ceremonies in God's worship. Or a triplication unto. D.…A fresh suit against human ceremonies in God's vvorship. Or a triplication unto. D.…

Now seeing the matter stands thus, most gracious Queen, not only I, but all my fellow-ministers, and all the godly prostrate before you, entreat your Majesty, and for Jesus Christs sake, whom we are persuaded you love from your heart, we humbly beseech your Majesty not to embrace that counsel aforesaid, neither to give ear to such counsellors. For these counsels (most godly Queen) are not for the good of that your church and kingdom, nor for the honour of your Majesty, seeing they neither serve to the increase of godliness, nor to the retaining of the honesty of the Church, neither to the preservation of public peace, but rather very greatly weaken all these good things,¹ which your Princely Majesty ought chiefly to stand for. Let your Majesty rather bend all your thoughts, authority and power hereunto, that first and above all you may have Bishops, who be truly godly, and well exercised in the holy Scriptures, as by the blessing of God you have very many, and that ⟨p. 62⟩you make much of, and give ear to them. Secondly, that you be careful that with all diligence they may discharge their office, watching over the flock, teach sound doctrine, confute heresies, drive away Wolves, keep every man in his own calling, and exhort and stir up every man to lead a life beseeming a Christian. The Elders also and Deacons, are to be admonished, that every one be diligent in his own office, and if need be, they are to be compelled by your gracious Majesties authority, that neither the former by their sleeping and winking at the misdemeanours of the flock, suffer the reins to be loosed to all licentiousness, and to the lusts of the flesh; neither that the later, by reason of their immoderate care for their own private businesses, neglect the poor people of the Church, and omit such other things as belong to their office. For these three sorts of men be the very sinews of the Church, upon whom the salvation or destruction of the Church doth chiefly depend.

Now seeing the matter stands thus, most gracious Queene, not onely I, but all my fellow-ministers, and all the godly prostrate before you, intreat your Majesty, and for Iesus Christs sake, whom we are perswaded you love from your heart, we humbly beseech your Majesty not to embrace that counsell aforesayd, neither to give eare to such counsellors. For these counsells (most godly Queene) are not for the good of that your church and kingdome, nor for the honor of your Majesty, seing they neither serve to the increase of godlinesse, nor to the retaining of the honesty of the Church, neither to the preservation of publick peace, but rather very greatly weaken all these good things,