A reply to Dr. Mortons general Defence of three nocent [sic] ceremonies viz. the…A reply to Dr. Mortons generall Defence of three nocent [sic] ceremonies viz. the…

HERE is set down a reason of Mr. Hy. to prove that our Ceremonies in their use and practise are preferred and honoured above principal parts of Gods worship: because the ablest ministers that are, may not be suffered to exercise any ministry in England, except they will apply themselves to these Ceremonies. To this the Defendant answereth, that it is dull Sophistry: because by this means only an orderly and discreet Preacher is preferred before one that is factious and exorbitant.

HERE is set downe a reason of Mr. Hy. to proue that our Ceremonies in their use and practise are preferred and honoured aboue principall parts of Gods worship: because the ablest ministers that are, may not be suffered to exercise any ministerie in England, except they will apply themselves to these Ceremonies. To this the Defendant answereth, that it is dull So•histry: because by this meanes onely an orderly and discreet Preacher is preferred before one that is factious and exorbitant.

Now, if ever, he speaketh like an Ordinary, like a Bishop, when he sitteth in his Pontificalibus, to judge the poor according to the Laws of iniquity. It seemeth some galled place of his conscience was touched, when mention was made of silencing able and godly ministers for trifling ceremonies of mans invention. How much better were it for such men to enter into their hearts betimes, and think what answer they can give unto God for such palpable treachery? But to examine a little the reason that is in this answer; under the term of Dull Sophistry: he more then denieth the consequence of the reason: yet if it be rightly understood, all his wit will not avoid the dint of it. For 1. thus I take the meaning, which is the practise: he that is an able godly minister, if he will not use these ceremonies, ⟨p. 27⟩may not be suffered to have place in the Ministry: but he that will use these ceremonies, though he may neither comparatively to the other, nor any thing competently by himself, be either able or godly, shall hold his place in the Ministry. Therefore these ceremonies are preferred before the main things of the Law and Gospel. 2 I take it thus: though there cannot be found able & discreet conformable Ministers enough to supply all the Parishes of England, yet many able and godly men are shut out of the Ministry because they vvill not conform to these ceremonies: therefore conformity to these ceremonies is preferred before the main duties of Gods worship. If all the Defendants sharpness of wit can answer the bluntness of this Argument, which every Ploughman that is a good Christian doth usually make against the Prelates proceedings, then I for my part will be contented to be called dull, for from my childhood hitherto I ever took it to be unanswerable.