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…

If it shall be said, that notwithstanding these accidental abuses, yet the ceremonies are innocent in their own nature and use: I answer, first, they having no necessary use otherwaies, and these being the ordinary effects which have followed on them, there is no rule of Logic much less of zeal that will allow the Defendant simply to call them innocent. 2 It is a shame for our Prelates to talk of the ceremonies innocency, when they cannot defend their own innocency in obtruding and urging of them. They are wont to say, the practise and manner of urging we will not defend, but the lawfulness or innocency of the things themselves. Indeed for a private man to stand upon such ⟨image 4⟩terms is tolerable: but for the Prelates, whose hands are chief in this trespass, to cover their own guiltiness under figleaved innocency of three ceremonies, is too too gross. If Thomas or D. Morton in times past had pleaded for the ceremonies innocency, it might have been well interpreted: but for Thomas Chester, Thomas Lichfield, or any that beareth a Cathedral name, to write of the innocency of three ceremonies, passing by three hundred foul nocencies which are plainly to be seen in the Prelates urging and managing of these ceremonies, this is somewhat like as if Samson when he had sent Foxes with fire-brands in their tails among the corn, should then have written unto the owners of that corn a long letter concerning the innocency of Foxes and Fire-brands.

If it shall be said, that notwithstanding these accidentall abuses, yet the ceremonies are innocent in their own nature and use: I answer, first, they having no necessary use otherwaies, and these being the ordinary effects which haue followed on them, there is no rule of Logick much less of zeale that will allow the Defendant simply to call them innocent. 2 It is a shame for our Prelates to talk of the ceremonies innocencie, when they cannot defend their own innocencie in obtruding and urging of them. They are wont to say, the practise and manner of urging we will not defend, but the lawfulness or innocencie of the things themselues. Indeed for a private man to stand upon such ⟨image 4⟩termes is tolerable: but for the Prelates, whose hands are chiefe in this trespass, to cover their owne guiltiness under figleaved innocencie of three ceremonies, is too too grosse. If Thomas or D. Morton in times past had pleaded for the ceremonies innocencie, it might haue been well interpreted: but for Thomas Chester, Thomas Lichfild, or any that bearth a Cathedrall name, to write of the innocencie of three ceremonies, passing by three hundred foule nocencies which are plainly to be seen in the Prelates urging and managing of these ceremonies, this is somewhat like as if Samson when he had sent Foxes with fire-brands in their tailes among the corn, should then haue written unto the owners of that corne a long letter concerning the innocencie of Foxes and Fire-brands.