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…

7 Lastly, he saith, there is no reason to deprive the Church of power of ordaining significant ceremonies, because she may abuse it: wherein he saith true. But to argue from manifest abuses, against that which is called use, and yet is as like those abuses as one egg is like another, this I hope is reason.

7 Lastly, he sayth, there is no reason to deprive the Church of power of ordeining significant ceremonies, because she may abuse it: wherein he saith true. But to argue from manifest abuses, against that which is called use, and yet is as like those abuses as one egge is like another, this I hope is reason.

That which by the way is brought out of Peter Martyr, is not of any great force. For he there persuadeth that unto Hooper out of a good affection, which out of conscience he durst not do himself, though his place at Oxford did tie him unto it, as he professeth in an Epistle, p. 1127. Where also he showeth, that the chief end that moved him so to persuade Hooper, was because he hoped, that by his and such mens yielding, the ceremonies might in time be abolished: which we find to be an erroneous conjecture. But that hath much less reason in it which he addeth, viz. that the open gap of many ceremonies is now quite shut up, because our church is contented to admit of so few, and no more. For 1. we have not so much as the word of our Prelates for this nil-ultra. 2. The gap is every day made wider and wider by such defences as this is, which allow of Images themselves for some religious use. For by this means any crucifix may come in, that is not greater then the Church door. 3 They that shut up a gap upon their pleasure only, can when they please open it again.

That which by the way is brought out of Peter Martyr, is not of any great force. For he there persuadeth that unto Hooper out of a good aff•ction, which out of conscience he durst not doe himselfe, though his place at Oxford did tie him unto it, as hee professeth in an Epistle, p. 1127. Where also hee sheweth, that the chiefe end that moved him so to persuade Hooper, was because he hoped, that by his and such mens yeelding, the ceremonies might in time be abolished: which we find to be an erronious conjecture. But that hath much lesse reason in it which he addeth, viz. that the open gap of many ceremonies is now quite shut up, because our church is contented to admit of so few, and no more. For 1. we haue not so much as the word of our Prelats for this nil-ultra. 2. The gap is every day made wider and wider by such defenses as this is, which allow of Images themselues for some religious use. For by this meanes any crucifix may come in, that is not greater then the Church doore. 3 They that shut up a gap upon their pleasure onely, can when they please open it againe.