The other words quoted out of M. Cartwright are, that the example out of Ester is no sufficient warrant for our Holy days: 1 because our estate ought not to be so ceremonious as theirs, 2 That was done by a special direction of the spirit of God. To this the Def. answereth first, that if then when the ceremonies were so many one might be added, much more now. Which consequence were good, cae•eris par•bus, if all other things did agree: but this is that very thing which M. Cartwright denied. He answereth in the second place, that it is ⟨p. 46⟩presumption to imagine a special direction where none can be proved. But how shall we trust this man in relating the Arguments and Answers of the Ministers in private conference, when now the second time, as it were in one breath, he so unjustly accuseth M. Cartwright as giving no reason for that he saith, whose printed book doth confute him? for so it followeth in M. Cartwright, immediately upon the words by him quoted, p. 194. This may appear by another place, where the Jews changed their fasts into feasts, only by the mouth of the Lord, through the ministry of the Prophet. For further proof whereof I take the 28 ver. where it appeareth that this was an order to endure always, even as long as other feast days, which were instituted by the Lord himself: so that what abuses soever were of that feast, yet as a perpetual decree of God it ought to have remained: whereas our Churches can make no such decree, which may not upon change of time and other circumstances be altered. For the other proof hereof I take the last verse. For the Prophet contenteth not himself with that, that he had rehearsed the decree, as he doth sometime the decree of profane Kings, but addeth precisely, that as soon as ever the decree was made, it was registered in this book of Ester, which is one of the books of Canonical Scripture: declaring thereby in what esteem they had it. If it had been of no further authority then our decrees, or then a canon of one of the Councils, it had been presumption to have brought it into the Library of the Holy Ghost.
The other vvords quoted out of M. Cartwright are, that the ex•mple out of Ester is no sufficient warrant for our Holy daies: 1 because our estate ought not to be so ceremonious as theirs, 2 That was done by a speciall direction of the spirit of God. To this the Def. answereth first, that if then when the ceremonies were so many one might be added, much more now. Which consequence vvere good, cae•eris par•bus, if all other things did agree: but this is that very thing vvhich M. Cartwright denyed. He answereth in the second place, that it is ⟨p. 46⟩presumption to imagine a speciall direction where none can be proved. But how shall vve trust this man in relating the Arguments and Answers of the Ministers in private conference, vvhen now the second time, as it vvere in one breath, he so unjustly accuseth M. Cartwright as giving no reason for that he saith, vvhose printed booke doth confute him? for so it followeth in M. Cartwright, immediately upon the vvords by him quoted, p. 194. This may appeare by another place, where the Iewes changed their fasts into feasts, onely by the mouth of the Lord, through the ministerie of the Prophet. For further proofe whereof I take the 28 ver. where it appeareth that this was an order to endure alwayes, even as long as other feast daies, which were instituted by the Lord himselfe: so that what abuses soever were of that feast, yet as a perpetuall decree of God it ought to haue remained: whereas our Churches can make no such decree, which may not upon change of time and other circumstances be altered. For the other proofe hereof I take the last verse. For the Prophet contenteth not himselfe with that, that he had r•hearsed the decree, as he doth sometime the decree of profane Kings, but addeth precisely, that as soone as ever the decree was made, it was registred in this booke of Ester, which is one of the bookes of Canonicall Scripture: declaring therby in what esteem they had it. If it had been of no further authority then our decrees, or then a canon of one of the Councels, it had been presumption to haue brought it into the Library of the Holy Ghost.
