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…

Why partial? because men should rather yield to Conformity for the credit of the Church: i. e. for the credit of the Convocation house. Alas, the credit which a great part of that generation doth seek for, is that they may rejoice in our flesh. But suppose they meant sincerely: would the Def. have men discredit and prejudice their Ministry, to bring some credit unto other mens decrees? Or doth the forbearing of some ceremonies bring such discredit to the Authorizers of them? surely then they are more for the honour of mortal men, then for the honour of God. For Gods honour and worship is no ways prejudiced by their absence.

Why partiall? because men should rather yeeld to Conformitie for the credit of the Church: i. e. for the credit of the Convocation house. Alas, the credit which a great part of that generation doth seek for, is that they may rejoyce in our flesh. But suppose they meant sincerely: vvould the Def. haue men discredit and prejudice their Ministery, to bring some credit unto other mens decrees? Or doth the forbearing of some ceremonies bring such discredit to the Authorizers of them? surely then they are more for the honor of mortall men, then for the honour of God. For Gods honour and worship is no vvaies prejudiced by their absence.

The last charge is pernicious. And here many words are used to give countenance unto that one. The main ground is, Woe to me if I preach not the Gospel; and Simon lovest thou me? then feed my sheep. Whereupon he gathereth, that it is a pernicious thing for a Minister to put himself unto silence. But 1 what is this to the question of discrediting ones Ministry? 2 Although we were most worthy to have these remembrances out of Scripture rubbed upon us yet the Prelates are altogether unworthy and unfit to do it. Let any man conceive with himself B. Bancroft, or any other in the end of the Convocation, after all the Canons were concluded, coming forth as Prolocutor, and speaking thus to the Ministers assembled together before him. Men and brethren, the reverend fathers of this Convocation, as they always meditate on the law of God, and every part of it, both day and night; so especially do they lay to heart those passages of holy Writ which properly concern their office: as woe unto me if I preach not the Gospel: and Simon lovest thou me? feed my sheep. Out of these considerations, being carried with a fervent zeal both of preaching themselves in their several places, and also of procuring more faithful Preachers, and more fruitful preaching throughout the land, they have over and above the institutions of Christ, appointed certain ceremonies strictly to be observed of every Minister: so that whosoever shall hereafter upon any pretence refuse to observe the same, they shall be esteemed factious, schismatical, disorderly, exorbitant men, and for that cause by their Ordinary suspended and deprived. oNw for the preventing of such a mischief your tender mother would have you to understand by my mouth, that if any man be thrust out of the Ministry for not yielding to these constitutions, howsoever they may seem unto him such as the Church cannot lawfully appoint, nor he observe, yet he is author of his own silencing: and therefore you must all be exhorted to consider well of those parcels of Scripture which have so much prevailed with your careful mother. Woe is me if I preach not the Gospel; Simon lovest thou me? feed my sheep.