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…

But the Defendant undertaketh to prove, that the cause of silencing •is not in the Bishops that suspend and deprive us: but in our selves. He is as it seemeth, a great adventurer: For he cometh forth upon this piece of service with flying colours: Know you well what you say (saith he) when you lay the cause of your silencing upon the Bishops? Yes surely, very well. For a cause is that which bringeth force or virtue to the being of another thing.

But the Defendant undertaketh to proue, that the cause of silencing •is not in the Bishops that suspend and deprive us: but in our selves. He is as it seemeth, a great adventurer: For hee commeth forth upon this peece of service vvith flying colours: Know you well what you say (sayth hee) when you lay the cause of your silencing upon the Bishops? Yes surely, very well. For a cause is that which bringeth force or vertue to the being of another thing.

Now the first virtue (or rather vice) which tendeth to silencing. of Ministers in this case, is in the Bishops canons: they therefore are the first cause. The second virtue is in the Bishops and their officers, which are executioners of those unconscionable canons: they therefore are the secondarie cause. Non-conformitie hath no virtue in it of it own nature, nor by Gods ordinance, to bring forth such an effect as the silencing of Gods Ministers ⟨p. 84⟩is• though it be made an occasion by the perverseness of our Prelates. I know well what I say: and will make it good against the Defendants vain pretences. The case standeth thus (saith he) Titus (It had been more proper to say Diotrephes) the Bishop doth deprive Titius a factious & schismatical minister, that he may place Sempronius, a peaceable and discreet man, in his stead. In this proceeding, the intendment of Titus is not absolutely to deprive Titius, as he is a Minister, but as he was factious: yet so only respectively, that Titius being deprived, he may constitute Sempronius: for the charge of a Bishop is not determinate to appoint precisely this minister: but indefinite, to ordain a minister: so that the course of Gods plough is still preserved and continued. But as for Titius, who will rather be silenced then conform, it is evident, that the cause of his silencing being his own refractarinesse, which is only personal and proper to himself, and yet hath no faculty in himself to appoint or admit of a successor: he may be said to have properly caused his own suspension and deprivation.