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…

2 Are all peaceable discreet men, which are placed in the deprived ministers stead? For the best of them, they are still as great eye• sores to our Bishops almost as the other: because they reprove a great deal of Episcopal darkness, by their practises. For the rest, the congregations over whom they are set, cannot find it, the voice of all the country is otherwise for many of them; yet according to the Prelates measure, who meat (as it seemeth) the virtues and vices of a minister by certain ceremonies of their own imposing, it cannot be denied, but the most of them are very peaceable & discreet: Even so as many of the Bishops themselves were known to be afore they were Bishops, and show themselves to be still: for Episcopatus plures accepit quam fecit bonos.

2 Are all peaceable discreet men, which are placed in the deprived ministers stead? For the best of them, they are still as great eye• sores to our Bishops almost as the other: because they reprove a great deale of Episcopall darknesse, by their practises. For the rest, the congregations over whom they are set, cannot finde it, the voyce of all the countrey is otherwise for many of them; yet according to the Prelats measure, who meat (as it seemeth) the vertues and vices of a minister by certaine ceremonies of their owne imposing, it cannot bee denied, but the most of them are very peaceable & discreet: Even so as many of the Bishops themselves were known to be afore they were Bishops, and shew themselves to be still: for Episcopatus plures accepit quam fecit bonos.

3 What sense can this have, The Bishop depriveth Titius respectively, that he may constitute Sempronius? Doth he know before-hand whom he shall constitute? then there is gross legerdemain, betwixt ⟨p. 85⟩him and that Sem•ronius. For with what conscience can one seek and the other assign the place of him that is in possession? This is but some time in those benefices which are fatter, and whose patrons are more foolish. Ordinarily, the vilest minister that is to be found, may succeed in the place of him that is deprived, for ought the Bishop knoweth, or for ought he can do, except he will endure a quare impedit, which in case of moral unworthiness, hath scarce been ever heard of.