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…

Lastly, that public peace and holy friendship be maintained among the subjects, all occasions of contentious being, as much as possibly may be, taken out of the way. As the Apostle teacheth manifestly, as we have seen, so all learned men who be of sound judgement concerning the Magistrates office, do with one consent affirm, that these be the three chief parts of the office of the Prince, and of every godly Magistrate. Which thing being so, I see not how your gracious Majesty can, with good conscience, propound again the garments in question, and other things of that kind, smelling as yet of Popish superstition, and once banished out of the Churches, to the consciences of the Bishops¹ to be taken on again, and so propound them that you should compel them ⟨p. 101⟩by your commandment to receive them again. For first, this is quite contrary to the first and chief part of the Princes office. For if the Magistrate ought to have a chief care, that the worship of God be kept pure and without mixture; and if for this cause all things are to be abandoned which may any way either by themselves, or by accident defile this worship: and therefore all things are to be called back as much as may be, to the rule of God, and to the former and Apostolical, and so the more pure and simple form of religion: Finally, if as the Apostle commandeth, we be to abstain, not only from all evil, but also from all appearance of evil; to what end, I beseech you most renowned and most godly Queen, should those things be brought again into the Church of God, by the Princes commandment, which be contrary to the purity of the Apostolical worship, which smell of Popish superstition, which be neither available to the edification of the godly, nor to order, nor for ornament, except that which is whorish: which lastly, can bring no profit, but on the contrary, many evils to the Church? It is out of all doubt, that by this law concerning apparel, all godly men will be offended, but the wicked will laugh in their sleeve, and hereby be put in hope to get many moe things:

Lastlie, that publicke peace and holie friendship bee maintained among the subiects, all occasions of contentious being, as much as possiblie may be, taken out of the way. As the Apostle teacheth manifestlie, as we haue seene, so all learned men who bee of sound judgement concerning the Magistrates office, doe with one consent affirme, that these bee the three chiefe parts of the office of the Prince, and of everie godlie Magistrate. Which thing being so, I see not how your gracious Maiestie can, with good conscience, propound againe the garments in question, and other things of that kinde, smelling as yet of Popish superstition, and once banished out of the Churches, to the consciences of the Bishops