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…

as for those of the middle sort, that is, such as be newly converted and turned from ungodliness to godliness, and be not as yet well grounded, they will be in great danger, and if we speak according to mans judgement, they will rather look back to the old superstition, to which by nature we are inclined, then fix and fasten their eyes upon true religion. And therefore this is […] a decree which will bring no advancement at all to godliness, but may much further ungodliness. For though these garments be not evil and unclean of and by themselves, that is, of their own nature, yet because of the former and late abuse, they are not altogether free from uncleanness. Certainly it cannot be denied, but that they will at the least, give occasions of many evils and very grievous superstitions. Now the very occasions also of evils are to be shunned. To what end then should these be thrust upon the Church, from whom no profit can be hoped, very much evil may come? for this is to tempt God. Your famous Majesty may well remember, that not without cause it was written, He that toucheth pitch, shall be defiled with it: ⟨p. 102⟩that the Apostle had reason to command, that we should purge out the old leaven, that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. And that Hosea did not foolishly reprove the Jews, because they translated and brought a young graft (of superstitions) out of Israel into their own garden, that is, the true Church. We ought, most religious Queen, to have nothing at all to do with the Papists in matter of religion, save in those things which they have common with the Apostles. Why, I beseech you, were some kings, otherwise godly, reproved and blamed in the Scriptures, that they had not taken away Churches or Temples for divine service in the mountains, which were built by holy Fathers ere the building of the Temple, in which the Lord was wont to be worshipped? Surely, because the Temple being now builded and ordained for divine service, God would not have any footsteps of any other chapel at all to be extant. Therefore also when once the kingdom of Christ was manifested, the ceremonies and garments of Aaron ought not any more to take place. For this cause the Apostles were upon good ground careful, that after Christs ascension, they should so be taken away, that no relics of them remained.

as for those of the middle sort, that is, such as bee newlie converted and turned from ungodlines to godlines, and be not as yet well grounded, they will be in great danger, and if we speake according to mans judgement, they will rather looke back to the old superstition, to which by nature wee are inclined, then fixe and fasten their eyes upon true religion. And therefore this is a decree which will bring no advancement at all to godlines, but may much further vngodlinesse. For though these garments bee not evill and vncleane of and by themselves, that is, of their owne nature, yet because of the former and late abuse, they are not altogether free from uncleannesse. Certainlie it cannot bee denied, but that they will at the least, giue occasions of manie evills and verie grievous superstitions. Now the verie occasions also of evills are to bee shunned. To what end then should these bee thrust upon the Church, from whom no profit can bee hoped, verie much evill may come? for this is to tempt God. Your famous Maiestie may well remember, that not without cause it was written, Hee that toucheth pitch, shall bee defiled with it: