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…

And if they took them away holily, unholily have the Papists called them back again. Now whether it be better to follow the godly simplicity of the Apostles, or the ungodly pomp of the Papists, who is ignorant? This recalling of such Popish garments, your gracious majesty may believe me, will be a greater evil, then peradventure it may be seen, even to very wise men at the first blush: For me thinks I see and hear the Monks crying out with very loud voices in the Pulpits, both confirming their followers in their ungodly religion, by the example of your gracious Majesty, and also saying, What? doth not even the Queen of England also, a most learned and a most prudent Princess, begin by little and little to come back to the religion of the holy Church of Rome, the most holy and sacred vestments of the Clergy men being taken on again? we are to be in good hope that the day will come, wherein she will a length, though now they be thought to be dead, recall also all the other rites and sacraments of the holy Church of Rome. These and such like words, no doubt, most prudent Queen, the Monks and Jesuits will use in the Pulpits. For they take all occasions to confirm their superstitions. Therefore to recall these stinking garments, and other rubbish of the Popish Church into the Church of Christ at this ⟨p. 103⟩time, what is it but to give the Papists an occasion, and the best that may be, to confirm and harden themselves and thei• in their superstitions, and also to help them in this business? But let us hear what the Prophet said to Jehoshaphat King of Judah, when he helped Ahab; Darest thou help the wicked, and love those who hate the Lord? For this thing the wrath of the Lord is upon thee. And what other thing will this be, then even to call back the weak from the study of pure Religion, and to give them a privy warning to look back, and return into Egypt? It is an easy matter for us weak men, who of our own nature are prone to superstition, to slide back to impiety. Therefore occasions of sliding back to ungodliness, ought to be taken away, and at no hand to be given. And what else, I pray you, meant God in forbidding to plough with an Ox and an Ass, to sow the same field with diverse kinds of seeds, and to wear a garment woven of linen and woollen together?

And if they tooke them away holily, unholily haue the Papists called them back againe. Now whether it be better to follow the godly simplicitie of the Apostles, or the ungodly pompe of the Papists, who is ignorant? This recalling of such Popish garments, your gracious maiestie may beleeue me, will bee a greater evill, then peradventure it may bee seene, even to very wise men at the first blush: For me thinkes I see and heare the Monks crying out with very loud voyces in the Pulpits, both confirming their followers in their ungodlie religion, by the example of your gracious Maiestie, and also saying, What? doth not even the Queene of England also, a most learned and a most prudent Princess, beginne by little and little to come back to the religion of the holy Church of Rome, the most holy and sacred vestments of the Clergie men being taken on againe? we are to be in good hope that the day will come, wherein she will a length, though now they be thought to be dead, recall also all the other rites and sacraments of the holy Church of Rome. These and such like words, no doubt, most prudent Queene, the Monkes and Iesuites will use in the Pulpits. For they take all occasions to confirme their superstitions. Therfore to recall these stinking garments, and other rubbish of the Popish Church into the Church of Christ at this