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…

For if your Majesty should command that all English men, leaving that ancient and very grave and comely attire, should wear Turkey coats, or a soldiers weed, as it is called: who would ever approve this decree as honest? And it is much less praise-worthy, if godly Bishops be enjoined, laying aside, or at least changing the honest and ancient apparel, which the Apostles wore, to wit, that common and grave habit, to put on the ridiculous and execrable or accursed garments of godless Mass-priests. Now concerning the third part of the Princes duties, there is nothing fitter to trouble the public peace of the Church then this counsel. For every novelty, especially in religion, either by it self, if it be evil, disturbs and troubles a good peace, or if it be good, gives occasion of trouble by accident, by causing contention between evil and good men. But as in things which be good of themselves, of which nature the reformation of the Churches according to the will of God is, we are not to care for the troubling of that ungodly peace, that is of the world (for Christ came not by his Gospel to keep such a peace, but rather to take it away, and to send a sword) so assuredly, by the urging of things indifferent, to trouble the peace of Churches, and to cause strife between good men and bad, yea between godly men themselves, is so wicked, that it can by no means be defended, so that Ireneus had just cause to reprove Victor Bishop of Rome, for this cause, as hath been said afore. For it must needs be, that at such times the Churches be rent in pieces, then which thing, what is more hurtful? Many examples in the histories of the Church prove this ⟨p. 107⟩which I say. How many and how great troubles arose in the Primitive Church, between those who beside the Gospel urged also circumcision and the law, and between those who upon good ground rejected them? And how great evils would this dissension have brought to the Church of Christ, had not the Apostles betime withstood them by that council gathered together at Jerusalem, by a lawful examination and discussing of the cause by manifest testimonies of the Scriptures, and by sound reasons? If your gracious Majesty (as you ought) desire both to be and to seem Apostolic, then imitate the Apostles in this matter.

For if your Majestie should command that all English men, leaving that ancient and very graue and comely attire, should weare Turkie coats, or a souldiers weed, as it is called: who would ever approue this decree as honest? And it is much lesse praise-worthy, if godly Bishops be enioyned, laying aside, or at least changing the honest and ancient apparrell, which the Apostles wore, to wit, that common and graue habit, to put on the ridiculous and execrable or accursed garments of godlesse Mass-priests. Now concerning the third part of the Princes duties, there is nothing fitter to trouble the publicke peace of the Church then this counsell. For everie noveltie, especially in religion, either by it selfe, if it bee evill, disturbs and troubles a good peace, or if it bee good, gives occasion of trouble by accident, by causing contention betweene evill and good men. But as in things which be good of themselves, of which nature the reformation of the Churches according to the will of God is, we are not to care for the troubling of that vngodlie peace, that is of the world (for Christ came not by his Gospell to keep such a peace, but rather to take it away, and to send a sword) so assuredly, by the urging of things indifferent, to trouble the peace of Churches, and to cause strife between good men and bad, yea between godlie men themselues, is so wicked, that it can by no meanes bee defended, so that Ireneus had just cause to reproue Victor Bishop of Rome, for this cause, as hath been sayd afore. For it must needes bee, that at such times the Churches be rent in peeces, then which thing, what is more hurtfull? Many examples in the histories of the Church proue this