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…

Therefore we easily see what the issue will be, if your gracious Majesty admit of that counsel which some do give you, to take on apparel, and other more Popish things besides. For some men, who be not well occupied, being stirred up by the example of your Majesty, will write books and disperse them throughout all Germany, of these things which they call indifferent, to wit, that it is lawful to admit of them, nay that they be altogether to be retained, that Papists may be the less estranged and alienated from us, and so we may come the nearer to concord and agreement. As if forsooth the Papists, though we for peace sake admitted of all those things, would ever amend their Doctrine, and banish out of their Churches, or at any hand lay down their false and godless decrees, manifest and abominable superstitions and idolatries: and there will be some who will answer such books once dispersed. So of this English fire there will rise a new burning flame in Germany and France, on which hot coals the Papists as so many Smiths a forging, will sprinkle cold water to make the flame the more vehement. And is not this a goodly benefit? Who therefore doth not see that this counsel tends to the troubling of all Churches. To conclude, that golden saying of a certain learned man is very true and certain, and approved by long experience, that indifferent things, that is, the question about indifferent things, is that golden apple of contention. So much shall suffice to have spoken of the troubling of public peace; what should I say of the consciences of private believers? It is manifest, that they are greatly troubled with this commandment, to put on these linen garments. For they do so greatly complain, that their lamenting voices & groans do reach unto, and are heard in Germany. Now how grievous and distasteful an offence it is to trouble the consciences of the godly, the holy Scripture showeth: partly when it commandeth that we make not the holy Spirit sad, neither offend the weak ones▪ partly when it threateneth grievous punishments against those who ⟨p. 109⟩fear not to do these things: partly also when it propoundeth the examples of the Saints, and specially of Paul, who speaks thus; If meat offend my brother, Isle eat no flesh while the world standeth, that I may not offend my brother.

Therfore wee easilie see what the issue wil bee, if your gracious Maiestie admit of that counsell which some doe giue you, to take on apparrell, and other more Popish things besides. For some men, who be not well occupied, being stirred up by the example of your Maiestie, will write bookes and disperse them throughout all Germanie, of these things which they call indifferent, to wit, that it is lawfull to admit of them, nay that they be altogether to be retained, that Papists may bee the lesse estranged and alienated from us, and so we may come the neerer to concord and agreement. As if forsooth the Papists, though we for peace sake admitted of all those things, would ever amend their Doctrine, and banish out of their Churches, or at any hand lay downe their false and godless decrees, manifest and abhominable superstitions and idolatries: and there will bee some who will answer such bookes once dispersed. So of this English fire there will rise a new burning flame in Germanie and France, on which hot coles the Papists as so many Smiths a forging, will sprinkle cold water to make the flame the more vehement. And is not this a goodly benefite? Who therefore doth not see that this counsell tends to the troubling of all Churches. To conclude, that golden saying of a certaine learned man is verie true and certaine, and approved by long experience, that indifferent things, that is, the question about indifferent things, is that golden apple of contention. So much shall suffice to haue spoken of the troubling of publick peace; what should I say of the consciences of privat belevers? It is manifest, that they are greatly troubled with this commandement, to put on these linnen garments. For they do so greatly complain, that their lamenting voyces & grones doe reach vnto, and are heard in Germany. Now how grievous and distastfull an offence it is to trouble the consciences of the godly, the holy Scripture sheweth: partly when it commandeth that we make not the holy Spirit sad, neither offend the weak ones partly when it threatneth grivous punishments against those who