An apologetical reply to a book called an answer to the unjust complaint of…An apologeticall reply to a booke called an ansvver to the unjust complaint of…

But the peoples interest to choose their Pastor is right, is lawful, is free, by the law of God, standeth upon the grounds of reason and nature, is derived from Christian equity and society, was from the beginning, &c.

But the peoples interest to chuse their Pastor is right, is lawfull, is free, by the law of God, standeth upon the grounds of reason and nature, is derived from Christian aequity and society, was from the beginning, &c.

To his exception [unless by some law custom or consent the people have restrained themselves &c. or by their default, or abuse, the Canons, Councils, superior powers, or public laws have abridged, altered, or abrogated the same] he answereth, that our Saviour reproved the abuse of the law in the Scribes and Pharisees, but took not away the least title of it. We grant, in like manner, that Custom, consent, Councils, superiors, laws may reprove, restrain and reform the disordered unruliness, and contentions of the people, in, and about their election, and that they may alter, abridge, or enlarge the manner of elections: but that ⟨p. 46⟩any superior powers may take this right into their own hands (as he saith) from the people, or that the people, by any law, custom, or consent &c. may transfer their right, freedom, and interest given & deduced unto them by these rules and grounds, I do not yet perceive any good ground or reason for the same. For, hath the wisdom of God and his providence made us free men? and can we, without contempt of his grace, become bondmen? And, albeit in some cases that may be well sayd, quod volenti non fit injuria, and that, quilibet potest recedere a suo jure; yet the cases must be such, as wherein a man is not tied to maintain his liberty with so strong a bond, as the bond of reason & nature, of the rules of Christian equity, and of the freedom of the law of God. It is free for a man not to eat or drink this, or that, but not to eat or drink at all, and so to starve himself, it is not free: and in this case, volenti fit injuria. Husbands, parents, and masters have, by the very instinct of nature, and equity of Christs law, freedom to provide for those that depend upon them, and so must carefully use this their freedom, & may not wholly put from themselves the care of their provision, education &c. nor give their consent to the making of any law, or to the bringing in of any custom, whereby their freedom should be restrained, or annihilated, in this point. Thus far he.