The true and only way of concord of all the Christian churches the desirableness…

§. 4. 4. Obj. But if Princes meddle with Pastors, Preachers and Religion, when far more of them are bad than good, and erroneous than in the right, it must follow that more good will be hindered by them than evil, and in most places the best will be persecuted by them, and the worst approved and preferred.

Answ. 1. And was it not so, and worse under the Popes and their Prelates? Let their own historians judge. 2. Nay it hath been ill Clergy men that have instigated Princes to do most of the ⟨p. 270⟩chief to the Church that they have done. 3. This tells us the calamitous case of mankind, but not at all how to help it. 4. This argument should urge Princes to amend, but not to neglect their duty for fear of doing it amiss. By the like argument in Muscovy they have put down preaching, saying, Most will preach amiss. And others put down all praying save the reading of imposed words, saying that most else will pray amiss. And so these would restrain Princes from Governing Bishops and Preachers and matters Ecclesiastical, saying, Else they will do most amiss. 5. But it is supposed that Princes have their Councils; And as they consult with Lawyers in matters of Law, and with Soldiers in matters of War, and with Physicians in matters of that profession, so they will consult with Divines (as they are called) in matters of Divinity and Religion.

Answ. 1. And was it not so, and worse under the Popes and their Prelates? Let their own historians judge. 2. Nay it hath been ill Clergy men that have instigated Princes to do most of the ⟨p. 270⟩chief to the Church that they have done. 3. This tells us the calamitous case of mankind, but not at all how to help it. 4. This argument should urge Princes to amend, but not to neglect their duty for fear of doing it amiss. By the like argument in Moscovy they have put down preaching, saying, Most will preach amiss. And others put down all praying save the reading of imposed words, saying that most else will pray amiss. And so these would restrain Princes from Governing Bishops and Preachers and matters Ecclesiastical, saying, Else they will do most amiss. 5. But it is supposed that Princes have their Councils; And as they consult with Lawyers in matters of Law, and with Souldiers in matters of War, and with Physicions in matters of that profession, so they will consult with Divines (as they are called) in matters of Divinity and Religion.