The apology of the Church of England, and an epistle to one Seignior Scipio…

32. BUT then, Sir, we have done nothing rashly, nor without very great reason, nothing but what we saw was lawful at all times to be done; and which had often been done by the Holy Fathers without any blame. And thus calling together the Bishops, and a very full Synod, by the common consent of all our States, We cleansed the Church of those Dregs and Corruptions which either the carelessness or malice of Men had brought in, and purged it as the Augean Stable: And as far as it was possible, we have reduced all things to their ancient Splendour, and the resemblance of the Apostolical times, and Primitive Church. And all this, as we might lawfully do it, so for that cause have we done it confidently.

32. BUT then, Sir, we have done nothing rashly, nor without very great reason, nothing but what we saw was lawful at all times to be done; and which had often been done by the Holy Fathers without any blame. And thus calling together the Bishops, and a very full Synod, by the common consent of all our States, We cleansed the Church of those Dregs and Corruptions which either the carelesness or malice of Men had brought in, and purged it as the Augean Stable: And as far as it was possible, we have reduced all things to their ancient Splendor, and the resemblance of the Apostolical times, and Primitive Church. And all this, as we might lawfully do it, so for that cause have we done it confidently.

33. THAT which Pope Gregory the First wrote about these Affairs please me; and the more because he wrote about the Institution of the English Churches to Augustin Bishop of the English. He exhorts him then, not that he should refer things ⟨p. 191⟩to a Council, but that according to his Discretion, he should appoint such things as he saw did most tend to the increase of Piety. You know (saith he) my Brother, the Custom of the Church of Rome, in which you were brought up; but I am best pleased with this Course, that where-ever you find any thing which is most pleasing to Almighty God, whether it be in the Church of Rome, or that of France, or in any other Church, you would carefully pick and choose the principal things, and settle them in the Church of England, which is yet new and to be settled in the Faith, and that in the Constitution thereof, you should instill those things which you have thus collected from many several Churches for Customs are not to be loved for the sake of the Places, but the Places for their Sakes.