Against Human Ceremonies in Gods Worship, Part 2 · Postscript
A POSTSCRIPT.
SOme Reader may inquire whence came this new writing about Ceremonies? And he may please to be informed, that after the Abrigement was printed, a great silence followed in England, about these matters (as if enough had been sayd on both sides) until D. Morton, then B. of Chester, not thinking it honest, to silence Ministers, for Ceremonies, before some answer was given unto their reasons they stood upon) undertooke with great confidence to give a full Answer to all which was objected.
This answer being printed, was divers years neglected, as conteyning litle or nothing that had not formerly been confuted.
But afterward (when silence was interpreted in such sence, as if it had been a yeelding cons…nt) it was by some thought fitting, that a breif Replie should be opposed.
This the Bishop thought not worthy of his owne Rejoynder; but was contented to put it off unto D. Burges, as a friend to him, ingaged in the cause, and wanting neyther will, nor witte, nor wordes, nor credit.
And he went about it, with all his might. But finding more rubbes in the way, then he had thought of, after he had spent about nine years, in Rejoyning to that which was written in some fowre we…kes, by Special Command (procured he knoweth by whome) was compelled to thrust forth his imperfect wo…ke, full of such passionate stuffe, as (it may be) upon more deliberation, he himself would have recalled.
VponUpon these out-cries, it was necessarie to speakagaine for a good cause, lest diffamation should praevayl against it.
But what good (will some say) can be exspected from this writing, when the cause appeareth d…sperat… Surely litle or none for the publick: Because in our Bishops courses, Will, and Power, have jus…led out Reason.
But yet Gods word is not bound. And if we must needes be oppressed by them, is it not worth a litle inke and paper, to demonstrate, that it is in a good cause?
By this meanes, our consciences are justified; our afflictions made more tolerable; our oppressours though more angered, yet must of necessitie be lesse insulting; and our names shall suffer lesse, though our bodies and outward estate endure more: and Posteritie shall not say, that (for our owne ease) we betrayed the cause, by leaving it more praejudiced to them, then we receyved it from our Fore-fathers.
FINIS.