haue a diuers shewe of aparel to be knowē from the comon people so is yt necessary in aparell to haue a shew howe a protestante is to be knowen from a papiste Yt hathe pleasyd God to call vs to preache his heuenly worde to that hye office God geue you grace and vs all to seke hys honor glorie yf we so do with a pure hart and mynde he hath promysed He that honorith me I will glorify him and he that contemnith me I wyll contemne him Let ther be no curtisye made to healpe gods people now they be in danger Call to your remembraunce Quene Easter she begane to make curtisy to speke in the cause but Mardocheus sayd vnto her Yf thou now hold thy peace God shall delyuer by an other meane yet thou thy fathers house shall peryshe You that can and may do good do it whyle tyme is offerid the tyme will come when it wylbe to late yet god wyll comfort his by some other meane It ys a perilous thinge not to healpe in the tyme of neade not to suffer religion to goe forward in all syncerite and to further gods cause when ye maye when Terenti a good Christian captaine returnid with great triumphe victory the Emperor Valerius bade him axe what he wold and he shuld haue it for his good seruice he hauing God before his eyes desyryd nether ryches nether honor but those which had aduentered their liues for true religion might haue a church alowid them to serue their god purely in seueral from the Arrians The Emperour beyng angrie with his request pullyd his supplicacion in pecis and bade him axe som other thing but he gathered vp the pecis of his paper and sayd I haue receuid my rewarde I wyll axe nothinge els God encrece about Princes the small nomber of suche zelous futers promoters of religion and then no doubt gods glorye shall florishe when we seke his dewe honor and not oure owne profyte But to avoide contencion scisme Austen gevith good counsel to godly and quiet men that they mercifully correcte that whiche they can that which they can not paciently beare grone and morne with loue vntil god ether correct or amend them But how this Christian loue shuld be kept in this church when so manye godlie for so small thinges shal be thruste out also how many already is from the ministery theyr lyuinges yt passyth manye good and godlie mittes to conceyue S. Pauls rule in suche thinges sayth All thinges to me is lawfull but all thinges is not expedient all thinges to me is lawfull but all thinges edefye not Therfor in this case we must not so suttelly dispute what Christian liberte will suffer vs to do but what is metist and most edefying for Christian charite promoting Christian and pure religion But surely how popishe aparell shuld edefie or set forwarde the gospell of Christ Iesus it can not be seen of the multitude nay it is to much fealt how gredly it reioysith the aduersaries of the truth when they see what we borowe of them contend for the same as thinges necessarie marke well the bysshopes wearing of their whyte rochets what grounde they fyrste had and from whence they receyuid it Ther was a certayne man namid Sisinius an heriticke bishop of the Novacions and he first begane yt all those other popish trashe hath the lyke foundacions but they haue to long contineuyd pleasyd poperie which is beggerly pacchid vp of al sortes of cerimones that they coulde neuer be routyd out sence no not from manie professors of the gospel Wherfore you that se others that is come to a better perfection grudge not at yt but be thankfull to God though thynges may be borne wyche for a tyme for Christian lybertes sake in hope to winne the weake yet when lyberte is turnyd into necessite yt ys evell no lenger lyberte and that that was for wynning the weake sufferid for a tyme is become the confyrminge of the frowarde in their obstinacie Paul vsyd circūcision for a tyme as of lyberte but when it was vrgyd of necessite he wold not bende vnto it That famous father Master Bucer when he was axyd why he wolde not weare a square cape made aunswere because hys heade was not foure square wherin surelye he notyd well the comlynes of aparell to be when yt was fassionyd lyke the body a gret folly when a square cape was set on a rounde heade God be mercyfull vnto vs and graunte vs vprightly to seke hys honore wyth all earnestnes simplicite The Lorde comfort his afflictid church graunte that in this oulde age of the worlde we may serue the Lord of hostes in synglenes of hart and laboure to rote out all stomblinge blockes in religion that Christes glorie maye nakydly shyne of yt sealue without all tradicions or inuencions of men as in the begynninge when yt was purest and all such deuyses vnknowen but inuentid of late to bleare the eyes of the ignorant with outwarde shewe of holines God graunt that we may geue all honor to whom al honore is deue both inwardly and outwardly to serve hym vnfaynedlye al the dayes of oure lyfe Fare well deare brethren in the Lorde Iesu who euer kepe vs in hys fayth feare and loue for euer Amen ¶ To my faythfull Brethren now afflycted to all those that vnfaynedly loue the Lorde Iesus the Lorde guyde vs with his holy spret that we maye always serue hym bothe in body and mynde in all synceryte to oure lyues ende WHen I do remember dearly belouyd the great charge inioynyd vnto vs of almyghtie God the strayghte accounte that we shall haue to make for the ryghte vse and dispensacion of his mysteries I fynde no comparison myght iustly moue any Christyan to doubt of the better of those two choyses only that whych makythe a shewe for the mayntenaunce of popishe apparel is the opynion of indifferency whych thynge he that wyll perswade marke wel good Christyan must fyrst proue that it tendythe to Godes glory Concurrythe wythe his worde edefyeth his churche mayntaynyth Christyan lyberte whych condycions circunstances if they wante The thynge whych otherwyse by nature is indifferent dothe degenerat and become hurtfull but howe can Godes glory be auaunced by those popishe garmētes whych supersticyous men Antychrist haue inuentyd for the maynteyninge beutyfyinge of Idolatry what agrement can mans supersticious inuencyons haue wythe the eternall worde of God what edifycacion can there be wher the spirit of god is greuyd Christes lytillous discoragyd the bōdage of ceremonies what it bringith the weake brethren brought into doubt of relygyon the wyckyd papists confyrmyd in their errour And adore new set open to all Popish tradycions and Antychristian impietie nether can any man call this Christian lybertie where a yoke is layd vpon the dysciples neckes where the consciens is cloggyd
To my louynge brethren that is troublyd abowt the popishe aparrell two short and comfortable Epistels Be ye constant for the Lorde shall fyght for yow yowrs in Christ ¶ To all my faithful brethren in Christ Iesu and to all other that labour to weade out the wedes of popery Peace in the Lorde Iesu be with you and make you perfite in all good workes to doe his will working in you that which is pleasant in his sight through Iesus Christ our Lord. DEare Brethren because we are creatid for gods glory the edification one of another in Christ and are bounde to serue thervnto by wealthe or woo lyfe or death and cheifly they to whom God haue geuen the greter gyftes and whom he hath callyd to higher romes are moste bounde to be zelous for gods glory with godly zelousie to profyt the churche and spouse of Christe vnder their charge and that by no subteltye as the Apostel warnithe they shulde be corrupted from the symplicitie of Christ therfore there is no doubt of your good zealle and diligence My good fathers deare brethren who ar first callid to the battel to striue for gods glory and the edification of his people against the Romish reliques and rages of Antichrist I doubt not but that you wyl coragiouslye and constantlye in Christ rape at these rages of Gods enemyes and that you will by this occasion race vp many as grete enormites that we all know labore to race out all the dregges remnants of transformid popery that are crept into England by to much lenite of them that wylbe namid the Lordes of the cleargie what is he that hath the zeale of gods glory before his face that wyl not ioyne both in prayer and in sufferinge with you in so good a cause that is so much for gods glory and the edificacion of gods church in the pure simplicite of Christes word sacramentes wherin our enemies and persecutours are strangely bewitchid I wote not by what Circes cupe that they do make suche a diuersite betwixt Christes worde his sacramentes that they can not thinke the worde of God safelye ynoughe preachid honorably inough handlyd without cap cope surplis But that the sacraments the maryinge the buryinge the churching of wemen other church seruice as they call it muste nedes be decored with crossinge with capping with surplessing with knelinge with preti wafer cakes and other knackes of poperi O Paule that thou were a lyue thou durst tell those politike gentelmen that ther hath bin to much laboure bestoued vpon them in vaine thou durste say vnto them as thou didest to the Corinthians that they eat not the Lordes supper but pley a pagent of their owne to blynde the people and kepe them still in supersticion fare from the symplicite of Christes supper but howe many sely sowles is ther that dothe beleue veryly that they haue an English masse and so put no difference betwene truth falshod betwene Christ and antichrist betwene God and the deuell they are strangely bewitched I say that thus wyll bynde theyr Englyshe presthode sacraments but muche more enchauntid that can fynd no garments to please them But such as haue ben polutid openly with popishe supersticion Idolatry but most of all in this point shall theyr madnes apere to all posterites that they make these Antichristian rages Causam sine qua non that is a cause without which ther is no holy ministery in Christ so that this shall make an Englyshe preste be he neuer suche a dolt or vnlearnid in the knouledge of the scripture as we haue very manye and without these romisshe reliques not Paule hym selfe shal be admittid as one of them dyd blaspheme the rest of them in effecte do affirme well agaynste suche popishe chaffer and popery hathe byne longe agone foughten witheall when the gret captaines of that religion lyuyd and yet God gaue the victory Therfor let vs not fear now although it doth begine to sture agayn for ther is no craft conninge counsell wysdom or policy against the Lord. We haue Christ hys Apostells the Prophetes euer stryuing agaynst the Ipocrites of their time on our syde a straâ— for popishe polici we haue the worde of God to warant vs to rote out al monuments of supersticion and Idolatry are charged to abhor them to accompt them accursed and to defy them and to detest them as menstreous clowtes they haue not the worde of God for them And what wysdom is in them sayth god by his Prophet Ieremi they talke of obedience concorde but ther is no obedience against the Lorde no nor concorde to be desired but wher gods glory and verite is preserued Els better to haue al the worlde in hurly burleis and heauen earth to shake then one ioyte of gods glory shulde decaie So far forth as in vs leithe we haue theyr owne lawes and proclamacions to rote out all monuments of supersticion and Idolatrye theyr oune wordes are contrarye to theyr doinges Yt shulde apere that they repent their reformacion proclamid as did the Isralites they buylde agayn that which ons they haue distroied and this is done openlye that all the worlde may wonder and behold but what is done secretlye god wyll one daye haue it declarid openly ye they make the name of god this doctrine that we professe to be euell spoken of alredy By many of theyr doinges theyr iudgement hasteth that for such causes persecute Gods true preachers Wherfor let vs not feare theyr threteninges ther can none â—ersecute the godly for this cause trasshe â—ut ether such as are nether hote nor colde â—nd then they shal be vomyted out vnlesse â—heir zeale encrease or such as haue no God before their eies whose god is their bellie or â—is open papists whom god hathe geuen vp â—o a reprobate sense wherfore we must thus take it that they ar gods rodds for oure sinnes because we haue not ben more zelous in Gods cause nether carefull to seke his glorye that wolfe Wynchester blodie bucher Bonar fought once against many godli men for the grounde of this gere and thei had all the power of the Realme seruinge theyr lustes but beholde how the Lorde in short time ouerthrew them al to giue vs coradge to go forwarde the Lord forgeue vs we ar to slacke and neglygent in heauenly thynges this monster Bonar remainithe and is fed as papists say for their sakes it must be grauntyd it is for some purpos althoughe he be a traytor and an enemi to the crowne and realme and bothe to God and man whiche brunnid godes holy testament murderid his saintes and his seruaÌ„tes But what the Lord requyrith to be done wythe false Prophetes it is manyfest we haue bothe the lawe of god man for vs But we ar answerid nay you your sealues shal be compellid to turne your coates and cappes and get you into his leueris and
most valiant soldiars agaynst the Romishe Antichrist the most earnest ouerthrowars of the kyngdom of satan which standith in sin and blindnes O beware you that wil be Lordes ouer the flockes that you be not sore punyshed for your pryde towardes your brethren and your cowardlines in gods cause that for Princes pleasures and pompose liuinges do turne poperi into policie and to become our persecutors vnder the cloke of policie it were better to lose your liuings then to displease god in persecutinge of youre brethren hinder the course of the worde But as oure deutie is we wyll praye for you and for all our brethren in the ministeri that god of his grace would graunte vs more zeale for his glorie than any of vs hathe had heretofore more desire to edifie Christes people in pure simplicite to present them a chast virgin vnto Christ then hitherto hathe apeared that when the hedeshepherde shall cal to accounte we be not ashamyd But beinge founde perfecte in all good workes may receiue the crowne prepared as for you deare brethren whome God hath callyd into the brunte of the batell The Lorde kepe ye constant that ye yelde nether to tolleracion nether to anye other subtelte persuasions of dispensacions or lycences which were to fortifie their Romishe practises but as you fyght the Lords fyght be valiant God will not leue you nether forsake you as you seke gods glorye god wyll glorifye you and as by you Christes church is edifyed comfortid and confirmid in Christian simplycite so shall you receyue comfort by Christe your heede captaine when you shal be callyd to geue acomptes of your stewardshippes and to be rewardyd for your fidelite the matter is not so smalle as the worlde do take yt yt wyll appeare before all be endyd what an harde thinge it is to cut of the rages of the Hidra of Rome it is beutifull but poysonful ther is no daling with such a mounster beware of lokyng backe to Sodome or delyght anye witte in the garments of Babilone neyther once touche the poysonid cupe though yt be of golde or gliteringe Let vs repent of our former synnes vnfaynidlye and then shall we abhor and stamp vnder our fette these rages that were apoyntid to supersticion and idolatry Let vs hate the blasphemous preasthode so iniurious to Christes preisthode that euery pache and token of it be in execration detestation and accursed and take no parte of yt vpon our heddes nor backes least we be accursed as it is Let vs not make the heritage of god as a byrde of many colours holdinge of diuers religions Let vs not mixte the Iewes with the gentills let vs not in no wise mixt this our religion with any thinge of Antichrist let vs not confyrme the blinde in their blindnes neyther the weacke in their supersticion But rather let vs take awaye if we can the names memories and all monumeÌ„ts of poperye and that Antichristes priesthod Let vs open our wyndous with Daniel and professe what we ar their cruelte shal be our glorie Let vs followe Paull that knew that the truthe gospel cold not be retainyd if any Iewishe cerimonies were mayntainyd Lett vs rather neuer weare anye garment then we should weare those wherby our brethren shulde be weakened offendyd or boldenyd to take parte with the idolatours so through our hautines in knouledge oure weake brethren perishe for whom Christ died Behold and marke well how they falle backwarde that yelde in anye iote and se how they are edifyed and increase in godlines which holde that ryght waye that you goe in the which the Lorde increase you vs all and strenthen vs with his holy spyrit that we may continewe to oure lyues ende al wayes both by our thoughtes wordes and workes to avaunce his glorye and honor dayly more and more now and for euer Amen ¶ Grace and peace with all maner spiritual feling and liuing worthi of the kindnes of Christ be with all that thrist the will of God TO my faythfull and deare brethren in Christ Iesu as in comen daungers of fier or suche lyke welbelouyd they that be fare of com to socoure those that haue nede tru Christian loue so I beinge out of iepordre and far of can not but of deuty wyshe well to those that be touchyd about the popishe apparell in thys libertye of Gods truthe whyche is tought plainely without offencis in the greatyst misterys of our religion and saluacion yt is much to be marvayled that this small controuersye of aparell should be so heuely taken But this is the mallis of satan the practiâ—â— of the wi … kid that wher he can not ouerthrow the greatist matters he will cause great troubels in trifels Peter and Paule agreyde in the greatyste articles of our saluacion and yet they differyd so about meattes that Paule withstode and rebuckid hym openly The infirmites of the godlâ—â— Paule and Barnavas fell at suche bytter contencion whether Marke shuld go with them or no that they partyd companyes and eyther of them went sondry waies the constance of the godlâ— God defend vs from the lyke Paule circumcisyd Timothe when ther was hope to wine the Iewes but when they wold haue it of necessite he would not circumcise Titus therfore compellinge would not be vsyd in thinges of liberte yt is a lameÌ„table case that among them that are civil full of knouledge that yt shuld come thus to passe Consyder dearly belouyd I besech you how that all countres whiche haue reformid religion haue cast away the popishe aparell with the pope and yet we that wyll be taken for the best gospelars are contentid to kepe it as an holie religion Marke well also how many godly and learnid ministers ther be here in all countres that be so zelous not onlie to forsake the wickyd doctrine of poperie ready to leue the minystry to lose lyuinges rather then to be lyke the popishe teachers of supersticious order in aparell or behaviour This realme hath such skacite of teachers that yf so many worthye men and learnid shuld be cast out of the ministrie for suche small matters many placis shulde be destitude of preachers yt wold geue an incurable offence to all the fauourars of gods truthe here and in other countres also shall we make so much and so precious of the popes rages that other reformyd places exteme as oyle filthye God forbid S. Paule byddich wemen vse suche aparell as becomith them that profes true godlines which rule is muche more to be obseruid of men especiallye of preachers But yf we forsake popery as wickid shall we say that their aparell becommith saintes and professars of tru holines Saint Paule bydith vs refraine from al outward shew of evell but surely in kepinge of this popishe aparell we forbear not an outwarde shew of much evell yf popery be iudgid evell as greter wickidnes can not be as we wolde
true preachers thretenyd the curse of Godes worde stayed the congregacyons spoylyd of godlye and learnyd pastors the Sacramentes brought vnder subieccyon of Idolators supersticious vestiments therefore where either the formar condycion wante or this latter be annexsyd yt can not be callyd a thynge mere indifferent Augustine vpon indifferent thyngs saythe Those thynges that are not contrarye to faythe nether yet contrarye to good manners and haue somwhat to exhorte to the amendemeÌ„t of lyfe whersoeuer we se such thynges commaundyd or do know to be institutid we do not only alowe but also we will folow them in praysynge and imytatinge them yf the infyrmyte of some do not let that yt shuld be a further detrimente or damage here Augustine requiryth two poynts in thyngs indifferent First that they induce to a better lyfe do serue to edyfycacion next that we beware lest any offence come therbye marke wel the nature of indiffereÌ„t thinges or any weake consciens be hynderyd in the curse of religion Christ hym selfe geuyth a good warning saynge wo be to offences there myght be brought dyuers examples and testymonies to proue that thynges whych of them selues haue byne or are indiffereÌ„t by circunstaÌ„ce abusinge becom euel what thynge is more requirid for sondry causis in this lyfe then fastinge and for the dayes tymes what thynges can be more indifferent yet yf by the obseruacion of dayes and appoyntinge of tyme we shuld confirme the opinion of the wyckyd the godly wil haue nothinge to do in cerimonies of the wicked so gyue consente to them we were worthely to be blamyd reprouyd as Augustine wytnessith wryting after this sort To faste on the Sonday is a great offence cheflye after the detestable heresye of the Manichees whych is planlye contrary to the Catholyke fayth of manye the scriptures of God dyd shew it selfe whych coÌ„stitutyd to their hearers to fast on the Sonday was a most mete daye Tertulian in his boke De corona militis defendyth the cause of a soudyar that was zelous for the glory of god wold not weare a garlonde on his heade as the rest of his felowes dyd lest he shuld seame to consent with the Idolators God send vs manye suche zelours christyanes so bringe true relygion into doubt wheras many of the ChristiaÌ„s myslykid of this soudyars facte which for so smal a tryfill wolde hasarde the Emperors fauor and so auenture his lyfe seinge to weare the garlonde was not agaynste that scriptures Tertullian who iustifyed this zelous acte answerethe on this soudiars behalfe sayinge Yf for this cause it may be sayd that he myght lawfully be crownyd because the scriptures do not forbyd it by this same reason it shal be answered that therfor he ought not to be crounyd because the scriptures doth not commande it The Counsel of Toletane ordenyd that in Baptymse shulde be vsyd but one dyppynge lest they shuld seame to consente with the heretiks whiche vsed to dypp the child thryse sendynge to Gregory for his counsell herein they receuyd this answere for the eschewinge of the sclaunder of seisme and tradycion of the heritikes let vs hold the symple vse of Baptisme lest they whiche amoÌ„gest vs do vse to dypp thryse to allowe the assercyon of the heretykes whyle the folow not onlye to holde the Idoll as accursyd but also that we vtterlye abhorre and accounte moste abhominable thynges that apperteyne ther vnto and haue nothynge to do with it least we be snaryd with it rede we not in the Machabees howe the Lorde distroyd all those that had any stuff of the Idolls 2. mach 12 Iosua 7. and howe was Achan plagyd for reseruynge those thynges whych the Lorde wold haue dystroyd and accursyd a suttle practys we reade that Iulianus the apostata causyd the heathen to accomodat them selues to the maners of the Christyans and theyr vsages thynkyng by this meanes to entice them to Paganisme and yf we compell the godlye to conforme them selues to the Papistes I greatlye feare least we fall into Papisme alas that such compulsyon shuld be vsyd toward vs and so great lenite towards the Papistes how many Papistes inioye lyberte lyuyngs whyche neyther haue sworne obedyent to the Quenes maiestie nether do yet anye parte of deutye towardes theyr miserable flockes those mysers laughe and triumphe to se vs thus delt wythe not ashamyd here vpon to bragg that they truste that the rest of theyr thynges wyll folow But he that sittyth in the heauens shal laughe them to thorne and at leangthe shal geue an end to oure depe syghinges and delyuer vs from all heuynes sorowes and myseris wherfore let vs neuer yealde to this tryumphe of the Pope agaynst Christe Lorde Iesus be mercyfull vnto vs and let thy wrathe be pouryd vpon them that call not on the name of the Lorde yf true reformacyon can not be had Yet lett Christyan lybertie preuayle agaynst compulsion to euell lett not the Papistes abuse vs as the Iewys dyd the Christyans when they had the temporall sworde on theyr syde pytey the dyssolate churches heare the cryes and gronyns of so manye thousandes of godes pore children that hunger and thyrst for sprituall fode we neade not to apealle to godes worde to the prymatiue church to the iust plages whyche hath byne pouryd and is pouryd contynuallye vpon the wordle for lacke of true reformacyon of relygyon but let your owne conscience iudge betwene oure cause and oure enemyes and yf we seke nothynge but godes glorye craue equitie and ryght desyre Christyan lybertie labor to ouerthrowe Idolatry and to wyne soulys vnto Christe why shulde we not be harde why are we so vncharitably dealt with all the Lorde moue youre hartes and open your eies that we may all prayse gloryfy his holy name that when the end of oure pylgrymage shal be endyd most ioyfullye we maye rest with hym in his euerlastinge glory through Christ oure sauyour to whome wyth the Father and the Holygost be all prayse glorye and honor for euer ¶ To the Reader TO my faythfull Brethren we geue thankes to God for your constancie and vpryght delynge in this gret controuersie now raysyd by packynge of enemys about the wearinge of popish apparell and as ye haue well begonne ther is no doubt but the Lorde in mercy shall kepe ye pure and blameles to the ende It hathe byne no small ioye and comfort to many godlye and good Churches which dayly and howerly prayeth for your perseueraÌ„ce and that it wolde please God to ease it wheÌ„ his good will and pleasure is So on the other syde muche lamentynge the blyndnes of those that goeth about to defende it but especiallye those that are become persecutors of their godly faithfull brethren but as charite requireth we desyre God neuer laye it to theyr charge but geue them grace to ryse agayne vnto whom we leâ—e them wether they stande or falle Let Lottes
we may not vse any thinge repugnant to Christian lyberte nor mayntayne an opinion of holynes wher none is whiche were Ipocrisy nor consent to Idolatri which were denyall of the truthe or discorage the godly incoragynge the wyckyd nor distroying the Churche of Christ which are bownde to edifye nor consent vnto confusion wher God requiryth order nor shew disobedience wher God requiryth to obeye Minor But in vsynge of a surples we shulde do that which is repugnaunt to Christian lybertie maintaine an opinion of holines where none is shew consent to Idolatry deny the truthe dyscorage the godly and incorage the wyckyd or vngodly consent to confusion and shew disobedience wher God commandithe to obeye Cōclusion We may not with good conscience as we are persuadyd weare a surples The Maior is prouyd by Saynt Paule Gal. 5. who commandyth to Christian libertie by the example of Christ Matt. 15. who wold not haue his disciples to maintayne an opinion of holynes note the example of good men whiche the Iewes had in wasshyng of handes by the doctryne of Pawle .2 Cor. 6. who wyll haue no agremēt with the temple of God and the Idoles by the example of Danyel .6 who openid his wyndowe towardes Ierusalem lest he myght seame to denye his profession or consent with the wyckyd by the example of Paule Gal. 2. who reprouyd Peter for the discoragyng of the godly gentiles and incoraging of the froward Iewes by the doctryne of the same Apostell .2 Cor. 13. where he teachith that Mynysters haue power to edifye not to destroye by the example of Patriarkes and Prophetes which in the worshipping of God wear by no meanes confowndyd withe the Idolators by the doctryne of Peter and Iohn actes which affyrmithe to be more ryght to obey God then men But for more euident profe herof we may let you se some practises of auncient Fathers Tertulian in his boke De corona militis lykythe them vnto dom̄e Idolls suche as do vse any thinge accordynge to the ornament of Idolles and further yf to leane apon an Idoll is strange from the fayth fastyng is good yet the godly wold not vse it that day as the herytyk dyd what shall seame apon the habyte of an Idoll Augustyne ad Casulanum warnythe not to faste on the Sondaye least therby consente might be shewyd to the wyckyd Maniches They that weare any thinge after the maner of Idoles and yf it be strange from fayth to leane apon an Idoll what is it to weare the habyt of an Idoll The fourth Counsell of Toletane Canon 5. for auoydynge of consent with Herytyckes decreed that once dyppynge shulde be vsyd in Baptysme A Papist of our tyme affyrmith that the Apostels to auoyde consent to Iudaisme abolysshed the Sabothe daye and sanctyfyed the daye of the Lorde The great Clarke Orygen as Epiphanius wrytith in his .2 boke .1 Beware of decemblyng Tome caryed palme withe thos that offeryd to the Image Serapis allthoughe he protestyd openly that he dyd offer vnto Christ and not vnto Serapis yet was he excomunycatyd and cast out of the Church by the Marters and Confessors whiche then were at Athens The Christian sowdiars which by Iulian sultelte were browght to offer incens Beware of deceytfull practyses as it is wryten Historia Tripartita lib. 6. chap. 30. when they perceuyd theyr faute whiche vnwares they had commytted in consentyng to Idolatri they rane forthe into the streats professede theyr relygion testifyed them sealues to be Christians affyrmyng that theyr handes only had cōsentyd vnto Paganisme the nature of true Christian and that theyr hartes dyd nothyng agre thervnto and whereas theyr handes had offendyd vnadvysydlye they wyshyd to bestowe theyr whole bodyes to be tormentyd for Christ althoughe wyth tormentes and paynes moste creuell and horyble I trust we nede not to laboure any further for the profe By the vse of the surples men are iniciat in to the Popes clergye as it aperith by the Pontifycall De clerico faciendo Yf the Galathians by circumcision rather loste theyr lyberte in Christ then profytyd any thynge by iniciatinge them sealues in to Iudaisme How maye you retayne the lyberte in Christ and profyt in his religion by wearinge the Popes lyuerye we can not perceaue But by the vse of the surples is mayntaynyd an Ipocritycall opinion of holynes the Pontificall termithe it Habitum sancte religionis the habyt of an holy religion Durand lib. 3. de rationale diuinorum saythe That it is Vestis linea the lynyne garment in which they that serue about the seruices of the alter and holy thinges ought to vse apon theyr clothes a surples it is for the whitnes of it or it signifieth the puryte or chastete accordinge to that sayinge Let your garments that is your workes be white at all tymes that is cleane Marke what lying signes is in the surples inuentyd by Papistes but for his name it figurith the mortificacion of the fleshe It is callyd a Surples because that in the olde tyme they dyd weare it apon shynny coates made of the skynnes of the deade whiche is vsyd to this daye in certayne Churches representynge that Adame after he had synnyd was clothed with suche garments Thyrdly with what good conscience can the godly weare yt iudge good Brother it notith Innocenci and therfore it is put on before all other holye vestures because that they that are deputyd to worshippynge ought to excell in lyfe and in all vertues accordyng to the sayinge of the psalme Innocencies do ryghtly cleue vnto me Fourthely for the bredthe of it it betokenythe Charite wherefore they are worne apon prophane and cōmon vestures it is to be markyd that charite coueryth the multitude of synnes Fyftlye for the fassyon of it in that is it made lyke a Crosse or Iewes gallows it fygurythe the passion of the Lord and they the weare that ought to be crewcyfyed with the vices and concupiscences In mayntayninge this opinion of holynes with all other inuēcions which by lyinge seignes which they haue had to it we knowe not howe to auoyde consent vnto that Idolatri which Durant and the Papiste mayntayne and professe to deny the Popes cerimonies the doctryne whiche we teache howe shuld it not dyscorage the godly and incorage the supersticious in theyr errors we can not edefye the Church of Christ apparentlye shewinge our sealues to be on of the Popes clergye Seing S. Paull Thess 3. willythe to auoyde all apparens of euyll and to be shufflyd in a surples whiche the Popes clergye wear were rather a confusion then an order whiche they them sealues wolde be lothe to suffer if they might get agayne the keys into theyr handes they wolde crye withe open mowthe as theyr pontificall teache them plucke the surples of our backes by the autoryte of almyghtie God the Father the Sonne The surples is an holy garmēt of the Papistes and