To my loving brethren that is troubled about the popish apparel, two short and comfortable epistles.  Be ye constant: for the Lord shall fight for you, yours in Christ.  

¶ To all my faithful brethren in Christ Jesus and to all other that labour to weade out the weeds of popery, Peace in the Lord Jesus be with you, and make you perfit in all good works to do his will, working in you that which is pleasant in his sight, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  
Dear Brethren, because we are creatid for gods glory the edification one of another in Christ, and are bound to serve thereunto by wealth or woe, life or death, and chiefly, they to whom God have given the greater gifts, and whom he hath called to higher rooms, are most bound to be zealous for gods glory with godly zelousie to profit the church and sponse of Christ under their charge, and that by no subtlety as the apostle warnithe, they should be corrupted from the simplicity of Christ: therefore there is no doubt of your good zealle and diligence. My good fathers & dear brethren, who are first called to the battle, to strive for god's glory and the edification of his people, against the Romish relics and rages of Antichrist, I doubt not but that you will coragiouslye and constantly in Christ, rape at these rages of God's enemies, and that you will by this occasion race up many as great enormities that we all know, & labour to race out all the dregs & remnants of transformid popery, that are crept into England, by to much lenite of them that will be named the Lords of the clergy: what is he that hath the zeal of god's glory before his face, that will not join both in prayer, and in suffering with you, in so good a cause, that is so much for god's glory, and the edification of god's church, in the pure simplicity of Christ's word & sacraments, wherein our enemies and persecutors are strangely bewitchid. I wot not by what Circe's cup, that they do make such a diversity betwixt Christ's word & his sacraments, that they can not think the word of God safely enough preached, & honourably enough handled, without cap, cope, surplis. But that the sacraments the marrying, the burying, the churching of women, & other church service, as they call it, must needs be decored with crossing, with capping, with surplicing, with kneeling, with preti wafer cakes, and other knacks of poperi. O Paul that thou were a live, thou durst tell those politic gentlemen, that there hath been to much labour bestowed upon them in vain, thou durst say unto them, as thou diddest to the Corinthians, that they eat not the lords supper, but play a pageant of their own to blind the people, and keep them still in superstition, far from the simplicity of Christ's supper: but how many silly souls is there that doth believe verily, that they have an English mass, and so put no difference between truth & falsehood, between Christ and antichrist, between God and the devil, they are strangely bewitched. I say that thus will bind their english priesthood & sacraments, but much more enchauntid that can find no garments to please them. But such as have been polutid openly with popish superstition & Idolatry, but most of all in this point shall their madness apere to all posterities, that they make these Antichristian rages Causam sine qua non, that is, a cause without which there is no holy ministry in Christ, so that this shall make an english pressed, be he never such a dolt or unlearnid in the knowledge of the scripture as we have very many, and without these romisshe relics not Paul himself shallbe admitted (as one of them did blaspheme & the rest of them in effect do affirm) well against such popish chaffer and popery, hath been long agone fought witheall, when the great captains of that religion lived, and yet God gave the victory. Therefore let us not fear now, although it doth begin to stir again, for there is no craft, cunning, counsel, wisdom, or policy against the Lord. We have Christ & his apostles & the Prophets ever striving against the hypocrites of their time o● our ●yde. a strau for popish polici we have the word of God to warrant us, to rote out all monuments of superstition and Idolatry, & are charged to abhor them, to account them, accursed, and to defy them, and to detest them as menstreous clouts, they have not the word of God for them. And what wisdom is in them, saith god by his Prophet Jeremis, they talk of obedience & concord, but there is no obedience against the Lord, no nor concord to be desired, but where gods glory and verity is preserved, Else better to have all the world in hurly-burlies, and heaven & earth to shake, than one ioyte of god's glory should decay. So far forth as in us leithe, we have their own laws and proclamations, to rote out all monuments of superstition and idolatry, & their own words are contrary to their doings. It should apere that they repent their reformation proclamid, as did the Isralites, they build again that which on's they have destroyed and this is dove openly that all the world may wonder, and behold: but what is done secretly, god will one day have it declared openly, ye they make the name of god & this doctrine that we profess to be evil spoken of already. By many of their doings, their judgement hasteth that for such causes persecute God's true preachers. Wherefore let us ●ot fear their threatenings, there can none persecute the godly for this cause & trash. ●ut either such as are neither hot nor cold, ●nd then they shallbe vomited out unless ●heir zeal increase, or such as have no God before their eyes, whose god is their belly, or ●ls open papists, whom god hath given up ●o a reprobate sense, wherefore we must thus take it, that they are gods rods for our sins, because we have not been more zealous in God's cause, neither careful to seek his glory, that wolf Wynchester & bloody butcher Bonar fought once against many godly men for the ground of this gear, and they had all the power of the Realm serving their lusts, but behold how the Lord in short time overthrew them all, to give us coradge to go forward, the Lord forgive us, we are to slack and negligent in heavenly things, this monster Bonar remainithe and is fed as papists say, for their sakes, & it must be granted, it is for some purpose, although he be a traitor and an enemi to the crown and realm, and both to God and man, which brunnid gods holy testament, murderid his saints and his servants. But what the Lord requyrith to be done with false Prophets it is manifest: we have both the law of god & man for us, But we are answered nay, you yourselves shallbe compelled to turn your coats and caps, and get you into his leveris, and to be like him in your garments. O Elyas that thou lyvedste, or tha● thy spirit wear amongst us, thou wouldst say with the Prophet Sophoni, that God will visit the werears of this idolaters garments or strange apparel, thou wouldest say, that things dedicatid once to idolatry, is not indifferent, thou wouldest say reverence to the sacrament is wrought by doctrine and discipline, and not by popish & idolaters garments, thou wouldest say, what decency can there be gained to the sacraments, by that which hath been devised & used to deface it, if the gold ordeinyd by god for the reverence and decenci of the Jews temple, is not to be admitted to beutify the church of Christ, much less copes brought in by papistes the enemies of god, and always continwyd in their service as ornaments of their religion in no wise aught of us Christians to be retaynid. But the papists triumph and glori in their assembles, that the hot gospelars shallbe driven to their doltish attires, for the Lords sake let us never give them any cause of joy, though we should die for it: Moses would not yield on hoof of a best in god's business, he would not leave the loop unmade, nor make a button or a clasp more or less. Eleasar will not decemble by eating of unlawful meats, the faithful Isralites would not receive so much as an yvibushe. contrariwise Orygen carrying a branch and professing, that he bore it for Christ at the first. But was afterward compelled to open Idolatry, so cursed a thing it is to give any place to the wicked: all the papists that say, they worship Christ in the cross, and God in the sacrament, do still under these words continue still in their Idolatri, beware of deceitful words, that cover wicked purposes, to draw us from Christian simplicity. Let us stand constantly against all abuses, and repent for our former coldness in religion, and our sins, and call for help from above, for the hand of the Lord is not shortenid: we are assured that we seek God's glory, and our adversaries may see, if they can see any thing, that this thing that they seek is not for gods glory, seeing the papists the enemies of God, do so desire it and glory in it. And rejoice, that we, whom they most hate, cannot be safe but under their garments: we are assured that we seek gods glory in following Christ his apostles and Prophets. who ever despised these pharisaical outward faces and visures, Christ findeth fault with the garments of the Pharisees. Paul counteth all his pharisaical, show to be dung. Zachari saith, that the false Prophet shallbe ashamed of his prophecy, and forsake his garments wherein he dereyvid. & shall the true Prophets be fain to creep into their cowls? for by the same authority may be commanded any peace of popery, so that it be named policy. Ezechias and Josias knew no such authority, but they say: It is for policy, For it plainly apearithe that there is less care for religion, then for policy. But beware that the example of Jeroboham be not followed, that made such like priests for policy as would do as he commanded them. Achaz of policy brought the fashion of an altar into Jerusalem, as he saw at Damascus, where he had overcome the idolaters and their Idols, but cursed was his policy, and so are all they that will retain any thing of their Idolatry. nabuchodonosor's Idol was for unity and policy, but without the warrant of god's word, there is neither good unity nor policy. The godly father Bucer calleth the tenths and the first fruits sacrilege and robbery, they be kept still for policy. Cross and candlesticks are superstitious, though they be kept. I wots not for what policy the adoration of the Sacrament in the countries, where they knock and kneel to a wafer take is a popish policy. That women baptize, that pluralites, tot-quots impropriations, non residence, despensations, suspensions, excommunications, & absolutions, for money at granted, it is evil, like as are many other inormites' borrowed from Rome, which remain in the name of policy. All these things were abhorred as popish superstitious, and Idolatries, among our gospelers both bishops & others, when they were under gods rods in poverty. But how they now have learned court divinity, to ground all upon policy? Humble them again o Lord, that they do not forget thee, and thy great kindness and mercy showed upon them, and stir up their hearts and minds, that they may be careful over thy poor flock. O Christ, whom thou hast dearly bought, by this their policy at blindid, & carithe for no more, but that they may have this superstitious show which is so stifely maintained. Let him mumble as he list, if he be thus apparelid, all his service is well enough, otherwise it is nothing worth, Thus cause you them to perish by your polices, for whom Christ hath died. further more, if poperi be superstitious and idolatrous, evil and wicked, as yet there was never a worse thing in the world, then are we commanded to abstain from all participation thereon, and from all the show thereof ab omni specie mali, that is, from all show of wickedness. These garments were the show of their blasphemous priesthood, herein they did sing and say their superstitious idolatrous service, they did sense their Idols and help forward their Idolatrous masses, what policy can it be then to wear this gear. But a superstitious wicked and popish policy, they do it for policy, they say, that their priests may be known and magnified of men. Did not the pharisees use the same policy, to do all their works and make all their garments both Philacteris upon their heads, and their wide and side robes and borders, that they might be more expectable, and notorious to the people: but their woe is thretenid above all other sinners. To such hypocrites, as being void of all true holiness, delight in all outward shows, their curse is most inculcate, their polyci is that the priests shall wear white in the churches to signify their virtue▪ their pureness, and holiness. and when they go fourth of the church they must wear black gowns and black horns, for contrary policies, and for divers significations, Our master Christ's policy was expressed in one word, fede, fede, fede. and the Prophets before, and the apostles afterward, if Christ be the wisdom of the father, the true ministers shallbe well enough known, by that one mark which he giveth: and if that he have not that mark better unknown then known, both for himself and others, therefore let them not say for shame, that they seek gods glory, Christ's will, or the edification of his church, by their policy. Whiles they threaten & stoup the spredinge of gods word and feeding of Christ's flock, commanded by writing to excommunicate the most faithful labourers in the planting of the gospel, because they will not wear the rages of popery, to expulse the most valiant soldiers against the romish Antichrist, the most earnest overthrowars of the kingdom of satan, which standeth in sin and blindness. O beware you, that willbe Lords over the flocks, that you be not sore punished for your pride, towards your brethren, and your cowardliness in gods cause, that for Prince's pleasures and pompose livings, do turn poperi into policy, and to become our persecutors under the cloak of policy: it were better to lose your livings, then to displease god in persecuting of your brethren, & hinder the course of the word. But as our duty is, we will pray for you, and for all our brethren in the ministeri, that god of his grace would grant us more zeal for his glory, than any of us hath had heretofore, more desire to edify, Christ's people in pure simplicity, to present them a chaste virgin unto Christ, then hitherto hath appeared, that when the hedeshepherde shall call to account, we be not ashamed. But being found perfect in all good works, may receive the crown prepared, as for you dear brethren whom God hath called into the brunt of the battle, The Lord keep ye constant, that ye yield neither to toleration, neither to any other subtelte persuasions of dispensations, or licences which were to fortify their romish practices. but as you fight the Lords fight, be valiant. God will not leave you, neither forsake you, as you seek gods glory, god will glorify you, and as by you Christ's church is edified, comforted and confirmid in Christian simplycite, so shall you receive comfort by Christ your heed captain, when you shallbe called to give accounts of your stewardshippes, and to be rewarded for your fidelity, the matter is not so small as the world do take it, it will appear before all be ended, what an hard thing it is, to cut of the rages of the Hydra of Rome, it is beautiful, but poisonful, there is no daling with such a monster, beware of looking back to Sodom or delight any wit in the garments of Babilone, neither once touch the poysonid cup, though it be of gold or gliteringe. Let us repent of our former sins unfaynidlye, and then shall we abhor and stamp under our fet these rages, that were appointed to superstition and idolatry, Let us hate the blasphemous preasthode, so injurious to Christ's priesthood, that every pache and token of it be in execration, detestation, and accursed, and take no part of it upon our heads nor backs, lest we be accursed as it is. Let us not make the heritage of god as a bird of many colours, holding of divers religions, Let us not mixed the Jews with the gentils, let us not in no wise mixed this our religion with any thing of Antichrist, let us not confirm the blind in their blindness, neither the weacke in their superstition. But rather let us take away, if we can, the names, memories, and all monuments of popery and that Antichristes' priesthood. Let us open our wyndous with Daniel, and profess what we at: their cruelty shallbe our glory. Let us follow Paul, that knew that the truth gospel could not be retainyd, if any jewish ceremonies were maintained. Let us rather never wear any garment, than we should wear those, whereby our brethren should be weakened, offended or boldenyd to take part with the idolaters, & so through our haughtiness in knowledge, our weak brethren perish, for whom Christ died. Behold and mark well, how they fall backward that yield in any jot, and see how they are edified, and increase in godliness, which hold that right way that you go in, the which the Lord increase you, & us all, and strengthen us with his holy spirit, that we may continue to our lives end, all ways both by our thoughts, words, and works, to advance his glory and honour daily more and more, now and for ever.  
Amen.   

¶ Grace and peace with all manner spiritual feeling and living worthy of the kindness of Christ, be with all that thirst the will of God.  
TO my faithful and dear brethren in Christ Jesus, as in comen dangers of fire, or such like, well-beloved, they that be far of, come to succour those that have need, so I being out of iepordie and far of, 
true Christian love.  can not but of duty wish well to those that be touched about the popish apparel in this liberty of God's truth, which is taught plainly without offencis, in the greatyst mysteries of our religion and salvation, it is much to be marvayled, that this small controversy of apparel should be so heavily taken. 
the practi●● of the wicked.  But this is the mallis of satan, that where he can not overthrow the greatest matters, he will cause great troubels in trifles. Peter and Paul agreyde in the greatyste articles of our salvation, and yet they differed so about meats, that Paul withstood and rebuckid him openly. 
the infirmities of the godly.  Paul and Barnabas fell at such bitter contention, whether Mark should go with them or no, that they parted companies, and either of them went sundry ways. God defend us from the like. 
the constance of the godly  Paul circumcisyd Timothe when there was hope to wine the Jews: but when they would have it of necessity, he would not circumcise Titus, therefore compelling would not be used in things of liberty, it is a lamentable case, that among them that are civil & full of knowledge, that it should come thus to pass. Consider dearly beloved, I beseech you; how that all countries, which have reformid religion, have cast away the popish apparel with the pope: and yet we that will be taken for the best gospelars, are contented to keep it as an holy religion. Mark well also how many godly and learnid ministers there be here in all countries, that be so zealous not only to forsake the wicked doctrine of popery, ready to leave the minystry, & to lose livings, rather than to be like the popish teachers of superstitious order in apparel or behaviour. This realm hath such skacite of teachers, that if so many worthy men and learnid should be cast out of the ministry for such small matters, many placis should be destitude of preachers, & it would give an incurable offence to all the favourers of gods truth here, and in other countries, also shall we make so much and so precious of the pope's rages that other reformed places, esteem as vile & filthy, God forbidden. S. Paul biddeth women use such apparel as becometh them that profess true godliness, which rule is much more to be observed of men, & especially of preachers. But if we forsake popery as wickid, shall we say that their apparel becometh saints, and professars of true holiness. Saint Paul bideth us refrain from all outward show of evil, but surely in keeping of this popish apparel, we forbear not an outward show of much evil, if popery be judged evil, as greater wickidnes can not be, as we would have a divers show of apparel to be known from the common people, so is it necessary in apparel, to have a show, how a protestate is to be known from a papist. It hath pleased God to call us to preach his heavenly word to that high office, God give you grace and us all to seek his honour & glory: if we so do with a pure heart and mind, he hath promised, He that honorith me, I will glorify him, and he that contemneth me, I will contemn him. Let there be no curtisye made to help gods people now they be in danger. Call to your remembrance Queen Easter, she began to make curtisy to speak in that cause, but Mardocheus said unto her: If thou now hold thy peace, God shall deliver by an other mean, & yet thou & thy father's house shall perish. You that can and may do good, do it while time is offered, the time will come when it will be to late: yet god will comfort his by some other mean: It is a perilous thing, not to help in the time of need, & not to suffer religion to go forward in all syncerite, and to further gods cause when ye may, when Terenti a good Christian captain returned with great triumph & victory, the Emperor Valerius bade him axe what he would. and he should have it for his good service: he having God before his eyes, desired neither riches, neither honour, but those which had adventured their lives for true religion, might have a church alowid them, to serve their god purely in, & several from the Arrians. The Emperor being angry with his request, pulled his supplication in pecis, and bade him axe some other thing. but he gathered up the pecis of his, paper and said: I have received my reward, I will axe nothing else, God increase about Princes the small number of such zealous suitors & promoters of religion, and then no doubt gods glory shall flourish when we seek his dew honour, and not our own profit. But to avoid contention & schism Austen gevith good counsel to godly and quiet men, that they mercifully correct that which they can, & that which they can not, patiently bear, groan and morn, with love, until god either correct or amend them. But how this Christian love should be kept in this church, when so many godly for so small things shallbe thrust out, & also how many already is from the ministry & their livings, it passeth many good and godly wits to conceive. S. Paul's rule in such things, saith: All things to me is lawful, but all things is not expedient: all things to me is lawful, but all things edify not. Therefore in this case we must not so subtly dispute, what Christian liberty will suffer us to do, but what is metist and most edifying for Christian charity, & promoting Christian and pure religion. But surely how popish apparel should edify, or set forward the gospel of Christ Jesus, it can not be seen of the multitude, nay, it is to much felt how gredly it reioysith the adversaries of the truth, when they see what we borrow of them; & contend for the same as things necessary. mark well the bishops wearing of their white rochets, what ground they first had, and from whence they received it. There was a certain man, named Sisinius an heretic bishop of the Novations, and he first began it. all those other popish trash hath the like foundations, but they have to long continued & pleased popery, which is beggarly pacchid up of all sorts of cerimones, & that they could never be routyd out sense, no not from many professors of the gospel. Wherefore you that see others that is come to a better perfection, grudge not at it, but be thankful to God, though things may be borne with for a time for Christian liberties sake, in hope to win the weak. yet when liberty is turned into necessity, it is evil, & no longer liberty: and that, that was for winning the weak suffered for a time, is become the confirming of the froward in their obstinacy. Paul used circumcision for a time as of liberty, but when it was urged of necessity, he would not bend unto it. That famous father Master Bucer, when he was axed why he would not wear a square cape, made answer, because his head was not four square. wherein surely he noted well the comeliness of apparel to be, when it was fassionyd like the body, & a great folly when a square cape was set on a round head. God be merciful unto us, and grant us uprightly to seek his honore with all earnestness & simplicity. The Lord comfort his afflictid church, & grant that in this old age of the world, we may serve the Lord of hosts in singleness of heart, and labour to rote out all stumbling blocks in religion, that Christ's glory may nakedly shine of itself, without all traditions or inventions of men, as in the beginning when it was purest, and all such devices unknown, but invented of late to blear the eyes of the ignorant, with outward show of holiness. God grant that we may give all honour to whom all honore is due, both inwardly and outwardly, to serve him unfeignedly all the days of our life. Far well dear brethren in the Lord Jesus, who ever keep us in his faith, fear, and love, for ever.  
Amen.   

¶ To my faithful Brethren now afflicted, & to all those that unfeignedly love the Lord Jesus, the Lord guide us with his holy spirit, that we may always serve him both in body and mind in all sincerity to our lives end.  
WHen I do remember, dearly beloved, the great charge enjoined unto us of almighty God, & the straight account that we shall have to make, for the right use and dispensation of his mysteries, I find no comparison might justly move any Christian to doubt of the better of those two choices, only that which maketh a show for the maintenance of popish apparel is the opinion of indifferency, 
mark well good Christian.  which thing he that will persuade, must first prove that it tendythe to Gods glory. Concurrythe with his word, edifieth his church, mayntaynyth Christian liberty: which conditions & circumstances if they want, The thing which otherwise by nature is indifferent, doth degenerate and become hurtful. but how can Gods glory be advanced by those popish garments which superstitious men & antichrist have invented for the maintaining & beutyfyinge of Idolatry, what agreement can man's superstitious inventions have with the eternal word of God, what edification can there be where the spirit of god is grieved, Christ's lytillous discoragyd, 
the bondage of ceremonies what it bringeth  the weak brethren brought into doubt of religion, the wicked papists confirmed in their error, And adore new set open to all Popish traditions and Antychristian impiety: neither can any man call this Christian liberty, where a yoke is laid upon the disciples necks, where the consciens is cloggyd, true preachers threatened, the curse of Gods word stayed, the congregations spoiled of godly and learned pastors, the Sacraments brought under subjection of idolaters & superstitious vestments, therefore where either the former condition want or this latter be annexsyd, it can not be called a thing mere indifferent. Augustine upon indifferent things saith, Those things that are not contrary to faith, neither yet contrary to good manners, and have somewhat to exhort to the amendment of life, wheresoever we see such things commanded, or do know to be instituted, we do not only allow, but also we will follow them in praising and imytatinge them: if the infirmity of some do not let that it should be a further detriment or damage, here Augustine requireth two points in things indifferent. First that they induce to a better life, & do serve to edification, next that we beware lest any offence come thereby, 
mark well the nature of indifferent things  or any weak consciens be hindered in the curse of religion, Christ himself giveth a good warning saying, woe be to offences, there might be brought divers examples and testimonies to prove, that things which of themselves have been or are indifferent, by circumstance & abusing become evil, what thing is more required for sundry causis in this life, then fasting, and for the days & times, what things can be more indifferent. yet if by the observation of days and appointing of time we should confirm the opinion of the wicked, 
the godly will have nothing to do in ceremonies of the wicked.  & so give consent to them we were worthily to be blamed & reproved, as Augustine witnesseth writing after this sort, To fast on the Sunday is a great offence, chiefly after that detestable heresy of the Manichees, which is planlye contrary to the catholic faith of many, & the scriptures of God did show itself, which constituted to their hearers, to fast on the Sunday, was a most meet day. Tertulian in his book De corona militis, defendeth the cause of a soudyar that was zealous for the glory of god, & would not wear a garland on his head as the rest of his fellows did, lest he should seam to consent with the idolaters, 
God send us many such zelours christians.  & so bring true religion into doubt, & whereas many of the Christians myslykid of this soldier's fact, which for so small a tryfill would hazard the Emperor's favour and so adventure his life, seeing to wear the garland was not against the scriptures. Tertullian who justified this zealous act answereth on this soudiars behalf saying: If for this cause it may be said that he might lawfully be crowned, because the scriptures do not forbid it, by this same reason it shallbe answered, that therefore he ought not to be crowned, because the scriptures doth not command it. The Counsel of Toletane ordained that in Baptymse should be used but one dipping, lest they should seam to consent with the heretics which used to dypp the child thrice, & sending to Gregory for his counsel herein, they received this answer, for the eschewing of the slander of schism and tradition of the heretics, let us hold the simple use of Baptism, lest they which amongst us do use to dypp thrice to allow the assertion of the heretics, while that follow not only to hold the Idol as accursed, but also that we utterly abhor and account most abominable things that appertain there unto, and have nothing to do with it, lest we be snaryd with it, read we not in the Maccabees. how the Lord destroyed all those that had any stuff of the Idols, 
2. mach. 12. Josua. 7.  and how was Achan plagued for reserving those things, which the Lord would have destroyed and accursed, 
a subtle practice.  we read that Julianus the apostata caused the heathen to accomodat themselves to the manners of the christians, and their usages thinking by this means to entice them to Paganism, and if we compel the godly to conform themselves to the Papists, I greatly fear, lest we fall into Papisme: alas, that such compulsion should be used toward us, and so great lenite towards the Papists, how many Papists enjoy liberty & livings, which neither have sworn obedyenc to the queens majesty, neither do yet any part of duty towards their miserable flocks, those misers laugh, and triumph to see us thus dealt with, not ashamed here upon to brag, that they trust that the rest of their things will follow. But he that sittyth in the heavens, shall laugh them to scorn, and at leangthe shall give an end to our deep sighings, and deliver us from all heaviness sorrows and myseris, wherefore let us never yield to this triumph of the Pope against Christ, Lord Jesus be merciful unto us, and let thy wrath be poured upon them that call not on the name of the Lord, if true reformation can not be had. Yet let Christian liberty prevail against compulsion to evil, let not the Papists abuse us as the Jewys did the christians, when they had the temporal sword on their side, pity the desolate churches hear the cries and gronyns of so many thousands of gods poor children that hunger and thirst for spiritual food, we need not to apealle to gods word, to the primitive church to the just plagues which hath been poured and is poured continually, upon the world for lack of true reformation of religion, but let your own conscience judge between our cause and our enemies, and if we seek nothing but gods glory crave equity and right desire Christian liberty, labour to overthrow Idolatry and to wine souls unto Christ, why should we not be hard, why are we so uncharitably dealt with all the Lord move your hearts and open your eyes, that we may all praise glorify his holy name, that when the end of our pilgrimage shallbe ended most joyfully we may test with him in his everlasting glory through Christ our saviour, to whom with the Father and the Holygost be all praise glory and honour, for ever.   

¶ To the Reader.  
TO my faithful Brethren, we give thanks to God for your constancy and upright dealing in this great controversy now raised by packing of enemies about the wearing of popish apparel, and as ye have well begun, there is no doubt, but the Lord in mercy shall keep ye pure and blameless to the end. It hath been no small joy and comfort to many godly and good Churches, which daily and hourly prayeth for your perseverance, and that it would please God to ease it, when his good will and pleasure is. So on the other side much lamenting the blindness of those that goeth about to defend it: but especially those that are become persecutors of their godly & faithful brethren: but as charity requireth, we desire God never lay it to their charge, but give them grace to rise again unto whom we le●e them weather they stand or fall. Let Lot's wife be a warning in time to take heed. Moses that blessed servant of God would not alter the value of a curtain, or a little pine in the ark, so zealous was he in the lords work: nor never brought any thing out of his own head to the people: But had always the warrant of the word for him, to conclude, what so ever may be objected against the refusars of those ydolators garments, for what so ever they bring, may be redused into this points, that Godly men either need not or ought not to be scrupulous in so small a matter, which answer ye shall understand as followeth with an answer to a question at the end hereof. The Lord for his Christ sake make Ephrahim and Manassis agree, that we may all with on heart and mind unfeignedly seek Gods glory, the edification of his people, that we may live in all godly peace, unity, and concord. This grant, o Lord, for Christ Jesus sake, to whom, with thee, and the Holy ghost, be all praise, glory, and honour for ever and ever. Far ye well dear Brethren.  
Dearly ●elouy●, you that have wit, understanding, and will to be instructed in this controversi. now raysyd in the Church about apparel, at this time this shall suffice. It is true that the teachers of handy crafts affirm, that no man can attain to such excellent perfection in work, as may be disputed of by reason, much less when the rule of religion must be fra according to the rule of Gods will, which is the rule of all perfection, may we look that any thing can so perfectly be performed of unperfect man, that in all points it may answer to the perfection that God requireth: nevertheless God requireth his service to be such as him self is, divine, pure, sincere, unmingled, and in no part corrupted, and as lack of strength shall not excuse us, in that we can not, so negligence maketh us more wicked, if that we may perform, and we will not. first we are required to love God with all our hearts, all our minds, and all our strength, that preciseness is commendable, which withholdith not a little, 
Deut. 18.  when all is required. Thou shalt be perfect with thy Lord thy god. Thou shalt not bend either to thy ryghthande, or to the left. Thou shalt neither ma●●dyd. Thou shalt not inquire for th● gods of the gentiles, saying: How did those gentiles serve their gods. Thou shalt not do so to the Lord thy god. For whatsoever the Lord abhorreth, that did they to their gods. God will have his children so to abhor these superstition, that they should i'll even from that infection that cometh by hearing. 
The zeal that God requireth.  Furthermore, so many things as are commanded of leprous, menstreous, dead bodies, were many, which might not be touched without defile, what other things were they in that rude people, 
God keep us from all outward show of Popery.  but exercises of precise pureness and cleans, the observance of such shadows, although it hath been long since abolished, yet the everlasting truth remaineth: much more in presence of the body, that no profane or defiled thing may be mingled with god's service. Moreover god forbydyth all strange corruptions mixtures, when he forbiddeth them to sow land with divers seeds, to plough with an ox and an ass, to wear lynyne and woollen together. For liberty & custom even in the least matters bredythe boldness, & in his commandment god hath also respect to the hind of apparel. finally when this cleans is 〈◊〉 even to brute beasts, 
mark well.  who would not believe that God requireth an utter detestation of all uncleanness, especially in religion. Seeing all these laws pertain to the first commandment, according to the same precise rule did the holy father's exercise themselves unto purity, therefore it is never read that the godly patriarchs did sacrifice upon the idolaters altars, but whithersoever they removed, always they buyldid new altars. 
Example of holy men.  Furthermore Abraham would not take a third of the King of Sodoma. Jacob buried the eatings that wear ornaments of superstition, with the Idols themselves. Moses to blemish the service of God would accept no conditions at all, there shall not remain on house, saith he very precisely. Davith would not take the names of the Idols in his lips. Ezechias broke the brazen serpent, not only changed the use of it. 
what greater heretics can there be, than the Papists?  The Holyghost praysithe those godly Kings, which destroyed the high places, as Ezechias and Josias, in which places sometime the people did worship god. Elyazer would not feign that he did eat swines flesh. S. paul byddythe, Refrain from all show of evil. S. John forbiddeth us to salute an heretic wytnessith, when he met an heretic, would not give him other answer, but that he knew him to be the devil's eldest son. for such fear had the apostles & their disciples, that they would not communicate with on word with any that had corrupted the faith. finally S. paul in plain words commandeth precisnes, 
Ephe. 5.  saying, Take heed that ye walk precisely or exactly, for so the greek word signifieth. Last of all, let us not forget what our Saviour Christ saith: He that is faithful in the least, will be faithful in the most. Who also teacheth us, how faithfully and precisely we should walk, what cold be more precisly spoken of, the law shall pass until all be fulfilled, and he that breaketh one of the least commandments, and teacheth other so to do, either by word, or by example, shallbe least in the Kingdom of heaven. It is evident by these reasons and examples, that no preciseness or scrupulosity in gods religion, can be to much or blame worthy. touching the substance, there is no controversy, but it is lawful as the good creature of god, and to this purpose pertain those sayings: The kingdom of heaven is neither meat nor drink. Meat commendeth us not to god. Whatsoever enterithe in to the mouth, defileth not the man. All things are clean to them that are clean. & other like places of scripture, all which they pertain to the matter or creature & substance only, not to every use, fashion, or manner of using. It is to much doltyshenes, not to understand all thing a right, except we will also conclude of the same places, that by gluttony, drunkenness, whoredom, disquisyd apparel, and such like, the law of god is not broken. garments therefore that are urged in respect of the form and use, they are not indifferent, and first of the end, which they labour so much to prove that it is changed, that those things which before were used to superstition, now are commanded for order & comeliness. No godly man doubteth, but the queens Majesty intending an other end in commanding of those things, than the Papists used them for. But who so well considereth the nature of those things, shall plainly see, that the end which the commander propoundyth, doth not follow, but according to the diversity of them that use them, and them that judge of them, a clean contrary end ensuythe, for many popish priests use them to the same superstitious end that they did in Popery, and greatest of all is the multitude of ignorant people, that iudgith none otherwise of them. 
Cor. 8.  All men have not knowledge, for some with conscience of the Idol, even yet do eat meat offered to Idols. So Gedeon made an Ephode, not that the people should go a whoring after it, 
Jud. 8.  yet was it the destruction of him and his house for ever. Secondly it can not serve for order and comeliness, 
Cor. 14.  which hath in it no necessary cause of edifying. Let all things be done for edifying. Nether can it be converted to the comeliness of the Christian Church, which is the chaste spouse of Christ, which is taken from Antichrist, and the filthy whore of Babylon. What consent hath Christ with belial: what portion hath the faithful with the infidel: or what agreement hath the temple of God with Images? If the reason of S. Paul be examined, 
2. Cor. 6.  by the which he dissuadeth the Corynthians from eating of meat offered to Idols, the same may be also extended to garments consecrated to Idolatry. The nature of ceremonies and rites is to make the user to have fellowship with the principal of that religion, as the Jews of the altar, Christians with Christ, and Gentiles with devils. As many as are partakers of the bread which we break, are partakers of the body of Christ. They therefore that eat meat offered to Idols, are partakers of devils. And as many as are baptised have put on Christ: it is not to be feared, least as many as wear antychristes robes, will take more if authority command it, neither doth the authority of the Christian Magistrate excuse us, except we think, that Sergius Paulus might permyte that S. Paul had forbidden the sentence of Jamys, 
Act. 15. Deut. 12.  which is, that the gentiles should abstain from the pollution of Idols, God will borrow nothing of Idols to garnish or become his religion. thou shalt not do so to the Lord thy god, but rather he commandeth utterly to destroy their altars, woods, pillars, and their very names. He forbiddeth them also to bring any thing in to their houses that belongythe to Idols. Isaiah chap. 30. bideth those that are earnestly turned to the worship of god, to cast away the relics of Idolatry, You shall, saith he, put out the covering of the Imagis of silver, 
that is all thing belonging to Idolatry.  & the precious vestiments of the golden Imagis, and thou shalt cast them away like a menstruous clout, and say unto it: Auawnte, or get the hence. finally when all godly men abhor the monstrous apparel of Friars, Monks, Canons, I can not see, by what order they should esteem the ornaments of Popish Preastes, whose order is as wicked as Freyers, Monks, or any other, which thing may be said of the rest of the Popish ceremonies, which may all with like precept and colour, & by as good reason be received in the Churches as those. But admitting that these things were never so indifferent, yet it can not be that we should think them lawful, for us to use them: For even those things, which by themselves are lawful, when an other circumstance is joined to them, then become they unlawful for a Christian to use them, as in these cases. First we can not cast of all doubtfulness, having so many reasons on our side, and so many examples both of learned men, and best reformed Churches, but in all things most indifferent. Saint Paul chargeth every man to be certanly persuaded in his own mind, which some men untruly translate, Let every man abownde in his own sense, for he that with doubt of conscience eateth, which of it self is lawful, is condemned, because he doth it not of faith. Now the assurance of faith must be sought no where, but in God's word. secondly, though we should satisfy our consciences, yet this man is defylid, which is not persuaded by God's word, but increased by our examples, that he dare do that, whereof before he doubted, and this is to give an offence, as they commonly call it to anger them, for they that are best pleased with these matters, are most offended that they stumble and fall, we must not do what so ever is lawful, but what so ever also is profitable to edifying: neither must we only regard what liberty permyttyth, but rather what our brother's profit requireth. thirdly, we may not altogether neclect what infydells judge of us in the using of things lawful by them sealfes, and therefore S. Paul biddeth them that are called to the feasts of the gentiles, so soon as mention is made of meat offered to Idols, to abstain from eating of it, because of him that told of it, and his conscience, not of him self, but of an other. What the Papists judge of us, may easily be seen by this, the Harding for the retaining of those Popish ceremonies, containeth hope that popery shallbe restored: what the ignorant people judge of the reamnants of papistri retaynyd, wise men may well consider. hereunto might have been joined the sentences of old Doctors, Justinus, Ireneus, Tertullianus, Agustyne, Ambros, Chrysostums, Celestinus, & almost all the rest, for abhorring the customs and rights of the Jews and gentiles and heretics, but God's truth needeth not man's authority, except they that be against us, in this cause will appeal to the fathers, them shall they perceive, that in number both of Doctors, and sentences, we shall be nothing inferior to them. In the mean time this may suffice, to show first that the precisians is blameless, secondly the garments are not indifferent, & thirdly that though they were indifferent yet there is sufficient reason at this time, why we should not wear them. Come Lord Jesus, and make an end of this wicked world, that thy saints may come together, that we may sing with the in thy holy hill for ever. He that overcometh, shallbe crowned. Pray, pray, as the apostle Peter saith: the end of all things is at hand.   

¶ An Answer to a question, that was moved, why the godly men would not wear a surplice.  
Although we must needs confess, 
Answer.  that we have to much consented heretofore with the Papist in robbing and bereaving God of his glory & honour, yet may we not now in the light of God's truth continue a partaker with you in the adulteration of Christ's sacraments, contrary to our consciences & knowledge, wherein we judge ourselves only, not preiudising other men's doing, whom we leave to God, before whom they either stand or fall. For our parts we must render account, not obstinately bend against any thing that shallbe approved by God's word.  
We are persuaded, 
Maior.  that we may not use any thing repugnant to Christian liberty, nor maintain an opinion of holiness where none is, which were hypocrisy, nor consent to Idolatri, which were denial of the truth, or discourage the godly, incoraging the wicked, nor destroying the Church of Christ, which are bound to edify, nor consent unto confusion, where God requireth order, nor show disobedience, where God requireth to obey.  
But in using of a surplice, 
Minor.  we should do that which is repugnant to Christian liberty, maintain an opinion of holiness, where none is, show consent to Idolatry, deny the truth, discourage the godly, and encourage the wicked or ungodly, consent to confusion and show disobedience, where God commandithe to obey.  
We may not with good conscience, 
Conclusion  as we are persuaded wear a surplice.  
The Mayor is proved by Saint Paul Gal. 5. who commandeth to Christian liberty, by the example of Christ Matt. 15. who would not have his disciples to maintain an opinion of holiness, 
note the example of good men.  which the Jews had in washing of hands: by the doctrine of paul. 2. Cor. 6. who will have no agreement with the temple of God and the Idols: by the example of Danyel. 6. who opened his window towards Jerusalem, lest he might seam to deny his profession or consent with the wyckyd: by the example of Paul Gal. 2. who reproved Peter for the discoraging of the godly gentiles, and encouraging of the froward Jews: by the doctrine of the same apostle. 2. Cor. 13. where he teacheth that ministers have power to edify, not to destroy: by the example of patriarchs, and Prophets, which in the worshipping of God, wear by no means confounded with the idolaters: by the doctrine of Peter and John acts, which affyrmithe to be more right to obey God, than men. But for more evident proof hereof, we may let you see some practices of ancient Fathers. Tertulian in his book De corona militis, lykythe them unto dumb Idols, such as do use any thing according to the ornament of Idols: and further, if to lean upon an Idol, is strange from the faith, 
fasting is good, yet the godly would not use it that day, as the herytyk did.  what shall seam upon the habit of an Idol. augustine ad Casulanum, warnythe not to fast on the sunday, lest thereby consent might be showed to the wicked Manichees. They that wear any thing after the manner of Idols, and if it be strange from faith to lean upon an Idol, what is it to wear the habit of an Idol. The fourth Counsel of Toletane Canon. 5. for avoiding of consent with Herytyckes, decreed that once dipping should be used in baptism. A Papist of our time affirm that the apostles to avoid consent to Judaisme, abolished the Sabothe day, and sanctified the day of the Lord. The great Clerk Orygen, as Epiphanius wrytith in his. 2. book. 1. 
Beware of decembling.  Tom, carried palm with those that offered to the Image Serapis, although he protestyd openly, that he did offer unto Christ, and not unto Serapis, yet was he excomunycatyd, and cast out of the Church by the martyrs and Confessors which then were at Athens. The Christian soldiers which by Julian sultelte were brought to offer incens, 
Beware of deceitful practises.  as it is written Historia Tripartita lib. 6. chap. 30. when they perceived their fault, which unwares they had committed in consenting to Idolatri, they rane forth into the streets professed their religion, testified themselves to be Christians, affirming that their hands only had consented unto Paganism, 
the nature of true Christian.  and that their hearts did nothing agree thereunto, and whereas their hands had offended unadvysydlye, they wyshyd to bestow their whole bodies to be tormented for Christ, although with torments and pains most cruel and horrible. I trust we need not to labour any further for the proof. By the use of the surplice men are iniciat in to the Pope's clergy, as it appeareth by the pontifical, De clerico faciendo. If the Galathians by circumcision rather lost their liberty in Christ, then profited any thing, by iniciatinge themselves in to Judaisme. How may you retain the liberty in Christ, and profit in his religion by wearing the Pope's livery, we can not perceive? But by the use of the surplice, is maintained an hypocritical opinion of holiness, the Pontifical termithe it Habitum sancte religionis, the habit of an holy religion. Durand lib. 3. de rationale divinorum, saith, That it is Destis linea, the lynyne garment, in which they that serve about the services of the altar and holy things, aught to use upon their clothes, a surplice, it is for the whiteness of it, or it signifieth the purity or chastete, according to that saying: Let your garments, that is, your works, be white at all times, 
Mark what lying signs is in the surplice invented by Papists.  that is clean: but for his name, it figurith the mortification of the flesh. It is called a Surples, because that in the old time they did wear it upon skynny coats, made of the skins of the dead, which is used to this day in certain Churches, representing that Adame, after he had sinned, 
with what good conscience can the godly wear it, judge good Brother.  was clothed with such garments. Thirdly, it notith Innocenci, and therefore it is put on before all other holy vestures, because that they that are deputed to worshipping, ought to excel in life and in all virtues, according to the saying of the psalm: Innocency's do rightly cleave unto me. fourthly, for the breadth of it, it betokenythe charity, wherefore they are worn upon profane and common vestures, it is to be marked that charity covereth the multitude of sins. fifthly, for the fashion of it, in that is it made like a Cross, or Jew's gallows, it fygurythe the passion of the Lord, and they that wear, that aught to be creweyfyed with the vices and concupiscences. In maintaining this opinion of holiness, with all other inventions, which by lying signs, which they have had to it, we know not how to avoid consent unto that Idolatri, which Durant and the Papist maintain and profess, & to deny the Pope's ceremonies, the doctrine which we teach, how should it not discourage the godly, and encourage the superstitious in their errors? we can not edify the Church of Christ apparently, shewing ourselves to be on of the Pope's clergy. Seing S. Paul Thess. 3. willythe to avoid all apparens of evil, and to be shufflyd in a surplice, which the Pope's clergy wear, were rather a confusion then an order, which they themselves would be loath to suffer, if they might get again the keys into their hands, they would cry with open mouth, as their pontifical teach them, & pluck the surplice of our backs by the authority of almighty God the Father, 
The surplice is an holy garment of the Papists.  the Son, and the Holyghoste. saying, and we take from the all our clerkly habit, and we put on the apparel of religion, and depose, degrade, and spoil the of all orders clerkly benefice, and clerkelye living, 
Mark the folly of Papists.  and we restore the to the servitude and ignominy of the secular habit. Is it not a disorder, that Christians should show themselves slaves to the Pope's order? were it not better to serve God in common attire, then to please the Pope by diguising ourselves in superstitious surplessis: were it not better to obey God, who wyllyth us to serve him in spirit, and in truth, then to obey men, following the devise of Pope Sylvester, the fashion of the Jews, and practise of the Papists▪ where it not better, by leaving of a Surples to follow Christ in breaking men's traditions, them by the use thereof to be a companion of Popes & Pharisees? If this do not seam sufficient to prove the Minor at this time, it shallbe more at large dyscoursyd hereafter. Concerning the queens majesty's commandement, herein we acknowledge ourselves bound to obey in all things lawfully commanded, so can not we be persuaded to use that in the minysteri, which our consciences teacheth us to be replenished with Idolatrous hypocrisy, & also the example of other men which doth were it, ought nothing at all to move us to were a surplice in the ministry, no more then to consent with them in persecuting those men whom they term seditious scismatyckes for leaving them of. Thus as ye see, shortly dear Brethren, we leave the surplice, as the Pope's badge to the shaven clergy, and you as Gods chosen to the protection of the almighty whysshing, that God may give us grace aswell inwardly as outwardly, to seek for syncerite, and to weight with all patience the good will & pleasure of the almighty, who will & can help when pleaseth him. Far ye well in the Lord Jesus.   

¶ A Godly Prayer.  
OH Lord God and heavenly Father, which art a just Judge to punish all them, that do continue to offend thee, as thou art a Father most pitiful to receive to mercy all those, which give over themselves to please thee, show me thy grace and favour, so that I may be truly touched with inward displeasure of my sins, and that in the place of flattering myself to sleep in sin, I may be so cast down in heart, that the rather I may truly with mouth confess most humbly to give thee, the honour, glory, and praise, dew unto thy holy name, and that as thou of thy great mercy dost instruct us thereunto by thy holy word, so (for thy name's sake) make that the same may so lighten and clear our conscience, that in due examination of all our hole life, we may truly learn to be angry & displeasid with all our former, and corrupt living. Oh that it may please the to draw near unto us, in addressing and guiding our footsteps in the true and perfect way of obedience to thy holy laws and commandments. Send thy holy Angel to pitch his tents round about us, that Satan & ●is internal army, never prevail against us, but always with strong faith we may through Jesus Christ withstand all his crafty engines and snares, knowing undoubtedly that thou never forsakest them that put their trust in the. Oh let us not be led by the infirmity of our untoward flesh, but strengthen us by the virtue of the holy spirit. Suffer us not to lie under thy heavy wrath & vengeance through hypocrisy, but rather touch us so inwardly, that we may without ceasing, sigh, and groan unto thee, by true and unfeigned repentance. And although we be not always so well disposed to ask & pray, as we ought to do, yet (good Lord) for thy name's sake, stretch out thy mighty hand, that by the gracious working of thy holy Spirit, our minds and hearts may be drawn from all earthly and corruptible things, so that our prayers may proceed of an earnest and inward affection, so that we never presume to come before thou with a dobell heart, knowing that whosoever asketh and prayeth for any thing of thee, not ask in faith, can not obtain. Increase our faith therefore (oh merciful Father) that we presently may lively feel the benefit of remission and pardon of all our sins, thorough the merits and death of Christ Jesus our Saviour, and so work in us forever hereafter to live in thy fear, and to stand in awe of thy displeasure, that thou mayst continue our merciful Father world without end.  
God grant it.