36 OF CHURCH CONTROVERSIES. 



pected forerunner of a more general contempt. And 

 I grant there is a sympathy between the estates; but 

 no such matter in the civil policy, as deserveth so 

 dishonourable a taxation. 



To conclude this point : As it were to be wished 

 that these writings had been abortive, and never 

 seen the sun ; so the next is, since they be come 

 abroad, that they be censured, by all that have un 

 derstanding and conscience, as the intemperate extra 

 vagancies of some light persons. Yea farther, that 

 men beware, except they mean to adventure to de 

 prive themselves of all sense of religion, and to pave 

 their own hearts, and make them as the high way, 

 how they may be conversant in them, and much 

 more how they delight in that vein ; but rather to 

 turn their laughing into blushing, and to be ashamed, 

 as of a short madness, that they have in matters of 

 religion taken their disport and solace. But this, 

 perchance, is of these faults which will be soonest 

 acknowledged ; though I perceive, nevertheless, that 

 there want not some who seek to blanch and ex 

 cuse it. 



But to descend to a sincere view and considera 

 tion of the accidents and circumstances of these 

 controversies, wherein either part deserveth blame 

 or imputation, I find generally, in causes of Church 

 matters, that men do offend in some or all of these 

 five points. 



The first is, the giving occasion unto the contro 

 versies : and also the inconsiderate and ungrounded 

 taking of occasion. 



