OF CHURCH CONTROVERSIES. 39 



disposition of the times, and the want of correspon 

 dence many ways, is enough to frustrate the best 

 endeavours in the edifying of the Church. And for 

 the rest, generally, I can condemn none. I am no 

 judge of them that belong to so high a Master ; nei 

 ther have I &quot; two witnesses.&quot; And I know it is truly 

 said of fame, that 



&quot; Pariter facta, atque infecta canebat.&quot; 



Their taxations arise not all from one coast ; 

 they have many and different enemies ready to in 

 vent slander, more ready to amplify it, and most 

 ready to believe it. And &quot; Magnes mendacii credu- 

 litas ;&quot; credulity is the adamant of lies. But if any be, 

 against whom the Supreme Bishop hath not a few 

 things, but many things ; if any have lost his first 

 love ; if any be neither hot nor cold ; if any have stum 

 bled too fondly at the threshold, in such sort that he 

 cannot sit well, that entered ill ; it is time they return 

 whence they are fallen, and confirm the things that 

 remain. 



Great is the weight of this fault ; &quot; et eorum 

 causa abhorrebant homines a sacrificio Domini :&quot; and 

 for their cause did men abhor the adoration of God. 

 But howsoever it be, those which have sought to 

 deface them, and cast contempt upon them, are not 

 to be excused. 



It is the precept of Solomon, that the rulers be 

 not reproached ; no, not in our thought : but that 

 we draw our very conceit into a modest interpreta 

 tion of their doings. The holy angel would give no 

 sentence of blasphemy against the common slan 

 derer, but said, Increpet te Dorm nus,&quot; the Lord 



