f that holy sacrament, and that much reverence ariseth to
the sacrament from it. _Ans._ I verily believe that more reverence ariseth
to the sacrament from kneeling than is due to it; but I am sure there is
no less true reverence of that holy sacrament among such as kneel not in
the receiving of it, than among such as do kneel. I hope it is not unknown
how humbly and reverently many sincere Christians, with fear and
trembling, do address themselves to that most holy sacrament, who yet for
all the world would not kneel in receiving it. Thus we see that these
expediences, pretended for the ceremonies, are attained unto as well and
better without them than by them. But I will go forward to show some
particular inconveniences found in them.

CHAPTER III.

THAT THE CEREMONIES ARE INEXPEDIENT, BECAUSE THEY ARE PREPARATIVES FOR
GREATER EVILS.

First, then, the ceremonies are inexpedient, because our most holy faith,
for which we should earnestly contend, received no small harm and
prejudice, and is like to receive still more and more, by their means. Our
case is not much different from the estate of the churches in Germany,
when Charles V. caused the book called _Interim_ to be published:(288)
expediency then was pretended of settling the peace of Germany by this as
the best way; but it produced a very great inconveniency, and instead of
effectuating peace, it brought forth a hotter contention, as well between
the Protestants themselves, as between them and Papists. Expediency is now
no less pretended for the ceremonies, yet no more truly. But before the
bad effects of the _Interim_ were seen, the wiser sort of Protestants(289)
wrote against it, and warned men, _ut ab eo tanquam a praesentissima peste
sibi caverent_. Notwithstanding that the emperor did straitly inhibit all
impugning of it. And Sleidane tells us,(290) the reason which made them so
mistake it was, because they thought such as were upon that course, were
opening a way to the popish religion, _per adiaphora seu res medias_, and
because(291) they wished to retain the saving doctrine _puram et salvam a
technis illorum, qui nunc dum ceremonias restaurare videri volunt,
colluviem totam doctrinae pontificiae rursus introducunt_. The like reason
have we to mistake conformity with antichrist in these ceremonies which
are obtruded upon our church, for may we not justly fear that hereby we
shall be drawn on to conform with him also i