An apology, or answer in defence of the Church of England concerning the state…An apologie, or aunswer in defence of the Church of England concerninge the state…

Thus they deceive the simple with a vain appearance of gay things: and seek utterly to oppress us with the very name of the Church, even like as if a thief, when that he had entered upon an other mans house, and had other violently thrust out or murdered the owner thereof, ⟨p. 32⟩should afterwards challenge it for his own, and keep out of possession the right heir: or if Antichrist after the he had gotten himself into possession of the temple of God, should say afterwards, that it were his own, & that it appertained nothing unto Christ. For these men whereas in the Church of God they have left nothing like to gods Church, yet they will seem to be maintainers and defenders of the Church, even altogether as Gracchus in times paste defended the treasure of Rome, what time as with launching out of large gifts, and undiscreat expenses, he utterly consumed & cast it away. There was never nothing so wicked or so far against reason, that under the name of the Church might not easily be covered and defended. For even the wasps also do make honeycombs: and the wicked have their assembles and fellowships together, like unto the Church of God.

Thus they deceiue the simple wt a vaine apparance of gay thinges: and seke vtterly to oppresse vs with ye very name of the Church, euen lyke as if a theefe, when that he had entered vpō an other mans house, and had other violētly thrust out or murdered ye owner therof, ⟨p. 32⟩should afterwardes chalenge it for his owne, and keepe out of possession the right heire: or if Antichrist after ye he had goten himselfe into possession of the temple of God, should say afterwardes, that it were his owne, & that it appertained nothing vnto Christ. For these mē wheras in the Church of God they haue left nothing lyke to gods Churche, yet they will seeme to be maintainers and defenders of the Church, euen altogether as Gracchus in tymes paste defended the treasure of Rome, what time as with launching out of large gifts, and vndiscreat expenses, he vtterlye consumed & cast it away. There was neuer nothing so wicked or so farre against reason, that vnder the name of ye Church might not easily be couered and defēded. For euen the waspes also doe make honycombes: and the wicked haue theyr assembles and fellowshyppes together, lyke vnto the Church of God.