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…

Wherefore let them at one time or other show this antiquity which they speak of. Let them make these things to appear, which are spread, as they say, so far & so wide. Let them prove that all Christian nations have agreed unto their religion. But they flee, as we said a little before, even them selves from their own decrees: and those things, which so few years paste they had established to remain for ever, in so short time have made to be of none effect. I pray you then, how should they trust in the fathers, in the old councils, in the words of God? They have not, O merciful God, they have not those things, which they boast themselves to have, neither antiquity, nor universality, neither the consent of all places, nor of all times. And thereof they themselves, although they would rather have the matter dissembled, are not ignorant. Yea sometimes they stick not also plainly to confess it. And therefore they say, that the constitutions of old Councils and fathers are of that condition, that sometimes they may be changed: for according to the diversity of times, diverse decrees are convenient to be had in the Church. And thus they cover them self under the name and title of the Church, and with a counterfeit shadow do scornfully abuse the simple & wretched people. And a marvel it is, that either men should be so blind, as they can not see these things: or if they do see them, that they be so patient, as they can thus easily endure them, and with so quiet a mind.

Wherfore let them at one time or other shew this antiquitie which thei speake of. Let thē make these things to appere, whiche ar spred, as they say, so far & so wide. Let them proue that al Christian nations haue agreed vnto their religion. But they flee, as we sayde a litle before, euen them selfs from their owne decrees: and those thinges, whiche so fewe yeares paste they had established to remaine for euer, in so shorte time haue made to be of none effect. I pray you then, how shold they trust in the fathers, in the olde coūcels, in the wordes of God? They haue not, O mercifull God, they haue not those thinges, whiche thei boaste themselues to haue, nother antiquitie, nor vniuersalitie, nother the consent of all places, nor of al times. And therof they themselues, although they would rather haue the matter dissembled, ar not ignorāt. Yea somtimes thei sticke not also plamly to confesse it. And therfore thei say, that the constitutions of olde Councels and fathers ar of that cōdition, that somtimes they may be chaunged: for according to the diuersitie of times, diuerse decrees ar conuenient to be had in the Church. And thus they couer thē self vnder the name and title of the Church, and with a counterfaite shadow doe scornfully abuse the simple & wretched people. And a meruayle it is, that either mē should be so blinde, as they can not see these thinges: or if they doe see them, that they be so pacient, as they can thus easily endure them, and with so quiet a minde.