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…

Pighius also is not afraid to say, that we ought not to believe any text of the scripture be it never so plain, unless we have our warrant from the Church of Rome. Much like as if any of these that can not speak good and pure Latin, and yet can babble somewhat after the manner of Schoolmen's Latin very roundly and readily, would needs maintain, that all other men also ought to speak such Latin now in these times, as many years past Mammetrect or Catholicon did speak, and such as at this day is used amongest themselves in their common schools: for so both that which is spoken may be well enough understanded, and also mens minds well satisfied: and that it were a mockery, now after so long continuance, ⟨image 48⟩to trouble the world with a new kind of speech, and to call home again the old pureness and elegance in speaking, which Cicero or Cesar used in their days. Such is the duty forsooth that these men do owe unto the ignorance and darkness of the times paste. Many things,¹ as a certain man saith, are oft times in good estimation, only because they had been ones dedicated to the temples of Heathen Gods. Even so we see that these men at this day do allow many things and highly esteem them, not because they judge them to be so much worth, but only because they have been received by custom, and dedicated after a certain manner to the Church of God.

Pighius also is not afrayde to saye, that we ought not to beleue any texte of the scripture be it neuer so playne, vnlesse we haue our warrant from the Churche of Rome. Muche like as if any of these that can not speake good and pure Latine, and yet can bable somwhat after the māner of Scholemens Latine very roundly and redily, woulde needes maynteyne, that all other mē also ought to speake such Latine now in these times, as many yeres past Mammetrect or Catholicon did speake, and suche as at this daye is vsed amongest themselues in their common scholes: for so both that whiche is spoken maye be well inough vnderstanded, and also mens mindes wel satisfied: and that it were a mockery, now after so longe cō tinuāce, ⟨image 48⟩to trouble ye world with a new kinde of speach, and to cal home againe the olde purenes and elegācy in speakyng, whiche Cicero or Cesar vsed in their dayes. Such is the duety forsoth that these men doe owe vnto the ignorance and darknes of the times paste. Many thinges,