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…

Such was the very state, such was the pitiful condition of the Church of God. Most miserably men lived therein without the gospel, without light, without all comfort.

Suche was the very state, suche was the pytifull condition of the Church of God. Moste miserably men liued therein without the gospell, without lighte, without all comforte.

Wherefore, although our departing be somewhat grievous unto them: yet ought they to consider how just the cause of our departing is. For in case they will say: it is lawful for thee by no means to depart from that fellowship, wherein thou haste ben brought up: Thus they may easily in our persons condemn both the Prophets and the Apostles, and also Christ him self. For why do they not likewise find fault at this: that Loth departed from Sodom, Abraham out of Called, the Hebrews out of Egypt, Christ from the Jews, Paul from the Pharisees? For onlesse there may be some just cause of such departings, we see not, why they also may not in like sort be accused as factious and seditious men.

Wherefore, although our departyng be somewhat greuous vnto them: yet ought they to consider howe iuste the cause of our departing is. For in case they wil saye: it is lawefull for thee by no means to departe from that fellowship, wherein thou haste ben brought vp: Thus they maye easily in oure personnes cōdemne both the Prophetes and the Apostles, and also Christe him self. For why doe they not likewise finde fawte at this: that Loth departed from Sodome, Abraham out of Calde, the Hebrewes out of Egypte, Christ from the Iewes, Paule from the Pharisees? For onlesse there maye be some iuste cause of suche departynges, we see not, why they also maye not in like sorte be accused as factious and seditious men.