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…

Now then, sins the matter is plain & can not be denied, that these fellows are gone back from those, of whom they received the gospel, of whom they received the faith, of whom the true religion & the Church: what cause is there, why they should not be content to be called home again, even unto the same persons, as it were to the fountains of religion? Wherefore are they so afraid, as though all the Apostles & old fathers saw nothing, to follow the example of their times? for do they, trow ye, see more, or be they more careful over the Church of God, then they that first delivered these things? And now to return to our selves, we have departed from that Church, wherein neither the word of God could be heard purely taught: nor the Sacraments rightly administered: nor the name of God, as it ought to be, called upon: and which they themselves do confess to be corrupted in ⟨p. 50⟩many things: and wherein, to say the truth, there was nothing that could stay any man that was wise, and that had any consideration, of his own salvation. To conclude, we have departed from that Church that is now founded, not from that Church that was in time past: and we have departed in such sort, as Daniel did out of the den of Lions: as the three children out of the fire: yea rather caste out by them with their cursings and banninges, then departed of our selves.

Now then, sins the matter is plaine & can not be denied, yt these fellowes ar gone back frō those, of whom thei receiued the gospel, of whom thei receaued ye faith, of whome the true religion & the Churche: what cause is there, why they shuld not be cōtent to be called home againe, euen vnto the same personnes, as it were to the fountaines of religion? Wherfore ar they so afrayde, as thoe al the Apostles & old fathers sawe nothing, to folow the exāple of their times? for doe they, trowe ye, see more, or be thei more careful ouer the Churche of God, then they yt first deliuered these things? And now to returne to our selfs, we haue departed frō that Churche, wherin nother the worde of God could be hearde purely taught: nor the Sacramentes rightly administered: nor the name of God, as it ought to be, called vpō: and whiche they themselues doe confesse to be corrupted in ⟨p. 50⟩many thinges: and wherin, to say the truth, there was nothing that could staye any man that was wise, and that had any consideration, of his owne saluation. To conclude, we haue departed from that Churche that is now founded, not from that Church that was in time past: and we haue departed in such sorte, as Daniel did out of the denne of Lions: as the thre childrē out of the fier: yea rather caste out by them with their cursinges and banninges, then departed of our selfs.