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…

We surely do not despise Councils or assemblies and conferences of Bishops and learned men: Neither have we done those things that be done altogether without Bishops or without a council. The matter was handled in full parliament, with long deliberation, and in a great assembly. But as touching this council, which Pope Pius doth at this time counterfeitly set forth, wherein men being neither called, nor heard, nor seen, are so lightly condemned, what we may look or hope to get thereby, it is not hard to guess.

We surely doe not despyse Councels or assemblies and conferences of Bysshoppes and learned menne: Nother haue we done those thinges that be done altogether without Bysshoppes or without a coūcell. The matter was handeled in full parlament, with long deliberation, and in a greate assemblie. But as touchyng this councell, whiche Pope Pius dothe at thys tyme counterfetly set forthe, wherein men beyng nother called, nor hearde, nor seene, ar so lightly condemned, what we maye loke or hope to gette thereby, it is not harde to gesse.

Nazianzenus long ago, when that in his time ⟨image 52⟩he saw men that came to such assemblies, to be so blind and so obstinate, that they were carried after their own affections, and fought rather for victory then for truth: pronounced in plain words, that he never saw good end of any council. What would he say now, if he were a live at this day, and should understand what these men went about? For in that time all though they were given to parts, yet both mens causes were heard, and manifest errors by the common consent of all parts were taken away. These men again neither will suffer the cause to be freely debated: neither will endure to have any thing changed, how many errors so ever there be.

Nazianzenus longe agoe, when that in his tyme ⟨image 52⟩he sawe menne that came to suche assemblies, to bee so blinde and so obstinate, that they were caryed after their owne affections, and foughte rather for victorie then for truthe: pronounced in playne wordes, that he neuer sawe good ende of anye councell. What woulde he saye nowe, if he were a liue at this daye, and shoulde vnderstande what these menne wente aboute? For in that tyme all though they were gyuen to partes, yet bothe mennes causes were hearde, and manifeste errours by the common consente of all partes were taken awaye. These menne agayne neyther will suffer the cause to bee freelye debated: nother will endure to haue anye thyng chaunged, howe many errours so euer there be.