A04458:158
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…
An apology, or answer in defence of the Church of England concerning the state of religion used in the same. Newly set forth in Latin, and now translated into English.An apologie, or aunswer in defence of the Church of England concerninge the state of religion vsed in the same. Newly set forth in Latin, and nowe translated into Englishe.
Londini: printed by Reginald Wolf, 1562
The Apology of the Church of England.The Apologie of the Churche of Englande.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
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.
For that is a thing which they are wont often and with out all shame to boast of, that their Church can not err: that in hit there is no blemish: that there is nothing to be granted unto us: or if there be any thing, that the judgement thereof appertaineth unto Bishops and Abbots: they be the directors of those matters, they be the Church of God. Aristotle saith, that bastards can not make a city. But whether the Church of God may be made of these fellows or no, let them consider: for surely, neither be they lawful Abbots nor right Bishops.