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…

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.

For that is a thyng whiche they ar wonte often and with out all shame to boaste of, that their Churche can not erre: that in hit there is no blemyshe: that there is nothyng to be graunted vnto vs: or yf there be anye thyng, that the iudgement thereof appertayneth vnto Bysshoppes and Abbots: they be the directers of those matters, they be the Churche of God. Aristotel saythe, that bastardes can not make a citie. But whether the Churche of God maye be made of these fellowes or no, let them consider: for surely, nother be they lawfull Abbots nor right Bysshoppes.

But let them hardly be the Church: let them be heard in councils: let them only have authority to give a voice: Nevertheless in times paste, when the Church of God (if it be compared with their Church) was reasonably well governed, as Cyprian saith, both Elders and Deacons & some part also of the common people ⟨image 53⟩were called to the hearing of Ecclesiastical causes.

But let them hardely be the Churche: lette them be hearde in coūcels: let them only haue authoritie to giue a voyce: Neuerthelesse in times paste, when the Church of God (if it be compared with their Churche) was resonably wel gouerned, as Cipryan sayth, bothe Elders and Deacons & some parte also of the common people ⟨image 53⟩