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…

Wherefore good Christian reader, in as much as thou seest the reasons & causes both of our doings touching the restitution of Religion amongst us, & also of our departing from the fellowship of these men, thou oughtest not ⟨image 69⟩to marvel if that we had rather obey our Jesus Christ then men. Paul did admonish us, that we should not suffer, our selves to be carried out of the way with these variable doctrines: and that specially we should fly from them that would sow any dissension from that doctrine which we had received from Christ, and from the Apostles. Their juggling toys, even as the owl at the rising of the Sun, begin already to fall and fly away at the presence and light of the Gospel: And although they were piled and heaped up, even to the high skies: yet they fall down again upon the least occasion and in manner of their own accord. For thou oughtest not to imagine that all these things are happened at a blind adventure or by chance: for it was God's will that maugre the malice in manner of all men, the Gospel of Jesus Christ should be spread in these days throughout the world. Wherefore men, being admonished by gods word, have of their own accord applied themselves to the doctrine of Christ. We surely have not sought to win unto our selves either glory, either riches, either pleasure, either ease thereby. For all these things our adversaries have in great abundance, and we also, what time we were amongest them, had such things more largely and more plentifully. Neither do we abhor from peace & agreement: but for conservation of worldly peace, we will wage no wars with God. Doubtless, saith Hylarius, the name of peace is sweet: but peace saith he, is one thing, and thraldom is an other. For to assent, which is the thing that these men do seek for, that Christ should be commanded to silence, that the truth of the Gospel should be betrayed, ⟨p. 69⟩that wicked errors, should be dissembled, that the eyes of Christian men should be bleared, that men should manifestly conspire against God, is not an establishment of peace, but a most horrible covenant of thraldom. There is saith Nazianzene a certain kind of peace, unprofitable: there is a profitable discord. For we must allow peace with an exception, so far as it is lawful, and so far as we may.

Wherfore good Christiā reader, in as much as yu seest the reasons & causes both of our doings touching the restitutiō of Religiō amōgst vs, & also of our departing from the fellowship of these men, thou oughtest not