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…

And although in the suspicion of Heresy S. Jerome will have no man to be patient: nevertheless we will demean our self neither bitterly nor tauntingly with many words, nor yet be carried into any chafe with anger: although in deed he ought not to seem bitter or tā tinge that speaketh truth. But this kind of eloquence we are content to leave to our adversaries, who what soever they speak against us, though it be never so bitterly or slanderously spoken, yet it is modestly spoken and to good purpose, how truly or falsely, thereof they make no great account. Such kind of sleights we have no need of that defend the truth.

And although in the suspicion of Heresy S. Ierome will haue noe man to be pacient: neuerthelesse we wyll demeane our selfe nother bitterly nor tantingly wt many wordes, nor yet be caried into any chauffe with anger: although in dede he ought not to seeme bitter or tā tinge that speaketh truth. But this kynde of eloquence we are content to leaue to our aduersaries, who what soeuer thei speake against vs, thoe it be neuer so bytterly or slanderously spoken, yet it is modestly spoken and to good purpose, how truly or falslye, therof thei make no great account. Suche kinde of sleights we haue no nede of that defende the truth.

But in case we do prove that the sacred Gospel of God and the ancient Bishops, together with the primitive Church doth make for us, and that we have upon just cause, both departed from these men, and also returned now again unto the Apostles and old catholic fathers, and that we do it in deed not covertly or craftily, but with a good conscience before God, truly, frankly, clearly & plainly: if they them selves which flee our doctrine and will be called Catholics, shall evidently ⟨image 8⟩see all those titles of antiquity, wherein they glory so much, wrung out of their hands, & that there is more pith in our cause then ever they could imagine: we trust no man amongest them will be so negligent of his salvation, but that he will at some time take in hand to bethink him self, unto whether part it were best for him to stick unto, and truly no man, except such a one as hath hardened his hart and will not hear, shall repent him self of his labour to have given ear unto our defence, and to have marked both what we do say, and how agreeably unto the whole course of Christian religion.