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…

To be short, this whole religion which Christian men do ⟨p. 10⟩profess at this day,¹ in the first beginnings thereof was called of Heathen men a set & an Heresy, they with these voices always filled the ears of Princes, to the entente that they being ones brought upon an opinion conceived before hand, to hate us, & to take whatsoever should be said on our behalf to be factious and Heresy, might be carried from the matter it self and from hearing of the cause. But the greater and the horribler the fault is, so much ought it to be proved with greater and more evident arguments, specially in these days, now that men have begun to give less credit unto these mens dreams, and more diligently to examine their doctrine then afore they were accustomed. For the people of God is otherwise instructed now, then they were when all things that were set forth by the Popes of Rome, were taken for the Gospel, & all religion depended only upon their authority. The holy scriptures are now abroad, the writings of the Apostles and Prophets are abroad, out of the which both all truth and catholic doctrine may be proved,² and all Heresy confuted.

To be short, this whole religiō which Cristiā mē do ⟨p. 10⟩professe at this daie,¹ in the first beginnings therof was called of Heathen men a sette & an Heresye, thei wt these voyces alwaies filled the eares of Princes, to the entēte that thei being ones broughte vpon an opinion conceiued before hande, to hate vs, & to take whatsoeuer shold be said on our behalfe to be factious and Heresy, might be caryed from the matter it selfe and from hearinge of the cause. But the greater and ye horribler the faulte is, so muche ought it to be proued wyth greater and more euident arguments, specially in these daies, nowe that men haue begonne to giue lesse credite vnto these mens dreames, and more diligently to examine their doctrine then afore thei were accustomed. For the people of God is otherwyse instructed now, then they were when all thinges that were set forth by the Popes of Rome, wer taken for the Gospell, & al religion depended onely vpon their authoritie. The holy scriptures are now abroade, the writings of the Apostles and Prophets ar abroad, out of the which bothe all truth and catholike doctrine may be proued,