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…

¹Wherefore let them go hardly: and let them rather make peace at home amongest their own company. True it is, that unity and agreement is a thing most convenient for Religion: and yet it is no certain and proper note of the Church of God, for there was perfect agreement amongest those that worshipped the golden calf: and amongest those which together with one voice cried out against our saviour Jesus Christ: Crucify him. Nether yet because the Corinthians were at variance among themselves, or because Paul differed from Peter, or Barnabas from Paul, or for that the Christians that were shortly after the beginning of the Gospel, varied about some matters one from an other, followeth it therefore, that amongest them there was no Church of God? As ⟨p. 22⟩for those whom these men do call in reproach, Zwinglians and Lutherans, in very deed are both of them Christians, and friends one to an other, and brethren. They dissent not in the principles and foundation of our religion, nether of God nor of Christ, nor of the holy Ghost, nor of the way of Justification, nor of eternal life, only they do vary about one, and that not very weighty or great question. Nor we despair not, or rather we doubt not, but shortly they shall be agreed: and if there be any of them that are otherwise persuaded then were fit and convenient, that all partial affections and factious names laid a part, God will reveal their error unto them, to the intent that when they have better considered and examined the matter, all causes and roots of dissension, even like as it came ones to pass in the council of Calcedonia, may be utterly digged up and buried in perpetual forgetfulness. So be it.

¹Wherfore let them goe hardely: and let them rather make peace at home amongest their owne companye. True it is, that vnitee and agrement is a thynge most conuenient for Religion: and yet it is no certayne and proper note of the Church of God, for there was perfecte agrement amongest those that worshipped the goulden caulfe: and amongest those which together wyth one voice cried oute agaynst our sauiour Iesu Christe: Crucifye him. Nether yet bycause the Corinthians were at variaunce amonge themselues, or bycause Paule differed from Peter, or Barnabas from Paule, or for that the Christians that were shortlye after the beginning of the Gospel, varied about some matters one from an other, foloweth it therfore, that amongest them there was no Churche of God? As