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…

But these men that so heinously accuse us, do they in the mean season think nothing of themselves? They that have leisure to look so far, both what is done in Germany & what in England, have they either forgotten, or can they not see what is done in Rome? Are we accused by them, of whose life no man can speak with honesty & reverence?

But these men yt so hainously accuse vs, do thei in the meane season thinke nothing of themselues? Thei that haue leisure to loke so farre, both what is done in Germany & what in Englande, haue thei either forgottē, or can thei not se what is done in Rome? Ar we accused by thē, of whose life no mā cā speake wt honesty & reuerēce?

¹We do not take upon us now at this time to bring to light & to the show of the world those doings, which ought rather together with the Authors of them to be buried, our religion, our shamefastness, our blushing doth not bear it. Nevertheless he that commandeth all men to call him Christs vicar & head of the Church, who heareth these things to be done at Rome, who seeth it, who suffereth it (more we will not add) of what quality they be, he may easily consider with himself. For let him call to remembrance,² let him consider that they be his Canonists that have taught the people, that simple fornication is no sin, as though they had learned that doctrine of Mitio in Terence, where he saith: It is no fault believe me,³ for a young man to lye with a harlot. Let him consider that they be his men that have decreed, that a Priest for fornication ought not to be removed from his benefice: let him remember that Cardinal Campegius, ⟨p. 24⟩Albert Pighius, & many others of his affinity hath taught, that that priest liveth much more holily and more chastely that keepeth a concubine, then he that hath taken a wife in matrimony. We trust he hath not yet forgotten, that at Rome there be many thousands of common harlots, & that he gathereth of them yearly by the way of imposition, about thirty thousand ducats. Wherefore he can not forget, that in Rome openly he occupieth baudery, & of most filthy gain, filthily & wickedly feedeth his own delight. I pray you, were all things at Rome other sound or holy enough, what time as Joan a woman of perfect age rather then of life,