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…

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,⁴ was Pope, & toke upon her to be head of the Church, & after that two years together she had applied her self in yt holy seat unto other mens lusts, at the last in going a Procession about in the City, in the sight of the Cardinals and Bishops, was openly delivered of child in the street?

¹We do not take vpō vs now at this time to bring to light & to the shewe of the worlde those doings, which ought rather together with the Authors of them to be buried, our religiō, our shamfastnes, our blusshīg dothe not bere it. Neuertheles he yt cōmaundeth al men to call him Christes vicare & head of ye Churche, who heareth these things to be done at Rome, who seeth it, who suffereth it (more we wil not add) of what qualitie thei be, he may easly consider with himself. For let him call to remembrāce,