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…

¹Unto all these things they are wont also to add this, & to enlarge it with all kinds of railing: that we be seditious persons: that we pluck the sceptres from out of the hands of Kings: that we arm the people: that we ⟨p. 26⟩overthrow all courts of Justice: that we abolish laws: that we bring possessions into common: that we turn kingdoms into a popular state: that we confound all things upside down. To conclude, we would have nothing in the common wealth to remain unfoiled. O how often have therewith these words inflamed the hearts of princes,² to the intent they should put out the light of the gospel whiles it were yet in kindling, and should first begin to hate it, before they might attain to know it. And that the magistrate as oft as he should see any of us, so oft he should imagine that he saw his enemy.

¹Unto al these thinges they ar wonte also to adde this, & to enlarge it wt all kindes of rayling: that we be seditious personnes: that we pluck the scepters from out of the handes of Kinges: that we arme the people: that we ⟨p. 26⟩overthrowe all courtes of Iustice: that we abolyshe lawes: that we bryng possessions into common: that we turne kingdomes into a popular state: that we confoūde al thinges vpside downe. To cōclude, we would haue nothyng in ye cōmon welth to remayne vnfoyled. O how often haue therwith these wordes inflamed the hartes of princes,² to the intent they should put out the light of the gospel whiles it were yet in kindelyng, and should first begin to hate it, before they might attayne to know it. And that the magistrate as oft as he should see any of vs, so ofte he should imagine that he sawe his enemie.

1. 1The objection of sedition.The objectiō of sedition.