A04458:8
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…
An apology, or answer in defence of the Church of England concerning the state of religion used in the same. Newly set forth in Latin, and now translated into English.An apologie, or aunswer in defence of the Church of England concerninge the state of religion vsed in the same. Newly set forth in Latin, and nowe translated into Englishe.
Londini: printed by Reginald Wolf, 1562
The Apology of the Church of England.The Apologie of the Churche of Englande.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The Apology of the Church of England.
The Apologie of the Churche of Englande.
IT hath ben always an old complaint, even from the times of the Patriarchs & Prophets, and confirmed by the writings & testimonies of all ages, that Truth dwelleth as a stranger here upon earth: and soon findeth enemies and slanderers among such as do not know her.1 The which thing although peradventure it may seem incredible unto others,2 such as have not diligently marked these things: specially because that the whole offspring of mankind by very course of nature, without a teacher, even of his own inclination coveteth after truth: and Christ himself our saviour, what time he was here conversant amongest men, called himself the Truth, as by that name which most aptly did express all divine power: nevertheless we that are exercised in the holy Scriptures, and have read and seen what hath happened in manner to all godly men of all ages, even unto the Prophets, unto the Apostles, unto the holy Martyrs, & unto Christ himself: with what reproaches, what revilings, what slanderous names they were vexed here in their life time for only truths sake: we I say do see, that it is a thing not only nothing new nor incredible, but also very currant and common to all ages. Mary on the other side it might seem much more marvellous and uncredible: in case that the Devil, the very father of lies and enemy to all truth, should now suddenly change his natural disposition, & hope to find some other way then by lying, to oppress the truth: or that by other sleights then ⟨image 3⟩such as he hath always used, he should now begin to establish his kingdom. For out of all records you shall scantly find any time, (other whiles religion was newly growing and increasing, or after it was stayed and settled, or when it began to spring again (wherein truth and innocency amongest men was not most unworthily and most shamefully entreated: for the Devil seeth, whiles truth prevaileth, he can not prevail nor keep his own.