A04458:95
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.
These things were believed of many men, not because they were true, for what could be more untrue? but because they were somewhat likely, and might well deceive men with the resemblance of truth.
These thinges were beleued of many men, not bycause they were trewe, for what coulde bee more vntrue? but bycause they were somewhat lykely, and myght well deceyue men wyth the resemblaunce of truthe.
Even after the same manner these men slander us for Heretics, and to have forsaken the Church and the communion of Christ, not for that they think it to be true, for thereof they take no care, but because that unto ignorant men it might peradventure some way have an appearance of truth. For we have forsaken, not as Heretics are wont to do, the Church of Christ, but as all good men are bound to do, the contagious infection of lewd men and of Hypocrites. And yet do they in this point triumph marvellously, saying, This is the Church, this is the spouse of Christ: this is the pillar of truth: this is the ark of Noah, out of which no salvation is to be looked for: and that we have forsaken it, we have torn Christs coat: We are cut of from the body of Christ, and have abandoned the Catholic Faith.
Euen after the same manner these men slaunder vs for Heretikes, and to haue forsaken the Church and the communion of Christ, not for that they thinke it to bee true, for therof they take no care, but bycause that vnto ignoraunt men it myghte paraduenture some way haue an apparance of truthe. For we haue forsaken, not as Heretykes are wonte to doe, the Church of Christe, but as all good men are bounde to dooe, the contagious infection of lewde men and of Hypocrytes. And yet dooe they in thys poynte tryumphe merueilousely, sayeng, This is the Church, this is the spouse of Christ: thys is the pyller of truthe: thys is the arke of Noe, oute of whych no saluation is to be looked for: and that wee haue forsakē it, we haue torne Christes coate: Wee are cutt of from the bodye of Christ, and haue abandoned the Catholyke Faythe.