An apology or answer in defence of the Church of England with a brief…An apologie or answere in defence of the Churche of Englande with a briefe…

And what marvel if the Church […] then carried a way with errors in that time, specially when neither the Bishop of Rome who then only ruled yea to […] nor almost any other; either did his […], or once understood what was his duty. For it is hard to be believed, whiles they were idle and fast a ••e•ne, that the Devil also all that while either fell a sleep, or else continually lay idle. For how they were occupied in the mean time, and with what faithfulness they took care of God's house, though we hold our peace, yet • play you let them hear Bernard their own friend.¹ The Bishops (saith he) who now have the charge of Gods church, are not teachers but deceivers, they are not feeders butte beguilers, they are not Prelates butte Pilates. These words spake Bernard of that Bishop, who named himself the highest Bishop of all, and of the other Bishops like wise which then had the ⟨image 71⟩place of government. Bernard was no Lutherian, Bernard was no heretic, he had not forsaken the Catholic church, yet nevertheless he did not let to call the Bishops that then were, deceivers, beguilers, and Pilates. Now when the people was openly deceived, and Christian mens eyes were craftily bleared, and when Pilate sat in judgement place and condemned Christ & Christs members to the sword and fire, Oh good Lord, in what case was Christs church then? But yet tell me, of so many and gross errors, what one have these men at any time reformed, or what fault have they once acknowledged & confessed?

And what maruaile yf the Churche 〈…〉 then caryed a waye with errours in that time, specially when neither the Byshop of Rome who thē only ruled ye to 〈…〉 nor almoste any other; either didde his 〈…〉, or once vnderstoode what was his duetie. For it is harde to be belieued, whyles they were ydle and fast a ••e•ne, that the Diuell also all that whyle either fell a sleepe, or els continually lay ydle. For how they were occupied in the meane time, and with what faithfulnesse they tooke care of Goddes house, though wee holde oure peace, yet playe you lette them heare Bernarde their owne friend.