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…

Very rightly and aptly doth Chrysostom writ against these men.¹ Heretics, saith he, shut up the doors against the trueth: for they know full well, if the door were open, the Church should be none of theirs. Theophylact also: Gods word saith he, is the Candle whereby the thief is espied: and Tertullian saith, the holy Scripture manifestly findeth out the fraud and theft of Heretics. For why do they hide, why do they keep under the Gospel, which Christ would have preached aloud from the house top? Why whealine they that light under a Bushel, which ought to stand on a Candlestick? why trust they more to the blindness of the unskilful multitude and to ignorance, then to the goodness of their cause? think they their slights are not already perceived, and that they can walk now unespied, as though ⟨image 76⟩they had Giges ting to go invisible by, upon their finger? No no: all men see now well and well again, what good stuff is in that Chest of the Bishop of Romes bosom. This thing alone of it self may be an argument sufficient, that they work not uprightly and truly. Worthily ought that matter seem suspicious which fleeth trial, and is afraid of the light: for he that doth evil, as Christ saith, seeketh darkness, & hateth light. A conscience that knoweth it self clear, cometh willingly into open show, that the works which proceed of God may be seen. Neither be they so very blind, but they see this well enough how their own kingdom straight way is at a point, if the scripture once have the upper hand: and that like as men say, the Idols of devils in times past, of whom men in doubtful matters were then wont to receive answers, were suddenly stricken dumb at the sight of Christ, when he was borne and came ⟨image 76⟩into the world: even so they see that now all their subtle practises will soon fall down headlong upon the sight of the Gospel. For Antichrist is not overthrown but with the brightness of Christs coming.

Very rightlye and aptly doth Chrysostome writte against these menne.¹ Heretiques, saith he, shutt vp the doores against the trueth: for they know ful wel, yf the doore were open, the Churche shuld be none of theirs. Theophylact also: Gods worde saith he, is the Candle whereby the theefe is espyed: and Tertullian saith, the holy Scripture manifestlye findeth out the fraude and theafte of Heretiques. For why do they hyde, why do they kepe vnder the Gospell, whiche Christ would haue preched alowde from the house top? Why whealine they that light vnder a Bushell, whiche ought to stande on a Candlestick? why trust they more to the blyndenes of the vnskilfull multitude and to ignoraunce, then to the goodnes of their cause? thinke they their slightes are not alredy perceiued, and yt they cā walke now vnespied, as though