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…

As for us, we run not for succour to the fire as these mens guise is, but we run to the scriptures: neither do we reason with the sword, but with the word of God: and therewith as saith Tertullian, do we feed our faith: by it do we stir up our hope, and strengthen our confidence. For we know that the Gospel of JESU CHRIST is the power of God unto salvation, and that therein consisteth eternal life. And as Paul warneth us, we do not hear, no not an Angel of God coming from heaven, if he go about to pull us from any part of this doctrine. Yea more then this, as the holy martyr Justine speaketh of him self, we would give no credence to God him self, if he should teach us any other Gospel.

As for vs, we runne not for succour to the fyer as these mennes guyse is, but we runne to the scriptures: neyther doe we reason with the sworde, but with ye worde of God: and therewith as saythe Tertullian, do we feed our fayth: by it do we styr vp our hope, and strengthen our confidence. For wee knowe that the Gospell of IESV CHRIST is the power of God vnto saluation, and that therein consisteth eternall lyfe. And as Paule warneth vs, wee do not heare, no not an Aungel of God coming from heauen, yf he go about to pull vs from any parte of this doctrine. Yea more then this, as the holy martyr Iustine spekith of hym selfe, we would giue no credence to God him selfe, yf he should teache vs any other Gospell.

For where these men bid the holy Scriptures away, as dumb and fruitless, and procure us to come to God him self rather, who speaketh in the Church and in Councils: which is to say, to believe their fancies and opinions. This way of finding out the truth is very uncertain and exceeding dangerous, & in manner a Fantastical & a mad way, and by no means allowed of the holy Fathers. Chrysostom saith, there be many oftentimes which boast themselves of the holy Ghost: but truly who so speak of their own head, do falsely boast they have the spirit of God. For like as, saith he, Christ denied he spake of him self when he spake out of the law and Prophets, even so now, if any thing be pressed upon us in the name of the holy Ghost save the Gospel, we ought not to believe it. For as Christ is the fulfilling of the law and the Prophets, so is the holy Ghost the fulfilling of the Gospel. Thus far goeth Chrysostom.