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 as for their religion, if it be of so long continuance as they would have men ween it is, why do they not prove it so by the examples of the Primitive Church, and by the Fathers and Councils of old times? Why lieth so ancient a cause thus long in the dust, ⟨image 80⟩destitute of an Advocate? Fire and sword they have had always ready at hand, but as for the old Councils & the fathers, all Mum, not a word. They did surely against all reason to begin first with these so bloody and extreme means if they could have found other more easy and gentle ways. And if they trust so fully to antiquity, and use no dissimulation, why did John Clement a country man of ours, but few years past, in the presence of certain honest men and of good credit, tear and cast into the fire certain leaves of Theodorete the most ancient Father and a greek Bishop, wherein he plainly and evidently taught, that the nature of bread in the Communion was not changed, abolished or brought to nothing And this did he of purpose, because he thought there was no other copy thereof to be found.¹ Why saith Albertus Pighius that the ancient father Augustine had a wrong opinion of original sin? And ⟨image 80⟩that he erred and lied,² and used false logic as touching the case of matrimony, concluded after a vow made which Augustin affirmeth to be perfect matrimony in deed, and cannot be undone again. Also when they did of late put in print the ancient father Origenes work upon the Gospel of John,³ why left they quite out the whole sixth Chapter, wherein it is likely, yea rather of very surety, that the said Origene had written many things concerning the Sacrament of the holy Communion, contrary to these mens minds, and would put forth that book mangled rather then full and perfect, for fear it should reprove them & their partners of their error. Call ye this trusting to antiquity, when ye rent in pieces, keep back, maim and burn the ancient Fathers works?

And as for their religion, if it be of so longe continuance as thei woulde haue men weene it is, why doe they not proue it so by the exaumples of the Primatiue Churche, and by the Fathers and Councells of olde tymes? Whye lyeth so auncient a cause thus longe in the duste,