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…

The old Father Augustine complained of the multitude of vain ceremonies,¹ wherewith he even then saw mens minds and consciences overcharged: These men as though God regarded nothing else but their ceremonies, have so out of ⟨image 82⟩measure increased them, that there is now almost none other thing left in their Churches and places of prayer.

The ould Father Augustine complained of the multitude of vayne ceremonies,¹ wherewt he euē thē sawe mēs mindes and consciences ouercharged: These men as though God regarded nothyng els but their ceremonies, haue so out of ⟨image 82⟩measure increased them, yt there is now almoste none other thinge left in theire Churches and places of prayer.

1. 1Ad Januarium.Ad Ianuarium.

¹Again, that old father Augustin denieth it to be lawful for a Monk to spend his time slothfully and idly, and under a pretensed and counterfeit holiness to live all upon others. And who so thus liveth, an old father Apollonius likeneth him to a thief. These men have (I wot not whither to name them) droves or herds of monks) who for all they do nothing, nor yet once intend bear any show of holiness, yet live they not only upon others, but also riot lavishly of other folks labours.

¹Again, that old father Augustin denieth it to be leefull for a Monke to spende his tyme slouthfully and ydleye, and vnder a pretensed and counterfeite holines to liue all vpon others. And who so thus lyueth, an olde father Apollonius likeneth hym to a theefe. These men haue (I wote not whither to name them) droues or heardes of monkes) who for all they do nothīg, nor yet once intend beare any shew of holines, yet lyue they not onelye vppon others, but also ryot lauyshly of other folkes labours.