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…

All these things were spoken in those days against the people of God, against Christ Jesus, against Paul, against Stephan, and against all them whosoever they were, which at the first beginning embraced the truth of the Gospel, and were contented to be called by the name of Christians; which was then an hateful ⟨image 8⟩name among the common people. And although the things which they said, were not true,¹ yet the Devil thought it should be sufficient for him, if at the least he could bring i• so to pass, as they might be believed for true: and that the Christians might be brought into a common hatred of every body, and have their death and destruction sought of all sorts. Hereupon Kings and Princes being led then by such persuasions, killed all the Prophets of God, letting none escape: Isaiah with a saw, Jeremiah with stones, Daniel with Lyons, Amos with an iron bar, Paul with the sword, & Christ upon the cross, and condemned all Christians to imprisonments, to torments to the pikes, to be thrown down headlong from rocks & steep places, to be caste to wild beasts and to be burnt,² & made great sires of their quick bodies, for the only purpose to give light by night, & for a very scorn & mocking stock: and did compt them ⟨image 9⟩no better then the vilest filth, the offscourings and laughing games of the whole world. Thus (as ye see) have the Authors and professors of the trueth ever ben entreated.

All these thinges wer spoken in those daies against the people of God, against Christ Iesu, against Paul, against Stephan, and against all them whosoeuer they were, which at the first beginninge imbraced the truthe of the Gospell, and were contented to be called by the name of Christians; which was then an hatefull ⟨image 8⟩name amonge the common people. And although the thinges whiche they said, wer not true,¹ yet the Diuel thought it shoulde be sufficient for him, yf at the least he coulde bringe i so to passe, as they might bee beleeued for true: and that the Christians might bee brought into a commō hatred of euery body, and haue their death and destruction sought of all sortes. Herevpon Kings and Princes beinge ledde then by suche perswasions, killed all the Prophetes of God, lettinge none escape: Esai with a sawe, Ieremy with stones, Daniell with Lyons, Amos with an yron barre, Paule with the sword, & Christ vpon ye crosse, and condemned all Christians to imprisonmentes, to tormentes to the pikes, to be thrwone doune headlong from rocks & stepe places, to be caste to wild beastes and to be burnt,