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…

These men are wont to speak much of a certain secret doctrine of theirs, and manifold and sundry readings. Then let them bring forth somewhat now if they can, that it may appear they have at least read or do know somewhat. They have often stoutly noised in all corners where they went, how all the parts of their religion be very old, & have been approved not only by the multitude, but also by the consent & continual observation of all nations and times: let them therefore once in their life show this their antiquity: let them make appear at eye, that the things whereof they make such ⟨image 86⟩a door, have taken so long and large increase: let them declare that all Christi•••• nations have agreed by consent to •his their religion.

These men are wont to speake muche of a certaine secreat doctrine of theires, and manifolde and sundrye readings. Then let them bring furthe somwhat now if thei can, that it may apeare thei haue at least reade or do knowe somwhat. They haue often stoutly noysed in all corners where they went, how all the partes of their religiō be very old, & haue been approued not only by ye multitude, but also by the consēt & continual obseruation of al nations and times: let them therfore once in their life shew this their antiquitie: let them make appeere at eye, that the thinges wherof they make such ⟨image 86⟩a door, haue taken so longe and large encrease: let them declare that all Christi•••• nations haue agreed by consent to •his their religion.

Nay nay, they turn their backs, •s we have said already, and flee from their own decrees, and have cut of and abolished again within a short space, •he same things which but a few years before themselves had established, for evermore forsooth to continue. Howe should one then trust them in the Fathers, in the old Councils, & in the words spoken by God? They have not good Lord hei have not (I say) those things which hey boast they have: they have not the antiquity, they have not that universality, hey have not that consent of all places, or of all times. And though they have a desire rather to dissemble, yet they themselves are not ignorant hereof: yea & some also they let not to confess it openly. And for this cause they say, that the ordinances of the old Councils and Fathers