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…

Even after the same sort every whit, when these men had once made the law of God of ⟨image 88⟩none effect through their own traditions, fearing that the people should afterwards open their eyes and fall an other way, and should somewhence else seek a surer mean of their salvation, Jesus, how often have they cried out: This is the same worshipping that pleaseth God, and which he straitly requireth of us, and wherewith he will be turned from his wrath, that by these things is conserved the unity of the Church, by these all sins cleansed and consciences quieted: and who so departeth from these, hath left unto himself no hope of everlasting salvation. For it were wearisome and troublous (say they) for the people to resort to Christ, to the Apostles, and to the ancient fathers, and to observe continually what their will and commandment should be. This ye may see▪ is to with draw the people of God from the weak elements of the world, from the leaven of the Scribes & Pharisees, and from the traditions of men. It were reason no doubt that ⟨image 89⟩Christs commandments and the Apostles were removed, that these their devises might come in place. O just cause I promise you, why that ancient and so long allowed doctrine should be now abolished, and a new form of religion be brought into the Church of God.

Euen after the same sorte euery whit, when these men had once made the lawe of God of ⟨image 88⟩none effect through their owne traditions, fearing that the people should afterwards open their eyes and fall an other way, and shoulde somwhence els seeke a suret meane of their saluation, Iesu, how oftē haue thei cried out: This is the same worshippinge that pleaseth God, and whiche hee straitly requireth of vs, and wherwith he wil be tourned from his wrath, that by these thinges is conserued the vnitie of the Church, by these al sinnes clensed and consciences quieted: and who so departeth from these, hath left vnto himselfe no hope of euerlasting saluation. For it were wearisome and troublous (saye they) for the people to resorte to Christ, to the Apostles, and to ye auncient fathers, and to obserue continually what their wil and commaundement should be. This ye may se▪ is to wt draw the people of God frō ye weake elements of the worlde, frō ye leauen of the Scribes & Pharisies, and from the traditions of mē. It were reasō no doubt yt