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…

King Agesilaus,¹ truly, did butte fondly, who when he had a determinate answer made him of the opinion and will of mighty Jupiter, would afterward bring the whole matter before Apollo, to know whether he allowed thereof as his father Jupiter did or no: But yet should we do much more fondly, when we may hear God him self plainly speak to us in the most holy scriptures, and may understand by them his will and meaning; if we would afterward (as though this were of none effect) bring our whole cause to be tried by a Council, which were nothing else but to ask whether men would allow as God did, & whether men would confirm Gods commandment by their authority. Why I beseech you, except a Council will & command, shall not truth be truth or God be God? If Christ […] to do so from the beginning, as ⟨image 97⟩that he would preach or teach nothing without the Bishops consent, but refer all his doctrine over to Annas and Caiaphas, where should now have been the christian faith? or who at any time should have heard the Gospel taught? Peter verily, whom the Pope hath oftener in his mouth and more reverently useth to speak of, then he doth of Jesus Christ, did boldly stand against the holy Council, saying, It is better to obey God, then men. And after Paul had once entirely embraced the Gospel, and had received it not from men, nor by man, but by the only will of God, he did not take advise therein of flesh and blood, nor brought the case before his kinsmen & brethren, but went forth with into Arabia to preach Gods divine mysteries, by God's only authority

Kinge Agesilaus,¹ truelye, didde butte fondelye, whoe when hee hadde a determinate aunswere made him of the opinion and will of myghtye Iupiter, woulde afterwarde bringe the whole matter before Apollo, to knowe whether hee alowed thereof as his father Iupiter didde or no: But yet shoulde wee dooe muche more fondelye, when wee maye heare Godde him selfe plainelye speake to vs in the moste holye scriptures, and maye understande by them his will and meaninge; yf wee woulde afterwarde (as thoughe this were of none effecte) bringe oure whole cause to be tryed by a Councell, which were nothinge els but to aske whether menne would allowé as God did, & whether mē would confirme Gods commaundement by their authority. Why I besech you, except a Councell wil & cōmaund, shal not truth be truth or God be God? Yf Christ to do so from ye beginning, as