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…

But I put case these Abbots and Bishops have no knowledge: what if they understand nothing what Religion is, nor how we ought to think of God? I put case the pronouncing and ministering of the law be decayed in priests, and good counsel fail in the Elders, and as the Prophet Micah saith, the night be unto them in stead of a vision, and darkness in stead of prophesying. Or as Isaiah saith, what if all the watchmen of the city are become blind? what if the salt have lost his proper strength and savouriness, and as Christ saith, be good for no use, scant worth the casting on the dunghill?

But I put case these Abbottes and Bysh•pes haue no knowledge: what yf they vnderstande nothing what Religiō is, nor how we ought to thinke of God? I put case the pronouncyng and ministringe of the lawe be decayed in preists, and good counsell faile in the Elders, and as the Prophete Micheas saith, the night be vnto them in stede of a vision, and darkenes in sted of prophesieng. Or as Esaias saith, what yf al ye watchemē of ye city are become blind? what yf ye salt haue lost his propre strength and sauerines, and as Christe saith, be good for no vse, scant woorthe the castyng on the doungehyl?

Well yet then, they will bring all matters before the Pope, who cannot err. To this I say, first it is a madness to think that the holy Ghost taketh his ⟨image 99⟩flight from a general Council to run to Rome, to the end if he doubt or stick in any matter, and cannot expound it of him self, he may take counsel of some other spirit, I wot not what, that is better learned then him self. For if this be true, what needed so many Bishops, with so great charges and so far journeys, have assembled their Convocation at this present at Trident? It had ben more wisdom and better, at least it had ben a much nearer way and handsomer to have brought all things rather before the Pope, and to have come straight forth, and have asked counsel at his divine breast. Secondly, it is also an unlawful dealing to toss our matter from so many Bishops and Abbots, and to bring it at last to the trial of one only man, specially of him who him self is appeached by us of heinous and foul enormities, and hath not yet put in his answer: who hath also afore hand condemned us without judgement by order