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 that they for their part have changed no manner of thing, but have held and kept still such a number of years to this very day all things as ⟨image 10⟩they were delivered from the Apostles, and well approved by the most ancient Fathers.

But that they for theyr parte haue chaunged no maner of thinge, but haue helde and kepte still suche a nomber of yeares to this verye day all thinges as ⟨image 10⟩they were deliuered from the Apostles, and well approued by the most auncient Fathers.

And that this matter should not seem to be don but upon privy slander, and to be tossed to and fro in a corner, only to spite us, there have ben besides wy•ely procured by the Bishop of Rome, certain parsons of eloquence enough, and not unlearned neither, which should put their help to this cause now almost despaired of, & should polish and set forth the same, both in books and with long tales, to the end, that when the matter was trimly and eloquently handled, ignorant and unskilful persons might suspect there was some great thing in it. In deed they perceived that their own cause did every where go to wrack, that their sleights were now espied and less esteemed, & that their helps did daily fail them, & that their matter stood altogether in great need of a conning spokesman. ⟨image 11⟩Now as for those things which by them have been laid against us, in part they be manifestly false & condemned so by their own judgements which spake them, partly again, though they be as false to in deed, yet bear they a certain show and colour of truth, so as the Reader (if he take not good heed) may easily be tripped and brought into error by them, specially when their fine and cunning tale is added thereunto: and part of them be of such sort, as we ought not to shun them as crimes or faults, but to acknowledge & profess them as things well done, and upon very good reason.