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…

They will say to this, I guess, Civil Princes have learned to govern a common wealth, and to order matters of war, but they understand not the secret mysteries of Religion. If that be so, what is the Pope I pray you, at this day, other than a Monarch or a Prince? or what •e the Cardinals, who must be no nother now a days but Princes and ⟨image 106⟩kings sons? What else be the Patriarchs, and for the most part the Archbishops, the Bishops, the Abbots? what be they else at this present in the Popes kingdom, but warlike Princes, but Dukes and Earls, gorgeously accompanied with bands of men whither soever they go? Oftentimes also gaily arrayed with theynes & collars of gold, They have at times to, certain ornaments by them selves, as Crosses, pillars, hats, mitres and Palls, which pomp the ancient Bishops Chrysostom, Augustine and Ambrose never had. Setting these things aside, what teach they? what say they? what do they? how live they? I say not, as may become a Bishop, but as may become even a Christian man, Is it so great a matter to have a vain title, and by changing a garment only to have the name of a Bishop?

They will saye to this, I gesse, Ciuell Princes haue learned to gouerne a common welth, and to ordre matters of warre, but they vnderstande not the secret mysteries of Religion. Yf that be so, what is the Pope I praye you, at this day, other thē a Monarche or a Prince? or what •e the Cardinals, who must be no nother now a days but Princes and ⟨image 106⟩kyngs sonnes? What els be ye Patriarches, and for the most part the Archebysshops, the Byshops, ye Abbots? what be they els at this present in ye Popes kingdome, but worlikely Princes, but Dukes and Earles, gorgiously accompanied wt bandes of men whither soeuer they go? Oftentimes also gaylye arayed wyth theynes & collers of golde, They haue at times to, certeine ornamētes by them selfes, as Crosses, pillers, hattes, miters and Palles, which pompe the auncient Bysshops Chrysostom, Augustine and Ambrose neuer had. Setting these thinges aside, what teache they? what say they? what doe they? how lyue they? I saye not, as maye become a Byshopp, but as may become euen a Christian man, Is it so great a mater to haue a vaine title, and by chaunging a garment onely to haue the name of a Byshop?