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…

Truly there had been no need to handle so plain a matter as this is, with so many words and so at length, if we had not to do with those men who for a desire they have to strive and to win the mastery, use of course to deny all things be they never so clear, yea the very same which they presently see and behold with their own eyes. The Emperor Justinian made a law to correct the behaviour of the Clergy, and to cut short the insolencie of the priests. And albeit he were a Christian and a Catholic prince, yet put he down from their Papal Throne, two Popes, Syluerius and Vigilius, not withstanding they were Peters successors, and Christs vicars.

Truely there hadde been no neede to handle so plaine a matter as this is, with so many wordes and so at length, if wee hadde not to doe with those menne who for a desire they haue to striue and to winne the mastery, vse of course to deny all thinges be thei neuer so cleere, yea the very same which they presentlye see and beholde with their owne eyes. The Emperour Iustinian made a law to correct the behauiour of ye Cleargie, and to cutt shorte the insolencie of the priestes. And albeit hee were a Christian and a Catholique prince, yet putte hee downe from their Papall Throne, twooe Popes, Syluerius and Vigilius, not withstandinge they were Peters successours, and Christes vicars.

Let us see then, such men as have authority over the Bishops, such men as receive from God commandments ⟨image 112⟩concerning Religion, such as bring home again the Ark of God, make holy hymns, over see the priests, build the Temple, make Orations touching divine service, cleanse the Temples, destroy the hill Altars, burn the Idols groves, teach the priests their duty, write them out Precepts how they should live, kill the wicked Prophets, displace the high Priests, call together the Councils of Bishops, sit together with the Bishops, instructing them what they ought to do, condemn and punish an Heretical Bishop, be made acquainted with matters of Religion, which subscribe and give sentence, and do all these things, not by an other mans Commission, but in their own name, and that both uprightly and godly. Shall we say it pertaineth not to such men to have to do with Religion? or shall we say, a Christian Magistrate which dealeth amongest others in these matters doth either naughtily, or presumptuously,