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…

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, ⟨image 112⟩or wickedly? The most ancient and Christian Emperors and kings that ever were, did busy themselves with these matters, and yet were they never for this cause noted either of wickedness or of presumption. And what is he that can find out either more catholic princes or more notable examples?

Lette vs see then, suche men as haue authoritie ouer the Bysshoppes, suche menne as receaue from God commaundementes ⟨image 112⟩concerning Religion, suche as brynge home againe the Arke of God, make holy hymnes, ouer see the preistes, builde the Temple, make Orations touching diuine seruice, clense the Temples, destroye the hil Aultres, burne the Idolles groues, teache the preistes their dewtie, write them out Preceptes how they should lyue, kill the wicked Prophetes, displace the high Preistes, call togyther the Councelles of Byshops, sit togither wich the Byshoppes, instructing them what they ought to doe, condemne and punysh an Hereticall Byshop, be made acquaynted with matters of Religion, whiche subscribe and giue sentence, and do al these things, not by an other mans Commissiō, but in their own name, and that both vprightly and godly. Shall we say it perteineth not to suche men to haue to do with Religion? or shall wee saye, a Christian Magistrate whyche dealith amongest others in these maters doth either naughtelie, or presumpteouslye,