A04459:167
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…
An apology or answer in defence of the Church of England with a brief and plain declaration of the true religion professed and used in the same.An apologie or answere in defence of the Churche of Englande with a briefe and plaine declaration of the true religion professed and vsed in the same.
Londini: printed by Reginald Wolfe, 1564
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Wherefore if it were lawful for them to do thus being but Civil Magistrates, and having the chief rule of common weals, what offence have our Princes at this day made, which may not have leave to do the like, being in the like degree? Or what especial gift of learning or of judgement, or of holiness, have these men now, that contrary to the custom of all the ancient and Catholic Bishops, who used to confer with princes and peers concerning religion, they do now thus reject and cast of ⟨image 113⟩Christian Princes from knowing of the cause, and from their meetings?
Wherefore yf it were lawfull for them to dooe thus beinge but Ciuile Magistrates, and hauinge the chiefe rule of common weales, what offence haue oure Princes at thys daye made, whiche maye not haue leaue to dooe the lyke, beinge in the like degree? Or what especiall gifte of learninge or of iudgemente, or of holynes, haue these menne nowe, that contrarye to the custome of all the aunciente and Catholique Bysshoppes, who vsed to conferre with princes and peeres concerning religiō, thei do now thus reiect and cast of ⟨image 113⟩Christian Princes from knowing of the cause, and from their meetinges?
Well thus doing, they wisely and warily provide for them selves and for their kingdom, which otherwise they see is like shortly to come to naught. For if so be, they whom God hath placed in greatest dignity, did see and perceive these mens practises, how Christs commandments be despised by them, how the light of the Gospel is darkened and quenched out by them, & how themselves also be subtly beguiled and mocked and unawares be deluded by them, & the way to the kingdom of heaven stopped up before them, no doubt they would never so quietly suffer them selves neither to be disdained after such a proud sort, nor so despitefully to be scorned and abused by them. But now through their own lack of understanding, & through their own blindness, these men have them fast yoked▪ and in their danger.