A04459:174
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.
What so ever it be, the truth of the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST dependeth not upon Councils, nor as S. Pawl saith, upon mortal creatures judgements. And if they which ought to be careful for Gods Church, ⟨image 119⟩will not be wise but slack their duty, and harden their hearts against God and his Christ, going on still to pervert the right ways of the Lord, God will stir up the very stones, and make children and babes cunning, whereby there may ever be some to confute these mens lies. For God is able (not only without Councils, butt also will the Councils nill the Councils) to maintain and advance his own kingdom. Full many be the thoughts of mans heart (saith Solomon) but the counsel of the Lord abideth steadfast. There is no wisdom, there is no knowledge, there is no counsel against the Lord. Things endure not, saith Hilarius, that be set up with mens workmanship: By an other manner of means must the Church of God be builded and preserved, for that Church is grounded upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, and is holden fast together by one corner stone, which is Christ ⟨image 119⟩Jesus.
What so euer it bee, the truthe of the Gospell of IESVS CHRIST dependeth not vpon Councelles, nor as S. Pawle saithe, vpon mortall creatures iudgementes. And if they whiche ought to be carefull for Gods Churche, ⟨image 119⟩will not be wyse but slacke their duety, and harden their heartes against Godde and his Christe, goinge on still to peruert the right wayes of the Lorde, God will stirre vp the very stones, and make children and babes cunninge, whereby there may euer be some to confute these mennes lyes. For God is able (not onely without Councelles, butt also will the Councelles nill the Councelles) to maintaine and auaunce his owne kingedom. Full manye bee the thoughtes of mans heart (saith Salomon) but the counsell of the Lorde abydeth stedfast. There is no wisedome, there is no knowledge, there is no counsell against the Lorde. Thinges endure not, saithe Hilarius, that be set vp with mennes workemanship: By an other manner of meanes must the Churche of God be builded and preserued, for that Churche is grounded vpon the foundacion of the Apostles and Prophets, and is holden fast togeather by one corner stone, which is Christ ⟨image 119⟩