A04459:18
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.
This, lo ye, is the power of darkness, and of men which lean more to the amazed wondering of the rude multitude and to darkness, then they do to the truth and light: and as S. Hierome sayeth, which do openly gain say the truth, closing up their eyes, and will not see for the nonce. But we give thanks to the most good & mighty God, that such is our cause, where against (when they would fainest) they were able to utter no despite, but the same which might aswell be wrested against the holy Fathers, against the Prophets, against the Apostles, ⟨image 12⟩against Peter, against Paul, and against Christ himself.
This, lo ye, is the power of darkenes, and of men which leane more to the amased wondering of the rude multitude and to darknes, then they doe to ye truth and light: and as S. Hierome saieth, which doe openly gain say the truth, closing vp their eyes, and wil not se for the nonce. But wee giue thankes to the most good & mighty God, yt such is our cause, wher against (whē they woulde faynest) they were able to vtter no dispite, but the same which might aswell bee wrested againste the holye Fathers, against the Prophetes, against the Apostles, ⟨image 12⟩against Peter, against Paule, and against Christ himselfe.
Now therefore, if it be lawful for these folks to be eloquent and fine tongued in speaking evil, surely it becometh not us in our cause, being so very good, to be dumb in answering truly. For men to be careless what is spoken by them and their own matter be it never so falsely and slanderously spoken, (especially when it is such, that the Majesty of God and the cause of religion may thereby be damaged) is the part doubtless of dissolute and reckless persons, & of them which wickedly wink at the injuries don unto the name of God. For although other wrongs, yea oftentimes great, may be borne and dissembled of a mild & Christian man, yet he that goeth smoothly away and dissembleth the matter when he is noted of heresy, Ruffinus was wont to deny that man to be a Christian. We therefore will do the same thing which all laws, which natures