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…

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 ⟨image 12⟩own voice doth command to be don, and which Christ him self did in like case when he was checked and reviled, to the intent we may put of from us these mens slanderous accusations, and may defend soberly and truly our own cause and innocency.

Nowe therefore, if it be lee•ull for these folkes to be eloquent and fine tonged in speaking euil, surely it becōmeth not vs in our cause, being so very good, to be dumme in answering truelye. For men to be carelesse what ys spoken by them and their own matter bee it neuer so falselye and slaunderouselye spoken, (especiallie when it is suche, yt the Maiestie of God and the cause of religiō may therby be dammaged) is the part doubtles of dissolute and retcheles persons, & of them which wickedlye winke at the iniuries don vnto the name of God. For although other wrōges, yea oftentimes great, may be borne and dissembled of a milde & Christiā man, yet hee that goeth smothelye awaye and dissembleth the mater when he is noted of heresy, Ruffinus was wont to deny that man to be a Christian. We therefore will do the same thinge which all lawes, which natures ⟨image 12⟩owne voyce doth command to be don, and whiche Christe him selfe did in like case when he was checked and reuiled, to the intent we may put of from vs these mens slaunderous accusations, and may defend soberly and truely our own cause and innoncencie.