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…

And although the Popes had never hetherunto fever to consider diligently and earnestly of these matters, or though some other cares do now let them and diverse ways pull them, or though they coumpt these to be but common and trifling studies, and nothing to appertain to the Popes worthiness, this maketh not why our ma•ter ought to seem the worse. Or if they perchance will not see that which they see in deed, but rather will withstand the known truth, ought we therefore by and by to be counted heretics, because we obey not their will and pleasure? If so be that Pope Pius were the man (we say not which he would so gladly be called) but i• he were in deed a man that either would account us for his brethren, or at least would take us to be men, he would first diligently have examined ⟨image 14⟩our reasons, and would have seen what might be said with us, what against us, and would not in his Bull whereby he lately pretended a Council, so rashly have condemned so great a part of the world, so many learned and godly men, so many common wealths, so many kings, and so many Princes, only upon his own blind prejudices and foredeterminations, and that without hearing of them speak, or without showing cause why.

And although the Popes had neuer hetherunto •ea•our to consider diligentely and earnestly of these matters, or thoughe some other cares do nowe lett them and dyuerse wayes pull them, or though they coūpt these to be but cōmon and trieflinge studies, and nothinge to appertain to the Popes worthines, this maketh not why oure ma•ter oughte to seeme ye worse. Or yf they perchaunce will not see that whiche they se in deede, but rather will withstande the knowen truth, ought wee therefore by and by to be coumpted heret•kes, bycause we obay not their will and pleasure? Yf so be that Pope Pius were the man (we say not which he would so gladly be called) but i• he were in deede a man that eyther woulde accoumpte vs for his brethrene, or at least woulde take vs to be men, he woulde firste diligently haue examined ⟨image 14⟩