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…

Shortly to speak. This universal Religion which Christen men profess at this day,¹ was called first of the heathen people a Sect & Heresy. With these terms did they always fill princes ears, to the intent when they had once hated us with a foredetermined opinion, and had counted all that we said to be faction and heresy, they might be so led away from the truth & right understanding of the cause. But the more sore and outrageous a crime heresy is, the more it ought to be proved by plain and strong arguments, especially in this time, when men begin to give less credit to their words, & to make more diligent search of their doctrine then they were wont to do. For the people of God are otherwise instructed now then they were in times past, when all the Bishops of Romes sayings were allowed for Gospel, & when all Religion did depend only upon ⟨image 17⟩their authority. Now a days the holy scripture is abroad, the writings of the Apostles & Prophets are in print, whereby all truth and Catholic doctrine may be proved, and all heresy may be disproved and confuted.

Shortely to speake. This vniuersal Religion whiche Christen men professe at this day,¹ was called firste of the heathen people a Sect & Heresy. With these termes did they alwaies fil prīces eares, to thintent when they had once hated vs with a foredetermined opinion, and had coumpted all that wee sayed to bee faction and heresy, they might be so ledd away from ye truth & right vnderstāding of the cause. But the more sore and outragious a crime heresye is, the more it ought to be proued by plaine and strong argumentes, especially in this time, whē men begin to geue lesse credite to theyre words, & to make more diligent searche of theyr doctrine then they were wont to do. For ye people of God ar otherwyse instructed now then they were in times past, when all the Bysshopps of Romes sayenges were allowed for Gospell, & when all Religion did depende only vpon ⟨image 17⟩their aucthoritie. Nowe a daies the holie scripture is abroad, the writinges of the Apostles & Prophets ar in printe, whereby all truth and Catholyke doctrine may be proued, and all heresie may be disproued and confuted.