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…

As touching the tyranny of the Bishops of Rome and their barbarous Persian-like pride, to leave out others whom perchance they reckon for enemies, because they freely & liberally find fault with their vices, the self same men which have led their life at Rome in the holy City, ⟨image 70⟩in the face of the most holy Father, who also were able to see all their secretes, and at no time departed from the Catholic faith: As for example Laurentius Valla, Marsilius Patavinus, Francis Petrarch, Hierome Savonarola, Abbott Joakim, Baptist of Mantua, and before all these, Bernard the Abbot, have many a time and much complained of it, giving the world also sometime to understand, that the Bishop of Rome himself (by your leave) is very Antichrist. Whether they spake it truly or falsely, let that goe• sure I am they spake it plainly. Neither can any man allege that those authors were Luther's or Zwinglius scholars, for they were not only certain years, but also certain ages or ever Luther or Zwinglius names were heard of. They well saw that even in their days errors had crept into the Church, and wished earnestly they might be amended.

As touching ye tyranny of the Byshops of Rome and their barbarous Persian-like pride, to leaue out others whom perchaūce thei reckē for enemes, bicause thei freely & liberally find fault with their vices, the selfe same men whiche haue ledd their lyfe at Rome in the holye Citie, ⟨image 70⟩in the face of the moste holye Father, whoe also were able to see all their secretes, and at no tyme departed from ye Catholike faith: As for example Laurentius Valla, Marsilius Patauinus, Fraunces Petrarke, Hierome Sauanocola, Abbott Ioakim, Baptist of Mantua, and before all these, Bernarde the Abbotte, haue manye a tyme and muche complayned of yt, geuinge the worlde also sometyme to vnderstande, that the Bysshoppe of Rome hymselfe (by youre leaue) is verye Antichriste. Whether they spake yt truelye or falselye, lette that goe• sure I am they spake it plainelye. Neyther canne anye manne alledge that those authors were Luthers or Zwinglius schollers, for they were not onelye certaine yeares, but also certaine ages or euer Luther or Zwinglius names were hearde of. They well sawe that euen in their dayes errours had crept into the Churche, and wished earnestly they might be amended.