A defence of the Apology of the Church of England containing an answer to…A defence of the Apologie of the Churche of Englande conteininge an answeare to…

But beware, I beseech, thee, good Christian Reader. A simple eye is soon beguiled. It is very course Wool, that will take no colour. It is a desperate cause, that with words, and eloquence may not be smoothed. Be not deceived. Remember, of what matters, and with what Adversaries thou haste to deal. With fear, and reverence be careful of thine own Salvation. Lay down all affection, and favour of parties. Judge justly of that shall be alleged. Onlesse thou know, thou canst not Judge: Onlesse thou hear both sides, thou canst not know. If thou like ought, know, why thou likest it. A wise man in each thing will search the cause. He, that cannot judge gold by sound, or insight, yet may try it by the poise. If thou canst not weigh these matters, for want of Learning, yet, so sensible, and so gross they are, thou mayest feel them with thy fingers. Thou mayest soon find a difference between Gold, and Brass: between Jacob, and Esau: between a Face, and a Visard: between a full Body, and an empty Shadow.

But beware, I beséeche, thée, good Christian Reader. A simple eie is soone beguiled. It is very course Woolle, yt wil take no coloure. It is a desperate cause, yt with woordes, and eloquence maie not be smoothed. Be not deceiued. Remember, of what maters, and with what Aduersaries thou haste to deale. With feace, and reuerence be careful of thine owne Saluation. Laie downe al affection, and fauoure of parties. Iudge iustely of that shalbe alleged. Onlesse thou knowe, thou canste not Iudge: Onlesse thou heare bothe sides, thou canste not knowe. If thou like ought, knowe, why thou likeste it. A wise man in eche thinge wil searche the cause. He, that cannot iudge golde by sounde, or insight, yet maie trie it by the poise. If thou canste not weigh these maters, for want of Learninge, yet, so sensible, and so grosse they are, thou maiste féele them with thy fingers. Thou maiste soone finde a difference bitwéene Golde, and Brasse: bitweene Iacob, and Esau: bitwéene a Face, and a Visarde: bitweene a fuile Body, and an emptie Shadowe.

Say not, Thou art settled in thy Belief, before thou know it. Vain Faith, is no Faith.¹ S. Augustine's counsel is good: Believe: no more of Christ, then Christ hath willed thee to beleeve: Nemo de Christo credat, nisi, quod de se credi voluit Christus. Likewise he saithe, Fides stulta non prodest, sed obest: Fonde Faith is hurtful, and doth no good. S. Hilarie saithe, Non minus est, Deum fingere,