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 for as much, as you think it lawful for you to avouch, and affirm, what you list, true, or false, without controlment: whereas ye say, this late Faith of yours is as Ancient, as the Gospel, know you, that some of the best learned of your own side, have said, It is a new Point in Religion: and therefore not so Ancient, as you seem to make it: It is a doubtful Conclusion: and therefore no Faith at all.¹ D. Tonstal thereof saithe thus, De modo, quo id fieret, fortasse satius erat▪ Curiosum quenque suae relinquere Coniecturae: sicut liberū fuit ante Concilium Lateranum: Of the manner, and mean, how this might be (whether by Transubstantiation, or otherwise) perhaps it had been better to leave every man, that would be Curious, to his own Conjecture: as before the Council of Lateran it was left at liberty. You say, it is as Ancient as the Gospel: D. Tonstal saith, It is but new, and came in twelve hundred years, and more, after the Gospel: You say it is the Catholic Faith: D. Tonstal saith, It is a Conjecture, or a Guess (which differeth not much from a dream) and that before the said late Council of Lateran, no man was bound to believe it. And here it may please you to consider indifferently with your self: It it were left at Liberty, as D. Tonstal saith, for any man either to receive it, or to refuse it, as he thought good, how could it then be the Catholic Faith? If it were the Catholic Faith, as you say, & that maugre the malice of the Devil, how then could it so many hundred years be left at liberty?

But for as mutche, as you thinke it lawful for you to auouthe, and affirme, what you liste, true, or false, without controlmente: whereas ye saie, this late Faithe of yours is as Auncient, as the Gospel, knowe you, that somme of the beste learned of your owne side, haue saide, It is a nevve Pointe in Religion: and therefore not so Auncient, as you seeme to make it: It is a doubteful Conclusion: and therefore no Faithe at al.¹ D. Tonstal thereof saithe thus, De modo, quo id fieret, fortasse satius erat▪ Curiosum quenque suae relinquere Coniecturae: sicut liberū fuit ante Concilium Lateranum: Of the manner, and meane, howe this might be (whether by Transubstantiation, or otherwise) perhaps it had benne better to leaue euery man, that woulde be Curious, to his owne Coniecture: as before the Councel of Laterane it vvas leafte at libertie. You saie, it is as Auncient as the Gospel: D. Tonstal saith, It is but new, and came in twelue hundred yéeres, and more, after the Gospel: You saie it is the Catholique Faith: D. Tonstal saithe, It is a Coniecture, or a Gheasse (whiche differeth not mutch from a dreame) and that before the saide late Councel of Laterane, noman vvas bounde to beleeue it. And here it maie please you to consider indifferently with your selfe: It it were leafte at Libertie, as D. Tonstal saithe, for any man either to receiue it, or to refuse it, as he thought good, how could it then be the Catholique Faithe? If it were the Catholique Faithe, as you saie, & that maugre the malice of the Diuel, howe then could it so many hundred yeeres be leafte at libertie?