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…

The Apology, Cap. 2. Division. 1.

The Apologie, Cap. 2. Diuision. 1.

In deed we grant, that certain new and very strange sects, as the Anabaptists, Libertines, Menonians, and Zwenckfeldians have been stirring in the World, ever sithence the Gospel did first spring. But the World seeth now right well, thanks be given to our God, that we have neither bread, nor taught, nor kept up these Monsters. In good fellowship, I pray thee, who so ever thou be, read our Books, they are to be sold in every place. What hath there ever been written by any of our company, that might plainly bear with the madness of any of those Heretics? Nay, I say unto you, there is no Country this day so free from their Pestilent infections, as these be, wherein the Gospel is freely, & commonly preached. So that, if they weigh the very matter with earnest, and upright advisement, this thing is a great Argument, that this same Doctrine, which we teach, is the very Truth of the Gospel of Christ. For lightly neither is cockle wont to grow without the wheat, nor yet the chaff without the Corn. For from the very Apostles times, who knoweth not, how many Heresies did rise up even together, so soon as the Gospel was first spread abroad? Who ever had heard tell of Simon, Menander, Saturninus, Basilides, Carpocrates, Cherinthus, Ebion, Valentinus▪ Secundus, Marcosius; Colorbasius, Heracleo, Lucianus, Severus, and other like, before the Apostles were sent abroad? But why stand we reckoning up these? Epiphanius rehearseth up four score sundry Heresies: and Augustine many moe, which did spring up even together with the Gospel. What then? Was the Gospel therefore not the Gospel, because Heresies sprang up withal? Or was Christ therefore not Christ?

In deede wee graunte, that certaine new and very strange sectes, as the Anabaptistes, Libertines, Menonians, and Zvvenckfeldians haue benne stirringe in the World, euer sithence the Gospel did firste springe. But the Worlde seeth nowe right wel, thankes be geeuen to our God, that wee haue neither breadde, nor taught, nor keapte vp these Monsters. In good folowship, I praie thee, who so euer thou be, reade our Bookes, they are to be solde in euery place. What hath there euer benne written by any of our companie, that might plainely beare with the madnesse of any of those Heretiques? Naie, I saie vnto you, there is no Countrie this daie so free from theire Pestilent infections, as these be, wherein the Gospel is freely, & commonly preached. So that, if they weigh the very mater with earnest, and vpright aduisemente, this thinge is a greate Argument, that this same Doctrine, whiche wee teache, is the very Truthe of the Gospel of Christe. For lightly neither is cockle woont to growe without the wheate, nor yet the chaffe without the Corne. For from the very Apostles times, who knoweth not, howe many Heresies did rise vp euen togeather, so soone as the Gospel was firste spreadde abroade? Who euer had hearde tel of Simon, Menander, Saturninus, Basilides, Carpocrates, Cherinthus, Ebion, Valētinus Secundus, Marcosius; Colorbasius, Heracleo, Lucianus, Seuerus, and other like, before the Apostles were sent abroade? But why stande wee reckeninge vp these? Epiphanius rehearseth vp foure score sundrie Heresies: and Augustine many moe, whiche did springe vp euen togeather with the Gospel. What then? Was the Gospel therefore not the Gospel, bicause Heresies sprange vp withal? Or was Christe therefore not Christe?