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. 7. Division. 1. & 2.

The Apologie, Cap. 7. Diuision. 1. & 2.

But this is the heaviest, and most grievous part of their slanders, that they call us wicked and ungodly men, and say we have thrown away all care of Religion. Though this ought not to trouble us much, whiles they them selves that thus have charged us, know full well, how spiteful, and untrue their slander is. Justine the Martyr is a witness, that all Christians were called [Greek or Hebrew], that is Godless, as soon as the Gospel first began to be published, and the name of Christ to be openly declared. And, when Polycarpus stood to be judged, the people stirred up the President to slay, & murder all them, which professed the Gospel, with these words, [Greek or Hebrew], That is to say, Rid out of the way these wicked and Godless creatures. And this was, not because it was true, that the Christians were Godless in deed, but because they would not worship ⟨p. 355⟩stones and stocks, which were then honoured as God. The whole world seeth plainly enough already, what we and ours have endured at these mens hands for Religion, and our only God's cause. They have thrown us into Prison, into Water, into Fire, and have embrued them selves in our blood: not because we were either adulterers, or Robbers, or Murderers, but only for that we confessed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and put our confidence in the living God: And for that we complained too justly, and truly (Lord thou knowest) that they did break the Law of God for their own most vain Traditions: And that our adversaries were the very foes to the Gospel, and enemies to Christs Cross, so wittingly, and willingly, and obstinately despising God's Commandments.

But this is the heauiest, and moste greeuous parte of their sclaunders, that they cal vs wicked and vngodly men, and saie wee haue throwne awaie al care of Religion. Though this ought not to trouble vs mutche, whiles they them selues that thus haue charged vs, knowe ful wel, howe spiteful, and vntrue theire sclaunder is. Iustine the Martyr is a witnesse, that al Christians were called , that is Godlesse, as soone as the Gospel firste beganne to bee published, and the name of Christe to be openly declared. And, when Polycarpus stoode to be iudged, the people stirred vp the President to slea, & murder al them, whiche professed the Gospel, with these woordes, , That is to saie, Ridde out of the waie these wicked and Godlesse creatures. And this was, not bicause it was true, that the Christians were Godlesse in deede, but bicause they woulde not worship