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…

First it is common to all great Cities in those hot countries, not to banish from among them that filthy generation of harlots, not by way of suffering, as a thing commendable in it self, but for the avoiding of a greater mischief. As^‡ God suffered the hard necked Jews to hate their enemies, and pinch them with usuries. Likewise Moses permitted a libel of divorce, not that these things were honest, but to the intent by that means yet they might the rather love their Brethren, and lend them money freely, and abstain from murdering their wives. Even so men now adays so little apply their endeavour to restrain the proneness which is in their flesh to all riot and carnal concupiscence, that if some way were not (as the least concerning outward and civil punishment)^* winked at, whereby the Fleshly men might obtain some part of their unruly desire: it were more then likely, that in this great decay of virtue in general, the furious rage of that vice would leave neither wedlock undefiled, nor Virginity unassaul•ed, nor a worse enterprise, which Nature abhorreth, unattempted. Would God experience had not taught many Countries this to be too true an observation.

Firste it is common to al great Citties in those hote countries, not to bannishe from amonge them that filthy generation of harlottes, not by waie of sufferinge, as a thinge commendable in it selfe, but for the auoidinge of a greatter mischiefe. As^‡ God suffered the harde necked Iewes to hate their enemies, and pinche them with vsuries. Likewise Moises permitted a libell of diuorce, not that these thinges were honeste, but to thintent by that meanes yet they might the rather loue theire Brethrene, and lende them money freely, and absteine from murderinge their wiues. Euen so men nowe adaies so litle applie theire endeuour to restraine the pronesse whiche is in their fleashe to all riot and carnall concupiscence, that if some waie were not (as the least concerninge outwarde and ciuil punishement)^* wincked at, whereby the Fleashely men might obteine some parte of theire vnruly desire: it were more then likely, that in this greate decaie of vertue in generall, the furious rage of that vice would leaue neither wedlocke vndefiled, nor Virginitie vnassauled, nor a worse enterprise, whiche Nature abhorreth, vnattempted. VVoulde God experience had not taught many Countries this to be too true an obseruation.