When ye prove, that ye have the Truth, then may ye be admitted, in your Defence to allege the example of Christ, of S. Paul, and of the first Christians. But now we tell you, being as you are, these examples serve you to no purpose. And for ought ye have said hitherto, the Anabaptists, Libertines, Zwenkfeldians, Nestorians, Eunomians, Arians, and all other pestiferous Heretics might say the same aswell as ye. Christ was charged of the Jews with using the power of impure Sprites,1 blasphemously: Paul was scorned of Festus, as a mad man, without cause: the Ancient Christians were accused by the Infidels of heinous crimes, falsely. But ye are accused of Heresies and sundry Impieties, by Godly, Wise, and Faithful men, upon Zeal, by good advise, and truly. And as for those Ancient Christians, when they made Apologies or Orations in the Defence of the ⟨p. 27⟩Christen Faith,2 they did it so as became Christen men, plainly and openly. Either they offered them to the Emperors with they own hands, or put to their names, and signified to whom they gave the same. As S. Hilary delivered a Book in Defence of the Catholic Faith against the Arians to Constantius. Melito and Apollinaris wrote their Apologies to the Emperors. S. Justine the Philosopher and Martyr gave his first Apology for the Christians to the Senate of the Romans, the second to Antoninus Pius Emperor:3 Tertullian to the Romans. S. Apollonius the Romaine Senator and Martyr did Read his Book openly in the Senate house, which he had made in Defence of the Christian Faith.4 But ye do your things, that ought to be done openly, in Hucker Mucker. Ye set forth your Apology in the name of the Church of England, before any mean part of the Church were privy to it, and so as though either ye were ashamed of it, or afraid to abide by it. The inscription of it is directed neither to Pope nor Emperor, nor to any Prince, nor to the Church, nor to the general Council then being when ye wrote it, as it was most convenient: There is no mans name set to it:5 It is Printed without Privilege of the Prince, contrary to Law in that behalf made: allowed neither by Parliament, nor by Proclamation, nor agreed upon by the Clergy in Public and lawful Synod. This packing becometh you:
When ye prooue, that ye haue the Truthe, then maye ye be admitted, in your Defence to alleage the example of Christe, of S. Paule, and of the firste Christians. But nowe wee tel you, beinge as you are, these examples serue you to no purpose. And for ought ye haue saide •itherto, the Anabaptistes, Libertines, Zwenkfeldians, Nestorians, Eunomians, Arians, and al other pestiferous Heretikes might saye the same aswel as ye. Christe was charged of the Iewes with vsinge the power of impure Sprites,1 blasphemously: Paule was scorned of Festus, as a mad man, without cause: the Ancient Christians were accused by the Infidels of hainous crimes, falsely. But ye are accused of Heresies and sundrie Impieties, by Godly, VVise, and Faithful men, vpon Zeale, by good aduise, and truely. And as for those Auncient Christians, when they made Apologies or Orations in the Defence of the ⟨p. 27⟩Christen Faithe,2 they did it so as became Christen men, plainely and openly. Either they offered them to the Emperours with thei owne handes, or put to their names, and signified to whome they gaue the same. As S. Hilary deliuered a Booke in Defence of the Catholique Faithe against the Arians to Constantius. Melito and Apollinaris wrote their Apologies to the Emperours. S. Iustine the Philosopher and Martyr gaue his firste Apologie for the Christians to the Senate of the Romaines, the seconde to Autonius Pius Emperour:3 Tertullian to the Romaines. S. Apollonius the Romaine Senatour and Martyr did Reade his Booke openly in the Senate house, whiche he had made in Defence of the Christian Faithe.4 But yee doo your thinges, that ought to be done openly, in Hucker Mucker. Ye set foorth your Apologie in the name of the Churche of Englande, before any meane parte of the Churche were priuie to it, and so as though either ye were ashamed of it, or afraide to abide by it. The inscription of it is directed neither to Pope nor Emperour, nor to any Prince, nor to the Churche, nor to the general Councel then beinge when ye wrote it, as it was moste conuenient: There is no mans name set to it:5 It is Printed without Priuilege of the Prince, contrary to Lawe in that behalfe made: allowed neither by Parlament, nor by Proclamation, nor agreed vpon by the Cleregie in Publike and lawful Synode. This packinge becommeth you:
- 1Luke. 11. Act. 26. Tertul. in Apolog.
- 2The Apologies of the old Fathers were lawfully published. Eccles. Hist. Lib 4. Cap. 26.The Apologies of the olde Fathers vvere lavvfully published. Eccles. Hist. Lib 4. Cap. 26.
- 3Eccles. Hist. Lib. 5. Cap. 21.
- 4The Apology of the Church of England for forth suspiciously, and without due order.The Apologie of the Churche of England for foorthe suspitiously, and vvithout due order.
- 5Untruth.Vntruthe.
