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…

And what marvel if the Church were then carried away with errors in that time, specially when neither the Bishop of Rome, who then only ruled the roast, nor almost any other, either did his duty, or once understood, what was his duty? For it is hard to be believed, whiles they were idle and fast asleep, that the Devil also all that while either fell asleep, or else continually lay idle. For how they were occupied in the mean time, and with what faithfulness they took care of God's House, though we hold our peace, yet, I pray you, let them hear Bernard their own friend. The Bishops (saith he) who now have the charge of God's church, are not Teachers, but Deceivers: They are not Feeders, but Beguilers: They are not Prelates, but Pilates. These words spake Bernard of that Bishop, who named him self the highest Bishop of all, and of the other Bishops likewise, which then had the place of government. Bernard was no Lutheran: Bernard was no Heretic: he had not forsaken the Catholic Church: yet nevertheless he did not let to call the Bishops, that then were, Deceivers, Beguilers, & Pilates. Now, when the people was openly deceived: and Christian mens eyes were craftily bleared: and Pilate sate in Judgement place, and condemned Christ, and Christs Members to Sword, and Fire, O good Lord, in what case was Christs Church then? But yet tell me, of so many, and so gross errors, what one error have these men at any time reformed? Or what fault have they once acknowledged, and confessed?

And what marueile if the Churche were then carried awaie with errours in that time, specially when neither the Bishop of Rome, who then onely ruled the roste, nor almoste any other, either didde his duetie, or once vnderstoode, what was his duetie? For it is harde to be beleeued, whiles they were idle and faste asleepe, that the Diuel also al that while either fel asleepe, or els continually laie idle. For howe they were occupied in the meane time, and with what faithfulnesse they tooke care of Goddes House, though we holde our peace, yet, I praie you, let them heare Bernarde theire owne frende. The Bishoppes (saith he) vvho novve haue the charge of Goddes churche, are not Teachers, but Deceiuers: They are not Feeders, but Beguilers: They are not Prelates, but Pilates. These wordes spake Bernarde of that Bishop, who named him selfe the higheste Bishop of al, and of the other Bishoppes likewise, whiche then hadde the place of gouernemente. Bernarde was no Lutherane: Bernarde was no Heretike: he had not forsaken the Catholike Churche: yet neuerthelesse he did not lette to cal the Bishoppes, that then were, Deceiuers, Beguilers, & Pilates. Nowe, when the people was openly deceiued: and Christian mennes eies were craftily bleared: and Pilate sate in Iudgement place, and condemned Christe, and Christes Members to Swerde, and Fiere, O good Lorde, in what case was Christes Churche then? But yet tel me, of so many, and so grosse errours, what one erroure haue these menne at any time refourmed? Or what faulte haue they once acknowledged, and confessed?