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…

But how if the things, which these men are so desirous to have seem New, be found of greatest Antiquity? Contrariwise, how if all the things well nigh, which they so greatly set out with the name of Antiquity, having been well and throughly examined, be at length found to be but New, & devised of very late? Soothly to say, no man, that hath a true, and right consideration, would think the Jews Laws, and Ceremonies to be New in deed, for all Haman's accusation. For they were graven in very Ancient Cables of greatest Antiquity. And, although many did take Christ to have swerved from Abraham, and the Old Fathers, and to have brought in a certain New Religion in his own name, yet answered he them directly: If ye believed Moses, ye would believe me also. For my Doctrine is not so New, as you make it. For Moses, an Author of greatest Antiquity, and one, to whom ye give all honour, hath spoken of me. S. Paul likewise, Though y• ⟨p. 497⟩Gospel of Jesus Christ be of many counted to be but New, yet hath it (saith he) a testimony most old, both of the Law, and of the Prophets. As for our doctrine, which we may more rightly call Christs Catholic Doctrine, it is so far of from New, that God, who is above all most Ancient, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, hath left the same unto us in the Gospel, in the Prophets, and Apostles works, being monuments of greatest age. So that no man can now think our Doctrine to be New, onlesse the same think, either the Prophets Faith, or the Gospel, or else Christ him self to be New.