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…

You say, that the simple namè of Sect, or Heresy, wherewith S. Paul was charged, was not so infamous, or odious in those days: and that Tertullian called the Religion of Christ a Sect, or Heresy without any manner blemish or note of evil. It was needless for M. Harding, to avouch Untruth so earnestly without cause.

You saie, that the simple namè of Secte, or Heresie, wherewith S. Paule was charged, was not so infamous, or odious in those daies: and that Tertullian called the Religion of Christe a Secte, or Heresie without any manner blemmishe or note of euil. It was néedelesse for M. Harding, to auouche Vntruthe so earnestly without cause.

I grant, the name of Heresy, or Sect among the Philosophers was not infamous.¹ Cicero saith, Cato in ea Haeresi est, quae nullum sequitur florem Orationis. But in case of Religion it was evermore amongst all men taken in il part, and condemned, and counted odious. Touching S. Paul, in how good part the Jews called him Heretic,² it may easily appear by these words of Tertullus his accuser: Inuenimus hunc virum pestilentem, & moventem seditionem omnibus Judaeis per universum orbem, ac Principem Sectae Nazaraeorum: We have found this man to be a Pestilent, and a wicked fellow, moving sedition among the Jews throughout the whole world, and a Captain of the Heresy of the Nazarenes. In such good part they said unto Christ:³ Art thou greater then was our Father Abraham: Thou art a false Prophet,⁴ and deceivest the People: Thou art a Samaritan, and hast the Devil.

I graunte, the name of Heresie, or Secte emonge the Philosophers was not infamous.¹