Howbeit, it is no easy matter to persuade others thus, except, Maugre their beards (as we commonly say) I openly refute these babbling Gallants, and so discover their leasings, which can no way be perceived but by their writings. Now, as I hear say, they hear and there let fly (I know not in what short schedules and pamphlets) their leasings and dolteries, unto which I could never as yet once come to the sight of them. Only I have received from a friend of mine certain advertisements, which he by adventure met withal, and set them down in writing as they came to his hands, or as he could here and there get them. And although one of my excuses, is as it were half taken from me by reason of these advertisements, ⟨image 7⟩yet, remaineth the other half still to my self. But, forsomuch as they draw unto their error great store of people by reason of their troublesome speeches, and mighty prattle, wherewith they so greatly deal, as if they had caused printed books to have been spread all the world over, I know not how I can be guiltless of treason against the trueth of God, if in so great a necessity I hold my peace, and dissemble the matter. And truly, because I hope my travel will be very profitable even to the most simple and ignorant, who may set themselves occupied about this matter and Argument, I will not be a feared to render unto all honest and godly men a reason of my faith: And yet it may be, that it is not so well furnished with all kinds of defence, able at full to give the attempt, to the enemy: neither yet so strongly bulwarked, as to keep them from approaching thereto, nevertheless I hope, not altogether unarmed and defenceless. Howbeit, if the importunity of these dream sowers, would have given me ⟨image 7⟩some more leisure, I would with all mine hart, have entered into this combat, which can no way bring with it, so great gain, as pain: considering especially, because I think that the exhortation of the Apostle, might if it were at any time needful, be sufficient in this behalf, to wit, that we should be of discreet Judgement. And although these men will not suffer us to use the discretion which we gladly desire, yet will I have as great regard as I can, modestly to dispute of the matter.
Howbeit, it is no easy matter to perswade others thus, except, Mauger their beards (as we commonly say) I openly refute these babling Gallauntes, and so discouer their leasings, which can no way be perceiued but by their wrytings. Now, as I heare say, they heare and there let flye (I know not in what short sceduls and pamfletts) their leasings and dolteries, vnto which I could neuer as yet once come to the sight of thē. Onely I haue receiued frō a friēd of mine certen aduertisements, which he by aduenture met withall, and set them downe in wryting as they came to his hands, or as he could here and there get them. And although one of my excuses, is as it were halfe taken from me by reason of these aduertisementes, ⟨image 7⟩yet, remaineth the other halfe still to my selfe. But, forsomuch as they drawe vnto their error great store of people by reason of their troublesome speaches, and mighty prattle, wherewith they so greatly deale, as if they had caused printed bookes to haue bene spread all the world ouer, I know not how I can be guiltles of treason agaynst the trueth of God, if in so great a necessitie I holde my peace, and dissemble the matter. And truely, because I hope my trauell wil be very profitable euen to the most simple and ignoraunt, who may set themselues occupied about this matter and Argument, I will not be a feard to render vnto all honest and godly men a reason of my fayth: And yet it may be, that it is not so well furnished with all kindes of defence, able at full to geue the attempt, to the enemy: neither yet so strongly bulwarked, as to keepe them from approching thereto, neuertheles I hope, not altogether vnarmed and defenceles. Howbeit, if the importunitie of these dreame sowers, would haue geuen me ⟨image 7⟩some more leasure, I would with all myne hart, haue entred into this combate, which can no way bring with it, so great gayne, as payne: considering especially, because I thinke that the exhortation of the Apostle, might if it were at any tyme needefull, be sufficient in this behalfe, to witt, that we should be of discreete Iudgement. And although these men will not suffer vs to vse the discretion which we gladly desier, yet will I haue as great regard as I can, modestly to dispute of the matter.
