The Institution of Christian Religion

And that none may think that we wrongfully complain of these things, you your self can bear us witness, most noble King, with how lying slanders it is daily accused unto you: as, that it tendeth to no other end but to writhe from Kings their sceptres out of their hands, to throw down all judges seats and judgements, to subvert all orders and civil governments, to trouble the peace and quiet of the people, to abolish all laws, to undo all proprieties and possessions, finally to turn all things upside down. And yet you hear the smallest portion. For horrible things they spread abroad among the people: which if they were true, the whole world might worthily judge it with the maintainers thereof, worthy of a thousand fires and gallows, Who can now marvel that a common hatred is kindled against it, where such most wrongful accusations are believed. Lo, this is the cause that all degrees agree and con spire to the condemning of us and our doctrine. They that sit to judge, being ravished with this affection pronounce for sentences their freconceived determinations which they brought from home with them: and think that they have well enough discharged their duties if they command no man to be drawn to execution, but such as are found guilty either by their own confession or by sufficient witness. But of what fault? of that condemned doctrine, say they. But by what law condemned? Herein should have stand the succour of defence for them, not to deny the doctrine it self, but to maintain it for true. But here is all liberty ones to mutter utterly cut of from us.

And that none may thynke that we wrongfully complayne of these thynges, you your selfe can beare vs witnesse, moste noble Kyng, with how lyeng sclaunders it is dayely accused vnto you: as, that it tendeth to no other ende but to writhe from Kynges their scepters oute of their handes, to throwe downe all iudges seates and iudgementes, to subuerte all orders and ciuile gouernementes, to trouble the peace and quiete of the people, to abolish al lawes, to vndo all proprieties and possessions, finally to turne al thynges vpsyde downe. And yet you heare the smallest portion. For horrible thynges they spreade abroade among the people: whiche if they were true, the whole worlde myghte worthily iudge it with ye mainteiners therof, worthy of a thousande fiers and gallowes, Who can now maruell that a common hatred is kindled agaynst it, where suche moste wrongfull accusations are beleued. Loe, thys is the cause that all degrees agree and cō spire to the condemning of vs and our doctrine. They that sit to iudge, beeing rauished with this affection pronounce for sentences their freconceiued determinations whyche they brought from home with them: and thinke that they haue well enough discharged their duties if they commaunde no man to be drawen to execution, but suche as are founde gylty eyther by theyr owne confession or by sufficient witnesse. But of what fault? of that condēned doctrine, say they. But by what law cōdemned? Herein should haue stande the succor of defense for them, not to denie the doctrine it selfe, but to mainteine it for true. But here is all libertie ones to mutter vtterly cutt of from vs.