The Institution of Christian Religion

Finally they all endeavour themselves to this, to keep still either both kingdom safe, and their belly full: but of pure zeal none of them showeth any token be it never so little. Neither yet so do they cease to slander our doctrine, and by all the colours that they can to accuse and defame it, whereby they may bring it into hatred or suspicion. They call it new, and lately forged: they cavil that it is doubtful, and uncertain: they demand by what miracles it is confirmed: they ask whether it be mete that it should prevail against the consent of so many holy Fathers, and the most ancient ⟨image 5⟩custom: they press upon us to confess it to be schismatical, which moveth war against the Church, or that the Church hath lien dead in many ages in which no such thing hath ben heard of. Last of all they say that there need no arguments, for (say they) it may by the fruits be judged of what sort it is, namely which hath bred so huge a heap of sects, so many turmoils of seditions, so great licentiousness of vices. Truly full easy it is, for them, to triumph upon a forsaken cause before the light believing and ignorant multitude. But if we might also have our turn likewise allowed us to speak, verily this sharp heat would soon be cooled wherewith they do so with full month and as licentiously as unpunishedly some against us.

Finally they all endeuor themselues to thys, to kepe still eyther bothe kingdome safe, and their belly full: but of pure zele none of them sheweth any token be it neuer so little. Neither yet so do they cesse to sclaūder our doctrine, and by al the colors that they can to accuse and defame it, wherby they may bryng it into hatred or suspicion. They cal it newe, and lately forged: they cauill that it is doutefull, and vncertayne: they demaunde by what miracles it is confirmed: they aske whether it be mete that it should preuayle agaynste the consente of so many holy Fathers, and the moste aunciente ⟨image 5⟩custome: they presse vpon vs to cōfesse it to be schismaticall, whiche moueth warr againste the Chirche, or that the Chirche hath lyen dead in many ages in whiche no suche thyng hath ben heard of. Last of all they saye that there nede no argumentes, for (say they) it may by the frutes be iudged of what sorte it is, namely which hath bredde so huge a heape of sectes, so many turmoyles of seditions, so great licentiousnesse of vices. Truely full easy it is, for them, to triumph vpon a forsaken cause before the lyght beleuing and ignorant multitude. But if we might also haue our turne likewise allowed vs to speake, verily thys sharpe heate woulde sone be cooled wherewith they doe so with full month and as licentiously as vnpunishedly some agaynst vs.