The apology of the Church of England, and an epistle to one Seignior Scipio…

5. THEY roar out in all Places,¹ that we are Heretics, that we have forsaken the true Faith, and broken the Union of the Church with new Opinions and impious Doctrines. 2. That we fetch from Hell, and revive the old and long since condemned Heresies, and sow the Seeds of new Sects, and unheard of Broils: that we are already divided into contrary Factions and Opinions, and we could never yet in any manner agree amongst our selves. 3. That we are wicked men, and like the Giants of old, have entered into a Rebellion against God himself, and live without the least regard to the Deity, and without any religious Worship. 4. That we despise all good Actions; that we do not use ⟨p. 6⟩any virtuous Discipline, that we regard neither Laws nor good Manners, nor Right, nor Justice, nor Equity, nor Order; that we let loose the Rein, and suffer all sorts of Villainies, and even provoke the People to all the Licentiousness and Luxury that is possible. 5. That our Business and great Design is the subverting Monarchies and Kingdoms, that all States may be reduced under the Dominion of the ignorant Multitude, and the indiscreet Populace. 6. That we have made a tumultuous Defection from the Catholic Church, and have shaken the Peace of the World, and disturbed the Quiet of the Church by a detestable Schism; and that as heretofore Dathan and Abiram rose up against Moses and Aaron, so we, without any just cause have revolted from the Pope of Rome. 7. That we despise the Authority of the Primitive Fathers and ancient Councils: That we have imprudently and insolently abrogated the ancient Ceremonies which have been approved for many Ages by our Fathers and Grandfathers, who had better Manners, and lived in better Times; and that by our own private Authority, without the Consent of a Holy and General Council, we have introduced new Rites into the Church; and that we have not done this for the Sake of Religion, but purely out of a contentious Humour; that they on the contrary have changed nothing, but have retained all things as they were delivered to them by the Apostles; approved by the most ancient Fathers, and have been kept ever since, through all the intermediate Ages to this day.

5. THEY roar out in all Places,¹ that we are Hereticks, that we have forsaken the true Faith, and broken the Union of the Church with new Opinions and impious Doctrines. 2. That we fetch from Hell, and revive the old and long since condemn'd Heresies, and sow the Seeds of new Sects, and unheard of Broils: that we are already divided into contrary Factions and Opinions, and we could never yet in any manner agree amongst our selves. 3. That we are wicked men, and like the Gyants of old, have entered into a Rebellion against God himself, and live without the least regard to the Deity, and without any religious Worship. 4. That we despise all good Actions; that we do not use