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

14. In short, all that Religion which we Christians now profess in the beginning of Christianity,¹ was by the Pagans called a Sect or Heresy; with these words they filled the ears of Princes, that when out of prejudice they had once possessed their minds with an Aversion for us, and that they were persuaded, that whatever we said was Factious and Heretical, they might be diverted from reflecting upon the thing it self, or ever hearing or considering the Cause: but by how much the greater and more grievous this Crime is, so much the rather ought it to be proved by clear and strong Arguments, especially at this time, because men begin now adays a little to distrust the Fidelity of their Oracles, and to inquire into their Doctrine with much greater industry than has heretofore been employed; for the People of God in this Age are quite of another Disposition than they were heretofore, when all the Responses and Dictates of the Popes of Rome were taken for Gospel, and all Religion depended upon their Authority; the Holy Scriptures, and the Writings of the Apostles and Prophets are every where now to be had, out of which, all the true and Catholic Doctrine may be proved, and all Heresies may be refuted.

14. In short, all that Religion which we Christians now profess in the beginning of Christianity,¹ was by the Pagans call'd a Sect or Heresie; with these words they fill'd the ears of Princes, that when out of prejudice they had once possessed their minds with an Aversion for us, and that they were perswaded, that whatever we said was Factious and Heretical, they might be diverted from reflecting upon the thing it self, or ever hearing or considering the Cause: but by how much the greater and more grievous this Crime is, so much the rather ought it to be proved by clear and strong Arguments, especially at this time, because men begin now adays a little to distrust the Fidelity of their Oracles, and to inquire into their Doctrine with much greater industry than has heretofore been imployed; for the People of God in this Age are quite of another Disposition than they were heretofore, when all the Responses and Dictates of the Popes of Rome were taken for Gospel, and all Religion depended upon their Authority; the Holy Scriptures, and the Writings of the Apostles and Prophets are every where now to be had, out of which, all the true and Catholick Doctrine may be proved, and all Heresies may be refuted.