The Apology, Cap. 5. Division. 1.The Apologie, Cap. 5. Diuision. 1.

The Apology, Cap. 5. Division. 1.

The Apologie, Cap. 5. Diuision. 1.

But now, sithence our very enemies do see, and cannot deny, but we ever in all our words, and writings have diligently put the people in mind of their duty, to obey their Princes, and Magistrates, yea though they be wicked, (For this doth very trial and experience sufficiently teach, and all mens eyes, who so ever, and where so ever they be, do well see, and witness for us) it was a foul part of them to charge us with these things: and, seeing they could find no new and late faults, therefore to seek to procure us envy only with stale & outworn lies. We give our Lord God thanks, whose only cause this is, there hath yet at no time been any such example in all the Realms, Dominions, & Common Weals, which have received the Gospel. For we have overthrown no Kingdom: We have decayed no mans Power, or right: We have disordered no Common Wealth. There continue in their own accustomed state, and Ancient Dignity, the Kings of our country of England, y• Kings of Denmark, the Kings of Suecia, the Dukes of Saxony, the Counties Palatine, the Marquesses of Brandenburg, the Landgraves of Hessia, the Common Wealths of the Helvetians, & Rhetians, & y• Free Cities, as Argentine, Basil, Frankfort, Ulm, Augusta, & Nuremberg, do all, I say, abide in the same Authority, and estate, wherein they have been heretofore: or rather in a much better, for that by means of the Gospel they have their people more obedient unto them. Let them go, I pray you, into those places, where at this present, through God's goodness, and Mercy, the Gospel is taught. Where is there more Majesty? Where is there less Arrogance and Tyranny? Where is the Prince more honoured? Where be the people less unruly? Where hath there at any time either the Common Wealth, or the Church been in more quiet? Perhaps, ye will say, from the first beginning of this Doctrine, the Common sort everywhere began to rage, and to rise throughout Germany. Allow it were so: yet Martin Luther, the publisher, and setter forward of this Doctrine, did write marvellous vehemently and sharply against them, and reclaimed them home to peace, and obedience.