The Apology, Cap. 3. Division. 5.The Apologie, Cap. 3. Diuision. 5.

The Apology, Cap. 3. Division. 5.

The Apologie, Cap. 3. Diuision. 5.

Now therefore, if it be lawful for these folks to be eloquent and fine-tongued in speaking evil, surely it becometh not us in our cause, being so very good, to be dumb in answering truly. For, men to be careless, what is spoken by them and their own matter, be it never do falsely and slanderously spoken, (especially when it is such, that the Majesty of God, and the cause of Religion may thereby be damaged) is the part doubtless of dissolute and reckless persons, and of them, which wickedly wink at the injuries done unto the Name of God. For although other wrongs, yea oftentimes great, may be borne and dissembled of a mild and ⟨p. 26⟩Christian man: yet he that goeth smoothly away and dissembleth the matter when he is noted of Heresy, Ruffinus was wont to deny, that man to be a Christian. We therefore will do the same thing, which all Laws, which natures own voice doth command to be done, and which Christ him self did in like case when he was checked and reviled: to the in•••t we may put of from us these mens slanderous accusations, and may defend soberly and truly our own cause and innocency.

Nowe therefore, if it be leeful for these folkes to be eloquent and finetongued in speakinge euil, surely it becommeth not vs in our cause, beinge so very good, to be doumbe in answearinge truely. For, menne to bee carelesse, what is spoken by them and theite owne mater, be it neuer do falsely and sclaunderousely spoken, (especialy when it is sutche, that the Maiestie of God, and the cause of Religion maye thereby be dammaged) is the parte doubtlesse of dissolute and retchelesse persons, and of them, whiche wickedly winke at the iniuries donne vnto the Name of God. For although other wronges, ye oftentimes greate, maye be borne and dissembled of a milde and ⟨p. 26⟩Christian man: yet he that goeth smoothely awaye and dissembleth the mater when he is noted of Heresie, Ruffinus was woont to denie, that man to be a Christian. Wee therefore wil doo the same thinge, whiche al Lawes, whiche natures owne voice doothe commaunde to be donne, and whiche Christe him selfe did in like case when he was checked and reuiled: to the int wee maye put of from vs these mennes sclaunderous accusations, and maye defende soberly and truely our owne cause and innocencie.