THE CHAP. V. MAINTAINED OPINIONS IN THE PRIMITIVE ... CHAP. VI. THE HIGH ESTIMATION IN WHICH THE GENERAL COUNCILS AND DECREES THE RECAPITULATION OF THE APOLOGY...... 141 195 ..... 277 An Apologie, or Answeare in Defence of the Churche of Englande, With a Briefe and Plaine Declaration of The True Religion professed and used in the same. (Facsimile Ed. MDLXVII.) To Bishop Jewell. Holy Learning, sacred Arts; Are the stones that made this JEWELL. ABEL REDIVIVUS, p. 314. ed. Lond. 1651. THE APOLOGY FOR THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. CHAP. I. THE OPPOSITION AND ILL-TREATMENT WHICH THE PROFESSORS OF CHRISTIANITY HAVE IN ALL AGES EXPERIENCED. Truth always IT has been an old complaint, even subject to per secution. from the time of the patriarchs and prophets, which is fully confirmed by the writers of all ages, that Truth is considered a mere stranger upon earth, and generally exposed to the enmity and persecution of the ignorant. Although this may appear incredible to some, who have not given the subject due consideration, more especially since man, uninfluenced by the instruction of a master, is naturally anxious * Tertull. in Apologetico. B to discover truth; and Christ himself, our Saviour, when on earth, was desirous of being distinguished by that appellation as most expressive of his divine attributes: yet we, who are well acquainted with the Scriptures, and have both read and seen what hath happened to men of piety in all ages; to the prophets, apostles, holy martyrs, and to Christ himself: with what insults, revilings, and indignities they have been persecuted for the sake of truth alone:-we (I say) find nothing new or incredible in this, but consider it as a thing well known, and commonly practised in all ages. On the contrary, it would appear much more worthy our admiration if the Devil, who is the father of lies, and the enemy of all truth, should now on a sudden change his nature, and hope to suppress truth by any other means than falsehood; or undertake now to establish his kingdom by any other arts than those which he has practised from the first. For whether we consider Religion in its rise, progress, or reformation, we shall scarcely find a single period on record, wherein virtue and truth were not subjected to every species of reproach and persecu * St. John viii. 44. |