We therefore will do the same thing, which all laws, which nature's own
voice doth command to be done, and which Christ Himself did in like case,
when He was checked and reviled: to the intent we may put off from us
these men's slanderous accusations, and may defend soberly and truly our
own cause and innocency. For Christ verily, when the Pharisees charged
Him with sorcery, as one that had some familiar spirits, and wrought many
things by their help: "I," said He, "have not the devil, but do glorify
my Father: but it is you that have dishonoured me, and put me to rebuke
and shame." And St. Paul, when Festus the lieutenant scorned him as a
madman: "I," said he, "most dear Festus, am not mad, as thou thinkest,
but I speak the words of truth and soberness." And the ancient
Christians, when they were slandered to the people for mankillers, for
adulterers, for committers of incest, for disturbers of the commonweals,
and did perceive that by such slanderous accusations the religion which
they professed might be brought in question, namely, if they should seem
to hold their peace, and in manner to confess the fault; lest this might
hinder the free course of the Gospel, they made orations, they put up
supplications, and made means to emperors and princes, that they might
defend themselves and their fellows in open audience.
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