CAP. XX.
The third reason of the former chapter, is fortified out of the aunicient and learned Fathers.
Nowe he taketh in hand a goodly piece of fortifi∣cation, and like a worthie surueior of the Popes buil∣dings, he bestoweth great cost out of Hilarius, Chry∣sostome, and Clemens Alexandrinus, for defence of such a point, as none of his aduersaries would euer of∣fer to assaile. Nameley, the continuance of the Church, and true religion, which can not be ouercome, not kept downe by any tyrannie or heresie, but the more it is persecuted and oppressed, the more it will flourish and increase. And for this cause the true Church and faith of Christ, although it haue bene long troden downe and afflicted by the tyrannie of Antichrist, euen to such time as God had appointed, that Antichrist shuld rage in the world, for the sinnes thereof, and especially for the contempt of the trueth, 2. Thess. 2. yet hath it in the end preuailed, encreased, and flourished, and by no craft or crueltie of Antichrist, could any longer be suppressed or kept vnder. Let not Papistes therefore bragge, that they haue preuailed so long, but let them nowe behold their ouerthrow, by the increase of Gods Church, and looke for their finall destruction, at the glorious appearing of our Sauiour Christ. We doubt not therefore, but determine with Augustine De vtili∣tate credendi, to rest in ye bosome of that Church, which from the seate of the Apostle, by consent of mankind, hath continued by succession of Bishops, and hath ob∣tained the height of authoritie, all heretikes barking