A defence of the Apology of the Church of England containing an answer to…A defence of the Apologie of the Churche of Englande conteininge an answeare to…

Again what say you to Epiphanius,¹ who writeth against one Zacchaeus of his time, for that being but a Lay man, with wicked Presumption took upon him to * handle the Holy Mysteries, and rashly to do the office of a Priest? Hereof S. Hierome saith not ably: Hilarius cùm Diaconus de Ecclesia recesserit, &c. Hilary for as much as he went from the Church being a Deacon, and is only (as he thinketh) the multitude of the world, can neither consecrate the Sacrament of The altar being without Bishops and Priests, nor deliver Baptism without the Eucharist. ⟨p. 127⟩And whereas now the man is dead,² with the man also the sect is ended, because being a Deacon he could not consecrate any Clerk that should remain after him. And Church is there none,³ which hath not a Priest. But letting go these few of little regard, that to them selves be both Lay and Bishops, listen what is to be thought of the Church. Thus S. Hierome there. In whom leaving other things I note, that if there be no Church, where is no Priest, Where is your Church like to become,⁴ after that our Apostates, that now be fled from us to you, shall be departed this Life? Therefore this being true, it remaineth, M. Jewel, you tell us, whether your Vocation be Ordinary or Extraordinary. If it be Ordinary, show us the letters of your Orders. At least show us, that you have received Power to do the Office, you presume to exercise, by due order of laying on of hands and Consecration.^* But Order, and Consecration you have not. For who could give that to you of all these New Ministers, how so ever else you call them which he hath not him self? If it be Extraordinary (as all that ye have done hitherto is besides all good Order) show us some Sign or Miracle. If you fail in all these, why ought not you to be put away?

Againe what saye you to Epiphanius,¹