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, ye demand of me, what Bishop of Salisbury ever sithence Augustine's time maintained this Doctrine. I might likewise, and by as good Authority demand of you, what Bishop of Rome ever before the same English Augustine's time maintained your Doctrine? Or, as I said before, what Bishop of Rome ever before that time either said, or knew your Private Mass? Touching the Bishops of Salisbury, you your self have already named two, Bishop Shaxton, and Bishop Capon, both Learned, and grave Fathers, and both Preachers, and professors of the Gospel. For the rest of the Bishops, that were before them, what Faith they held, and what they either liked, or misliked, by their writings, or Sermons it doth not greatly appear. I trust, they held the Foundation, and lived, and died in the Faith of Christ. If they had lived in these days, and seen, that you see, they would not have been partakers of your wilfulness.

Againe, ye demaunde of me, what Bishoppe of Sacisburie euer sithence Augostines time maineteined this Doctrine. I might likewise, and by as good Authoritie demaunde of you, what Bishop of Rome euer before the same Englishe Augustines time maineteined your Doctrine? Or, as I saide before, what Bishop of Rome euer before that time either saide, or knewe your Priuate Masse? Touchinge the Bishoppes of Sarisburie, you your selfe haue already named twoo, Bishop Shaxton, and Bishop Capon, bothe Learned, and graue Fathers, and bothe Preachers, and professours of the Gospel. For the reste of the Bishops, that were before them, what Faithe they helde, and what they either liked, or misliked, by their writinges, or Sermons it dothe not greately appeare. I truste, they helde the Fundation, and liued, and died in the Faithe of Christe. If they had liued in these daies, and seene, that you see, they would not haue benne partakers of your wilfulnesse.

To be short, we succeed the Bishops, that have been before our days. We are Elected, Consecrate, Confirmed, and Admitted, as they were. If they were deceived in any thing, we succeed them in place, but not in error. They were our Predecessors, but not the Rules, and Standards of our Faith. Or rather, to set apart all comparison of Persons, the Doctrine of Christ this day, M. Harding, Succeedeth your Doctrine: as the Day Succeedeth the Night: as the Light Succeedeth Darkness: and as the Truth Succeedeth Error.