A04468:1035
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…
A defence of the Apology of the Church of England containing an answer to a certain book lately set forth by M. Harding, and entitled, A confutation of &c. By John Jewel Bishop of Salisbury.A defence of the Apologie of the Churche of Englande conteininge an answeare to a certaine booke lately set foorthe by M. Hardinge, and entituled, A confutation of &c. By Iohn Iewel Bishop of Sarisburie.
Imprinted at London : In Fleetestreate, at the sign of the Elephant, by Henry Wykes, Anno 1567. 27. OctobrisImprinted at London : In Fleetestreate, at the signe of the Elephante, by Henry VVykes, Anno 1567. 27. Octobris
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The difference, that is between us, and our Adversaries in this whole matter, is not great: saving that it liketh well M. Harding, to bust him self with needless quarrels, without cause. Three kinds of Confession are expressed unto us in the Scriptures. The First made secretly unto God alone: The Second Openly before y• whole Congregation: The Third Privately unto our Brother. Of the two former kinds there is no question. Touching the third, if it be discreetly used, to the greater comfort, and satisfaction of the Penitent, without superstition, or other il, it is not in any wise by us reproved. The Abuses, and Errors set apart, we do no more mislike a Private Confession, then a Private Sermon.
The difference, that is bitweene vs, and our Aduersaries in this whole mater, is not great: sauinge that it liketh wel M. Hardinge, to buste him selfe with néedelesse quarrels, without cause. Three kindes of Confession are expressed vnto vs in the Scriptures. The First made secretely vnto God alone: The Seconde Openly before y• whole Congregation: The Thirde Priuately vnto our Brother. Of the twoo former kindes there is no question. Touchinge the thirde, if it be discretely vsed, to the greatter comforte, and satisfaction of the Penitente, without superstition, or other il, it is not in any wise by vs reproued. The Abuses, and Errours sette aparte, wée doo nomore mislike a Priuate Confession, then a Priuate Sermon.
Thus much only we say, that Private Confession to be made unto y• Minister, is neither commanded by Christ,1 nor necessary to Salvation. And therefore Chrysostome saithe, Non dico tibi, ut te prodas in publicum, neque ut te accuses apud alios: Sed obedire te volo Propherae dicenti, Revela Domino viam tuam: I will thee not to bewray thee self openly, nor to accuse thee self before others: But I counsel thee, to obey the Prophet saying, Open thy way unto the Lord.