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…

But to return again to the Keys, which seem to you to have no force ne use but in Preaching: First, as touching the scornful scoffer uttered by you, Sir Defender, in Latin, and by your interpreter in English, against Private Confessions, and against the Ministers of the Church appointed by God for grace of reconciliation to be imparted to penitents: your light mocking sprite delighteth your selves not so much, as it pitieth us to see you both so fast bound in Satan's fetters. Next concerning Confession^* necessarily required to the use, and power of the Keys, which you speak of at your pleasure, thus we say according to the Scriptures: Among sundry effects, for which Christ gave the Keys to the Apostles, and their Successors, this is one, that by Power of them they should remit,² and retain Sins, as himself said, Whose sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them: and whose sins ye retain, they are retained,³ But sins can not duly be remitted or retained, onlesse they be known to him,⁴ that hath authority thereto: and knowledge of sins (specially such as are privy) can not be had of man, who can not see into the heart of man, • but by Confession of the sinner: Wherefore consequently it followeth, that they received this authority to hear the Confession of Christen people desirous to be assoiled, and reconciled.

But to returne againe to the Keies, whiche seme to you to haue no force ne vse but in Preachinge: First, as touchinge the scorneful scoffer vttered by you, Sir Defender, in Latine, and by your interpreter in Englishe, againste Priuate Confessions, and against the Ministers of the Churche appointed by God for grace of reconciliation to be imparted to penitentes: your light mockinge sprite deliteth your selues not so muche, as it pitieth vs to see you bothe so faste bounde in Satans fetters. Nexte concerninge Confession^* necessarely required to the vse, and power of the Keies, whiche you speake of at your pleasure, thus we saye accordinge to the Scriptures: Amonge sundry effectes, for whiche Christe gaue the Keies to the Apostles, and their Successours, this is one, that by Power of them they should remitte,