A04468:1143
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.
If this be so dangerous a Doctrine, as you tell us, why then are the Ancient Catholic Fathers suffered to hold and maintain the same? Dionysius, whom you so often call S. Pauls Scholar, writeth thus, 1Nos imaginibus sensibilibus, quantum fieri potest, ad Divinas adducimur Contemplationes: We, as much as may be, by Sensible Images, or Sacraments are brought unto Divine Contemplations. Likewise S. Augustine saithe, 2Sacramenta propter Carnales Visibilia instituta sunt: ut ab illis, quae oculis cernuntur, ad illa, quae intelliguntur, Sacramentorum gradibus ⟨p. 150⟩transferamur: Visible Sacraments are ordained for Carnal Men: that by the steppes of Sacraments we may be lead from the things, that we see with eye, unto the things, that we understand.3 So saith S. Cyprian, Fidei nostrae infirmitas Symboli argumento edocta est, &c. The weakness of our Faith is taught by the understanding of the Sacrament, &c. So S. Chrysostom, Si incorporei essemus, nuda, & incorporea nobis haec ipsa daret. Nunc quia Corporibus insertas habemus animas, sub visibilibus spiritualia tradit: If we were Bodiless, God would give us these things bare, and Bodiless. But for as much, as we have Souls fastened unto our Bodies, therefore God giveth us things Spiritual under things Visible.4 Again he saith, Rectis, & Fidelibus Scripturae non sunt Necessariae, dicente Apostolo, Lex justis non est posita: To the Godly, and Faithful the Scriptures are not Necessary: For so the Apostle saith, There is no Law provided for the Just. And again, Oportuerat quidem nos nihil indigere auxilio Literarum, sed tam nudam in omnibus vitam exhibere,5 ut Librorum vice Gratia Spiritus uteremur: It behooved us to have no need of the Scriptures: but in all things to show our Lives so pure, and clean, that in stead of Books we might use the Grace of the Holy Ghost.6 In like manner S. Hierome saith, Cùm meruerimus esse cum Christo, & similes Angelis fuerimus, tunc Librorum Doctrina cessabit: When we shall obtain to be with Christ, and shall be like unto the Angels, then the Doctrine of Books shall give place.