A04468:1157
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.
Nevertheless, admitting the Priest to be a Judge, yet, if it may be proved, either that he may be a Judge over the sins of the people, without Particular knowledge of the same: or that he may come to certain, and particular knowledge thereof without any manner Auricular Confession, then, I trust, this whole matter will soon be answered.
Neuerthelesse, admittinge the Prieste to be a Iudge, yet, if it may be proued, either that he maye be a Iudge ouer the sinnes of the people, without Particulare knowledge of the same: or that he may comme to certaine, and particulare knowledge therof without any manner Auriculare Confession, then, I trust, this whole mater wil soone be answeared.
First therefore I say, that a Priest having Authority to pronounce the Word of God, is thereby a Judge over Sin. For the Word, that he speaketh, is the Power of God unto Salvation: 1and a two edged sword, able to sunder the Soul▪ and the Sprite, and the marie from the bones: and is able to Judge, (for so S. Paul saith) the thoughts, and cogitations of the Harte. And thus M. Harding him self gram teth, that a Priest pronouncing God's Word, may therewith both Bind, and Loose: that is, in this case, to do the office of a Judge. S. Augustine saith, Clavis ea dicenda est, qua pectorum dura referantur: That thing ought to be called the Key, 2wherewith the hardness of the heart is opened.
Firste therefore I saye, that a Prieste hauinge Authoritie to pronounce the Woorde of God, is thereby a Iudge ouer Sinne. For the Woorde, that he speaketh, is the Power of God vnto Saluatiō: 1and a twoo edged swerd, hable to sunder the Soule▪ and the Sprite, and the marie from the bones: and is hable to Iudge, (for so S. Paule saith) the thoughtes, and cogitations of the Harte. And thus M. Harding him selfe graū teth, that a Prieste pronouncinge Goddes Woorde, maye therewithe bothe Binde, and Loose: that is, in this case, to doo the office of a Iudge. S. Augustine saithe, Clauis ea dicenda est, qua pectorum dura referantur: That thinge ought to be called the Keie,