A04468:1168
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.
Al this notwithstanding, all be it M. Harding were able to prove, that the Fathers had somewhere made mention of Confession in Secrete, yet should not that greatly either further his purpose, or hinder ours. For, Abuses, and Errors removed, and specially the Priest being Learned, as we have said before, we mislike no manner Confession, whether it be Private, or Public. For as we think it not unlawful, to make open Confession before many, so we think it not unlawful. Abuses always excepted, to make the like Confession in Private, either before a few, or before one alone. And, as the Holy Fathers, upon good considerations, were forced to remove the use of Open Confession, even so we say, that upon like good Considerations Private Confession also may be removed.
Al this notwithstandinge, al be it M. Hardinge were hable to proue, that the Fathers had sommewhere made mention of Confession in Secrete, yet should not that greately either further his pourpose, or hinder ours. For, Abuses, and Errours remoued, and specially the Prieste beinge Learned, as wee haue saide before, wée mislike no manner Confession, whether it be Priuate, or Publike. For as wée thinke it not vnlawful, to make open Confession before many, so wée thinke it not vnlawful. Abuses alwaies excepted, to make the like Confession in Priuate, either before a fewe, or before one alone. And, as the Holy Fathers, vpon good considerations, were forced to remoue the vse of Open Confession, euen so wée saye, that vpon like good Considerations Priuate Confession also maye be remoued.
Only this we say, that Christ, when he sent his Disciples into the World, and gave them Authority, to Bind, and to Loose, made no manner mention of any such Hearing of Confessions, but Only bade them go, and Preach the Gospel.
Onely this wée saie, that Christe, when he sente his Disciples into the Worlde, and gaue them Authoritie, to Binde, and to Loose, made no manner mention of any sutche Hearinge of Confessions, but Onely bade them goe, and Preache the Gospel.