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…

The Reply. This Objection is very true: albeit not greatly to the purpose. For, as the Decree cutteth of all secrete, or unlawful Scriptures, so it suffereth nothing else to be read in the Church, but only the Passions, or deaths of Martyrs, and that only upon the Martyrs Anniversary: which was, for one Martyr, but only one day in the year. Now let M. Harding tell us, what, and how much there remained beside, to be read in the Church, saving only the Canonical Scriptures. Howe be it in the same third Council of Carthage, there be other words found somewhat plainer, & more pregnant, then these. For in the said Council of Carthage, the Council of Hippo was abridged. In which Abridgement this Decree is read amongst others: Scripturae Canonicae in Ecclesia legendae quae sunt: & praeter quas alia non legantur. These words were abridged, and authorized in the said third Council of Carthage: as it is plain by the Title of the same: Concilij Hipponensis Abbreviations factae in Concilio Carthaginensi Tertio. In mistaking of which words I must needs confess mine error. For by oversight, I thought, the Council of Carthage had been abridged in the Council of Hippo, as it may appear by my answer in this Book, Fol. 519. Whereas contrariwise, the Council of Hippo was abridged in the Council of Carthage. This in deed of my part was an error. And I thank M. Dorman, that hath given me occasion, better to consider the same. Notwithstanding, as I said before, the words be plain, Praeter quas (Scripturas) alia non legantur.

The Replie. This Obiection is very true: albeit not greatly to the pourpose. For, as the Decrée cutteth of al secrete, or vnlaweful Scriptures, so it suffreth nothinge els to be read in the Churche, but onely the Passions, or deathes of Martyrs, and that onely vpon the Martyrs Anniuersarie: whiche was, for one Martyr, but onely one daie in the yeere. Nowe lette M. Hardinge telle vs, what, and howe mutche there remained biside, to bee read in the Churche, sauinge onely the Canonical Scriptures. Howe be it in the same thirde Councel of Carthage, there bee other woordes founde sommewhat plainer, & more pregnante, then these. For in the saide Councel of Carthage, the Councel of Hippo was abbridged. In whiche Abbridgemente this Decree is read emōgest others: Scripturae Canonicae in Ecclesia legendae quae sunt: & praeter quas alia nō legantur. These woordes were abbridged, and authorized in the saide thirde Councel of Carthage: as it is plaine by the Title of the same: Concilij Hipponensis Abbreuiationes factae in Concilio Carthaginensi Tertio. In mistakinge of whiche woordes I muste needes confesse mine erroure. For by ouersight, I thought, the Councel of Carthage had benne abbridged in the Councel of Hippo, as it maie appeare by my answeare in this Booke, Fol. 519. Whereas contrariwise, the Councel of Hippo was abbridged in the Councel of Carthage. This in deede of my parte was an erroure. And I thanke M. Dorman, that hathe geeuen mée occasion, better to consider the same. Notwithstandinge, as I saide before, the woordes be plaine, Praeter quas (Scripturas) alia non legantur.