A04468:1198
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.
M. Harding.
M. Hardinge.
By this we are induced to grant,1 that the knowledge of the Scripture is a Key, whereby the gate to the Truth is opened, the use whereof consisteth in expounding of the Law, and Prophets, as they show Christ. But we say, this not to be the special Keys, which Christ gave to the church, but one Key alone. And so Christ calleth it, where he rebuked the Scribes and Pharisees. Though you have put it otherwise then the Gospel hath, in the Plural number. And this Key is common to the Law, and to the Gospel. But the Keys, which we speak of, are another thing. By the name of these leis, We understand the whole spiritual Power, which Christ first promised to Peter, and afterward gave to the Apostles, and from them is transferred to all Bishops and Priests. By which Power Priests teach the Gospel, Consecrate the Body and Blood of Christ, and Minister the Sacraments, through Authority of the Word Absolve Penitents, and excommunicate Public and heinous sinners. The Key that you confusedly speak of, naming it to be the Word of the Gospel, and Expounding of the Law, and Scriptures, is one part pertaining to this spiritual Power: it is not the whole Power. And where this Word is not, that is to say, where the Scriptures be not taught, and the Gospel preached, there is not the Key, say ye: there is not the exercise of that Key, say we. Yet there is this spiritual Power, that is to wit, there be the Keys. Yea we say that a simple Priest* though he have no great learning, yet hath he the Keys, though he might do better, and more worthily use them, having learning and knowledge.