A04468:1273
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.
And yet one of your Companions there telleth us,1 that he is undoubtedly the Devils Minister, that will say, as S. Augustine saith, that the Marriage of such persons is true, and very Marriage. Thus by the Judgement of your late Lovanian Clergy, S. Augustine is become the Minister of the Devil.
And yet one of your Companions there telleth vs,1 that he is vndoubtedly the Diuelles Minister, that wil saie, as S. Augustine saithe, that the Marriage of sutche personnes is true, and verie Marriage. Thus by the Iudgemente of your late Louanian Cleregie, S. Augustine is becomme the Minister of the Diuel.
- 1Dorman fol. 16.
But M. Harding hath further to say, that S. Augustine calleth this kind of marriage Worse then Adultery: An other calleth it Incest: & an other Sacrilege. That the Ancient Fathers have thus written, it is true, & not denied. ⟨p. 170⟩How be it,1 good Reader, as I have partly showed before, these, and other like words have proceeded, more of a zeal, and heat of mind, then of profound consideration, and Judgement of the cause. Neither may we always strain such sayings to the uttermost. For whereas S. Augustine saith, Such Marriage is worse, then Adultery, he saith nevertheless immediately after in y• same place, It is true, and very Marriage in deed before God, and Man, and no Adultery. His words be these:2 Non quòd ipsae Nuptiae vel talium damnandae judicentur. Damnatur Propositi fraus: Damnatur fracta Voti Fides: &c. Damnantur tales, non quia Coniugalem Fidem posteriùs inierunt, sed quia Continentiae Primam Fidem irritam fecerunt: Not that the Marriage of such persons is to be blamed. The defrauding of their purpose, and the breach of their Vow is blamed. Such are blamed, not for that they have entered into the Faith of Matrimony: but for that they have broken their First Faith, or promise of continent Life. So likewise S. Augustine saith of a Woman,