A04468:146
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.
Thus he suffereth thee not to read, either my poor Book, whereof thou shouldest Judge: or the Holy Word of God, whereby thou mightest he able to Judge: but only biddeth thee to follow him, and to say, as he saith: and all is safe. Thus, first he blindeth thine eyes, and then willeth thee to look about, and to condemn the thing,1 thou never knewest. So saith S. Hierome, Isti tantam sibi assumunt Authoritatem, ut sive dextra doceant, sive sinistra, id est, sive bona, sive mala, nolint Discipulos ratione discutere, sed se praecessores sequi: These men take so much upon them selves, that, whether they teach with the Right hand, or with the Left, that is to say, whether they teach good things, or bad, they will not have their Hearers, or Learners, to enquire causes, wherefore they should do this, or that: but only to follow them, being their Leaders.
Thus he suffereth thée not to reade, either my poore Booke, whereof thou shouldest Iudge: or the Holy VVoorde of God, whereby thou mightest he hable to Iudge: but onely biddeth thée to folowe him, and to saie, as he saithe: and al is safe. Thus, firste he blindeth thine eies, and then willeth thee to looke aboute, and to condemne the thinge,1 thou neuer kneweste. So saithe S. Hierome, Isti tantam sibi assumunt Authoritatem, vt siue dextra doceant, siue sinistra, id est, siue bona, siue mala, nolint Discipulos ratione discutere, sed se praecessores sequi: These menne take so mutche vpon them selues, that, whether they teache with the Right hande, or with the Lefte, that is to saie, whether they teache good thinges, or badde, they wil not haue theire Hearers, or Learners, to enquire causes, wherefore they shoulde doo this, or that: but onely to folowe them, beeing theire Leaders.
- 1Hierony. in Esaiam, lib. 9. ca. 30.
But beware, I beseech, thee, good Christian Reader. A simple eye is soon beguiled. It is very course Wool, that will take no colour. It is a desperate cause, that with words, and eloquence may not be smoothed. Be not deceived. Remember, of what matters, and with what Adversaries thou haste to deal. With fear, and reverence be careful of thine own Salvation. Lay down all affection, and favour of parties. Judge justly of that shall be alleged. Onlesse thou know, thou canst not Judge: Onlesse thou hear both sides, thou canst not know. If thou like ought, know, why thou likest it. A wise man in each thing will search the cause. He, that cannot judge gold by sound, or insight, yet may try it by the poise. If thou canst not weigh these matters, for want of Learning, yet, so sensible, and so gross they are, thou mayest feel them with thy fingers. Thou mayest soon find a difference between Gold, and Brass: between Jacob, and Esau: between a Face, and a Visard: between a full Body, and an empty Shadow.