For they are not all Heretics, M. Harding, that this day espy your gross, and palpable errors, and mourn to God for reformation. S. Augustine saithe, Non debet Ovis pellem suam deponere, 1qu•d Lupi aliquando see ea contegant: It is no reason, the Sheep should therefore leave of his fleece, for that he seeth the Wolf sometime in the same apparel. Likewise, it is no reason, that we should therefore give over the right, and inheritance, we have in the Church of God, for that you by intrusion, and unjust means have entitled your selves unto the same.2 It behooveth us rather, to search the Scriptures, as Christ hath advised us, & thereby to assure our selves of the Church of God. For by this trial only, and by none other, it may be known.3 Therefore S. Paul calleth the Church the Spouse of Christ, for that she ought in all things to give ear to the voice of the Bridegrooms. Likewise he calleth the Church the Pillar of the Truth,4 for that she stayeth her self only by the Word of God: Without which Word y• Church. were it never so beautiful. should be no Church.5 The Ancient Father Irenaeus saith, Columna, & firmamentum Ecclesiae est Evangelium, & Spritus vitae: The Pillar and buttress of the Church is the Gospel, 6and the Sprite of life. S. Augustine saithe, Sunt certi Libri Dominici, quorum authoritari utrique consentimus: Ibi quaeramus Ecclesiam: ibi discutiamus causam nostram: There be certain Books of our Lord, unto the authority whereof each part agreeth. There let us seek for the Church: thereby set us examine and try our matters. And again,7 Nolo humanis documentis, sed Divinis oraculis sanctam Ecclesiam demon strari: I will, ye show me the holy Church, not by decrees of men, but by the word of God. 8Likewise saith Chrysostom, Nullo modo cognoscitur, quae sit vera Ecclesia Christi, nisi tantummodo' per Scripturas: It can no way be known, what is the Church, but only by the Scriptures. And againe, Christus mandat, ut volentes firmitatem accipere Verae Fidei, ad nullam rem fugiant, nisi ad Scripturas. Alioqui, si ad alia respexerint, Scandalizabuntur, & peribunt, non intelligentes, quae sit vera Ecclesia. Et per hoc incident in Abominationē Desolationis, quae stat in Locis Sanctis Ecclesiae:
For they are not al Heretiques, M. Hardinge, that this daie espie your grosse, and palpable errours, and mourne to God for reformation. S. Augustine saithe, Non debet Ouis pellem suam deponere, 1qu•d Lupi aliquando se ea contegant: It is no reason, the Sheepe should therefore leaue of his fliese, for that he seeth the Woulfe sometime in the same apparel. Likewise, it is no reason, that wée should therfore geue ouer the right, and enheritance, wée haue in the Churche of God, for that you by intrusion, and vniuste meanes haue intituled your selues vnto the same.2 It behooueth vs rather, to searche the Scriptures, as Christe hath aduised vs, & thereby to assure our selues of the Churche of God. For by this trial onely, and by none other, it maye be knowen.3 Therfore S. Paule calleth the Churche the Spouse of Christe, for that she ought in al thinges to geue eare to the voice of the Bridegrooms. Likewise he calleth the Churche the Piller of the Truthe,4 for that shée staieth her selfe onely by the Woorde of God: Without whiche Woorde y• Churche. were it neuer so bewtiful. should be no Churche.5 The Ancient Father Irenaeus saithe, Columna, & firmamentum Ecclesiae est Euangelium, & Spritus vitae: The Piller and buttresse of the Churche is the Gospel, 6and the Sprite of life. S. Augustine saithe, Sunt certi Libri Dominici, quorum authoritari vtrique consentimus: Ibi quaeramus Ecclesiam: ibi discutiamus causam nostram: There be certaine Bookes of our Lorde, vnto the authoritie whereof eche parte agreethe. There let vs seeke for the Churche: thereby sette vs examine and trie our maters. And againe,7 Nolo humanis documentis, sed Diuinis oraculis sanctam Ecclesiam demō strari: I wil, ye shewe me the holy Churche, not by decrees of menne, but by the woorde of God. 8Likewise saithe Chrysostome, Nullo modo cognoscitur, quae sit vera Ecclesia Christi, nisi tantummodo' per Scripturas: It can no waye be knowen, what is the Churche, but onely by the Scriptures. And againe, Christus mandat, vt volentes firmitatem accipere Verae Fidei, ad nullam rem fugiant, nisi ad Scripturas. Alioqui, si ad alia respexerint, Scandalizabuntur, & peribunt, non intelligentes, quae sit vera Ecclesia. Et per hoc incident in Abominationē Desolationis, quae stat in Locis Sanctis Ecclesiae:
- 1August. Lib. 2. De Sermon. Dom•. in monte.
- 2Johan. 5.Iohan. 5.
- 3Ephe. 1.
- 41. Timo. 3.
- 5Irenae. Lib. 3. Cap. 11.
- 6August. De unita. Eccle. Cap. 3.August. De vnita. Eccle. Cap. 3.
- 7August. in eodē Cap.August. in eodē Cap.
- 8Chrysostom. In Opere Imperfecto, Homi. 49. Chrysostom. in eadem Homilia.
