A04468:154
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.
The Confutation by M. Harding.
The Confutation by M. Hardinge.
Whereas these defenders take upon them the name of the Church of England,1 setting forth thereby a face of authority, they do much like the Ass that Aesop telleth of, which, to make the beasts afraid, had put on him a Lions skin, and therewith jetted abroad terribly. For as the Lions skin was but lapped about him,2 and grew not to his body: so they being in deed no lively members nor part of the Church, cover them selves under the title and name of the Church, the rather to beguile the simple. And verily herein they follow the wont of all Heretics. For never was there any sect of Heretics hitherto, which hath not claimed to be accounted and called the Church. For which cause of certain ancient Fathers they have been likened to Apes, whose property is, though they be Apes, yet to counterfeit men, and to court to seem men. Novatianus, at saith S. Cyprian, after the manner of Apes, would challenge to him self the authority of the Catholic Church. And where as himself was not in the Church, but contrariwise a rebel against the Church,3 took upon him to affirm, that all other were Heretics, and presumed to uphold, the Church was on his side. Irenaeus and Tertullian, who were before him, write, that Heretics made so much ado to persuade,4 that the Church was among them selves only, that they feared not to call the right believing and Catholic Church, Heretical and Schismatical. S. Hilary declaring how patiently he demeaned himself towards the Arians his enemies,5 by whom he was banished, writeth, that in five years space, whiles he lived in banishment, he never spake nor wrote evil word against them,