A04468:160
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.
First touching the Church of God, we believe, and confess all that M. Harding hath here said,1 or otherwise can be said. It is the Pillar of the Truth, the Body, the Fullness, and Spouse of Christ. Al these words are undoubtedly true and certain. And therefore, M. Harding, you are the more blameworthy, that of the House of God, being so glorious, have made a cave of Thieves: & have turned the beauty of Zion into the confusion of Babylon.
Firste touchynge the Churche of God, we beleue, and confesse al that M. Hardinge hath here saide,1 or otherwise can be saide. It is the Piller of the Truthe, the Body, the Fulnesse, and Spouse of Christe. Al these woordes are vndoubtedly true and certaine. And therefore, M. Hardinge, you are the more blamewoorthy, that of the House of God, beyng so glorious, haue made a caue of Théeues: & haue turned the beutie of Sion into the confusion of Babylon.
- 11. Timot. 3. Ephes. 1.
True it is, that Heretics have evermore apparelled them selves with the name of the Church: as Antichrist also shall procure him self credit under the name of Christ. Thus did your Fathers, M. Harding, long ago. They said then, even as you say now,1 We are the Children of Abraham: we are the Inheritors of God's promises: we have the Temple of God, the Temple of God. The Law shall never pass from the Priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Thus continuing wilfully in the open breach of God's commandment, nevertheless they cherished them selves then, as you do now, only with the bare title of the Church: in whose name what so ever credit ye can any wise win, your meaning is, skilfully to convey the same over wholly to the Church of Rome: as if that Church only were the Church of God,