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…

Here, gentle Reader, mayest thou see, a marvellous change in the Church of God. The thing, that in old times was counted Heathenish, Impudency, and Wickedness, is now by M. Hardinges New Divinity become Godliness, and great Devotion.

Here, gentle Reader, maiste thou sée, a marueilous change in the Churche of God. The thinge, that in olde times was coumpted Heathenishe, Impudencie, and VVickednesse, is nowe by M. Hardinges Newe Diuinitie becomme Godlinesse, and greate Deuotion.

But,¹ God wot, here followeth a very cold Asseveration. Not Seldom, ye say, the Priest at the Mass, when none other were disposed, received alone. O M. Harding, the world well seethe, your word is no Gospel. It appeareth by your so many Untruths, ye care not greatly, what you say. Thus ye tell us, Not Seldom the Priest received alone. Not Seldom? what is that? why speak you so nicely? what meaneth this cold, and doubtful eloquence, specially in him, that otherwise hath acquainted his voice to speak so big? why say you not, The Priest used daily, and commonly so to do? Or if ye could not avouch so great Untruth for very shame, why said you not, The Priest oftentimes, or at some certain times received alone: at the least at four, or three, or two sundry times, within the space of six hundred years? At the worst, if ye had said, but Once, it had been somewhat. As for, Not seldom, it is too base: it is too simple: it disgraceth the whole course of your pleading, and in plain speech soundeth, as much, as Never. It had rather been your part, taking upon you this countenance of credit, and gravity, to have told us Substantially, and plainly, what manner of man this Priest was: where he dwelt: what was his name: when, and where, and in what Company he said this Mass: who saw it: who heard it: who bare witness to it: by what Record, or Authority it may be proved. The matter being so great, and of such Antiquity, is there no man left behind, to witness the same, but M. Harding? In your Former Answer ye bring us in Boys, Girls, Sick folk, Lay people, and Women: and upon such grounds ye stick not to found your Private Mass. And doubtless these examples might have seemed to stand you in some pretty stead, if in those days