Now let us examine that Horrible Heresy, that M. Harding hath espied in the Rules of Rhetoric, by which, saith he, the Secretaries unskil is betrayed, even in the forehead of our Book. This entry, saith M. Harding, touching the complaint of Truth, is so indifferent and common to both the parties, that either may use it, as well as other. Which kind of beginning, saith he, is called Exordium commune, and by the learned in Rhetoric is misliked as faulty. First of all, M. Harding, this seemeth to me a strange kind of beginning, in so deep a disputation of Divinity, to make your first quarrel unto Rhetoric. Belike for lack of better Entry, ye thought it good to rush in as you might. In deed either of us may seem to stand in defence of Truth. I deny it not. For as we have the substance, and Truth it self, so are you content to claim the name. And so far forth Truth is common to us both.1 So the wicked Heathens Celsus, & Antiphon, notwithstanding they published their Books against the Truth, yet they entitled the same [Greek or Hebrew], the Book of Truth. S. Hierome saithe, Mendacium semper imitatur Veritatem. Falsehood evermore beareth a show of Truth. In this sort Truth is common to either party.2 Origen saithe, Veritas Christus: simulata Veritas Antichristus. Christ is the Truth it self: Antichrist is the Truth counterfeit. Al this notwithstanding, Christ refused not to use the same kind of entry, that M. Harding so much mistiketh:3 but said unto the Pharisees, Ye seek to murder me, a man that have told you the Truth. And S. Paul to the Romans saith, They have turned the Truth of God into falsehood. The like might I say of Tertullian, Cyprian, and other Fathers. Yet, I trow, M. Harding will not therefore reprove either Christ, or Paul, or Tertullian, or Cyprian: nor say, they used such a Beginning, as their adversaries might have used as well as they, and had forgotten their Rules of Rhetoric.
Nowe let vs examine that Horrible Heresie, that M. Hardinge hathe espied in the Rules of Rhetorique, by whiche, saithe he, the Secretaries vnskil is betraied, euen in the foreheade of our Booke. This entrie, saithe M. Hardinge, touchinge the complainte of Truthe, is so indifferent and common to bothe the parties, that either maie vse it, as wel as other. Whiche kinde of beginninge, saithe he, is called Exordium commune, and by the learned in Rhetorique is misliked as faultie. First of al, M. Hardinge, this séemeth to me a strange kinde of beginninge, in so déepe a disputation of Diuinitie, to make your first quarrel vnto Rhetorique. Bilike for lacke of better Entrie, ye thought it good to rushe in as you might. In déede either of vs maie séeme to stande in defence of Truthe. I denie it not. For as we haue the substance, and Truthe it selfe, so are you contente to claime the name. And so far forthe Truthe is common to vs bothe.1 So the wicked Heathens Celsus, & Antiphon, notwithstandinge they published their Bookes against the Truthe, yet they entituled the same 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, the Booke of Truthe. S. Hierome saithe, Mendacium semper imitatur Veritatem. Falshed euermore beareth a shewe of Truthe. In this sorte Truthe is common to either partie.2 Origen saithe, Veritas Christus: simulata Veritas Antichristus. Christ is the Truth it selfe: Antichrist is the Truth countrefeite. Al this notwithstandinge, Christ refused not to vse the same kinde of entrie, that M. Hardinge so muche mistiketh:3 but saide vnto the Phariseis, Ye seeke to minder me, a man that haue tolde you the Truthe. And S. Paule to the Romaines saithe, They haue turned the Truthe of God into falshed. The like might I saie of Tertullian, Cyprian, and other Fathers. Yet, I trowe, M. Hardinge wil not therfore reproue either Christ, or Paule, or Tertullian, or Cyprian: nor saie, they vsed suche a Beginninge, as their aduersaries might haue vsed as wel as they, and had forgotten their Rules of Rhetorique.
- 1Origen. contra Celsum, Li. 3. & Lib. 4.
- 2Origen in Matthae. Tract. 27.
- 3Johan. 8. Roman. 1.Iohan. 8. Roman. 1.
