A04468:2135
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.
Ye think, the words of the Prophet Jeremiah spoken of Idols, and False Gods, may not justly be applied to the Saints of God. In deed of the Saints part, it were great blasphemy, to call them Idols. For they see God face to face, and evermore be with God in Glory. But in respect of your horrible Abuses, and vain fantasies, the Words of the Prophet be rightly applied. For you, in your imagination, of the Saints of God have made Idols: and have so multiplied, and increased the same, that the number of them hath far passed the number of all your Townes, and Cities. And therefore the Ancient Father Epiphanius applieth the like words of the same Prophet Jeremiah, unto the Blessed Virgin Mary, being then idolatrously abused by the Heretics called ⟨p. 313⟩Collyridiani,1 even as the same Blessed Virgin, & other Saints are by you abused now. Thus he writteth, 2Ne quis comedat de errore, qui est propter S. Mariam. Tametsi enim pulchrum sit lignum, tamen non est ad Cibū. Etsi Pulcherrima est Maria, & Sancta, & Honorata: at non ad Adorationē. Hae ver• Mulieres, colentes Mariam, rursus renovant Fortunae Mixturam,3 & praeparant Mensam Diabolo, non Deo: Quemadmodum scriptum est, Pascuntur Cibo impietatis. Et rursus, & Foeminae terunt Pollinem, & Filij colligunt ligna, ut faciant Placentas oleo subactas Reginae Coeli. Compescantur à Hieremia tales Mulieres: & ne turbent Orbem terrarum. Ne dicant, Honoramus Reginam Coeli: Let no man Fate of this Error, touching S. Mary. For though the tree be fair, yet is not this Fruit to be Eaten. Although Mary be bew•ieful, and Holy, and Honourable, yet is she not to be Adored. But these Women, worshipping S. Mary, renew again the Sacrifice of Wine mingled in the Honour of the Goddess Fortuna, and prepare a Table for the Devil, and not for God. As it is written in the Scriptures. They are fed with the Meat of Wickedness. And again, Their Women bolt flower: and their Children gather sticks, to make fine Cakes in the Honour of the Queen of Heaven. Therefore let such Women be rebuked by the Prophet Jeremiah: and let them no more trouble the world. And let them not say, we Worship the Queen of Heaven.