A04468:2165
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.
M. Harding.
M. Hardinge.
With what face can these Defenders affirm,1 that they teach the people to walk in good works, whereas beginning the treatise of works in this present Apology, they say, that we have* no help, or aide in our works, and deeds? For so their Latin word Praesidium doth signify, which in the English, is turned into Meed. What, Masters, is this the way to make men work well, to tell them before hand, that their works be nothing worth, and that they help them never a whit? Why then let the Labourers Proverb take place, I had rather play for nothing, then work for nothing.‡ Is there any Labourer so mad, as to work for nothing? First ye tell the Labourers, that there is no help for them in their works, and then ye cry unto them to labour:* yea forsooth, as hard as they list. Is not this to mock God and the world? Whereas ye speak to Christian men, to those that be Baptized, to such as have Faith: Yet ye tell them, they may work as much, as they will,‡ but all in vain, &c. Ergo then, although a lively Faith cannot be idle, and some true Faith is lively, yet in an other sense.* there is a true Faith which is not lively, but idle. Which true Faith shall become lively and have great aide in works, if it well learn to leave idleness, and practise that in will and heart, which it believeth in understanding.
VVith what face can these Defenders affirme,