First, were it granted, that all, ye say of Hilary, Melito, Justinus, Tertullian, and Apollonius were true: Yet must it needs follow, that all Books, that are not Subscribed with the Authors names, were written in a corner? First to begin with the Scriptures, tell us, M. Harding, who wrote the Books of Genesis, of Exodus, of Leviticus, of Numeri, of Deuteronomiū, of Josue, of the Judges, of the Kings, of the Chronicles, of Job, &c. Who inrote these Books? I say: Who authorized them? Who Subscribed his name? Who set to his S•ale? The Book of Wisdom by some is Fathered upon Philo, by some upon Solomon. The Epistle unto the Hebrews, some say, was written by S. Paul: Some, by Clemens: Some, by Barnabas: Some, by some other: & so are we uncertain of the Authors name. S. Mark, S. Luke, S. John, never once named them selves in their Gospels. The Apostles Creed, the Canons of the Apostles, by what names are they Subscribed? Howe are they authorized? To what Pope, to what Emperor were they offered? To leave others the Ancient Doctors of the Church, which, as you know, are often misnamed, Ambrose for Augustine, Greek for Latin, ⟨p. 28⟩New for Old: your Doctor of Doctors, the fairest flower, and crop of your garland Gratianus, is so well known by his name, that wise men can not well tell, 1What name to give him. Erasmus saith of him thus, Quisquis fuit, sive Gratianus, sive Crassianus: What so ever name we may give him: be it Gratianus, or Crassianus. And again he saith, Eruditi negant, illam Gratiani, nescio cuius, congeriem ulla unquam Publica Ecclesiae authoritate fuisse comprobatam: The learned say, that Gratians Collection, or heap of matters, was never allowed by any Public Authority of the Church.2 And againe, Non constat ullis argumentis, quis fuerit Gratianus, quo tempore opus suum exhibuerit, cuius Pontificis, cuius Concilij fuerit Authoritate comprobatum: It cannot appear by any tokens of record, neither what this Gratian was: nor at what time he offered up his Book: nor what Council, nor what Pope allowed it.
Firste, were it graunted, that al, ye saye of Hilarie, Melito, Iustinus, Tertullian, and Apollonius were true: Yet muste it néedes folowe, that al Bookes, that are not Subscribed with the Authours names, were written in a corner? Firste to beginne with the Scriptures, tel vs, M. Hardinge, who wrote the Bookes of Genesis, of Exodus, of Leuiticus, of Numeri, of Deuteronomiū, of Io•ue, of the Iudges, of the Kinges, of ye Chronicles, of Iob, &c. Who inrote these Bookes? I saye: Who authorized them? Who Subscribed his name? Who set to his S•ale? The Booke of Wisedome by some is Fathered vpon Philo, by some vpō Salomon. The Epistle vnto ye Hebrewes, some saye, was written by S. Paule: Some, by Clemens: Some, by Barnabas: Some, by some other: & so are wee vncertaine of ye Authours name. S. Marke, S. Luke, S. Iohn, neuer once named them selues in their Gospels. The Apostles Crede, the Canons of the Apostles, by what names are they Subscribed? Howe are they authorized? To what Pope, to what Emperour were they offered? To leaue others the Auncient Doctours of the Churche, whiche, as you knowe, are often misnamed, Ambrose for Augustine, Gréeke for Latine, ⟨p. 28⟩Newe for Olde: your Doctour of Doctours, the fairest flower, and croppe of your garlande Gratianus, is so wel knowen by his name, that wise menne can not wel tel, 1What name to geue him. Erasmus saithe of him thus, Quisquis fuit, siue Gratianus, siue Crassianus: What so euer name wee may geue him: be it Gratianus, or Crassianus. And againe he saithe, Eruditi negant, illam Gratiani, nescio cuius, congeriem vlla vnquam Publica Ecclesiae authoritate fuisse comprobatam: The learned saye, that Gratians Collection, or heape of maters, was neuer allowed by any Publique Authoritie of the Churche.2 And againe, Non constat vllis argumentis, quis fuerit Gratianus, quo tempore opus suum exhibuerit, cuius Pontificis, cuius Concilij fuerit Authoritate comprobatum: It cannot appeare by any tokens of recorde, neither what this Gratian was: nor at what time he offered vp his Booke: nor what Councel, nor what Pope allowed it.
- 1Erasm. In Praesae. in tertiam Seriem quaerti Tom. Hieronymi.
- 2Erasm. In Praefatione in. 4. Tom. Hieronymi.
