A04468:3767
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.
But yet for all this, (say they) from the Primitive Church, from the Apostles, and from Christ we have not departed. What can be said more foolishly? Why Sirs,* is not the Primitive Church and this of our time one Church? Doth it not hold together by continual Succession till the worlds end? What, hath Christ moe Churches then one? Is the Primitive Church quite done, and now must there begin a new? Is not Christ, his Apostles, and all true believers, in what time or place so ever they live, his one mystical Body, whereof he is the Head all other the members? As Christ is one, the Holy Ghost one, one Faith, one Baptism, one Vocation, one God: so is the Church one, which began at the first man, and shall endure to the last: whereof the living part on earth before the coming of Christ into Flesh, was sometime brought to small number: after his coming, and after that the Apostles had Preached and spread the Gospel abroad, the number neither was ever, nor shall be other then great (though sometime accounted, small in respect of the unbelievers) until the coming again of the Son of Man,2 at what time he shall scantly find Faith, specially that which worketh by Charity, in the Earth. Against which time busily ye make preparation.
But yet for all this, (saie they) from the Primitiue Churche, from the Apostles, and from Christe we haue not departed. VVhat can be saide more foolishly? VVhy Syrs,* is not the Primitiue Churche and this of our time one Churche? Dothe it not holde togeather by continuall Succession till the worldes ende? VVhat, hath Christe moe Churches then one? Is the Primitiue Churche quite donne, and now muste there beginne a newe? Is not Christe, his Apostles, and all true beleuers, in what time or place so euer they liue, his one mysticall Body, whereof he is the Head all other the members? As Christe is one, the Holy Ghoste one, one Faithe, one Baptisme, one Vocation, one God: so is the Churche one, whiche beganne at the firste man, and shall endure to the laste: whereof the liuinge parte on earthe before the comminge of Christe into Fleashe, was sometime broughte to small number: after his comminge, and after that the Apostles had Preached and spreadde the Gospell abroade, the number neither was euer, nor shalbe other then greate (though sometime accompted, small in respect of the vnbeleuers) vntil the comminge againe of the Sonne of Man,