But though (say ye) those Greeks have many things corrupted, yet hold they still a great number of those things, which they received of the Apostles. And wilt thou know, Reader, what they be? Forsooth they have neither Private Masses, nor mangled Sacraments, nor Purgatories, nor Pardons. Is not the wit of this Defender to be commended, that maketh a man to hold that, which he hath not?1 Those Greeks hold still, saith he. What hold they? Mary they have not this and that. This is a new kind of holding, for a man to hold, that he hath not. If they hold still, then have they still. But they have not, sayeth he: then how hold they? A man may by the rules of this new Logic, thus reason: The Turks, Saracens, Jews, Infidels, Idolaters, yea, the sheep of Cotswold also, if ye will, have neither private Masses, nor Communion under one kind, nor Purgatories, nor Pardons: Ergo, they hold a number of things, which they received from the Apostles. The antecedent is true. Who so ever denieth the consequent, must compte this Defenders Logic very simple. What if one should make this argument, This Defender hath neither good Logic, nor very fine Rhetoric, nor profound Philosophy, nor the right knowledge of Divinity: Ergo, he holdeth many Heresies? Though both the Antecedent, and Consequent be true, yet is the argument naught. For by like reason one might conclude, an honest unlearned catholic man to be an Heretic, which were false and injurious. Such is the Logic, such are the topics of this new negative, and ablative divinity: for so may we worthily call it. Negative, in respect of their blasphemous tongues, denying sundry weighty points of our Faith: Ablative, in respect of their wicked hands, casting away, throwing down, and taking away many good things, pertaining to the maintenance of Christen Religion, and God's honour. Put them from their negatives, and from their ablatives, then in what case shall they stand?
But though (saie ye) those Greekes haue many thinges corrupted, yet holde they stil a greate number of those thinges, whiche they receiued of the Apostles. And wilt thou knowe, Reader, what they be? Forsoothe they haue neither Priuate Masses, nor mangled Sacramentes, nor Purgatories, nor Pardons. Is not the witte of this Defender to bee commended, that maketh a man to holde that, whiche he hath not?1 Those Greekes holde stil, saithe he. VVhat holde they? Mary they haue not this and that. This is a newe kinde of holdinge, for a man to holde, that he hath not. If they holde stil, then haue they stil. But they haue not, saieth he: then howe holde they? A man maie by the rules of this newe Logique, thus reason: The Turkes, Saracenes, Iewes, Infidels, Idolaters, yea, the shepe of Cottesholde also, if ye wil, haue neither priuate Masses, nor Communion vnder one kinde, nor Purgatories, nor Pardons: Ergo, they holde a number of thinges, whiche they receiued from the Apostles. The antecedent is true. VVho so euer denieth the consequente, must compte this Defenders Logique very simple. VVhat if one shoulde make this argumente, This Defender hath neither good Logique, nor very fine Rhetorike, nor profounde Philosophie, nor the right knowledge of Diuinitie: Ergo, he holdeth many Heresies? Though bothe the Antecedent, and Consequent be true, yet is the argument naught. For by like reason one might conclude, an honest vnlearned catholique man to be an Heretique, whiche were false and iniurious. Sutche is the Logique, sutche are the topikes of this newe negatiue, and ablatiue diuinitie: for so maie we worthely cal it. Negatiue, in respect of their blasphemous tongues, denieing sundrie weightie pointes of our Faithe: Ablatiue, in respecte of their wicked handes, casting away, throwinge downe, and taking away manie good thinges, perteining to the maintenance of Christen Religion, and Goddes honour. Put them from their negatiues, and from their ablatiues, then in what case shal they stande?
- 1O, so merrily this man playeth with his fancy.O, so merily this mā plaieth vvith his fansie.
