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…

Howe be it all these things must needs be true. For Christs own Fellows, or, as M. Harding uttereth it in better wise, the Holy Fathers of the Society of Jesus, have sent home word as well hereof, as also of sundry Miracles wrought by the same Holy Fathers. Verily, so the name of Christ be published, whether it be by them, or by us, by Light, or by Darkness, God's Holy name be blessed. But of many their Miracles I have no skill. For thus these Holy Fathers write, as it is said before, that with Holy Water they have driven Mice out of the country,¹ and made Barren Women to bear Children, and such other the like marvellous Miracles. Neither are we bound of necessity to believe all such Miracles what so ever, without exception. Alexander of Hales saith, In Sacramento apparet Caro, interdū humana procuratione, interdū operation Diabolica: In the Sacrament it self there appeareth Flesh, sometime by the conveyance of men, sometime by the working of the Devil. Likewise saith Nicolaus Lyra, Aliquando in Ecclesia fit maxima deceptio Populi in Miraculis fictis à Sacerdotibus, vel eis adhaerentibus, propter lucrum: Sometime even in the Church the People is shamefully deceived with feigned Miracles wrought either by the Priests, or else by their companions, for lukers, sake. Miracles be not evermore undoubted proofs of True Doctrine.² Therefore S. Augustine saith unto Faustus the Manichee: Miracula non facitis: quae si faceretis, tamen ipsa in vobis caveremus: Ye work no Miracles: and yet if ye wrought any, at your hands we would take heed of them. ³The Prophet Jeremiah saith, Seduxerunt Populum meum in mendacijs suis, & in Miraculis suis: They have deceived my People by their Lies, and by their Miracles.

Howe be it al these thinges muste néedes be true. For Christes owne Felowes, or, as M. Hardinge vttereth it in better wise, the Holy Fathers of the Societie of Iesus, haue sente home woorde as wel hereof, as also of sundrie Miracles wrought by the same Holy Fathers. Verily, so the name of Christe be publisshed, whether it be by them, or by vs, by Light, or by Darkenes, Goddes Holy name be blessed. But of many theire Miracles I haue no skil. For thus these Holy Fathers write, as it is saide before, that with Holy Water they haue driuen Mise out of the countrie,