A04468:4095
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.
Gods wisdom (as the Scripture saith) disposeth all things sweetly,1 and in one instant foreseeth the end,2 and means that be necessary to the end. If he promise any man life everlasting, withal he giveth him grace also to do good deeds,3 whereby to obtain the same. Whom he hath glorified (saith S. Paul) them he hath justified and called. So whereas he hath by force of his prayer made to the Father, promised to Peter,4 and for the safety of the Church,* to every Peters Successor, that his faith shall not fail, and therefore hath willed him to confirm his brethren, that is, to remove all doubts and errors from them: we are assured, he will give him such wit, diligence, learning, and understanding, as this firmness, and infallibility of faith, and confirming of brethren requireth. Shall we stand in doubt whether that happeneth in things supernatural, which we see to be in things natural, that who giveth the end, he giveth also things, that pertain to the attaining of the end? If God would ⟨p. 613⟩promise us abundance of corn for the next year to come,6 what were more foolish, then to doubt, and say like to this Defender, how if, and what if men will not till the ground, nor so we any seed? Doubtless if they so we, they shall reap if they sow not, neither shall they reap. But what? We may gather of the promise of God, that we shall have not only fair and seasonable weather, whereby the fruits of the earth may prove plentiful, but also that the husbandmen shall employ their endeavour, pains, and labour. For the abundance of corn so promised shall not be given but to such, as till, so we, and travail Even so whereas Christ hath promised to the* Successors of Peter, firmness of Faith, to the Apostles and their Successors the spirit of Truth, and likewise to Councils gathered in his name: we must persuade our selves, that nothing shall want necessary for the controversies, touching faith, to be decided.