A04468:4139
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.
This therefore, M. Harding, is your Doctors meaning: It is sufficient, that Bishops only meet in Council. God will supply all the rest. What so ever they determine, the Holy Ghost will assist them: they cannot err. Al this is as true, as that Hosius your Doctor saith, Annas, and Caiaphas could not err in pronouncing Sentence of death against Christ.
This therefore, M. Hardinge, is your Doctoures meaninge: It is sufficiente, that Bishoppes onely méete in Councel. God wil supplie al the reste. What so euer they determine, the Holy Ghoste wil assist them: they cannot erre. Al this is as true, as that Hosius your Doctoure saithe, Annas, and Caiphas coulde not erre in pronouncinge Sentence of deathe againste Christe.
But, for excuse hereof, somewhat to salve a festry matter, ye tell us a long tedious tale, without head, or foot: & that your Reader may think, ye say somewhat, ye cry out aloud, Shameless railing Heretics: We belie Hosius: we belie Sotus: Our false dealing: our shameless lying: we are impudent, and continue in lying. These, M. Harding, be the proofs, and grounds of your Doctrine, and the most savoury, and fairest Flowers in your garland.
But, for excuse hereof, sommewhat to salue a festry mater, yée tel vs a longe tedious tale, without heade, or foote: & that your Reader maie thinke, yée saie somewhat, ye crie out alowde, Shamelesse railinge Heretiques: VVee belie Hosius: vvee belie Sotus: Our false dealinge: our shamelesse lieinge: vvee are impudente, and continevve in lieinge. These, M. Hardinge, be the proufes, and groundes of your Doctrine, and the moste sauerie, and fairest Floures in your garlande.
The substance of your tale is this: The Acts of the Council, where Christ was condemned, were lewd, and wicked: But the Sentence of death pronounced by the Bishops against Christ, was just, and true. And thus by your dalliance in dark words, and by your blind Distinction, between Act, and Sentence, ye seek shifts, to mock the world. Ye should plainly have told us, what were these Sentences: and what were these Acts: and what great difference ye can espy between Act, and Sentence: or, when ever ye heard of Sentence in Judgement without Act: or, of perfect Act without Sentence: or, how the Sentence of the Judge may be true, if the Act be false: or, how the Act may be right, if the Sentence be wrong. For your credits sake, leave these toys, M. Harding. Ye have used them over long. They are too childish for a child: they become not your gravity: they deceive the simple.