A04468:4295
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.
To what purpose then serveth all this your vain talk, M. Harding, The true Supreme Head of the Church shall have to do with him, that sinneth only in his heart? For every Simple Priest, having the key of God's Word, entereth into the heart, & hath to do with the same, as well, and as much, as the Pope: & in respect of being Judge of y• Conscience, is above Kings, & Princes, no less then he.
To what pourpose then serueth al this your vaine talke, M. Hardinge, The true Supreme Head of the Churche shal haue to doo with him, that sinneth onely in his harte? For euery Simple Prieste, hauinge the keie of Goddes Woorde, entreth into the harte, & hath to doo with the same, as wel, and as mutche, as the Pope: & in respecte of beinge Iudge of y• Conscience, is aboue Kinges, & Princes, nolesse then he.
But, where ye say, The malicious, and sinful thought shall never be forgiven, except the party come to be Absolved of their Successors, to whom Christ said, whose sins ye forgive, &c. this Doctrine is not only strange and false, but also full of Desperation. Your own Gratian saith, 1Latentia peccata non probantur necessariò Sacerdoti confitenda: It is not proved (by any sufficient Authority either of Scriptures, or of Doctors) that Secrete Sins are of necessity to be uttered in Confession unto the Priest. Again he saith, 2Datur intelligi, quòd etiam ore tacente, veniam consequi possumus: It is given us to understand, that we may obtain pardon, although we utter nothing with our Mouth. And againe, Non Sacerdotali judicio, sed largitate Divinae Gratiae peccator emendatur: The Sinner is cleansed, not by the Judgement of the Priest, but by the abundance of God's Grace.3 Again he saith, Confessio Sacerdoti offertur in signum veniae, non in causam Remissionis accipiendae: Confession is made unto the Priest, in token of Forgiveness already obtained: not as a cause of Forgiveness to be obtained. Your very Glose saithe,