A04468:4326
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.
If Moses were the Highest Priest, and Head of the Church, and Aaron likewise the Highest Priest, and in so much the Head of the Church too, as well as he, then had y• Church two highest Bishops, and two Heads both together: Which thing were monstrous, not only in speech, but also in Nature.
If Moses were the Highest Prieste, and Head of the Churche, and Aaron likewise the Highest Prieste, and in so mutche the Heade of the Churche too, as wel as he, then had y• Churche tvvoo highest Bishoppes, and tvvoo Heades bothe togeather: Whiche thinge were monstrous, not onely in speache, but also in Nature.
Notwithstanding, whether Moses at any one certain time were a Priest, or no, it is a matter not worthy the striving. Certain it is, that before the Law was written Kings, & Princes, and the best borne, and Inheritors, & y• wealthiest of the people,1 were ever Priests. S. Hierome saith, Hebraei tradunt, Primogenitos functos Officio Sacerdotum, & habuisse Vestimentum Sacerdotale: quo induti, Deo Victimas offerebant, antequam Aaron in Sacerdotium eligeretur: The Hebrew Rabbins say, that the First borne children did the office of the Priests, and had the Priestlike Apparel, and wearing the same, offered up their Sacrifices unto God, until the time, 2that Aaron was chosen into the Priesthood. Again he saith, Privilegium Offerendi Primogenitis, vel maximè Regibus debebatur: The Privilege of offering up Sacrifices was dew to y• First borne of the children, but most of all unto Kings. The Heathen Romaine Emperors, 3as Vespasianus, Traianus, and others, to increase their Majesty towards their Subjects, beside the state of the Empire, would also be called Pontifices Maximi.