A04468:4573
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.
M. Harding.
M. Hardinge.
The matter, ye speak of, is so clear, that from the beginning of the world to this day,* no secular Prince can be named, who by the ordinary power of a Prince, without the gift of prophecy, or special revelation, did laudably intermeddle with Religion, as a judge and ruler of spiritual causes. The reason thereof is clear. Religion is an order of Divine worshipping, belonging to God only: whereupon no man hath power, but he that is called thereto by God. He is called in the judgement of men, who can show his calling out wardly, as by consecration, and imposition of hands. Priests and Bishops are called to be the dispensators of the mysteries of God.2 In that consecration the keys of knowledge, and discretion, the power of blinding and loosing is given.‡ If a secular Prince can not show the keys given to him, how dareth he adventure to break up rather then to open ⟨p. 688⟩the clasped book of God,4 the door of the Church, and the gates of the Kingdom of heaven? Wherefore S. Ambrose said unto Valentinian. Quando audivisti, Imperator, in causa Fidei Laicos de Episcopo judicasse? 5When haste thou heard, Emperor, Laymen to have ben judges of a Bishop in the cause of Faith? And yet now these men think, that which S. Ambrose never heard of, not only to have ben used continually the first five hundred years after Christs birth, but also to be as clear a matter, as if we beheld it with our eyes.