A04468:4821
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 Pope succeedeth Peter in authority and power. For whereas the Sheep of Christ continue to the worlds end, he is not wise, that thinketh Christ to have made a shepherd temporary or for a time, over his perpetual flock. Then what shepeherdly endowment our Lord gave to the first shepherd, ⟨p. 724⟩at the institution of the shepeherdely office of the Church: that is he understanded to have given ordinarily to every successor.1 To Peter he gave that he obtained by his prayer made to the Father, that his Faith should not fail. Again, to him he gave grace that to perform, the performance whereof at him he required, to wit, that he confirmed and strengthened his brethren: wherefore the grace of steadfastness of Faith, and of confirming the wavering and doubtful in Faith, every Pope obtaineth of the holy Ghost for the benefit of the Church. And so the Pope, although he may err by personal error, in his own private judgement, as a man, and as a particular Doctor in his own opinion:* yet as he is Pope, the successor of Peter, the Vicar of Christ in earth, the shepherd of the universal Church, in public judgement, in deliberation and definitive sentence *he never erreth.* nor never erred. For when so ever he ordaineth or determineth any thing by his high Bishoply Authority, intending to bind Christen men to perform or believe the same, he is always governed and holpen with the grace and favour of the holy Ghost. This is to Catholic Doctors a very certainty, though to such doughty Clerks as ye are, it is but a matter of nothing, and a very trifling tale.