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…

But specially, and above all other things, and that throughout all your three Books, ye say, that Sir Defender is unlearned: that his best skill is in a few Figures of Rhetoric: that he hath neither Greek, nor Logic, nor Philosophy, nor Divinity: that he hath read no kind of Doctors, nor New, nor Old, nor of his own, nor of others: that all the furniture of his Book was brought to his hand, some by Greek Readers, some by Schoolmasters,¹ some by Civilians, some by Canonists, some by Summists, some by Glossers, some by others: that he hath nothing else but patched Notebooks, huddled together by snaps, and pieces. Some part hereof, or rather the whole all together, without exception, to do you pleasure, I would easily have granted you, M. Harding, upon small suite, with more favour, and less ado. Take from me, what learning ye list: distrain it, and pound it at your pleasure: I will never trouble you with Replevin. How be it, if ye utter all this of your indifferent judgement, and certain knowledge, yet is it impertinent: for we pleaded of Faith, and not of Learning: if otherwise ye speak it of heat of mind, and abundance of Choler, and thereupon thus proclaim it unto the world, it is great folly. Truly ye never saw Sir Defenders Books, nor never set your foot within his study. A wise Judge will seldom pronounce, before he know. If it shall please you, for trial hereof, to send your friend, he may happily see, that Sir Defender hath all these Summists, and Canonists, and Greek-readers, and Schoolmasters, of his own.

But specially, and aboue al other thinges, and that throughout al your three Bookes, yee saie, that Sir Defender is vnlearned: that his beste skil is in a fewe Figures of Rhetorique: that he hath neither Greeke, nor Logique, nor Philosophie, nor Diuinitie: that he hath readde no kinde of Doctours, nor Newe, nor Olde, nor of his owne, nor of others: that al the furniture of his Booke was broughte to his hande, somme by Greeke Readers, somme by Scholemaisters,¹ somme by Ciuilians, somme by Canonistes, somme by Summistes, somme by Glosers, somme by others: that he hath nothinge els but patched Notebookes, huddled togeather by snappes, and peeces. Some parte hereof, or rather the whole al togeather, without exception, to doo you pleasure, I would easily haue graunted you, M. Hardinge, vpon smal suite, with more fauoure, and lesse adoo. Take from mee, what learninge yee liste: distreine it, and pounde it at your pleasure: I wil neuer trouble you with Repleuin. How be it, if yee vtter al this of your indifferente iudgemente, and certaine knowledge, yet is it impertinente: for wee pleaded of Faithe, and not of Learninge: if otherwise yee speake it of heate of minde, and abundance of Cholere, and therevpon thus proclaime it vnto the world, it is great folie. Truely yee neuer sawe Sir Defenders Bookes, nor neuer sette your foote within his studie. A wise Iudge wil seldome pronounce, before he knowe. If it shal please you, for trial hereof, to sende your frende, he maie happily see, that Sir Defender hath al these Summistes, and Canonistes, and Greekereaders, and Scholemaisters, of his owne.