A04468:8
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 THE MOST VIRTUOUS, and Noble Princess, Queen Elizabeth, by the Grace of God, Queen of England, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c.
TO THE MOSTE VERTVOVS, and Noble Princesse, Queene Elizabeth, by the Grace of God, Queene of Englande, France, and Irelande, Defender of the Faithe, &c.
IT had been greatly to be wished, most Gracious Sovereign Lady, that, as God of his mercy hath given us, ever sithence the first time of your Majesties most happy government, such success in all civil affairs, such concord, and quietness in all Estates, as our Fathers seldom have seen before: so our hearts with like felicity might thoroughly have consented in the profession of one undoubted Truth, and all our wills, which now are so violently rent a sunder, and so far distracted, might fully have joined together in the VVil of God: that all quarrels, and contentions set apart, we might with one mouth, and one mind glorify God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. How be it, it appeareth by the continual story, and whole discourse of the Holy Scriptures, that Almighty God, of his deep Judgements, and secrete Providence, suffereth some men oftentimes to delight in darkness, to withstand the Gospel, to seek occasions, and wilfully to set them selves against the knowledge, and Truth of God. I write not this, Most Gracious Lady, to the intent to make them odious in your Majesties sight, that this day are the procurers of all these troubles. God is able even of the hard unsensible stones to raise up children unto Abraham, and to make them the vessels of his Mercy. Nevertheless, as S. Paul teacheth us, such men there have been in times paste,1 that have had their Consciences burnt with hot irons, speaking and maintaining Lies in Hypocrisy:2