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…

Now, if M. Harding will steal away in the dark, as his manner is, and say, that S. Hierome spake only of the Merit of Life, or of the Office of Priesthood, set some man tell him, that this was no part, neither of the question moved, nor of the answer of S. Hierome: And S. Hierome in plain, and express words saith, Si Authoritas quaeritur, If we seek (not for Merit of Life, but) for Authority in government, therein the whole world is great, then the City of Rome. M. Harding imagineth, S. Hierome spake only of, I know no what: but S. Hierome him self saith, he speaketh namely of Authority.

Nowe, if M. Hardinge wil steale awaie in the darke, as his manner is, and saie, that S. Hierome spake onely of the Merite of Life, or of the Office of Priesthoode, sette some man telle him, that this was no parte, neither of the question mooued, nor of the answeare of S. Hierome: And S. Hierome in plaine, and expresse woordes saithe, Si Authoritas quaeritur, If vvee seeke (not for Merite of Life, but) for Authoritie in gouernmente, therein the whole worlde is greatte, then the Cittie of Rome. M. Hardinge imagineth, S. Hierome spake onely of, I knowe no what: but S. Hierome him selfe saithe, he speaketh namely of Authoritie.

And whereas M. Harding is so highly offended with the changing of this word, Merit, into this word, Preeminence, and saith farther, that these False Platters thought thereby to win the game, it may please him to remember, that, how so ever the game go, S. Hierome him self plainly plaid the self same game: I mean, that S. Hierome using this word, Merit, without question meant, Preeminence. For thus he saith, Potentia Divitiarum, & Paupertatis humilitas, vel Sublimiorem, vel Inferiorem Episcopum non facit: The Power of Richesse, and the baseness of Poverty maketh not a Bishop either Higher, or Lower. M. Harding might easily have seen, that Higher, and Lower, pertain not to Merit of Life, but to Preeminence. Therefore let him look better upon his Book, before he thus lightly condemn others for corruption.

And whereas M. Hardinge is so highly offended with the chaunginge of this woorde, Merite, into this woorde, Preeminence, and saithe farther, that these False Platers thought thereby to winne the game, it maye please him to remember, that, howe so euer the game goe, S. Hierome him selfe plainely plaide the selfe same game: I meane, that S. Hierome vsinge this woorde, Merite, without question meante, Preeminence. For thus he saithe, Potentia Diuitiarum, & Paupertatis humilitas, vel Sublimiorem, vel Inferiorem Episcopum non facit: The Power of Richesse, and the basenesse of Pouertie maketh not a Bishop either Higher, or Lower. M. Hardinge mighte easily hauè seene, that Higher, and Lower, perteine not to Merite of Life, but to Preeminence. Therefore lette him looke better vpon his Booke, before he thus lightly condemne others for corruption.