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…

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.

I grant, it is true, as M. Harding saith, This quarrel first began about a particular Custom of the Church of Rome, where as the Dragons Vaunted them selves, and would be placed above the Priests. But here M. Harding, as his manner is, willingly dissembleth, and suppresseth somewhat. S. Augustine more lively,¹ and fully expresseth the same. For thereof he writeth thus: Quidam, qui nomen liabet Falcidij, Duce stultitia, & Romanae Civitatis Jactantia, Levîtas Sacerdotibus, & Diaconos Presbyteris coaequare contendit: One Falcidius, Foolishness, and the Pride of the City of Rome leading him thereto, laboureth to make the Deacons Equal with the Priests.