Again what say you to Epiphanius,1 who writeth against one Zacchaeus of his time, for that being but a Lay man, with wicked Presumption took upon him to * handle the Holy Mysteries, and rashly to do the office of a Priest? Hereof S. Hierome saith not ably: Hilarius cùm Diaconus de Ecclesia recesserit, &c. Hilary for as much as he went from the Church being a Deacon, and is only (as he thinketh) the multitude of the world, can neither consecrate the Sacrament of The altar being without Bishops and Priests, nor deliver Baptism without the Eucharist. ⟨p. 127⟩And whereas now the man is dead,2 with the man also the sect is ended, because being a Deacon he could not consecrate any Clerk that should remain after him. And Church is there none,3 which hath not a Priest. But letting go these few of little regard, that to them selves be both Lay and Bishops, listen what is to be thought of the Church. Thus S. Hierome there. In whom leaving other things I note, that if there be no Church, where is no Priest, Where is your Church like to become,4 after that our Apostates, that now be fled from us to you, shall be departed this Life? Therefore this being true, it remaineth, M. Jewel, you tell us, whether your Vocation be Ordinary or Extraordinary. If it be Ordinary, show us the letters of your Orders. At least show us, that you have received Power to do the Office, you presume to exercise, by due order of laying on of hands and Consecration.* But Order, and Consecration you have not. For who could give that to you of all these New Ministers, how so ever else you call them which he hath not him self? If it be Extraordinary (as all that ye have done hitherto is besides all good Order) show us some Sign or Miracle. If you fail in all these, why ought not you to be put away?
Againe what saye you to Epiphanius,1 who writeth againste one Zacchaeus of his time, for that beinge but a Laye man, with wicked Presumption tooke vpon him to * handle the Holy Mysteries, and rashely to do the office of a Prieste? Hereof S. Hierome sa•the not ably: Hilarius cùm Diaconus de Ecclesia recesserit, &c. Hilary for asmutche as he went from the Churche beinge a Deacon, and is onely (as he thinketh) the multitude of the worlde, can neither consecrate the Sacramente of Thaulter beinge without Bishops and Priestes, nor deliuer Baptisme without the •uchariste. ⟨p. 127⟩And whereas nowe the man is deade,2 with the man also the secte is ended, because beinge a Deacon he coulde not consecrate any Clerke that shoulde remaine after him. And Churche is there none,3 whiche hath not a Prieste. But lettinge goe these fewe of litle regarde, that to them selues be bothe Laie and Bishoppes, listen what is to be thought of the Churche. Thus S. Hierome there. In whome leauinge other thinges I note, that if there be no Churche, where is no Prieste, VVhere is your Churche like to become,4 after that our Apostates, that nowe be fledde from vs to you, shalbe departed this Life? Therefore this beinge true, it remaineth, M. Iewel, you tel vs, whether your Vocation be Ordinarie or Extraordinarie. If it be Ordinarie, shewe vs the letters of your Orders. At least shewe vs, that you haue receiued Power to doo the Office, you presume to exercise, by due order of laieinge on of handes and Consecration.* But Order, and Consecration you haue not. For who coulde geue that to you of al these Newe Ministers, how so euer els you cal them whiche he hath not him selfe? If it be Extraordinarie (as al that ye haue done hitherto is besides al good Order) shewe vs some Signe or Miracle. If you faile in al these, why ought not you to be put awaie?
- 1Contra H• res. • Lib a. In Dialog• contra Luciferianos.
- 2Succession.
- 3Sacerdotē.Sacerdotē.
- 4M. Hardinges Brethren Apostates.
- *A manifest Untruth: For we have both Order, and Co• secration.A manifest Vntruthe: For vvee haue bothe Order, and Co• secration.
