This his purpose he partly declared in giving his last answer to a book written by Master Harding, entitled, A detection of sundry foul errors, &c. For answer whereof, he thought not good to charge with number of books, or to encumber the world with needless labours: but only by a short augmentation of his former ⟨image 3⟩defence of the Apology of the Church of England, to discharge Master Hardings quarrels. For reason whereof he saith: I cannot imagine, that any my poor labours shall be able to end these quarrels. For a contentious man will never lack words. I have endeavoured for my simple part, to say so much as to a reasonable man may seem sufficient. If any thing be left unanswered, either it was nothing, or nothing worth. Wherein he was of like mind unto that famous learned man Master Bucer, who speaking of the new and fresh supply that is made among the adversaries of our Christian religion, said thus: Veteribus respondimus, novos quotidie legimus, nihil adferunt novi, quid ergo faciemus? Answer hath been made by us to their old Writers: we read their new Writers which come forth daily, which yet bring no new matter or proofs with them. What then shall we do? What else, but (as he giveth counsel) lay down all affection and favour of parties, and peruse that hath been said in matter of controversy on both sides, and judge justly of that is ⟨image 4⟩alleged, and with fear and reverence be careful of our own salvation. For, after the trueth is once found out, whosoever seeketh farther, seeketh not for the truth, but for error. The Apostle willeth Titus, to stay foolish questions and genealogies, & contentions, and brawlings about the law: for they are unprofitable, and vain. And also to reject him that is an heretic after once or twice admonition. In like case he said unto Timothy: If any man teach otherwise, and consenteth not to the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is puffed up, and knoweth nothing: but doteth about questions, & strife of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, froward disputations of men of corrupt minds, & destitute of the truth, which think that gain is godliness: from such separate thy self.
This his purpose hee partlie declared in giuing his last answeare to a booke written by Maister Harding, entituled, A detection of sundrie foule errours, &c. For answere whereof, he thought not good to charge with number of bookes, or to encomber the world with needelesse labours: but onelie by a shorte augmentation of his former ⟨image 3⟩defence of the Apologie of the Church of England, to discharge Master Hardings quarels. For reason whereof he saith: I cannot imagine, that anie my poore labours shall be able to end these quarels. For a contentious man will neuer lacke wordes. I haue endeuoured for my simple parte, to say so much as to a reasonable man maie seeme sufficient. If any thing be left vnanswered, either it was nothing, or nothing worth. Wherein hee was of like minde vnto that famous learned man Maister Bucer, who speaking of the new and fresh supplie that is made among the aduersaries of our Christian religion, said thus: Veteribus respondimus, novos quotidie legimus, nihil adferunt novi, quid ergo faciemus? Aunswere hath beene made by vs to their olde Writers: wee reade their newe Writers which come foorth dailie, which yet bring no newe matter or proofes with them. What then shall wee doe? What else, but (as he giueth counsaile) laie downe al affection and fauour of parties, and peruse that hath beene saide in matter of controuersie on both sides, and iudge iustly of that is ⟨image 4⟩alleadged, and with feare and reuerence be careful of our own saluation. For, after the trueth is once found out, whosoeuer seeketh farther, seeketh not for the truth, but for errour. The Apostle willeth Titus, to staie foolish questions and genealogies, & contentions, and brawlings about the law: for they are vnprofitable, and vaine. And also to reiect him that is an heretique after once or twice admonition. In like cafe he said vnto Timothie: If anie man teach otherwise, and consenteth not to the wholsome words of our Lord Iesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godlines, hee is puft vp, and knoweth nothing: but doateth about questiōs, & strife of words, whereof commeth enuie, strife, railings, euil surmisings, froward disputations of mē of corrupt minds, & destitute of the truth, which thinke that gaine is godlinesse: from such separate thy selfe.
