A04474:10
A reply unto M. Hardinges answerA replie vnto M. Hardinges ansvveare
A reply unto M. Hardinges answer by perusing whereof the discrete, and diligent reader may easily see, the weak, and unstable grounds of the Romaine religion, which of late hath been accounted Catholic. By John Jewel Bishop of Salisbury.A replie vnto M. Hardinges ansvveare by perusinge whereof the discrete, and diligent reader may easily see, the weake, and vnstable groundes of the Romaine religion, whiche of late hath beene accompted Catholique. By Iohn Iewel Bishoppe of Sarisburie.
Imprinted at London : In Fleetestreate, at the sign of the Black Oliphant, by Henry Wykes, Anno. 1565Imprinted at London : In Fleetestreate, at the signe of the Blacke Oliphante, by Henry VVykes, Anno. 1565
To the reader: Unto the Christian Reader.To the reader: Vnto the Christian Reader.
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.
Touching the state, and issue of the matter, where as I, upon just occasion offered, and only in regard of the trueth, sometime said in great audience, that in any of these cases here moved, our Adversaries are not able to allege, either any one sufficient clause, or sentence out of the Scriptures, Councils, or Ancient Fathers, or any certain usage, or example of the primitive Church, M. Harding hath here alleged, and published, not only one, or other, but, as he him self saith, and as it is thought of many, great numbers of such Authorities of Scriptures, Councils, and Doctors, both Greek, and Latin, and many ancient, and evident examples to the contrary. The places are noted: the words are clear: It cannot be denied: and, as it is supposed, all the world is not able to answer it.1 It seemeth now an undoubted trueth, that as well these, as also all other the Doctrines, and Orders of the Church of Rome, have been derived directly from Christ him self, and his Apostles: and have continued the space of ⟨image 3⟩fifteen hundred, and thirty years at the least. Therefore some have wished, my words had been more warily qualified, and uttered with more circumspection. Even this is it, that Aristotle said, The show of trueth beareth often more likelihood, then truth it self. There is no way so easy, to beguile the Simple, as the name, and countenance of Ancient Fathers. The Arian Heretics alleged for them selves the Ancient Father Origen: The Nestorian heretics alleged the Council of Nice: the Donatian Heretics alleged S. Cyprian: the Pelagian Heretics alleged S. Ambrose, S. Hierome, and S. Augustine: Dioscorus the Heretic alleged Gregorius, Cyrillus, and Athanasius: and complained openly in the Council, even in like sort, and as justly, as M. Harding doth now: Ego defendo dogmata Santorum patrum. Ego illorum habeo testimonia, non obiter, nec in transcursu, sed in ipsorum libris posita.2 Ego cum Patribus eiicior. I maintain the Doctrine of the Holy Fathers. I have their witnesses, not uttered by chance, or by the way, but written in their books. I am excommunicate, and cast out, and banished with the Fathers. If the Devil can show him self, as the Angel of light: and if False Prophets can come in the name of Christe• much more may some others come in the name, and under the colour of certain Fathers.