A04474:11
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.
But, good Christian Reader, for thy better understanding, least happily thou be deceived, it may please thee to know, that these Authorities, alleged here by M. Harding, are neither new, nor strange, nor unknown to any man of mean learning but have been both often brought in, and alleged by others, and also weighed, and examined, and thoroughly confuted long a go. In deed M. Harding hath added of him self some beauty of his eloquence, and majesty of words▪ and yet not so much, nor such, but it may easily be answered, although not with like eloquence, whereof in these cases there is no need, yet at least with more trueth. I trust, by indifferent conference hereof, thou shalt soon see the Ancient Fathers, Some that never were, by M. Harding surmised, and counterfeited: Some untruly alleged: Some corruptly translated: Some perversely expounded: Some unaptly, and guilefully applied: Their words sometimes abridged▪ sometimes enlarged: sometimes altered▪ sometimes dissembled: Fabulous, and unknown Authorities newly founded: Childish Arguments fondly concluded: To be short, infinite Untruths, and known Untruths boldly avouched In consideration hereof S. Augustine crieth out, O rerum Naturae obscuritas:1 quantum •egmen est Falsitatis? O the Darkness of Natural things. What a coover•e have lies to lu•ke in? Therefore Socrates saith, We may not believe every Argument, that is showed us, upon the sight. But must open it, and search it, and look it through. For oftentimes it seemeth otherwise, then it is. It seemeth strong without, and is weak within. ⟨image 3⟩King Agesilaus, when he understood his Enemies of policy, to cover the smallness, and weakness of their bodies, had bomebasted, and embossed out their coats with great quarters, that they might seem big, and mighty men, and that his soldiers therewith were much dismayed, after he had overthrown, and slain them in the field, pulled of their coats, and stripped them, and left them naked: and, when he had caused his Soldiers to behold the poor, lither, slender, wearish bodies, nothing like that, they seemed before, then said he unto them: Lo, these be they, of whom ye stood so much afraid: these be their great bodies: these be their mighty bones. Even so, good Reader, if thou stand in fear of these M.