A reply unto M. Hardinges answerA replie vnto M. Hardinges ansvveare

Now, good Christian Reader, for the better contenting of thy mind, I beseech thee to look back, and to consider the whole substance of all, that M. Harding hath laid in for proof of this Article, what weight it beareth, and how well it serveth to his purpose. He hath entreated largely of singing in the Quier, at what time, and where it first began: and likewise hath proved by a great long discourse of situation of countries, and diversity of tongues, that neither all the east part of the world understood the Greek, nor all the people of Africa, Mauritania, Spain, and France understood the Latin: which labour in this case was nothing needful. But that all the Nations of the East part had their Service in the Greek tongue, and that all the people of Africa, Mauritania, Spain, and France had their Service in the Latin tongue, which thing only stood in Question, and therefore was only to be proved, he hath hitherto utterly left unproved. Touching the Public Service within this Island, the story of Augustine of Rome, and Edda, and Putta, and other Poets, and singing men, as I have showed, standeth him in small stead. Contrary to his own knowledge he saith, that the fourteenth Chapter of S. Paul to the Corinthians cannot necessarily be applied to this purpose: And further he saith, that even from the Apostles time, the Priest evermore made his Prayers in the Quier, far of from the hearing of the people: That the ignorant people understandeth the Latin Tongue, although not in most exact wise, or perfectly: That they are now better instructed in the Articles of the Faith, then they were in the time of the Apostles: That it is sufficient for them now to be taught by Gestures, and Ceremonies: and that they have great profit by hearing their Service, although they know not what they hear. Again he saith, that the Greek, and Latin be learned tongues, and therefore all the Service of the Church throughout the whole world, ought to be ministered in one of them: That all the Psalms, and all other Scriptures are hard, and far pass the capacity of the people: That understanding of the matter causeth the mind to wander: and to be short, that prayer in the Common tongue, that evermore bred Schisms, and Divisions in the Church.

Now, good Christian Reader, for the better contenting of thy minde, I beséeche thée to looke backe, and to consider the whole substance of al, that M. Hardinge hath laide in for proufe of this Article, what weight it beareth, and how wel it serueth to his purpose. He hath intreated largely of singinge in the Quier, at what time, and where it first beganne: and likewise hath prooued by a greate longe discourse of situation of countries, and diuersitie of tongues, that neither al the east parte of the worlde vnderstoode the Gréeke, nor al the people of Aphrica, Mauritania, Spaine, and Fraunce vnderstoode the Latine: whiche labour in this case was nothinge needeful. But that al the Nations of the East parte had their Seruice in the Greeke tongue, and that al the people of Aphrica, Mauritania, Spaine, and Fraunce had their Seruice in the Latine tongue, whiche thinge onely stoode in Question, and therefore was onely to be prooued, he hath hitherto vtterly leaft vnprooued. Touchinge the Publique Seruice within this Ilelande, the storie of Augustine of Rome, and Edda, and Putta, and other Poetes, and singinge men, as I haue shewed, standeth him in smal stéede. Contrary to his owne knowlege he saith, that the fouretéenth Chapter of S. Paule to the Corinthians cannot necessarily be applied to this purpose: And further he saith, that euen from the Apostles time, the Priest euermore made his Praiers in the Quier, farre of from the hearinge of the people: That the ignorant people vnderstandeth the Latine Tongue, although not in most exacte wise, or perfitely: That they are now better instructed in the Articles of the Faith, then they were in the time of the Apostles: That it is sufficient for them now to be taught by Gestures, and Ceremonies: and that they haue greate profit by hearinge their Seruice, although they know not what they heare. Againe he saith, that the Gréeke, and Latine be learned tongues, and therefore al the Seruice of the Churche throughout the whole worlde, ought to be ministred in one of them: That al the Psalmes, and al other Scriptures are harde, and farre passe the capacitie of the people: That vnderstandinge of the mater causeth the minde to wander: and to be shorte, that praier in the Common tongue, that euermore bredde Schismes, and Diuisions in the Churche.