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

S. Augustine in his .162. Epistle saith, In Ecclesia Romana semper Apostolicae Cathedrae viguit principatus. The primacy, or principality of the Apostolic Chair, hath evermore been in force in the Romaine Church.¹ The same S. Augustine speaking to Bonifacius Bishop of Rome, This care (saith he, complaining of the Pelagians) is common to us all, that have the office of a Bishop, albeit therein thou thy self hast the preeminence over all, being on the top of the pastoral watchtower. In an other place he hath these words.² Caeterum magis vereri debeo, ne in Petrum contumeliosus existam.³ Quis enim nescit, illum Apostolatus principatum, cuilibet Episcopatui praeferendum? But I ought rather to be afraid, least I be reproachful toward Peter. For who is he that knoweth not, that that principality of Apostleship, is to be preferred before any Bishopric that is? An other most evident place he hath in his Book De Utilitate credendi ad Honoratum. Cum tamen auxilium Dei &c. Whereas (saith he) we see so great help of God, so great profit and fruit, shall we stand in doubt whether we may hide our selves in the lap of that Church, which (though Heretics bark at it in vain round about, condemned partly by the judgement of the people them selves,⁴ partly by the sadness of Councils, and partly by the majesty of miracles even to the confession of mankind) for the Apostolic See by successions of Bishops, hath obtained the top, or highest degree of authority? To which Church if we will not give, and grant the Primacy, soothly it is a point either of most high wickedness, or of headlong arrogance.