A04474:1731
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
Article 4 › The B. of Salisbury.Article 4 › The B. of Sarisburie.
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 mankind, saith M. Harding, dependeth most of sense: Therefore the whole Church must have one man to rule and govern over it: and that man is Peters successor, and Christs Vicar in Earth. I marvel that none of the Old Fathers could ever understand, either the necessity of this reason, or this special name, and title of Christs Vicar. How be it, one true word M. Harding hath uttered amongst many others: that is, that to appoint Christ Vicar, it pertaineth only unto Christ, and to none other. Of which ground we may well reason thus: Christ never ordained, nor appointed, nor once named, the Bishop of Rome, or his Successor to be his Vicar, that is, ⟨p. 257⟩to be an Universal Bishop over the whole Church:1 therefore by M. Hardinges own position, the Bishop of Rome hath of long time usurped a power against Christ, without Commission, and in deed is not Christs Vicar. S. Hierome saith generally of all Bishops,2 Noverint Episcopi, see magis Consuetudine, quàm dispositionis Dominicae Veritate, Presbyteris esse maiores. Lette Bishops understand, that they be greater then the priests by order, and Custom (of the Church) and not by the trueth of God's ordinance. If Christ, as S. Hierome saith, appointed not one priest above an other, how then is it likely, he appointed one Priest to be, as M. Harding saith, Prince and ruler over all Priests throughout the whole world?
But mankinde, saithe M. Hardinge, dependeth moste of sense: Therefore the whole Churche must haue one man to rule and gouerne ouer it: and that man is Peters successour, and Christes Vicare in Earthe. I maruel that none of the Olde Fathers coulde euer vnderstande, either the necessitie of this reason, or this special name, and title of Christes Uicare. How be it, one true woorde M. Harding hath vttered amongst many others: that is, that to apointe Christe Uicare, it perteineth onely vnto Christe, and to none other. Of whiche grounde we may wel reason thus: Christe neuer ordeined, nor appointed, nor once named, the Bishop of Rome, or his Successoure to be his Uicare, that is, ⟨p. 257⟩to be an Uniuersal Bishop ouer the whole Churche: