As for M. Hardinges Constancy, which is here brought in, as in stead of some proof, I will say nothing. How be it his friends think, So many, so light, and so sudden changes, can scarcely stand well with the title of Constancy. Certainly the maintenance of open, & known error, should rather have some other name. The Prophet Zechariah saith,1 Posuerunt ut Adamantem Cor suum: They have set their heart, as the Adamant stone. Job saith, Stetit cor eius sicut incus: His heart stood as a steady. Yet might not they therefore be called constant. S. Hilary saith, Gravis, & periculosus est lapsus in multis.2 Etsi enim se intelligant, tamen pudor exurgendi authoritatem sibi praesumit: ut, quòd errant, prudentiam velint existimari: quòd cum multis errant, intelligentiam esse asserant Veritatis. Falling from God in many men is grievous, and dangerous. For, albeit they understand them self, yet, for that they are ashamed to rise again, they therefore take upon them some authority, and will have their Error counted Wisdom: and, that they are deceived with many, they call it the understanding of the Trueth. Touching the purpose, it appeareth, this matter cannot stand without the disordering, and confounding of the Natural course, and sound of words. Sometimes the Accidents, and Shows of Bread must be the Sacrament: Sometimes Christs Body, which, as M. Harding confesseth, in deed is not the Sacrament, yet to maintain this new Adoration, must needs become the Sacrament. And thus now we have two Sacraments together in one Sacrament. And yet in the Conclusion, we may not worship the very Sacrament, but only Christs Body in the Sacrament. And this, as M. Harding telleth us, is a Proper, Plain, Familiar kind of speech, and according unto skill. Thus he teacheth us to lift up our hearts, and to worship God in Sprite and Trueth. Onlesse the simple people go to the Universities, and learn this new skill, what ⟨p. 388⟩is Accidens absque subiecto: Corpus sine loco: Locus sine Corpore: Quantitas sine modo quanti, they cannot skilfully worship Christs Body. Or if they worship without this skill, they worship one thing for an other, and become Idolaters.
As for M. Hardinges Constancie, which is here brought in, as in stéede of some proufe, I wil say nothinge. How be it his frendes thinke, So many, so light, and so suddaine changes, can scarcely stande wel with the title of Constancie. Certainely the mainteinance of open, & knowen errour, should rather haue some other name. The Prophete Zacharie saithe,1 Posuerunt vt Adamantem Cor suum: They haue sette their harte, as the Adamant stoane. Iob saithe, Stetit cor eius sicut incus: His harte stoode as a steadie. Yet might not they therefore be called constant. S. Hilarie saithe, Grauis, & periculosus est lapsus in multis.2 Etsi enim se intelligant, tamen pudor exurgēdi authoritatem sibi praesumit: vt, quòd errant, prudentiam velint existimari: quòd cum multis errant, intelligentiam esse asserant Veritatis. Fallinge from God in many men is gre•ous, and dangerous. For, albeit they vnderstande them selfe, yet, for that they are ashamed to rise againe, they therefore take vpon them some authoritie, and wil haue their Errour counted Wisedome: and, that they are deceiued with many, they cal it the vnderstandinge of the Trueth. Touchinge the purpose, it appeareth, this mater cannot stande without the disordringe, and confoundinge of the Natural course, and sounde of woordes. Sometimes the Accidentes, and Shewes of Breade muste be the Sacrament: Sometimes Christes Bodie, whiche, as M. Hardinge confesseth, in déede is not the Sacrament, yet to mainteine this newe Adoration, muste needes become the Sacrament. And thus now wée haue twoo Sacramentes togeather in one Sacrament. And yet in the Conclusion, we may not woorship the very Sacrament, but onely Christes Bodie in the Sacrament. And this, as M. Hardinge telleth vs, is a Proper, Plaine, Familiar kinde of speache, and accordinge vnto skil. Thus he teacheth vs to lifte vp our hartes, and to woorship God in Sprite and Trueth. Onlesse the simple people goe to the Uniuersities, and learne this newe skil, what ⟨p. 388⟩is Accidens absque subiecto: Corpus sine loco: Locus sine Corpore: Quantitas sine modo quanti, thei cannot skilfully woorship Christes Bodie. Or if they woorship without this skil, they woorship one thinge for an other, and become Idolaters.
- 1Zachar. 7. Job. 41.Zachar. 7. Iob. 41.
- 2Hilarius de Trinitate li. 6. ca. 84.
