A04474:3043
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 14 › The B. of Salisbury.Article 14 › 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.
This Article of Images may be easily passed over, both for that the weight thereof is not great, and also for that M. Harding, as his wont is, hath purposely dissembled the matter, that was in question, and devised other fantasies, that were not touched. Wherein, notwithstanding he use large discourses, and make great show, yet in the end, as it shall appear, he concludeth nothing. I grant, Images were erected in some Churches within six hundred years after Christ, all be it neither so rathe, as it is pretended, nor without much repining of Godly men, and great contention.
This Article of Images may be easily passed ouer, bothe for that the weight thereof is not great, and also for that M. Hardinge, as his woonte is, hath purposely dissembled the mater, that was in question, and diuised other fantasies, that were not touched. Wherein, notwithstandinge he vse large discourses, and make great shewe, yet in the ende, as it shal appeare, he concludeth nothinge. I graunt, Images were erected in some Churches within sixe hundred yéeres after Christe, al be it neither so rathe, as it is pretended, nor without muche repininge of Godly men, and great contention.
But M. Harding, of his modesty, once again calleth us New Masters: so as he would call Moses, if he were now alive, or much rather God him self. For this Doctrine is God's Doctrine, and not ours. And therefore S. Augustine saith, Huiusmodi Simulachrum Deo nefas est in Christiano Templo collocare: 1In a Christian Church to erect such an Image unto God, (resembling God to an old Man) it is an Abomination. And Epiphanius the Bishop of Cyprus entering into a Church, and finding there a Veil hanged up, and the Image of Christ painted in it, 2tare it a sunder, and pulled it down, because it was done, as he writeth him self, Contra authoritatem Scripturarum, contrary to the Commandment of God's Word. Again he saith, Huiusmodi vela contra Religionem nostram veniunt: Such veils (so painted) are contrary to our Christian Religion: And againe, Haec scrupulositas indigna est Ecclesia Christi, & populis, qui tibi crediti sunt. This Supersttion is unmeet for the Church of Christ, and unmeet for the people, that is committed unto thee. S. Augustine saith, It is Abomination: Epiphanius saith, It is contrary to the Scriptures, and contrary to Christian Religion: Unmeet for the Church of Christ, and unmeet for the people of God. How be it, M. Harding perhaps will suffer these two, to pass in the number of his New Masters.