A04474:3196
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 15 › The B. of Salisbury.Article 15 › 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.
And may we think, that M. Harding meaneth any good Faith, that to the intent, as he saith, to pull young men from evil thoughts, thus withdraweth them from the reading of God's Word, which everywhere reproveth Sin: and nevertheless giveth them leave to read Ovid, Terence, Propertius, and such others, which, for the most part, are nothing else but examples, and Schools of Sin? Verily, if God's holy Word be a provocation of il thoughts, which blasphemous Words, I marvel M. Harding can utter without horror, the world thinketh, that many Unmarried Priests in the Church of Rome, are as much inclined to the same, as any Woman, Maiden, or Young man. For it is not a Gown, or a Cap, that mortifieth the affections of the mind.
And may we thinke, that M. Hardinge meaneth any good Faithe, that to the intent, as he saith, to pul yonge men from euil thoughtes, thus withdraweth them from the readinge of Goddes Woorde, whiche euerywhere reprooueth Sinne: and neuerthelesse geueth them leaue to reade Ouide, Terence, Propertius, and suche others, whiche, for the most parte, are nothinge els but examples, and Schooles of Sinne? Uerily, if Goddes holy Woorde be a prouocation of il thoughtes, whiche blasphemous Woordes, I maruel M. Hardinge can vtter without horrour, the worlde thinketh, that many Unmaried Priestes in the Churche of Rome, are as muche inclined to the same, as any Woman, Maiden, or Yonge man. For it is not a Gowne, or a Cappe, that mortifieth the affections of the minde.
Nazianzene speaketh not of reading the Scriptures,1 but of contentious disputing, and reasoning of God, or godly things: which, as S. Paul saith, oftentimes worketh the subversion of the hearers. And in this sense S. Cyprian seemeth to say, De Deo etiam vera dicere, periculosum est: Of God it is dangerous to speak, yea although ye speak the trueth. Hereof M. Harding maketh up a very slender reason, It is not seemly for every man to contend, and dispute of God: Ergo, it is not seemly for the Lay People to read the Scriptures. I grant, the Rabbins did not amiss, to restrain the people from reading certain Chapters of the Old Testament, until they were grown in years, and judgement. For the Scriptures of God are not all of one sort. Some parts be easy: Some parts be hard: Some meet for beginners: some meet for them, that know more: But all meet, and made for the people of God. Yet were it great folly, and want of discretion, to begin first with the hardest.