A04474:3240
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 › M. Harding. The .11. Division.Article 15 › M. Hardinge. The .11. Diuision.
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.
M. Harding. The .11. Division.
M. Hardinge. The .11. Diuision.
And, lest all the unlearned lay people should seem hereby utterly rejected from hope of understanding God's word without teaching of others, it may be granted, that it is not impossible, a man (be he never so unlearned) exercised in long Prayer, accustomed to fervent contemplation, being brought by God into his inward cellars, may from thence obtain the true understanding,1 and interpretation of the Holy Scriptures, no less then any other always brought up in learning. Of what sort S. Antony that Holy, and perfect man the Eremite of Egypt,2 was. Who, as S. Augustine writeth, without any knowledge of letters, both canned the Scriptures by heart with hearing, and understood them wisely with thinking. And that holy man, whom S Gregory speaketh of, who lying Bedrid many years for sickness of Body, through earnest prayer and devout meditation, obtained health of mind, and understanding of the Scriptures, never having learned letters, so as he was able to expound them to those, that came to visit him: who coming unto him with pretence to bring comfort, through his heavenly knowledge, received comfort. But among the people, how great number is there of lewd Losels, Gluttons, and Drunkards, whose belly is their God, who follow their unruly lusts? Is it to be thought, this sort of persons may without meditation, and exercise of prayer, pierce the understanding of the Scriptures, and of those holy Mysteries, which God hath hidden (as Christ confesseth) from the Learned and wise man, and opened unto little ones?
And, lest al the vnlearned lay people should seeme hereby vtterly reiected from hope of vnderstandinge Goddes woorde without teachinge of others, it may be graunted, that it is not impossible, a man (be he neuer so vnlearned) exercised in longe Praier, accustomed to feruent contemplation, being brought by God into his inwarde cellares, may from thence obteine the true vnderstandinge,