A04474:4046
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
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.
These are the contents of your Book: this is the substance of your proofs. Thus, I fear me, ye know, ye dally, and deal not plainly: thus, ye know, ye abuse the patience, and simplicity of your Reader. And did you imagine, M. Harding, that your Book should pass only among children, or that it should never be examined, and come to trial? or, did you think, that only with the sound hereof, ye should be able to beat down, and to vanquish the trueth of God?
These are the contentes of your Booke: this is the substance of your proufes. Thus, I feare mee, ye know, ye dally, and deale not plainely: thus, ye know, ye abuse the patience, and simplicitie of your Reader. And did you imagin, M. Hardinge, that your Booke shoulde passe onely emonge children, or that it shoulde neuer be examined, and come to trial? or, did you thinke, that onely with the sounde hereof, ye should be hable to beate downe, and to vanquishe the trueth of God?
As for your Eloquence, and furniture of words, as it serveth well, to make the matter more saleable in the sight of the simple, so it addeth but small weight unto the Trueth. Wise men are lead with choice of matter, not with noise of words: and try their gold, not only by the sound, which often deceiveth, but also by the touch stone, and by the weight. Although your Eloquence may work miracles in the ears of the unlearned, that cannot judge, yet it cannot turn, neither water into Wine: nor Darkness into Light: nor Error into Trueth. There is no Eloquence, there is no colour against the Lord.
As for your Eloquence, and furniture of woordes, as it serueth wel, to make the mater more salehable in the sight of the simple, so it addeth but smal weight vnto the Trueth. VVise men are leadde with choise of mater, not with noice of woordes: and trie their golde, not onely by the sounde, whiche often deceiueth, but also by the touche stoane, and by the weight. Although your Eloquence may woorke miracles in the eares of the vnlearned, that cannot iudge, yet it cannot turne, neither water into VVine: nor Darknesse into Light: nor Errour into Trueth. There is no Eloquence, there is no coloure against the Lorde.