A04474:4047
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.
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.
Where as it liketh you, so bitterly, as your manner is, to call us Heretics, and to say, We sit in the Chair of Pestilence, and that the people learneth of us dissolution of manners, and liberty of the Flesh, and walketh utterly without sense, or fear, or care of God, It standeth not with your credit, thus with manifest untruths, and common slanders to inveigle your Reader. Balach, when he saw, he could not prevail against the people of God by force of arms,1 he began to rail against them, and to curse them, thinking, that by such means he should prevail.
VVhere as it lik•th you, so bitterly, as your manner is, to calle vs Heretiques, and to say, VVee sit in the Chaire of Pestilence, and that the people learneth of vs dissolution of manners, and libertie of the Fleashe, and vvalketh vtterly vvithout sense, or feare, or care of God, It standeth not with your credite, thus with manifest vntruethes, and common sclaunders to enuegle your Reader. Balach, when he sawe, he coulde not preuaile against the people of God by force of armes,