A04474:4052
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.
Ye say, There are non•, but a few, light, unstable persons of […]side.
Ye saye, There are non•, but a fevv, light, vnstable personnes of 〈…〉side.
And therefore of good will, and friendship ye counsel me to return to you again. But a few, say you? and the same unstable, and light persons? Surely, M. Harding, if you could behold the wonderful works, that God hath wrought in the Kingdoms, of England, France, Denmark, Polonia, Suecia, Bohemia, and Scotland: and in the noble states, and Common Weals of Germany, Helvetia, Prussia, Russia, Lituania, Pomerania, Austria, Rhetia, Vallis Tellina, &c. ye would not greatly find fault with the number, nor think, that they, whom it hath pleased GOD in all these Kingdoms, and Countries to call to the knowledge, and feeling of his holy Gospel, are so few. And if ye could also consider the extremity, and cruelty of your side, and the abundance of innocent blood, that so constantly hath been yielded for the testimony of the Trueth, ye would not so lightly call them, either unstable, or light persons. Certainly, they, whom you seem so lightly to esteem, are Kings, Princes, Magistrates, Counsellors, and the gravest, and greattest learned Fathers of Christendom. If it please God of ⟨image 339⟩his mercy to bliss, and increase, that he hath begun, within few years ye shall find but few, that will so lightly be deceived, and follow you. In all Countries they flee from you, and forsake you Ye can no longer hold them, but either by Ignorance, or by force, and Tyranny. The people, whom it liketh you to cal•e Dogs, and Swine, are neither so beastly, nor so unsensible, and void of Reason, but that they are able now, to espy them, by whom they so often have been deceived. They are able now to discern the Trueth, from Falsehood: and the true Shepherd, from a stranger: and lament your pitiful case, that are so suddenly fallen back, and welter so miserably in your error.