A04474:580
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 1 › The B. of Salisbury.Article 1 › 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.
But what if the very words of these Councils, whereupon M. Harding hath founded his Mass, make manifest proof against his Mass? The words be these: Al Secular Christian folk, be bound to receive the Communion at the least thrice in the year. This Relaxation or Privilege is granted only unto the Secular Christians. Whereof it followeth necessarily, that all Ecclesiastical persons, as Priests, Deacons, Clerks, & others what so ever of the sort were not excepted, but stood still bound to receive orderly, as they had done before: and that was at all times when so ever there was any Ministration. And so by the plain words of these Councils the priest received not alone: neither hath M. Harding yet found out his Private Mass.
But what if the very woordes of these Councels, wherevpon M. Hardinge hath founded his Masse, make manifest proufe against his Masse? The woordes be these: Al Secular Christian folke, be bounde to receiue the Communion at the least thrise in the yere. This Relaxation or Priuilege is graunted onely vnto the Secular Christians. Whereof it foloweth necessarily, yt al Ecclesiastical persons, as Priestes, Deacons, Clerkes, & others what so euer of ye sorte were not excepted, but stoode stil bounde to receiue orderly, as thei had doone before: and yt was at al times when so euer there was any Ministration. And so by the plaine woordes of these Councels the priest receiued not alone: neither hath M. Hardinge yet founde out his Priuate Masse.
But that the whole matter may the better appear, not by guess, or aim, but by the very Ecclesiastical order of that age, we must understand, that these and such other like Decrees were made, not for the greattest part of the people, that in those days used to Communicate in all their assemblies, but for a few, that were negligent, and haled back. For otherwise the general order doth well appear, by all the Ecclesiastical records of that time.
But that the whole mater may the better appeare, not by gheasse, or ayme, but by the very Ecclesiastical order of that age, we must vnderstande, that these and suche other lyke Decrees were made, not for the greattest parte of the people, that in those daies vsed to Communicate in al their assemblies, but for a fewe, that were negligent, and haled backe. For otherwise the general order dooth wel appeare, by al the Ecclesiastical recordes of that time.