A04474:67
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
Preface: ¶AN ANSWER TO M. Hardinges Preface.Preface: ¶AN ANSVVEARE TO M. Hardinges Preface.
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.
Where you say, what so ever skill, or knowledge I have, or had, I have evermore bent it only to the reproach, and slander of the Church, it is no great mastery, M. Harding, to speak il. But I trust, God him self, that judgeth justly, judgeth otherwise. If there be in me, I say not, any talent, but only any mite of a talent, my prayer unto God is, and ever was, it may be bestowed wholly to the honour, and comfort of his Church.
Where yow saie, what so euer skil, or knowledge I haue, or had, I haue euermore bente it onely to the reproche, and sclaunder of the Churche, it is no greate maisterie, M. Hardinge, to speake il. But I trust, God him selfe, that iudgeth iustly, iudgeth otherwise. Yf there be in mee, I say not, any talente, but onely any mite of a talente, my praier vnto God is, and euer was, it maie be bestowed wholy to the honoure, and comforte of his Churche.
And yet may not you, M. Harding, neither set such store by your self, nor so much abase, and discredit others, as though besides you, & your fellows, there were no man meet to be counted learned. When the Jews, in contempt of all others, boasted them selves to be the only stock, and Blood of Abraham, S. Paul by an humble kind of presumption doubted not in all respects to compare with them in this wise:1 Hebrews they be: and so am I. Israelites they be: and so am I. The seed of Abraham they be: and so am I. Again he saith, Thus do I, and thus will I do, that in the things, whereof they glory, they may be found to be, as we are.
And yet maie not yow, M. Hardinge, neither sette sutche stoare by your selfe, nor so mutche abase, and discredite others, as though bisides yow, & your felowes, there were noman méete to be counted learned. When the Iewes, in contempte of al others, boasted them selues to be the onely stocke, and Bloud of Abraham, S. Paule by an humble kinde of presumption doubted not in al respectes to compare with them in this wise:1 Hebrewes they be: and so am I. Israelites they be: and so am I. The seede of Abraham they be: and so am I. Againe he saith, Thus doo I, and thus wil I doo, that in the thinges, whereof they glorie, they maie be founde to be, as wee are.