A04474:972
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 2 › The B. of Salisbury.Article 2 › 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.
This Serapion for open Idolatry by him committed, was excommunicate from the Church, and utterly cut of from the company of the faithful, and that in such extreme sort for the greater terror of others, that during his life he should never be admitted again. Notwithstanding which extremity, upon good proofs, and tokens of repentance, lest the party should be utterly swallowed up with despair, the Church oftentimes with charitable discretion, remitted some part of that rigour: as may appear by S. Cyprian, S. Augustine, and others, and by Dionysius that wrote this story.
This Serapion for open Idolatrie by him committed, was excommunicate from the Churche, and vtterly cutte of from the company of the faithful, and that in suche extreeme sorte for the greatter terrour of others, that duringe his life he shoulde neuer be admitted againe. Notwithstandinge whiche extremitie, vpon good proufes, and tokens of repentance, lest the partie shoulde be vtterly swalowed vp with despayre, the Churche oftentimes with charitable discretion, remitted some parte of that rigour: as may appéere by S. Cyprian, S. Augustine, and others, and by Dionysius that wrote this storie.
S. Augustine speaking of the times of persecution, Do not we consider (saith he)1 in what multitudes the people in such dangers resorteth to the Church, some desiring they may be Baptized, some that they may be reconciled from excommunication, some that they may be admitted to show their repentance (for their open crimes) every man desiring consort, every man desiring the participation of the Sacrament? In which case if there be no Minister to be had, what misery then followeth them, that depart this life either unbaptized, or else bound (in their sins?) Likewise S. Cyprian saith, In this extreme case of death, the party excommunicate should not tarry to be reconciled by the Bishop (in the presence of the Church, as the order was then) but discharge him self before any Deacon, and so depart unto the Lord in peace. Therefore the priest understanding the state, the old man Serapion being excommunicate stood in, and being not able for sickness to go him self, least he should depart comfortless in desperation, in token that he was reconciled unto the Church, sent unto him the sacrament by the lad, and sent it not in one kind only, but in both. For such was the order of the Church then,