A04483:238
A view of a seditious bull sent into England, from Pius Quintus Bishop of…A viewe of a seditious bul sent into Englande, from Pius Quintus Bishop of…
A view of a seditious bull sent into England, from Pius Quintus Bishop of Rome, anno. 1569. Taken by the reverend Father in God, John Jewel, late Bishop of Salisbury. Whereunto is added a short treatise of the holy Scriptures. Both which he delivered in divers sermons in his cathedral church of Salisbury, anno. 1570A viewe of a seditious bul sent into Englande, from Pius Quintus Bishop of Rome, anno. 1569. Taken by the reuerende Father in God, Iohn Iewel, late Bishop of Salisburie. Wherevnto is added a short treatise of the holy Scriptures. Both which he deliuered in diuers sermons in his cathedral church of Salisburie, anno. 1570
London: printed by R. Newberie & H. Bynneman, 1582
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Some things in the Scriptures are ⟨p. 208⟩hard, I deny it not. It is very expedient that somewhat should be covered, to make us more diligent in reading, more desirous to understand, more fervent in prayer, more willing to ask the judgement of others, and to presume the less of our own judgement. Gregory saith:1 Magnae utilitatis est ipsa obscuritas eloquiorum Dei. Facit enim, &c. The hardness which is in the word of God, is very profitable: For it causeth a man to take that profit by pains, which he could not take with negligence. If the understanding were open, and manifest, it would be little set by. 2Cyrillus saith: Omnia plana & recta sunt illis, qui cognitionem inuenerunt: fatuis verò etiam facilima• ob secura videntur: All things are plain and straight to them, that have found knowledge: but to such as are fools the most easiest places seem hard. 3And again: Eaequae perspicua sunt, difficilia sunt haereticis. Quomodo enim in malevolam animam intrabit sap•entia? Those things which are plain, are hard unto Heretics. For ⟨p. 209⟩how can wisdom enter into a wicked heart? It is true, which S. Peter hath said, some things are hard to be understand. But it is also true, that they which pervert them unto their own destruction are unlearned, and unstable: that is, they to whom they are hard, have not their eyes opened, that they may see the light of the word: or they be wicked, and turn the truth of God into lies, and abuse the Scriptures to their own damnation. The Howlet seeth not by the brightness of the Sun, not because the Sun beams are dark, but for that his eyes are weak, and cannot abide so clear light: it is therefore but a pretence and a colour for their ignorance, and a means to deceive the people more boldly with their errors, when they charge the word of God with darkness and hardness. For how many hundred places are there which be as clear as noon day? God saith:4