A defence of the Apologie of the Churche of Englande conteininge an answeare to a certaine booke lately set foorthe by M. Hardinge, and entituled, A confutation of &c. By Iohn Iewel Bishop of Sarisburie.

M. Hardinge.

VVhat a foolishe putcase, and what a fond what if is that, to saie, VVhat if a pirate inuade the Arke of Noe?‡ 1.1 As though God sate not at the sterne, and had the bel••e in his owne hande.

* 1.2 Antichriste can not sit in the temple of God,* 1.3 vntil the vicare of Christe, who keepeth posses∣sion, be throwen out, and then wil Christe come with his Angels to destroie the wicked man with the breath of his mouth. Ye that are the berbingers of Antichriste, are not yet able to cast out the lieutenant of Christe.* 1.4 Ye heaue at the vnderministers. Your maister wil accompleshe al iniquitie, and he shalbe the desolation that Christe spake of. VVe vnderstande, what ye shoote at. But ye are ashamed to vtter plainely your blasphemie.‡ 1.5 Ye would saie (as it may seeme) if ye durste, that Christe is the desolation, and that Antichrist is the true God.* 1.6 In effect I do not greatly belie you.

Neither if the Apostles might go from the Bishoppes of Moses lawe, therefore may ye departe from the vicare of Christe. For the lawe of Moses is changed, and the priesthod of Aaron is trans∣ferred: But the lawe and priesthood of Iesus Christe tarieth for euer, as Dauid said, Thou art priest for euer, according to the order of Melchisedech. Ye hault too manifestly.

Notes

• ‡ 1.1

  As though S. Paule had not vvarned vs, that Antichriste shal sitte, and shevve him selfe in the place of Christe.
• * 1.2

  Ergo An∣tichriste shal sitte in the Popes chaire. 2. Thess. 2
• * 1.3

  But vvhat if Christes Vicare him selfe be An∣tichriste?
• * 1.4

  Math. 24.
• ‡ 1.5

  Vntruth, Ma∣licious and sclaunderous.
• * 1.6

  Ergo yee belie vs, al∣though not greatly.