The Apologie, Cap. 12. Diuision. 1.
If it be so, that the Churche of Rome cannot erre, it muste needes folowe, that the good lucke thereof is farre greater, then al these mennes policie. For sutche is their Life, their Doctrine, and their Diligence, that for al them, the Churche maie not onely erre, but also vtterly be spoiled, and perish••. No doubte, if that Churche maie erre, whiche hath departed from Goddes VVoorde, from Christes Commaundementes, from the Apostles Ordinaunces, from the Primitiue Churches Examples, from the Olde Fathers, and Councelles Orders, and from their owne Decrees, and whiche wil be bounde within the compasse of none, neither Olde, nor Newe, nor their owne, nor other folkes, nor Mannes Lawe, nor Goddes Lawe, then it is out of al question, that the Romishe Churche hath not onely had power to erre, but also that it hathe shamefully, and moste wickedly erred in very deede.
M. Hardinge.
A man would haue thought, you woulde haue brought some substantiall Argumente, whereby to prooue, that the Churche erreth. Neither make you excuse in that, you speake of the Romaine Churche.* 1.1 In this accompte wee make no difference betwene the Romaine Churche, and the Churche. But all your proufes depende vpon your iffes, whiche beinge denied, you haue nomore to saie. No doubte (saie you) if that Churche maie erre, whiche hath departed from Goddes VVoorde, from Christes Commaundementes, &c. then it hath erred in very deede. But Syr, what if a man denie your supposal, and staie you in your firste if? VVhat haue you to prooue it? All that you haue saide hitherto. We knowe, and of litle force it is. But no doubte, saie you, if that Churche maie erre, which hath departed from Goddes VVoorde, &c. Yea forsoothe, if all iffes were true, then if Hea∣uen fell, wee shoulde catche Larkes. And if a bridge were made betwene Douer and Calys, wee mighte goe to Boleine a foote, as VVilliam Somer once tolde Kinge Henry, if it be true, that I haue hearde saie.
The B. of Sarisburie.
Here in nothinge els, but onely the Canonization of poore VVilliam Som∣mer. While your Bookes, M. Hardinge, shal liue, al his sage sawes shal neuer die.