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.

The Apologie, Cap. 8. Diuision. 1.

But nowe, sithence none of vs maie bee suffered so mutche as to sitte, or once to be seene in these mennes meetinges, mutche lesse suffe∣red to speake freely our minde: and seeinge the Popes Legates, Patri∣arches, Archebishoppes, Bishoppes, and Abbates, al being conspi∣red togeather, al linked togeather in one kinde of faulte, & al bounde by one othe, sitte alone by them selues, and haue power alone to geeue their consente: and at last, when thei haue al donne, as though thei had donne nothinge, bringe al their opinions to be iudged at the wil, and pleasure of the Pope, being but one man, to thende he maie pro∣nounce his owne sentence of him selfe, who ought rather to haue an∣sweared to his complainte: sithence also the same Ancient, and chri∣stian Libertie, whiche of al right shoulde specially bee in christian councelles, is nowe vtterly taken away from the councel: for these causes, I saie, wise and good menne ought not to marueile at this daie, though we doo the like nowe, that, thei see, was donne in times past in like case, of so many Fathers, & Catholique Bishoppes: which is, though we chuse rather to sit at home, and leaue our whole cause to God, then to iournei thither, where as wee neither can haue place, nor be hable to doo any good: where as wee can obteine no audience: where as Princes Embassadours be but vsed as mockinge stockes: & where as also al wee be condemned already before trial: as though the mater were a forehande dispatched, and agreed vpon.

M. Hardinge.

If I wishe, ye woulde take my counsel in good parte, and listen vnto it,* 1.1 as it standeth you vpon, I would aduise you to cal in al the bookes of your Apologie, and that with no lesse diligence, then yee went about to suppresse the Bookes of my answeare to M. Iuelles chalenge, at their firste comminge a∣brode. That done, to caste bruites abrode, that the Apologie was made and counterfeited by some craf∣ty Papist, to bringe you quite out of credite with al the worlde. So might ye perhaps in time recouer some parte of your lost estimation. For whiles your Bookes be in mennes handes, they shalbe an euident witnes to al the worlde, of your shameles lieing.

The Booke of the Canons, and Decrees of the Councel, hathe benne printed almoste in al partes of Christendome. Looke who liste, in euery Booke he shal finde three seueral solemne Safeconductes, graun∣ted by the Councel, and confirmed by the three Popes, vnder whome the same was celebrated. VVhiche

Safeconductes conteine firste in moste ample wise ful Libertie, Power, Auctoritie, and assurance for al and singuler persons of al Germanie, of what degree, state, condition, or qualitie so euer they bee, that would come to that oecumenical and general Councel, to conferre, propounde, and treate with al free∣dome, of al thinges to be treated there, and to the same Councel freely, and safely to come, there to tarry and abide, and to offer and put vp articles, so many as they thought good, as wel in writinge, as by woorde, and with the Fathers, and others thereto chosen, to conferre, and without any reproches, or vp∣braidinges to dispute, also at theire pleasure safely againe from thence to departe.

An extension to other Nations.

The same holy Councel in the holy Ghoste lavvefully assem∣bled, the same Legates de latere of the See Apostolike, being pre∣sident in it, to al and singuler others, vvhiche haue not cōmunion vvith vs in those maters, that be of Faithe, of vvhat so euer King∣domes, Nations, Prouinces, Citties, and Places, in vvhiche openly, and vvithout punishement, is preached, or taught, or beleued the contrarie of that, vvhiche the holy Romaine Churche holdeth, geueth Faithe publique or Safeconducte, vnder the same forme, and the same vvordes, vvith vvhich it is geuen to the Germaines.

This being moste true, as the better part of the worlde seeth, and the Bookes, and publique instru∣mentes extant doo witnesse, your excuse of your refusal to come to the Councel, as Bishoppes of other Christian Realmes did, is founde false.* 1.2 Ye had al free libertie and securitie, graunted vnto you for that behalfe, in so ample and large maner, as mans witte coulde denise.

The seconde cause why ye came not, is, for that the Popes Legates, Patriarches, Archebishoppes. Bishoppes, and Abbotes, al being conspired together, al lincked together in one kinde of faulte, and al bounde in one Othe, sitte alone by them selues, and haue power alone to geue theire consent. VVhat is here that should let you to ioine with others for procuring vnitie, and peace in Christendome? Com∣plaine ye of the Fathers concorde and agreeinge togeather?‡ 1.3 That is a signe, the spirite of God, au∣thour of charitie and vnitie, gouerneth their hartes. In that respect, they seeme to comme togeather in the holy Ghoste. And in deede, had ye gone thither, your heresie•• had benne confuted, your selues re∣quired to yelde, and to conforme you to the Catholique churche or els ye had benne anathematized, ac∣cursed, and condemned.

Your third cause is, for that the determinations, and decrees of the Councel, be referred to the Pope. To that we haue answeared before. The Pope confirmeth al, being head ouer the Councel.* 1.4 Doth not the Queene so pardy cōfirme your actes of Parlament, by geuing her Roial assent vnto them at the ende of the Parlament? VVhat thinge can be done perfitly by a body without the head? And who might better confirme Councels, then he, whose Faithe in pronouncinge sentence, rightly and duely,* 1.5 in maters concerning Faithe, we are assured by Christes praier, to be infallible?

Your fourth cause is, for as mutche as the Ancient, and Christian libertie, which of right should specially be in Christian Councels, is now vtterly taken away. This cause is not different frō your first.

Your fifth cause is a false lie, that Princes Ambassadours be vsed, but as mocking stockes.‡ 1.6 Truthe it is, thei haue moste honourable seates in al Councels. In this Councel thei sate by the Legates. Euery Ambassadour hath his place there according to the degree of honoure, the kingdomes, common weales, states, and Princes be of, from whence, and from whom he commeth.

The sixt, and last cause ye alleage for your not comming to the Councel is, for that ye be cōdemned already before trial, as though the matter were aforehand dispatched and agreed vpon. In dede* 1.7 your heresies for the more part be and haue ben condemned about a thousand yeres past. And therefore thei are not nowe to be called vnto a newe trial, as though the Churche vntil this daie, had benne deceiued, and so many Fathers ouerseene. This notwithstanding, maie ye wel saie, touching that point, your mat∣ter is afore hand dispatched, and agreed vpon. For thei knowe, what ye can saie, and see, that ye saie nothing, but onely stande wilfully and stubbornly in your false opinions, and fleshly pleasures.

The B. of Sarisburie.

Wee neuer suppressed any of your Bookes, M. Hardinge, as you knowe:* 1.8 but are very wel contented, to see them so common, that as nowe, children maie plaie with them in the Streetes. Your manifest Vntruthes: your Simple Conclusions: your often Contrarieties to your selfe: your Newe founde Authoures: your Chil∣dishe Fables: your Vncourteous Speaches: your Rackinge, Corrupting, & Misce∣portinge of the Doctours therein couteined, haue mutche bewraied the miserable feeblenesse of your cause. Your Felowes haue no cause, greately to glorie in sutche healpes: nomore then in other your like Pamflettes, vnmeete of any wise man to be answeared. This was your onely, and special policie, in the time of your late Kingdome. Yee suppressed, and called in, & burnt al our Writinges, what so euer, yea, the very Testament, & Gospel of Christe, truely translated into Englishe, naming them Heretical, and Vnlawful Bookes. And, if any man had conceled, and keapte vnto him selfe for his cōforte, any sutche Booke written by any of our syde, by most terrible, & bloudy Proclamations, yee made it Felonie. So mutche yee despaired, and doubted your owne folies.

As for the Bookes of our Apologie, they haue ben spreadde so farre, & printed so often, in Latine, in Italian, in Frenche, in Duitche, in Englishe, that, as nowe, it were hard to suppresse them. Touchinge the shamelesse lieinge, wherewith yee charge vs. we are wel content to stande to the Iudgement of the wise. Certainely, it shameth vs mutche, to see so litle shame in youre Writinges.

Yee saie, The Pope gaue out his Saueconducte to al the Princes, and Free Citties, and to the whole people of Germanie, to come to the Councel, to propounde, to dispute at theire pleasure, and, when they shoulde thinke it good, freely, and safely to returne, with a large Extension to other Nations, as yee saie, to like pourpose.

But firste, M. Hardinge, what safetie can there be in his Saueconducte, that is not hable to saue him selfe? Pope Eugenius the fourthe,* 1.9 if he had comme to the Councel of Basile, as you knowe, had benne quite deposed from his Popedome, al his Saueconductes notwithstandinge. Pope Iohn. 22. gaue oute as sure a Sa∣ueconducte for the Councel of Constance, as Pope Pius could diuise any for your late Chapter of Tridente. Yet notwithstandinge al his Safetie,* 1.10 beinge him selfe present in the Councel, he was pulled out of Peters Chaire, and depriued of his Dignitie, and stripte out of his Pontificalibus, and turned home againe in his Minoribus, and allowed onely to be a Cardinal, and no lenger to be a Pope. Yee maie remember, Cicero saithe, Qui multorum Custodem se profiteatur, eum sapien∣tes sui primùm capitis aiunt Custodem esse oportere:* 1.11 Wise menne saie, Who so wil take vpon him to saue others, oughte first to saue him selfe.

And what credite maie wee geeue to youre Saueconductes?* 1.12 Iacobus Nachi∣antes. the Bishop of Chioca, for that he had simpred out one halfe woorde of truthe to the mislikinge of the Legates, was faine to renne to Rome, to crepe to the Popes feete, and to craue Pardonne. Yee shamefully betraied, & cruelly mur∣thered Iohn Husse, & Hieronymus Pragensis in your Coūcel of Cōstance. Nei∣ther y^• Protection of the Emperoure, nor the Popes Saueconducte was hable to saue thē. No, your selues haue already ruled y^• case in your said Councel. For thus yee saie, Fides non est seruanda Hereticis: Yee maie holde no Faithe vnto them, that yee calle Heretiques. Sutche is the Safetie,* 1.13 and Libertie of your Councelles.

Ye saie, Our Learned Men were allowed to Propounde, to Talke, to Dispute. What shoulde this auaile? For yee reserued the Determination, and whole Iudgemente to youre selues: and youre selues are sworne to submitte yours whole Iudge∣mente

to the Pope,* 1.14 and without his Iudgemente to Iudge nothinge. And howe maie this seeme a Free Councel, were the guilty partie shalbe the Iudge?

Yee saie, There is an Extension graunted to other Nations. Al this is true in deede. But this same Truthe discrieth youre open Mockerie. For if yee hadde seene the Instrumente, in the ende thereof yee shoulde haue founde youre saide Extension restrained onely to them,* 1.15 that woulde Repente, and Recante the Truthe of God, whiche you calle Erroure.

Howe be it, not longe sithence, the Bishoppes of youre saide Chapter at Tridente were very lothe to allowe any tolerable Sauecondite at al, either to the Germaines, or to any others.

But yee saie, if wee hadde comme to youre Chapter, we hadde benne Confounded. No doubtes, with youre Firy Argumentes. For sutche proufes muste healpe you, when others faile.

As for the gaie stuffe, that youre Tridentine Fathers, after theire Nature Deliberation, as they calle it, and more then twentie yeeres studie, haue sente vs out lately into the worlde, it is too simple to mocke Children.

Wee finde no faulte with you, M. Hardinge, for that youre Bishoppes, and Abbates agree togeather: but for that they agree togeather, as did Herode, and Pilate,* 1.16 the Sadduceis, and Phariseis againste Christe.

Neither maie you wel vaunte youre selues of youre greate agreementes. Yee maie remember, that twoo of the Principal Pillers of youre Chapter,* 1.17 Pe∣trus à Soto, and Catharinus, dissented euen there openly, and shamefully, and that in greate pointes of Religion: and wrote, the one mightily againste the o∣ther: the one charginge the other with Erroure, and Heresie, and coulde neuer bee reconciled.

Notwithstandinge, againste other pointes of Goddes Truthe, bothe they, and the reste ioined stoutely togeather. S. Augustine saithe,* 1.18 Tunc inter se concordant, quando in perniciem Iusti conspirant. Non quia se amant, sed quia eum, qui amandus erat, simul oderunt: Then they agree togeather, when they conspire to destroie the Iuste: not for that they them selues loue one an other: but for that they bothe hate him, whome they ought to loue. Of sutche kinde of Consente S. Hierome, although to a farre contrarie pourpose, imagineth Iouinian thus to saie:* 1.19 Quo'd me damnant Episcopi, non est ratio, sed conspiratio. Nolo mihi ille, vel ille respondeat, quorum me Authoritas opprimere potest, docere non potest: That the Bishoppes condemne me, there is no Reason in theire dooinges, but a Conspiracie. I would not, that this man, or that man shoulde answeare mee, whiche maie oppresse mee by theire Authoritie, and cannot teache mee.

Whether it bee conueniente, that the Pope, beinge notoriously accused of manifeste corruption in Goddes Religion, shoulde neuerthelesse be the whole, and onely Iudge of the same, and pronounce sentence of him selfe, let it be indiffe∣rently considered by the wise.

The Lawe saithe,* 1.20 Nemo sibi debet Ius Dicere: No man maie bee his owne Iudge. Sutche Authoritie, yee saie, Kinges haue in Parlamentes. Hereof I am not hable to dispute. The Princes right many times passeth by Composition: and therefore is not euermore one in al places. Howe be it, the Pope is a Bishop, and not a Kinge: and other Bishoppes be not his Subiectes, but his Brethren.

Youre fourthe Obiection is but a Cauil. Yee saie, yee mocke not Princes Em∣bassadours, but place them nexte vnto youre Legates: to sitte stil, I trowe, and to telle the Clocke. For voice in Iudgemēt ye allowe them none. Thus ye proine their Authoritie, and allowe them Honoure. Notwithstandinge, whether the Emperours, and Princes Embassadours maie sitte so neare to the Popes Le∣gates,

or no, I can not tel.* 1.21 Verily the Emperoure him selfe maie not be so bolde, to presse so neare vnto the Pope. For thus it is ordered in youre Booke of Cere∣monies: Aduertendum est, quod locus, vbi sedet Imperator, non sit altior loco, vbi te∣net pedes Pontifex:* 1.22 This is to be noted, that the place, where the Emperoure sitteth (in General Councel) be no higher, then the place, where the Pope setteth his feete. That is to saie, the Emperoure must sitte at the Popes footestoole, and no higher.

Al the partes of oure Religion, whiche you calle Heresies, yee saie, are alrea∣dy condemned, iuste a thousande yeeres paste. Here, M. Hardinge, it woulde haue woonne you somme good credite, if yee could haue tolde vs, in what General Coun∣cel, vnder what Emperoure, by what Doctours, by what Catholique Learned Fathers, these greate Errours were thus condemned. As nowe, yee roaue onely at large, and feede youre simple Reader with youre emptie Calendares, of thousandes of yeeres, and speake at randonne. If it hadde benne true, yee woulde better haue shewed it: but beinge moste vntrue, as you knowe it to bee, for very shame, yee should neuer haue saide it.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A sage piece of Counsel, and meete for a Do∣ctour of Diui∣nitie.
• * 1.2

  A ful discrete kinde of Moc∣kerie. Thei offer menne libertie to comme, and speake: but re∣serue the vvhole Iudgemente to them selues.
• ‡ 1.3

  Thei agree to∣geather againste God, and his Christe.
• * 1.4

  But vvho made youre Pope a Kinge? And vvhē vvil he geeue his Real Consent a∣gainst him selfe?
• * 1.5

  Luke. ••2.
• ‡ 1.6

  Thei are allo∣vved a place: but touchinge Iud∣gemente, thei maie saie no∣thinge.
• * 1.7

  Vntruthe, vvithout any coloure of ho∣neste shame.
• * 1.8

  The Popes Sauecon∣ducte.
• * 1.9

  Concil. Basilien. Session. 3. & 4.
• * 1.10

  Concil. Constan. Session. 2. 3. 4.
• * 1.11

  Cicero. Philip. 12
• * 1.12

  Illyricus in Pro∣test. contra Con∣cil. Tridentin. pag. 77.
• * 1.13

  Concil. Constan. Session. 19.
• * 1.14

  The A∣greement of the Tri∣dētine Fa∣thers.
• * 1.15

  Io. Fabritius in Recusatione Cō∣cil. Triden. Iohan Sleidanus li. 23. Anno 1552.
• * 1.16

  Matt. 22. &. 26.
• * 1.17

  Petrus à Soto. Catharinus.
• * 1.18

  August. In Psal. 36. Concione. 2.
• * 1.19

  Hieronym. In A∣polo••etico ad Domnionem.
• * 1.20

  ff. De Iurisdict. omniū Iudicum.
• * 1.21

  The pla∣cinge of Embassa∣dours.
• * 1.22

  Ceremoniarium Roman. li. 1. Sect. 14. cap. 2.