M. Hardinge.
Gregorie Nazianzene in his Epistle to Procopius saithe thus: I refuse to come to whatsoeuer Councell of Bishoppes. Because I coulde neuer yet to this daie see the ende of any Councell ende wed with any profite, and after whiche, thinges amisse were not rather made more greuous, then healed. Nazianzene in that Epistle spake of* 1.1 prouinciall Councelles, specially those that were holden in his troublesome times, where most commonly Heretikes through fauour of their deceiued Princes bare the swea. VVhiche in matters of Faithe coulde hardely then obteine any credite amonge the Catholikes, onlesse they had benne confirmed by the auctoritie of the Bishop of Rome: of whiche sorte at that age were fewe. Those other Nazianzene had experience of, of these he had not. Albeit in deede the vtilitie of the Nicence Councell in his time, that is to saie, within so fewe yeeres after the same was holden, was not yet thoroughly espied, and fully knowen abroade. Neither would he, if he were aliue at this daie, reproue the Holy generall Councell of Trente, as ye doo. For why shoulde he?
‡ 1.2 And how shamelesse be ye, to require vs, to yelde and geue place vnto you? VVho made you iudges ouer vs? ‡ VVho gaue you commission? VVhere is your warrant?
VVhat neede ye to shewe your malice so muche at Bishoppes, and Abbattes? VVhiche of them hurteth you? Haue ye not in prison, or in custody* 1.3 at your appointement all the Bishoppes of England, one Apostata yet liuinge excepted, which after sundry flightes and changinge of cotes, is fledde from the tentes of the Churche to your scattered troupes? The Abbottes, haue ye not driuen them awaie? Be ye yet a fraide of their shadowes? As by Aristotle a Cittie can not consiste of Bastardes, nomore can the Churche of Englande consiste of suche Bastarde Bishoppes, as ye be: what number of Abbottes ye haue lefte in Cloisters, suche number of true Bishoppes haue yee lefte in Churches. One muste I still except, who is a true Bishop by consecration (as I vnderstande) though a false man by Apostasie, and goinge from his Faithe, and from his Religion.