The Apologie, Cap. 3. Diuision. 4.
But, I put case, these Abbates, & Bishoppes, haue no knowlege: what if they vnderstande nothinge, what Religion is, nor howe we ought to thinke of God? I put case, the pronouncinge, & ministringe of the Lawe be decaied in Priestes, and good counsel faile in the Elders,* 1.1 & as the Prophete Micheas saith, The Night be vnto them in steede of a vision, and darkenesse in steede of Prophesienge: Or,* 1.2 as Esaias saithe, VVhat if al the vvatchemen of the cittie be become blinde? VVhat if the Salte haue loste his propre strength and sauerinesse,* 1.3 and as christe saithe, be good for no vse, scante vvoorthe the castinge on the dounghil?
M. Hardinge.
The worlde knoweth so well, (yea Heauen also) the greate woorthinesse of those Fathers in eue∣ry respect, that, I should doo them wronge here to praise them, for that by your fonde surmises you seeke their dispraise.
The B. of Sarisburie.
Heauen,* 1.4 and Earthe knoweth, M. Hardinge, that twoo of your Reuerende vvoorthy Fathers, notwithstandinge their vertues, and al their greate woorthi∣nesse, were taken, and slaine in Aduouterie, euen there presente at your Councel. Therefore yee doo your selfe somme wronge, in respecte of your credite, so waste∣fully to bestowe your praises.