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.

It is wel, that ye vse the terme of the beginninge and procedinges of your Religion. For in deede of late yeres it beganne, not at Ierusalem, but at Wittenberg. Neither was it first deliuered vnto you by an Apostle, but by an Apostata. Stil it procedeth, and the farther of from the end. And wel may ye name it your Procedinges, for there is no staie in it. VVhat likethe to day, mislike the tomorowe. The seely begiled soules that folowe it, be as S. Paule saithe, ouer learninge, and neuer reachinge to the knowledge of the Truthe.* 1.1

Did not your Religion beginne firste of Co••etise,* 1.2 and grew it not afterward of rancour and malice,* 1.3 whiche Martin Luther conceiued against the Dominican Friers in Saxonie, because Albert the Archebishop of Mentz and Electour of the Empire, had admitted them to be Preachers of the Pardon of a Croisade against the Turkes, cōtrary to an Ancient custome, whereby the Augustine Friers, of whom Luther was one, had of longe time ben in possession of that preserment? Is it not wel knowen what afstirre Frier Luther made against Iohn Tetzet the Frier of S. Dominikes order, for that the said Tet∣zet was made chiefe preacher of a Pardon. wherein, was greate gaine, and thereby him selfe was bereft of that sweete Morsel, whiche in hope he had almost swallowed downe?

Where you saie, your Religion is spred abroade, and hath taken so mutche encrease against the willes of Princes, and almost maugre the head of al men: that is as false, as your Religion is.

Did not the greate slaughter of your hundred thousand Boures of Germanie signifie to the world,* 1.4 your cause to haue had the helpe of man: VVhat maie weindge of the great League of Germaine Prin∣ces made at the diere of Smalcald, for defence of your Lutheran Gospel?

The troubles and tumultes of Fraunce raised by your Brethren the Huguenots,* 1.5 and the lament a∣ble outrages committed there for your Gospels sake, be they not a witnes of fresh memorie, that your Religion is maintained, set forthe, and defended with power and helpe of men?

That it is nowe at length come euen into Kinges Courtes and Palaices,* 1.6 it mouethe wise men no lesse to suspect it, then to praise it.

Notes

• * 1.1

  ••. Tim. ••.
• * 1.2

  Vntruthe.
• * 1.3

  The first begin∣ninge of this nevve Gospel, and the occasion that first moued Luther to He∣resie.
• * 1.4

  The diete of Smalcald.
• * 1.5

  The Hugu••no•• of Fraunce.
• * 1.6

  The comminge of Luthers Go∣spel into Princes Courtes is a vveake argumēs for the Truthe.