A replie vnto M. Hardinges ansvveare by perusinge whereof the discrete, and diligent reader may easily see, the weake, and vnstable groundes of the Romaine religion, whiche of late hath beene accompted Catholique. By Iohn Iewel Bishoppe of Sarisburie.

M. Hardinge. The .2. Diuision.

VVhereto we saie, that if he, with the rest of the Sacramentaries, woulde agree to the kepinge of the Sacrament, then woulde we demaunde, why that manner of kepinge were not to be liked. And here vpon proufes made of defaulte in this behalf, and a better waie shewed, in so smal a mater, conformitie to the better woulde soone be persuaded. In other Christen Countries (we graunte) it is kepte otherwise, vnder locke and keie, in some places at the one ende, or side of the Aultar, in some places in a Chappel builded for that purpose, in some places in the vestrie, or in some in warde, and secrete roome of the Churche,* 1.1 as it was in the time of Chrysostome at Constantinople.* 1.2 In some other places we reade, that it was kepte in the Bishoppes Palace, neare to the Churche, and in the holy daies brought reuerently to the Churche, and set vpon the Aultar, whiche for abuses committed, was by order of Councelles abrogated.

Thus in diuerse places, diuersely it hath ben kepte, eueriewhere reuerently, and suerly, so as it

might be safe from iniurie, and villanie of miscreantes, and dispisers of it. The hanging vp of it on high▪ hath b••en the manner of Englande, as Lindewode noteth vpon the Constitutions prouincial: on high, that wicked dispite might not reache to it: vnder a Canopie, for shew of reuerence and honour.

Notes

• * 1.1

  In Epist. ad Innocenti∣um.
• * 1.2

  In Concil. Braccaren. 3. Can 5.