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 .8. Diuision.

Here I neede not to spende time in rehersinge the manifolde difficulties of these holy letters, through [ 3] whiche the readinge of them to the simple, and vnlearned people, hauinge their wittes exercised in no kinde of learninge, their mindes occupied in worldly cares, their hartes caried away with the loue of thinges, they lust after, is not very profitable.* 1.1 As the light shineth in vaine vpon blinde eies (saithe a holy Father) so to no purpose,* 1.2 or profite is the labour of a worldly, and natural man taken for the at∣teininge of thinges, that be of the Spirite. Verily emonges other, this incommoditie is seene by dayly experience hereof to proceede, that of the people, such as ought of right to take least vpon them, be now become censours, and iudges of al, despisers of the more parte, and, whiche is common to al Here∣tiques, * 1.3 mockers of the whole simplicitie of the Churche, and of al those thinges, which the Churche vseth as Pappe, or Milke to nourrishe her tender babes withal, that it were better for thē not to reade, then by readinge so to be pufte vp, and made insolent. VVhiche euil commeth not of the Scripture, but of their owne malice, and ••uil disposition.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Bernard. super Ca••∣tica.
• * 1.2

  Bernarde calleth him a vvorldly, and a natural man, that is voide of the Sprite of God. Therefore this place is not vvel applied.
• * 1.3

  They despise nothinge, but that should be despised.